The Trial is an expedition backpack in the 55L-90L class with an alpine-focused design, built for multi-day hikers and mountaineers who need to move heavy loads comfortably over long distances. Its V-VAR frame uses vertical aluminum stays to transfer weight onto your hips, while a height-adjustable harness and reinforced hip belt tune the fit to your torso for all-day carrying.
Made by Terra Incognita, a European brand with more than 18 years of expedition experience and its own production, the Trial is engineered around durability and load control. A 600D rip-stop body, a reinforced 1680D nylon base and premium YKK and Duraflex hardware make it a pack you can trust on demanding routes, and an integrated rain cover keeps your kit dry when the weather turns.
Who is the Trial backpack for?
The Trial is for serious multi-day trekkers, alpine climbers and expedition travellers who carry big loads for days at a time. The 55L-90L capacity range covers everything from a long weekend to a full expedition with technical gear, food and shelter. If you routinely pack heavy and cover real distance on rough terrain, the load-transfer frame and tough fabrics are the features that keep you moving in comfort.
What is the Trial backpack made of?
The main body is 600D polyester rip-stop, chosen for a strong balance of durability and weight, while the base is reinforced 1680D nylon FTX to take the abuse of being dropped on rock and scree. The V-VAR system pairs vertical aluminum stays with a rigid frame to move load onto the hips, and premium YKK zippers and Duraflex buckles handle the stress that heavy, long-term use puts on hardware.
How does the Trial backpack carry on the trail?
Loaded up, the Trial keeps weight low and close to your back so it does not pull you off balance on technical ground. The height-adjustable harness and padded hip belt let you shift load between shoulders and hips as you tire, and the bottom entry means you can reach a sleeping bag without unpacking the top. When rain arrives, the integrated cover deploys over the whole pack in seconds.
How do you adjust the Trial backpack before a trip?
Before a big trip, adjust the harness height to your torso and set the hip belt so the load rides on your hips, not your shoulders. Use the front, side and elastic-cord storage to keep frequently needed items accessible and balance the load side to side. After the trip, empty every pocket, brush off grit from the reinforced base, and let the pack dry fully before storing it loosely in a dry place.
Specifications
| Characteristic | Trial 55 | Trial 75 | Trial 90 |
| Volume (EU) | 55 L | 75 L | 90 L |
| Volume (US) | 14.6 gal | 19.8 gal | 23.8 gal |
| Weight (EU) | 2.95 kg | 3.15 kg | 3.40 kg |
| Weight (US) | 6.50 lbs | 6.94 lbs | 7.50 lbs |
| Main Material | 600D Polyester Rip Stop | ||
| Bottom Material | 1680D Nylon FTX TM (Reinforced bottom) | ||
| Suspension System | V-VAR (Vertical Variable Adjustment Ridge) | ||
| Back Panel | Fully ventilated back | ||
| Shoulder Straps | Anatomical ventilated construction, height-adjustable | ||
| Hip Belt | Anatomical reinforced ventilated construction with pockets | ||
| Hardware / Zippers | Duraflex® / YKK® | ||
| Hydration System | Internal Н2О pocket + special valve for drinking system | ||
| Rain Cover | Waterproof cover included (stowed in dedicated zippered pocket) | ||
| Access Points | Top loading + Bottom entry and zippered divider | ||
| Top Lid | Removable lid with document pocket, large compartment, organizer, and key clip | ||
| Front Panel | Front pocket with adjustable volume and elastic cord system | ||
| Pockets | Volume-adjustable side pockets, Two lower mesh side pockets | ||
| Compression | Extended side compression straps | ||
| External Attachments | Ice tool loops, Trekking pole attachments | ||
| Safety Features | Adjustable sternum strap, Emergency signal guide (sewn into lid) | ||
| Colors | Blue, Orange, Green, Red | ||
| Gender | Unisex | ||
| Trip Duration | Multi-day 50+, Expedition 80+ | ||
| Best Use | Mountaineering, Mountain Tourism, Difficult Hikes and Expeditions, Hiking, Light Hikes, Outdoor Recreation, Camping | ||
| Product Type | Expedition Backpack | ||
Key features
- V-VAR frame with vertical aluminum stays transfers heavy loads onto the hips for efficient carrying
- Height-adjustable, ventilated shoulder straps tune the fit to your torso length
- Reinforced hip belt with integrated pockets stabilizes the load and keeps essentials handy
- 600D polyester rip-stop body resists tears and abrasion on rugged expedition routes
- Reinforced 1680D nylon FTX base survives being set down on rock and scree
- Bottom entry with a zippered divider gives fast access to gear at the base of the pack
- Removable multi-compartment top lid adds organization and doubles as a summit pack option
- Integrated rain cover and YKK/Duraflex hardware keep contents dry and the pack reliable
Who makes it
Terra Incognita has spent more than 18 years running trips and expeditions and manufacturing its own outdoor gear, so this model comes off the brand's own production line rather than a rebadged catalog. The design is tested in the field by the people who guide the trips.
The Trial is an expedition backpack in the 55L-90L class with an alpine-focused design, built for multi-day hikers and mountaineers who need to move heavy loads comfortably over long distances. Its V-VAR frame uses vertical aluminum stays to transfer weight onto your hips, while a height-adjustable harness and reinforced hip belt tune the fit to your torso for all-day carrying.
Made by Terra Incognita, a European brand with more than 18 years of expedition experience and its own production, the Trial is engineered around durability and load control. A 600D rip-stop body, a reinforced 1680D nylon base and premium YKK and Duraflex hardware make it a pack you can trust on demanding routes, and an integrated rain cover keeps your kit dry when the weather turns.
Who is the Trial backpack for?
The Trial is for serious multi-day trekkers, alpine climbers and expedition travellers who carry big loads for days at a time. The 55L-90L capacity range covers everything from a long weekend to a full expedition with technical gear, food and shelter. If you routinely pack heavy and cover real distance on rough terrain, the load-transfer frame and tough fabrics are the features that keep you moving in comfort.
What is the Trial backpack made of?
The main body is 600D polyester rip-stop, chosen for a strong balance of durability and weight, while the base is reinforced 1680D nylon FTX to take the abuse of being dropped on rock and scree. The V-VAR system pairs vertical aluminum stays with a rigid frame to move load onto the hips, and premium YKK zippers and Duraflex buckles handle the stress that heavy, long-term use puts on hardware.
How does the Trial backpack carry on the trail?
Loaded up, the Trial keeps weight low and close to your back so it does not pull you off balance on technical ground. The height-adjustable harness and padded hip belt let you shift load between shoulders and hips as you tire, and the bottom entry means you can reach a sleeping bag without unpacking the top. When rain arrives, the integrated cover deploys over the whole pack in seconds.
How do you adjust the Trial backpack before a trip?
Before a big trip, adjust the harness height to your torso and set the hip belt so the load rides on your hips, not your shoulders. Use the front, side and elastic-cord storage to keep frequently needed items accessible and balance the load side to side. After the trip, empty every pocket, brush off grit from the reinforced base, and let the pack dry fully before storing it loosely in a dry place.
Specifications
| Characteristic | Trial 55 | Trial 75 | Trial 90 |
| Volume (EU) | 55 L | 75 L | 90 L |
| Volume (US) | 14.6 gal | 19.8 gal | 23.8 gal |
| Weight (EU) | 2.95 kg | 3.15 kg | 3.40 kg |
| Weight (US) | 6.50 lbs | 6.94 lbs | 7.50 lbs |
| Main Material | 600D Polyester Rip Stop | ||
| Bottom Material | 1680D Nylon FTX TM (Reinforced bottom) | ||
| Suspension System | V-VAR (Vertical Variable Adjustment Ridge) | ||
| Back Panel | Fully ventilated back | ||
| Shoulder Straps | Anatomical ventilated construction, height-adjustable | ||
| Hip Belt | Anatomical reinforced ventilated construction with pockets | ||
| Hardware / Zippers | Duraflex® / YKK® | ||
| Hydration System | Internal Н2О pocket + special valve for drinking system | ||
| Rain Cover | Waterproof cover included (stowed in dedicated zippered pocket) | ||
| Access Points | Top loading + Bottom entry and zippered divider | ||
| Top Lid | Removable lid with document pocket, large compartment, organizer, and key clip | ||
| Front Panel | Front pocket with adjustable volume and elastic cord system | ||
| Pockets | Volume-adjustable side pockets, Two lower mesh side pockets | ||
| Compression | Extended side compression straps | ||
| External Attachments | Ice tool loops, Trekking pole attachments | ||
| Safety Features | Adjustable sternum strap, Emergency signal guide (sewn into lid) | ||
| Colors | Blue, Orange, Green, Red | ||
| Gender | Unisex | ||
| Trip Duration | Multi-day 50+, Expedition 80+ | ||
| Best Use | Mountaineering, Mountain Tourism, Difficult Hikes and Expeditions, Hiking, Light Hikes, Outdoor Recreation, Camping | ||
| Product Type | Expedition Backpack | ||
Key features
- V-VAR frame with vertical aluminum stays transfers heavy loads onto the hips for efficient carrying
- Height-adjustable, ventilated shoulder straps tune the fit to your torso length
- Reinforced hip belt with integrated pockets stabilizes the load and keeps essentials handy
- 600D polyester rip-stop body resists tears and abrasion on rugged expedition routes
- Reinforced 1680D nylon FTX base survives being set down on rock and scree
- Bottom entry with a zippered divider gives fast access to gear at the base of the pack
- Removable multi-compartment top lid adds organization and doubles as a summit pack option
- Integrated rain cover and YKK/Duraflex hardware keep contents dry and the pack reliable
Who makes it
Terra Incognita has spent more than 18 years running trips and expeditions and manufacturing its own outdoor gear, so this model comes off the brand's own production line rather than a rebadged catalog. The design is tested in the field by the people who guide the trips.
Questions & answers
Trial backpack FAQ
How big is the Trial backpack?
The Trial is an expedition pack in the 55L-90L range, starting at 55L (14.6 gal). That capacity is built for multi-day treks and full expeditions, with volume-adjustable front and side pockets and an elastic cord system that let you expand or cinch the load as your kit changes over a trip.
How does the Trial carry heavy loads?
The Trial uses a V-VAR frame with vertical aluminum stays and a rigid back that transfer weight onto your hips, where your body carries it most efficiently. Combined with a height-adjustable ventilated harness and a reinforced, padded hip belt, this keeps big loads stable and comfortable over long distances.
Does the Trial come with a rain cover?
Yes. The Trial has an integrated rain cover that pulls over the whole pack to protect your gear when the weather turns. Because it stows in its own pocket on the pack, it is always available, which matters on multi-day routes where you cannot predict the conditions.
How durable is the Trial backpack?
Very. The main body is 600D polyester rip-stop for tear and abrasion resistance, and the base is reinforced 1680D nylon FTX to survive being set down on rock and scree. Premium YKK zippers and Duraflex buckles handle the stress of heavy, repeated expedition use.
How much does the Trial weigh?
The Trial weighs 6.50 lbs (2.95 kg) in its 55L configuration. That weight reflects its supportive aluminum-stay frame and heavy-duty fabrics, which are exactly what makes carrying big multi-day loads comfortable - a lighter pack would flex and shift weight onto your shoulders.
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