Petzl Transporter Strap Issues?

[Rob]

I'm in the market for a Petzl Transporter (or alternative) after my 2005 one is now defunct!

Searching for "Transporter" on this forum typically throws up results that are followed by "...shoulder strap snapped". I hear on the last Mulu Benerat exped there were quite a few failures. Interestingly searching Google doesn't throw this up to be a big issue.

Any further information anyone? Has anyone reported the issue to Petzl? Was it a faulty batch maybe? Does it seem to be associated with the older design and/or the new one released start of this year?

 

[AlexR]

Oscar’s had a strap failure this last Dachstein exped, too. It’s the old design one.

 

[Pete K]

I think they crapped out on the materials or the quality at some point. I have had one of the originals for a long time, maybe 8 years now. Carried 3 bags of cement in it, rolls of zip wire cable, steel, and as my back reminds me often, several loads that were akin to having a full human on my back. It is still going strong and in use most weeks. A couple of chaps I know bought them in the last few years and one of them suffered a strap ripping off the bag very early on with 'normal' loads. Mine is unkillable. I bought a spare when I tore it on a wire end 3-4 years ago, but it still hasn't died. If you get an 'older' old design one, they seem to be bombproof. No idea about the new ones, but it seems that the more recently manufactured 'old' versions were not made as well.
AV do a similar sized bag that is tough as nails. Heavier though. DMM Porter won't last long, although they are nice to carry.

 

[Pete K]

Oh, and it's also carried a big chain winch (20kg?) and shackles across Eldon Quarry several times over the years to appease Alex's desire to break more of his dyneema creations.

 

[Rob]

Thanks Pete, interesting to hear. To help with clarification, it's worth noting that there's at least 3 versions of the 60l size that i know of:

1. The original from pre-2005 was red (but maybe other colours were available?), one buckle to the lid, no back foam on the outside

2. The most common is yellow, two buckles on the lid, one big section of foam against your back

3. The most recent looks pretty similar but has two sections of foam against the back

I think this differentiation is probably important as the method of attaching the straps to the bag is likely to vary between these designs.

As the version 3 is seemingly the main one that is available to buy, my question should probably be "has anyone broken the latest design?".

 

[Badlad]

Hi Rob.

I still have two red ones in serviceability condition (no 1 above). They have been on many expeditions and the only wear is around the top of the shoulder straps. I actually have an even older one from the late 80s I think. I would have highly recommended those designs. However...

The yellow ones, your number 2, are crap. We had one (at least) fail on the 2020 Mulu trip, more i believe on the 2022 trip, one member of that team had his replaced after complaining to Petzl. Then earlier this year seven failed which had been purchased for the MCP store. four broke on the porters just carrying 18kg loads to camp five and three failed with cavers carrying the usual stuff through caves.

The problem is quite simple and seems to be a design fault which Petzl ran with for what must be five years. They all break where the shoulder strap joins the main bag near the waist belt. The webbing is attached to a triangular piece of the yellow material. This is then attached to the bag by the stitching which sows the foam back pad onto the main sack. it's not very strong stitching and is prone to ripping off in use. I do have some photos somewhere if you want to see the problem.

I've not seen the new sacks, but I would be very cautious about buying one. Looking at the photos online they appear to have a very similar construction for the lower strap attachment. Petzl don't seem to be as concerned about quality as they used to be. If you do think about the new one check out the design closely first would be my advice.

 

[Pete K]

Mine are the mk 2 yellow ones.
Interestingly, now I think about it, I rarely ever use the waist strap. Perhaps that is a factor, because my yellow one is Chuck Norris.
The failure mechanism Badlad describes is exactly what my friend experienced with his mk 2, and he also got a replacement from Petzl.

 

[JoshW]

AV’s 45L bag has carried lots of heavy shit for me over the years when I’ve moved house and overpacked it with things like diving lead and other kit, and can vouch that it’s comfy and doesn’t fall to pieces!

 

[MarkS]

I have one of the yellow mk 2 ones, and it's been used fairly extensively on expeditions, usually with pretty heavy loads (at least 20 kg). At a guess, I'll have bought in in about 2015. I've not had any issues with it...and always use the waist strap!

 

[Rob]

Thanks all.

...Then earlier this year seven failed which had been purchased for the MCP store. four broke on the porters just carrying 18kg loads to camp five and three failed with cavers carrying the usual stuff through caves....

Wow, that's a crazy amount of failure! I hope you got refund/replacements/free repairs for them all? Did Petzl have any comeback?

Looking at the results so far, i'd say v2 design/manufacturing changed 5-7 years ago. Like Pete, many people I know have had a v2 for many years and it's still going strong.

Looking closely at photos of v2 vs v3, the design looks slightly different at that failure point, but it's very hard to tell. Anyone here got one? Note, only looking at 60l version.

 

[Samouse1]

I’ve recently got the 60l new version, and trudged it across an Austrian plateau carrying stupid weights that my back has thankfully has forgiven me for. It’s very comfortable and hasn’t shown any signs of failure. I recommend! I also have a mk2 45l but seem to have gotten lucky with it not failing on me

 

[Rob]

Ooo, interesting. Were the old versions 45l or 60l? There seems to be no info on this as there was only one size.....

 

[Badlad]

Wow, that's a crazy amount of failure! I hope you got refund/replacements/free repairs for them all? Did Petzl have any comeback?

The ones we used were the larger 60l. We never bought them. They were bought by one of the two previous expeditions. I sent all the details to the leaders of those trips recommending that they took the issue up with Petzl. I don't know if they did, I expect not. On the trip you were on in 2022 Pete Hall's strap broke and he returned it to Petzl and got a replacement. He donated the replacement to our trip and I'm fairly sure that was one of the ones that broke again. Seven broke out of the eleven available.

 

[Badlad]

You should be able to see the issue on these two bags.

 

[Cantclimbtom]

Not your question and a bit left field.. but I've had good luck with Lyon bags and putting a canvas velcro rope protector over each shoulder strap (which are obviously available for use as rope protectors if required). No waist strap with that approach though, but pretty solid kit.

 

[phizz4]

I’ve been using the 60 litre dry bag from these people, wearing well and cheap.

60L Dry Bag Rucksack - Red | Lomo Watersport UK. Wetsuits, Dry Bags & Outdoor Gear.

60L dry bag rucksack with removable straps. These large dry bags have a roll down top and welded seams.

www.lomo.co.uk

 

[georgenorth]

Not your question and a bit left field.. but I've had good luck with Lyon bags and putting a canvas velcro rope protector over each shoulder strap (which are obviously available for use as rope protectors if required). No waist strap with that approach though, but pretty solid kit.

Another recommendation for the Lyon essentials bag from me. Given the lack of a waist belt I wouldn’t want to carry one all day, but for carrying stuff a couple of miles they’re great. If they had adjustable shoulder straps and a waist belt they’d be even better…

 

[Rob]

I'm sure the the Lyon bag will be tough. But i'm very much in the market for a comfortable bag with a heavy load, so defs needs a waist belt for me.

The Lomo one from Phizz4 looks interesting. At sub £30 I like the price for sure! It's missing a haul point or an inner pocket (real helpful for loose stuff like survey gear, first aid kit, etc), but for about £100 less than the Petzl variant that's a small hit. Those could probably be modded in quite easily. It does look really long mind, might be real annoying getting stuff from the bottom!

 

[ChrisB]

The Lomo one from Phizz4 looks interesting

My experience of Lomo kayaking gear is that it's well designed and well made, but the materials aren't as durable as the more expensive brands. It works well ... but then it wears out. It's value for money, you get what you pay for.

 

[Cantclimbtom]

I have a lomo caving bag as a second bag. https://www.lomo.co.uk/products/40l-caving-and-tackle-bag/

It's £14.99 and perfect for storing gear at home or in the car, the shoulder straps are thin but at that price you should understand. A very useful bag. You could use it for walking about in caves or mines, using for rope for climbing as long as it's not going to get dragged or badly beaten. If I loose flake rope into it at 10mm I might just be able to get 100m into it if I really squash it in and bang the bag down on the floor and take my time. No haul loops, no waist belt.

Perfect as a light duty bag, storage, short walks or not too heavy
Not suitable as a heavy duty bag that's going to get any abuse or dragging or squeezes. Not enough support for long walks