Rucksacks with two openings and compartments allow easy organisation of your gear. If you’re someone who likes to pack a pack ‘just so’, then this style of pack is for you! Dual access also makes it easy to reach contents at the bottom of the pack, so you don’t have to unpack completely to reach your sleeping bag.

Dual access simply means there are two points for getting into your pack. The most common second access point is a large zip at the bottom of the pack (pictured) in addition to the standard opening at the front or top of the rucksack. In this style of pack, the load can be separated into two compartments by the use of a floating divider, which remains as reinforcement to the rucksack’s floor when not needed. This method of separating the compartments is hassle-free and allows you to top-load your pack, no matter how ‘full’ the bottom compartment. In contrast, fastening and unfastening the other styles of dividers – zip in, drawstring etc – is annoying, and unless the bottom compartment is full, top-loading your rucksack leads to an unstable, under filled pack.

Most One Planet hybrid and travel packs have two compartments, as do several of our bushwalking models. Rucksacks with dual access and compartments are: Sidetrack, Strezlecki, Angus, Tasman, Longreach and Tom Thumb. (Elvis has dual access - top and front - but only one compartment.)

Many bushwalkers put their sleeping bag in the bottom section for ready access, or use this compartment to keep wet or dirty clothes separated from your clean(er) kit. The bottom zip does provide an extra possible point for water to enter, although the contoured cover on One Planet zips reduces this risk.