Gear Review: Norrona Senja econyl70 7L Pack
Running packs! If you are getting into trail running you will see them all around you. They are a very versatile piece of gear that allow you to bring not only some water, but also other necessities on a run into the wild. There are a lot different options on the market for many different prices. We bought the Norrona Senja econyl70 7L pack in the summer of 2024 and have been using it since then. Read our opinion below and see if this pack might be something for you.
Facts & Figures
Dimensions: comes in S/M and L/XL sizing. We are around 175cm, weigh 62-63kg and wear an S/M
Weight: 251g
Properties:
Material: Nylon outside fabric, polyester harness
Waterresistant main compartment
Mesh harness to regulate temperature on warm days
2 HydraPack 500ml soft flasks included
Storage options for trekking poles
Price: €229,00
A closer look
The Norrona Senja 7 liter pack is a well made running pack. Coming in only the green colour it does have to be your taste but we think it fits with a lot of different clothing options. It has a seven liter capacity, with a large main compartment. This has a laminated zipper, making it water resitant. In inside this large compartment is a pocket to store loose items and a key hook to attach your keys. The compartment is roomy but does taper down towards the bottom to follow the contours of your back. Having the zipper go straight down the middle also means stuffing it feels a little risky. It would have been better if Norrona put the zipper to the side, so you can stuff it full and still close it without having to put a lot of pressure on the zipper.
Next to this main compartment are two smaller vertical outside pockets. These can hold your trekking poles when not using or any other small items. On both sides you also have stuff pockets to hold things like gloves, a headband, lamp or other small items. On the front. the pack has space for two 500ml soft flasks, which are included with the pack. These can be held in place with elastics, meaning they don’t slide down when becoming empty. Over these are zippered pockets that are large enough to hold a new iPhone or snacks. The left on is big, the right side has another small zipper pocket on the bottom to store small valuables in. The pack has a few reflective details. On the back the Norrona logo in the middle reflects in the dark. On the front the two vertical stripes on the front pockets reflect.
Fit and comfort
When deciding on a running pack, the most important thing is if it fits well. You don’t want the pack to move around while your run on trails or to be too warm when the going gets though. And that’s where the Senja really shines: it is extremely comfortable and has a lot of adjustment options meaning it can be customized how you want. We have used this pack on trail runs through them mountains, forest and on flat gravel. In all cases it stays tight on your body and does not move around no matter your movement. You can cinch the pack on both sides of your ribs and the adjustable straps on over chest mean it will fit most people. The pack is also very breathable: even in over 30 degrees we felt comfortable. Even thought there is no female specific fit it does not seem necessary since we both fit the S/M well.
Storage and usability
The Senja pack is 7 liters, which does not make it the biggest pack. In our experience, there is enough room for the essentials. The two front pockets fit the 2 flasks, a phone and fuel in the form of bars and gels. The extra zippered pocket is ideal for a headlamp. The side pockets hold things like gloves, a hat, buff and for women is the ideal spot for a kula-cloth. That means you have a full back compartment to bring your first aid kit, a hard shell and puffy without it bursting at the seams.
In terms of use most pockets are located conveniently. Two notes however are the heigt of the flasks and the storage options for trekking poles. The flasks are located quite low in this pack. This means that you usually lift up the pack to drink from it, this is not a fully hands-free action. Besides this, the storage options for trekking poles don’t feel very well thought out. You can keep them on the two vertical pack pockets, but these are hard to reach when you are wearing the pack. Storage at the front is also not ideal: they can be looped next to your chest but if you have longer poles they will get in the way fast. Hopefully Norrona fixes this on a next iteration of this pack.
Field testing
We have been using the Senja pack for about 6 months now in both summer and winter weather. It it a great pack for those runs where you want to bring water, some food and bare necessities. It fits very comfortably and looks good! The quality also holds up great, and the fact that the back pocket is water resistant makes it very suitable for unpredictable weather in fall and winter. No matter if it is full or empty, it always fits well which makes it very versatile.
However, if you want to bring more layers or extra food this pack might be too small for you. The trekking pole storage can also be a limiting factor if you like to grab and store these on the go. Organizing on the other hand is very easy with this pack. The different pockets mean you can give everything it’s own spot and always be able to find it. These zippers and the durable fabric do make it a fair bit heavier than other brands.
Pros and cons
Pro
Extremely comfortable, adjustable and stable fit
A lot of pockets and storage options
Soft flasks are included with the pack
Water resistant material and back pocket
Fits well empty and full
Con
Limited options for storing trekking poles
Soft flasks sit slightly too far down
Only comes in one colour
Expensive
Heavier than other brands
Conclusion
So, saying all this what is our recommendation? We are very happy with these Norrona packs so at face value we would definitely buy again. It fits great and holds the things we want to bring on day hikes and longer runs. However, looking at price and weight it must be said that other running packs such as the Salomon Advanced Skin 12 might strike a better price value. If a waterproof pocket is very important to you the Norrona is great and it holds perfectly for a day out in the mountains, whether your hiking, running or cycling. But for us, it lets down on some important points like trekking pole storage and weight. For its premium price tag, which is standard if you buy Norrona gear, there are some better options on the market these days. We are happy with our purchase and are planning to use it for a long time, but if you are looking for a pack yourself take these things into consideration!