Trackmate by ProHike Australia



	The Trackmate has a single 250-mm wheel, which will roll happily over some very rough terrain. You can push it when the going is easy, and pull when it’s tougher. It’s incredibly easy to balance and it puts almost no weight on your hands. Naturally there will be times when the going gets really tricky and you will need to pick it up (though in several months of testing we have found that this is not at all frequent). It takes a matter of seconds to fold up the handles and get the pack on your back.

	The distance between the handles is 500 mm, which gives great control when wheeling. They face downwards on the rare occasions when you carry it, and we have never found them to get in the way.

The Trackmate weighs 3.9 kg. When you need to sit down, just whip the pack off – 10 seconds – and it’s a seat. Add our featherlight top and you have a miniature off-ground food preparation area.

	No. There are a couple of quick-release straps to hold your pack to the Trackmate, and you just hold it by the handles. To carry, simply fold the handles and pick up the pack and Trackmate together. That’s it.

The Trackmate has been uniquely designed from strong durable aluminium and is extremely robust. We recommend the maximum carrying capacity to be 25 kilograms. Both models, the Trackmate and the Trackmate Junior come in a very hardwearing durable powdercoat finish. The Trackmate comes in space blue and the Junior in blaze blue, other colours are available at an additional cost on request. Two possibilities for inconvenience are a puncture and a loose nut. The tyre is filled with mousse, like a rally car tyre, to prevent punctures. Every Trackmate comes with a couple of lightweight spanners, which we suggest you carry. (We have never encountered either problem.) And if your Trackmate fails within 2 years (as opposed to fair wear and tear) due to our workmanship or materials, we will repair it or replace it, free of charge.

Certainly it will. Your Trackmate is adjustable for your height, and it covers a wide range. There is also a version especially for children called the Trackmate Junior.

Don’t take our word for it. Listed below are the comments of some people who have tried out the Trackmate. ‘I was sceptical about the Trackmate – after all, if it worked, why wouldn’t somebody have built one before? But once I tried it in the bush I found that it literally took a great load off my back. I could arrive at camp ready to enjoy the experience, and I could really look forward to the next day’s walk. That’s how good it is.’ Trevor F Tasmania, Australia I am 16 years old; I did some hiking carrying a large backpack before I tried the Trackmate. I can truly say that the Trackmate wins outright when comparing it to carrying your pack on your back. I can say it’s worth every cent. Mitch R Tasmania, Australia