I gave this pack its first run last weekend: a short weekender about 7 miles into the deep woods and foothills of South Carolina.
I found the pack to be excellent, especially considering the low price point. It is sufficiently roomy for a 3-season 2/3 day trip and has an excellent strapping system both for fit and compression.
The pack is fitted for larger framed persons; I'm 5' 7", 170 pounds, and found myself cinching up the straps almost to their absolute minimum, but they still functioned perfectly fine.
I also experienced the "Squeaking" problem, and to me it seemed to happen only when the load shifted its weight onto the point where the straps connect to the pack, and occured especially during lateral movement. This is hard to overcome during steep uphills, but keeping the load properly positioned on your hips will elimnate the squeak most of the time.
The attached rain-fly fits the pack very well even when heavily loaded and with an attached bedroll, and keeps it dry even in a heavy rain. The built in hydration ports are especially useful, as I was able to use my Camelback resivoir with the pack.
The long and the short of it is that if you are looking to make a smart buy, this is a quality pack that is smartly built that will not leave you with regrets.
Hi All, Thanks for posting your reviews on the High Sierra 65 bag, it is the main reason I purchased it. I just received mine this morning and had it on a trail less than an hour later.
Tested 2 hours with a ~25lb load on a ~7 mile trail with approx. 1500 ft elevation total.
Squeeks yes, not bad, not enough to be annoying.
Hip belt large yes, I have a 34-36 waist, after cinching it down comfortable only 3-6 inches of total tightening left until it will be as tight as it can go.
Shoulder strap slippage (reason for 4 vs. 5) yes on both straps, especially when running. This was probably the most annoying thing about this pack, going to look into making elastic velcro wraps to secure down the shoulder straps more.
Top main compartment: Fits a 3 season 2 person marmot titan tent, tent poles, tent cover, tent stakes, and an additional sleeping mat. Takes up roughly 1/3 of the main compartments available space.
H20 Compartment runs the full internal depth of the bag, appears to be able to hold more than one bladder with duel hyrdration tubes ports (left and right side) and huge bladder compartment. Keep in mind a full H20 compartment will reduce the available space in the top main compartment and the bottom sleeping bag compartment.
Side mesh pockets Plenty large enough for a 1 Liter Nalgene on each side.
Bottom Sleeping bag compartment fits my 40 degree bag, sleeping mat, and thermarest pillow with room to spare.
Back zipper pocket Fits 2 oranges side by side, 2 bags of jerky,and a 750ML Nalgene on top with room. Note that the zipper bag compartment space is tied in with the copression straps so pack zipper bag prior to compressing main bag.
Adjustable Ergo Fit harness awesome
Hip/Shoulder strap padding Very comfortable.
It was around low 60's on the trail with a cool wind so I didn't notice if the pack made me any warmer or not.
The only thing missing on the High Sierra 65 is hip belt pockets.
Buy High Sierra Classic Series 59401 Sentinel 65 Internal Frame Pack Now
Great value for a large framed guy like me... Anyone with a 32" waist or under need not apply; The pack will not cinch down tight enough to be usable on a you. This pack holds all I need to carry with me for a two-three day backpacking trip, with nothing outside of the pack. It rides well and is very comfortable if a bit heavy. Do cut off and then hem the large amount of excess straping. The sleeping bag compartment is a tight fit for my 15 degree bag and air pad. It also squeeks a bit if your load shifts while walking but this can be fixed by tightening down the generous number of compression straps. Overall a awesome value, and the best fit for my big frame.
Read Best Reviews of High Sierra Classic Series 59401 Sentinel 65 Internal Frame Pack Here
I was in need of a general purpose backpack. Not too large, not too small, and one that I would only use a few times a year. I read the reviews on various backpacks sold at Amazon.com, REI, and other sporting goods retailers. Since I wasn't going to use it that much, I couldn't bring myself to spend $100-$300. The feedback on this pack was that it was a solid pack for the money.
Took it camping this past weekend and I have to say that I don't think that you can find a better pack for the money ($88 through Amazon.com). Some of my fellow campers could not believe how nice of a bag it was, and were even more surprised when I told them what I paid for it. The pack is very well built. At 65 liters, it is big enough for a few days worth of backpacking. It is a top-loading drawstring design, with two smaller external compartments. The shoulder straps fit very nice and it was comfortable to use, even fully loaded. There are straps on the top, sides, and bottom to compress the pack once it is loaded.
I would definitely not recommend this for anyone with a 36" or smaller waist due to the size of the waist straps. I have a 38" waist and had the waist straps cinched up almost all the way. It is not the lightest backpack, but since I'm not climbing K-2 anytime soon, it works fine for my needs.
I would have liked the Chipotle color, but not enough to spend an extra $20-$30.
Want High Sierra Classic Series 59401 Sentinel 65 Internal Frame Pack Discount?
I first used this backpack for a 3-day trip in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. I was able to fit my compact 25-deg sleeping bag, 6x8 tarp and some camp accessories into the sleeping bag compartment. The upper compartment was able to hold my clothing, small stove, solo bear canister, D-SLR camera, and toiletries -plus a hydration bladder in the built-in hydration pocket. My 2-man tent and air pad fit perfectly on the bottom of the pack. I had a water bottle and camera tripod in the external mesh pockets.
At almost 5 lbs. this pack isn't for the super-light trekking crowd, but the well-padded waistband did a good job of transferring the pack's weight to my hips so it was easy for me to carry 50+ lbs for three days without any difficulties.
I am 6'3" and weigh 220 lbs. and the well-padded waist straps fit me well and the Ergo-fit shoulder harness adjusted so the pack fit me well. The Sentinel 65 also fit a 5'9" person's frame very comfortably. The air channel design of the backpack's padding helped keep my back dry and cool better than some packs I've used.
The one thing I didn't know before I bought the pack was how the upper compartment lid is held on by four adjustable straps. This allows more room to fit gear, but if the back isn't very full, the top flap can be hard to keep secured. The pack also seems like it has more straps than I'd ever use. But, better too many straps than too few in my estimation.
Overall an excellent pack at a good price, plus High Sierra's lifetime warranty make this backpack a very good value.
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I bought this bag to accommodate a laptop computer and books, portfolio, etc., for an adjunct teaching job on a campus where I don't have a private office and have classes in different buildings. I wanted something that would be distinctive and attractive, but stand out from the students' backpacks & messenger bags.
