Fox brought out a ruck box, or a framed rucksack, quite some time ago, but for reasons best known to themselves they discontinued it more than two years ago.
legs
Since then they’ve had lots of requests to bring it back, which is exactly what they’ve done, and also taken the opportunity to bring it up to date with more features and increased capacity.
The new model has been fitted with Fox’s unique harness that ensures that when the Ruck Box is fully laden it can still be carried in relative comfort.
What makes this Ruck Box different to most rucksacks is the frame. The Ruck Box has a built-in aluminium frame that gives the whole thing rigidity without adding too much weight. This frame has legs that protrude through the bottom of the Ruck Box, which it stands on clear of mud and wet. The standard swivel feet can be fitted with optional mud feet when the ground is particularly soggy.
The frame also means that everything inside the Ruck Box is easily accessible, for the whole of the main interior is kept open instead of it collapsing as you remove stuff.
Comfortable Harness
Two rigid plates are provided, one to fit the bottom of the inside of the Ruck Box and one that can be fitted internally on top of the frame to make a handy table, and the lid is padded so that when this is folded over, with the plate in place, you can sit on it.
There are more than 10 external pockets, each one provided with a quality double zip, with two pockets big enough to take the large system box.
The storage capacity isn’t stated but the main compartment must be in the region of 90 litres. However, with the huge number of external pockets there is more than enough room for everything you want to take, plus some of your mate’s kit if you’re in a generous mood!
It comes in a box in kit form and you have to assemble it yourself. That wasn’t a problem though.
FISHINGmagic VIEW
If you carry lots of gear and prefer to keep that gear well organised, as in ‘a place for everything and everything in its place’, then this Fox Ruck Box is just what you want. It has so many pockets that my biggest problem when I first used it was remembering where I’d put everything. But once I got used to it, it was a dream and I could put my hand on anything I wanted within seconds.
Good double zips
The main compartment is quite restricted due to the frame that cuts down the capacity, but with so many external pockets that didn’t seem to matter too much.
It’s more of a wide rucksack than a tall one when empty, measuring approx 24″W x 14″D x 28″H, although it does look quite tall due to the legs that give it an extra 4 inches, and if you have the draw-string extension tube filled it then becomes a very big rucker, and bigger still with an unhooking mat in the straps at the top!
If you have restricted car boot space then you need to take a close look before you part with any cash because, due to the frame, you can’t push and squeeze it into odd shapes like an ordinary rucker, especially when they’re only part full.
It is well made of good quality materials, with zips that are easy to grip and easy to use, and going by the average price of quality rucksacks it is pretty good value.
