REVIEW: ZENTAURON Sentinel 55+10 Rucksack

Anyone who is serious about being outdoors needs a suitable backpack to carry all their equipment. A volume of around 50 liters has proven to be extremely practical in the tactical field. This is exactly what the first large backpack from ZENTAURON fulfills with the resonant name "Sentinel".

The Sentinel is a relatively tall backpack, but it is narrow. The approximate dimensions are 30 x 30 x 82 cm and it weighs around two kilograms when empty. Thanks to the relatively lightweight 500D Cordura, it achieves this low weight.

The Sentinel offers you around 55 liters of storage space plus 10 liters in the lid.

On both sides, the backpack is equipped with elastic pouches for bottles and other equipment. Very practical.

With the compression straps, the Sentinel can be made more compact on one hand, but skis or additional bags can also be attached. The webbing is long enough.

On the bottom, you will find double-column MOLLE rows that extend into the lower front area. The perfect attachment points for securing sleeping mats and the like here.

Before we go into the details, here is our video on the ZENTAURON Sentinel.

The Lid

At the top of the Sentinel, you will find the lid, which is actually a separate pocket. This is connected to the backpack with four buckles and can be removed. In addition to a large MOLLE panel, there is also a velcro field for patches.

Through a two-way zipper, you can access the storage compartment of the lid, which offers you the aforementioned 10 liters. There is no further division or velcro panels inside.

In a second zippered compartment on the underside, you will find,...

… two straps. With these, you can use the lid as a stand-alone escape backpack.

Or also as a daypack on longer outings.

Looks pretty good on the back. A very practical feature. Leave the big buddy behind and continue with the essentials until you can return to base.

The Backpack

The main backpack of the Sentinel offers you 55 liters of packing volume. You can fit a lot in here. In the picture you see it without the lid.

What we find interesting about the Sentinel is that it is both a frontloader and a toploader.

You open and close the main compartment at the top with a roll closure. Not a bad choice in principle.

The main compartment itself is very unspectacular. Just a big sack.

Because it is a large sack and it would be cumbersome to always empty the entire backpack when the wearer needs something from the very bottom, the Sentinel is also a frontloader.

To open the front lid, you first have to loosen the compression straps.

Then simply unzip and you have access to the interior.

On the inside of the front lid, you will find a long mesh pocket for small items that need to be quickly accessible.

Roll Closure - Blessing or Curse?

A very dramatic title, we have to admit, but a real problem. If the Sentinel is not filled all the way to the top, you simply roll it multiple times and the main compartment is securely closed.

That's true, but visually it makes the Sentinel look smaller. The rolling goes down to the shoulder strap attachment.

Also, the upper frontal MOLLE loops cannot be fully utilized.

And because of the attachment points of the lid, it hangs down at the front and cannot be tightened optimally.

When carried on the back, the whole thing looks a bit better, but not 100% optimal. From ZENTAURON comes a second, smaller lid, which is not a standalone escape backpack. The escape lid needs the high profile to close sensibly.

Without the lid, the half-filled variant of the Sentinel carries impeccably.

Regardless of the angle we went, the Sentinel held up perfectly on the back, thanks to the simple but very good carrying system.

Carrying System

Basically, there is nothing unusual to see here. Well-padded shoulder straps, a sternum strap, and a solidly executed hip belt.

The shoulder straps are anatomically shaped and hold up well. After all, with 65 liters, a lot of weight comes together, especially when using additional side pockets.

The load control straps do their job, what more could you want?

The thickly padded and really comfortably wide hip belt of the Sentinel is also equipped with MOLLE rows for additional bags or a holster.

We especially like the width adjustment on the Sentinel hip belt. This is pulled forward on the side, not diagonally backward as you know from most previous backpacks. Anyone who has ever tried to tighten the hip belt of their heavy backpack full of gear will love this system. The functionality can be seen in the video above.

A solid carrying handle should never be missing on large backpacks.

The Sentinel wears so well because it is equipped with an external frame. This provides the necessary stability and optimal weight distribution down to the hips.

Thanks to the frame shape, the back is also well ventilated because a good gap remains between the back and the backpack.

CONCLUSION: The ZENTAURON Sentinel gets a lot right: a frame carrying system, rolltop and front loader, and a lid that can be used as a separate backpack. All of this, coupled with the high level of craftsmanship that is accustomed from ZENTAURON, makes the Sentinel 55+10 a loyal companion in the field.

The Sentinel 55+10 is available directly from ZENTAURON starting at 349.00 euros in five color variants.

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