Safari Club International recently unveiled a new branded selection of apparel and accessories exclusive to its members. The Hunter Pride collection features a wide array of clothing, but what caught my eye was the new line of bags that were on offer.
Since I had a couple of business trips coming up, I requested a sample for review and received the Aurora II with the Lion and Shield SCI logo embroidered on the main panel. On initial inspection, the pack is solidly put together. It is manufactured by NorthFace and all seams and attachment points are well constructed for heavy duty use.
The Aurora II is built specifically for women; a detail I didn’t know until I took a look at the accompanying tags on the backpack. As a result, I found the straps did not fit me and the loaded pack did not carry well with the straps. Not that it was uncomfortable, but it just didn’t fit correctly, and I found myself carrying the pack by the top handle more than using it as a backpack.
That aside, I was very impressed by the amount of stuff I could fit into the Aurora II. I packed it as a carry-on for both trips and was able to pack a tablet, cellphone, two paperback books, a file folder with itinerary and paperwork, chargers, spare glasses and more and still had room in an outer pocket for an expensive bottle of airport water.
The bag is rated to 1159 cubic inches and has a top “smalls” pocket that holds cellphone, ear buds, etc. and includes a snap strap for keys. The main pocket is roomy and has a sleeve that holds a laptop or tablet that is up to 15 inches. There is a hidden pocket outside of the main pocket that is perfect for books or other smaller items, a hidden zipper pocket and a fleece pocket that holds a large water bottle.
The backpack fits neatly under the seat when flying and is easy to carry by the top handle.
All in all, the Aurora II is a good option for a daypack or a carry-on option. Plus the classic Lion and Shield logo lets you show your Hunter Pride wherever you travel whether you’re on your way to the hunt of a lifetime or to your next business destination.
You can find the Aurora II and all of the other SCI merchandise at https://www.shopsci.org/.–Randy Gibbs
