This is my first external frame backpack and with my son coming just around the corner I didn't have a lot of $$$ to spend. That being said this pack arrived very quickly and was in a big cardboard box securely. When I opened the box I couldn't believe my eyes. The pack was very light weight and came with just enough side pockets for me to carry some extra books for extra reading material in the woods. It also came with a rain cover, which I'm sure with other packs you have to order separately. I recently purchased a tent that also fits in the main part of the pack, with my lunch and mess kit (very roomy). The only component I haven't tried out is the part where you can strap in your sleeping bag (mostly b/c I haven't found a sleeping bag worth buying yet). All in all this is a great pack and I have hiked at least 30 miles in it since I bought it only a month ago and it is very comfortable while on the trail. As one reviewer noted its almost as if it forces better posture because it seems to make you stand up straight, which for me (a slouch) is a big positive.
Highly recommended.
I purchased this pack for a thru hike on the AT. Been testing it and so far its held up great. The pack has lots of room and has been designed well. The material and workmanship are outstanding. The only flaw I found was on the frame. One of the 2 end-caps on the bottom of the frame came out. That however created a better idea. I took two wooden dowels and two hard rubber hand grips and attached them to the bottoms of the frame. Now the frame sits higher, keeping the pack off the ground; leans up against a wall better without slipping down or falling over; makes the pack easier to grab things out of cause it sits higher; and best yet...you can use the handles to shove your pack on easier by yourself.
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For comparisons sake I am 5'8", 177lbs. and we hiked about 2 2.5 miles in 95+ degree weather. Bag weight was about 35 lbs.
As the bag packs a little higher than most, the weight feels as though it's sitting ON my shoulders. Thus, making the hike much more comfortable. I didn't have to lean forward at all to carry the weight. In fact the bag sort of made me stand up straight and was very easy on my back. There are a couple of very nice features I didn't have a chance to try yet due to just a short overnight jaunt (1+ mile each way). Including, a horizontal hydration bladder pocket inside the main compartment with a hose opening on either side of the bag (very convenient). I'm guessing it can hold up to about 2 liters. Also a rain cover is included in it's own pocket and is strapped to the bag inside the pocket so I don't lose it. There are also 2 side pockets on one side and a large pocket with a mesh bottle pocket on top of that one, on the other side. As well as a very large front pocket and another very large one on the top closing flap. MANY of the other new bags I looked at had not one single outer pocket. The only draw back (literally) is that if I lean TOO far back the bag will take me with it due to the higher packing. Easily solved by not leaning too far back. All in all I give it an easy 5 stars.I highly recommend this pack especially if your prone to back and knee pain.
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These backpacks are an awesome value. I honestly don't think you can do better for the price.
I started out buying one for myself the 50L Foxhound. I got it and was impressed! It's very adjustable (I'm a 5'7"/120lb. woman, and it's just right) and well made. I have since bought two of these 65L Bobcats. One for my partner, and one for his brother. They are both around 5'10" 6' but one guy is broad shouldered and the other is a bean pole. The packs fit both of them perfectly.
The shoulder straps adjust laterally so that if you're especially broad or narrow shouldered, it will still fit you. It comes with extra pins for adjustments or replacements, also. The empty pack weighs right around 5.5 lbs., and has several smaller external pockets to keep food convenient while hiking. There's a cloth divider inside the main compartment the lower zipper on the outer front opens to the "bottom" internal compartment which you can fit a compressed bag or a tent into, and there are gaps in the corners of the pack where it doesn't connect. So it's sewn into the front, back, and sides, but has spaces for long items. This is great, because tent poles can fit in the pack vertically, and as long as you pack something on the divider as a base, you can take out the tent or bag or whatever you put in the bottom half, and all of your stuff in the top half is left pretty much undisturbed.
The pack cinches down to the frame at the waist band, so that the weight of the pack is carried on your hips, not your shoulders. This is great when the pack is heavy! There's a mesh piece that keeps it off of your sweaty back while you hike, and there are little flaps where you can feed out your camelback-type water tube. One really neat thing that this pack has, that the 50L one I bought for myself didn't come with, is the waterproof rain cover. It's in a small zipper pocket at the top of the pack, and it's attached via a little nylon strap. So you just pull it out of the pocket, stretch it over the pack (it has an elastic cord sewn into the edge), and it stays dry.
This backpack is great for beginners as well as experienced backpackers. We pack pretty light, but we don't have any space issues on a week-long trip with these packs.
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I was surprised about an hour ago when this showed up (wasn't expecting it until Wed.). There are no instructions that comes with it (that I found yet) to show what needs to be adjusted for different heights BUT, wow, what a backpack. High quality material, coated aluminum frame, pockets, pockets and more pockets. There is room APLENTY in this thing. I've been using the box store version of what they call a backpack but OMG what a difference! I've never had an external frame pack and this, to me anyways, is like going from a Kia to a Cadillac with the options. I can't wait until it gets cooler (yes, it does get cold in Florida!) to give this thing a chance to impress me more. I know this isn't a "have used it and here's what I think about it" review but I'm impressed with it so far and had to say something. I plan on updating when I have actually had it in the woods.
UPDATE MARCH 6, 2013: Been using this pack for a few trips in the woods and it is holding up very well and would gladly recommend this pack to anyone. I can carry what I need and as far as the sleeping bag compartment goes, I have my sleeping bag AND an inflatable pillow from IKEA in there. The sleeping bag is an Alpine Microlite rated at 45 degrees. 80" long X 34" wide. Weighs 1 lb 14 oz. and stuffs into a sack 12" long x 21" diameter. Bought it from Sports Authority. I am 5'11 and 245 lbs.
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I love this travel case, so light, tons of room, I absolutely love this case.
