Kortel Kompact

Test, first impressions and product sheet

140€ (-)

Kortel is bringing out a series of ultra-light rucksacks with the special feature of an integrated tube bag for quick storage of your glider. We try it out on a hike and fly to find out more about this new product.

At Flyeo, we like innovative products that are different and well thought-out solutions to specific problems.

Last year, Kortel released a series of bags dedicated to hike and fly, the ‘Sak’ series, Sak 17 and Sak 27, which already included an inner folding space for easy packing of your paraglider.

With the new Kompact product line, Kortel is taking up the concept again, but this time adding a complete concertina bag for even easier glider packing, making it the ideal product for hike and fly.

Video: using the bag
What is it for?
Which pilots is it for?
What's unique about it?
Time will tell if..
Product data
Buy this bag

Video: using the bag

We've compiled this video of the Kortel Kompact 34-litre during a Hike & Fly at Col des Frêtes.

What is it for?

Undeniably for Hike & Fly! And preferably flying with compact gliders: single skin or mountain wings.

In size 42, the Kompact could accommodate a ‘normal’ light double-surface glider, such as an Ozone Geo 7 for example, but there would not be much room left to carry anything else in the bag.

During our tests, we were able to take the Ozone Ultralite 5 mountain wing with us without any problem, and much more since our complete inventory was as follows:

Wing: Ozone Ultralite 5 Size 21
Harness: Skywalk Core with its Permair module for protection
Reserve parachute : Ozone Angel 100 front mounted
Gloves
Stodeus LeBipBip variometer
Small puffer jacket
Helmet: Supair Pilot (attached to the bag outside)
1.5 litres water bottle

This all adds up to a rather compact rucksack weighing around 6 kilograms.

Flying down, the bag, which no longer contains our flight gear, folds in on itself and is long enough to hold walking sticks. Perfect!

Which pilots is it for?

For all pilots, whatever their level, who hike fairly quickly on foot (not much room for a picnic in the bag) and who want to fly down under a small wing.

It should be noted, however, that aside from using the bag for Hike & Fly, the Kompact can also be used as a classic concertina packing bag. Size 42, in particular, at more than 3m length can accommodate light double-surface wing up of up to 24 square meters.

As it does not contain a rigid structure, it could fold your wing and be put itself inside another traditional rucksack.

It doesn't cost much more than a traditional concertina bag, at around €20 or €30 extra.

What's unique about it?

The whole concept seems quite unique to us. But there are a few points in particular that caught our attention:

Integrated inner bag

This is of course the key point of this bag. The integrated tube bag allows the glider to be stowed away quickly, concertina-style. You can even leave it attached to an ultra-light harness that you can also pack in the bag.

Comfortable to carry on your back

The part of the bag that lies against the back is covered with a fabric that allows air to circulate. The bag doesn't ‘stick’ to the back and is a little stiffer in shape. This also makes this part, which can quickly become wet with sweat, watertight.

The back of the bag includes a breatheable material

Adjustable shoulder and chest straps, removable waist strap

The shoulder straps remain adjustable for optimum comfort. The same applies to the chest strap while the waist strap is completely removable.

Vue des brettelles du sac qui sont ajustables

Only time will tell if...

We did a total of five hikes & fly with the Kompact, for a total of around 8 hours' walking and 6,000 metres of positive ascent. So far, we have nothing to report on the longevity of the product.

Of course, the equipment used is light and therefore thin, and we wonder whether objects with sharp edges will eventually perforate it.

We also notices that when properly filled, the bag is quite taut, and we wonder whether the seams will hold.

But for now, there's nothing to suggest that these are real problems. And we all know that the downside of lightweight equipment is that you have to take care of it to make it last...