SHIBA JOURNEY ／ DATA NOTE
3 times in 8 years.
I keep buying the same backpack.
A Salomon 20L pack. I bought the first one in 2018, and every time it wore out, I chose the same thing again. Now on my 3rd, here is what changed and what did not. An honest record of one pilgrimage companion.
Salomon TRAIL 20 → TRAILBLAZER 20 ／ 2018 → 2021 → 2026, bought 3 times
Everything I carry on a pilgrimage goes into this backpack. A Salomon 20L. Nothing special. But when I realized I had bought the same one 3 times in 8 years, it made me smile. This is a record of that single pack. N=1. One person’s account, carried on the back.
Contents
- The first two — buying the same thing twice
- The current model — what changed with TRAILBLAZER
- The honest downsides — it is not perfect
- Why I keep rebuying — an 8-year answer
What is the Salomon TRAILBLAZER 20
A 20L pack chosen for its lightness, from trail running to daily use
Salomon is a French brand known for trail running and outdoor gear. The TRAILBLAZER 20 is its easy-to-use 20L model. It features a lightweight ripstop fabric, a 2-compartment structure, and chest and waist straps that keep the load from bouncing. It carries enough for a day of training or a small overnight trip. The older model was called the TRAIL 20, and the current TRAILBLAZER 20 is its successor.
20L capacityLightweight ripstop2 compartmentsFront pocketChest & waist straps
01 ／ The first twoBuying the same thing twice
The first one was 2018. A Salomon 20L in navy. The reason I chose it was simple: it was light. That was enough.
A chest strap and a waist strap. Cinch them, and the pack stops swaying against your back. You can run. Even walking, it does not dig into the shoulders. Two compartments inside. In summer, it holds a night’s worth: a T-shirt, shorts, a towel, a water bottle, a charger, a folding umbrella, training gloves, a support brace, tape. Almost everything a pilgrimage needs, it took in.
The Salomon 20L. Chosen for its lightness, my companion on the walk. Loaded, it does stand on its own — more or less.
After a little over 2 years, the zipper broke. So I bought the 2nd one. 2021. Black this time. Same model. The same absence of complaints. And again, in about 2 years, the zipper gave out. I used it up properly, the way you use a consumable.
02 ／ The current modelWhat changed with TRAILBLAZER
The 3rd one was 2026. I went looking for the same thing, and found the name had changed. From TRAIL to TRAILBLAZER. It had been redesigned.
TRAILBLAZER 20. The successor to the old TRAIL 20. The name changed, and so did what was inside.
First, it is bigger. It is supposedly the same 20L, yet it feels about 1.5 times roomier. In summer, it might even manage 2 nights. And there is a new pocket on the front. This, quietly, was the biggest win. A power bank, a wallet, tissues. The things you want to reach for quickly now have a home here.
The front pocket added on the current model. You can reach a charger or cable without opening the main compartment.
There is also a small pocket up top. Somewhere to drop keys or small items. The new model has added a few homes the old one did not have.
The small top pocket. A fixed place for the little things.
Same 20L, but it came back a notch more dependable.
03 ／ The honest downsidesIt is not perfect
It is not all good. Let me write the downsides honestly, too.
First, for a serious runner, it is a little large. This is not minimal running kit; it is a pilgrimage size, for walking, carrying, and the occasional run. For pure running, a smaller vest is better.
It stands on its own — sort of. But packed full, it is not stable. It can tip over. And there is no rigid frame in the back panel. On days you carry a laptop, you are better off adding a separate sleeve. That is the trade-off for its softness.
I did consider a North Face daypack for city use. But for exercise and walking, this one wins. It is soft, and it follows the curve of your back. Different uses, different answers.
04 ／ Why I keep rebuyingAn 8-year answer
3 times in 8 years. Each time it broke, I did not shop around; I chose the same thing. That, I think, is the answer.
Not having to decide is a small thing, but a large one. On the morning of the next pilgrimage, I do not have to think about what to pack it all into. I put it on, and the familiar feeling on my back returns. The gear dissolves into the scenery. That is how well it fits.
Inside, the usual shirt. The SHIBA JOURNEY tee. It has covered the distance of these pilgrimages together with this pack.
Not for a reward, not for a trend. It is just light, it does not sway, and it holds what I need. When that holds true for 8 years, there is no reason left to choose again. When the next one breaks, I expect I will buy the same thing.
A note. This article is one person’s usage record (N=1). Model names, specs, and capacity impressions are as of the time of purchase, and vary by individual unit and use. Sizes and colors change over time. Please check the latest product information before buying.
If you are buying one now, get the current TRAILBLAZER 20. The old TRAIL 20 is discontinued. Same 20L, but this one is larger and more usable thanks to the front pocket.
* This post contains affiliate links (Amazon Associates and Rakuten Affiliate).
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* Capacity is 20L. Colors vary by stock. Links point to Amazon.co.jp and Rakuten (Japan stores).
No rush. Your journey.
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