Arc Teryx Bora 95

Review Date
March 11, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: ian2u ,  Mountaineer

Price Paid:  $410.00 at REI Mail Order

Summary:
I live in UK and the Bora 95 costs $685 with 6 weeks delivery. I got 20% off via the REI Members dividend and with shipping came to $410 and took 7 days from day of order.
Superb quality, real attention to detail, hip belt incredibly comfortable even loaded.
Water tight zips aren't. Never could be since the you have two zip pulls and where they meet there is a gap or "hole". Also with bag full the zip stretch slightly and driving rain will get in. You have to pack your things in a few waterproof bags and then use the side zip to get at each bag. Personally I would prefer it without the side zip. Having the inner face of the bag material white helps a lot in searching for stuff.
Grumbles: No instructions at all, not even about cleaning. Makes no sense.
Kangaroo pouch needs a double zip pull so you can undo from the bottom or top. At present it's a bit pointless since you have to undo the lid to get at the zip pull.
Reflective patch would have been useful but this you can sort out yourself.
Velcro Ice Axe holders are magic.
Overall stunning quality and worth buying with the deal I got but the normal price of $685 in UK means it's not worth it, Macpac would win hands down at half the price.
My value rating is based on UK prices.

Customer Service:
Can't use since shipping costs to and from UK prohibite this.

Similar Products Used:
Macpac Pursuit - but for climbing so smaller pack. Similar excellent quality, not so technically advanced but quite a bit more rugged. Used the Macpac Glissade which is similar size to Bora 80. If Macpac put more into development and ideas then their packs would be better than Arcteryx.

Review Date
July 11, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Therapist ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $270.00 at REI-Outlet

Summary:
I finally got a chance to use my pack. I went hiking on the Eagle Creek Trail in the Columbia River Gorge. Once a couple of my friends pointed out how to customize it to my frame and explained how it should fit, it was very comfofortable. I'm writing this right now fairly sore but not cause of this pack cause of my shoes..but thats a different review. The pads are great and feature pack excellent. I ahd to by a camelbak omega cause it didnt have a hydration system nor did it have a place to put one but other than that this pack performed wonderfully, I'm a really slender guy 5'10" and 150 lbs. So i was the probably the weakest person there and I also had the heaviest pack, but because of its comfortability I had to problems whatsovever

Customer Service:
Have not needed to use

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
December 19, 2002

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Visitors rate this review
2.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: Matt (Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I used this pack extensively on all kinds of trips. I worked fairly well on low elevation, 3 season backpacking trips, but was a little heavy. Durring winter mountaineering at high elevations, I found the pack to be not only heavy, but cumbersom, and very inconvenient. Not to mention rather uncomfortable when compared to some other packs. It was nearly impossible to stow/retrieve something from the pack without considerable hassle. I am now using an Osprey Crescent 110 and couldnt be happier.

Similar Products Used:
Osprey crescent 110

Review Date
February 21, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Mike W (Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Illinois

Price Paid:  $289.00 at Altitude-Sports.com

Summary:
I shopped for a very long time over the Internet, reading review upon review on backpacks. I needed a big pack. Not only was I starting my adventures in backpacking but, I planned on doing it for a long time so I wanted to get something good that would last. All that research on the Internet paid off. I am very happy with my Bora 95 pack. The pack has the best frame/support I have tried on a pack. There is a lot of cushion. When I had 55lbs on my back, with this pack, it did get heavy at times. I didn't adjust the frame sheet like I should have, so I had a little back ache. That was my first use so now I know how it should fit me and I can bend the frame sheet to match my back. Other than that, the pack never hurt my shoulders or the rest of me because Arc'Teryx spent a lot of time with ergonomic engineering - that's why I would say this pack is a leader among expedition packs.

I purchased the Arc'Teryx Bora 95 Large (inc spot color - on right) in Canada from Altitude-Sports.com. The pack cost $289 + $21.28 shipping (no tax). This was a really good deal buying this from Canada, since it normally cost $395+shipping+tax from USA shops. I was very happy will Altitude Sports - They shipped the pack in good time and they followed up through e-mail to make sure I received it - they were very helpful and answered all my questions over e-mail.

Customer Service:
I e-mailed Arteryx some questions, after I purchase the pack, and they got back to me right away. If I did have a problem with the pack I suspect they would provide top notch service.

Similar Products Used:
Tried on Gregory, Dana Designs...Their packs were not nearly as padded on my back.

Review Date
August 21, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Paul(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from New Jersy

Price Paid:  $265.00 at MEC.ca

Summary:
Fantastic pack! As mentioned, it is a little heavy, but very rugged. All seams are well made and the zippers are flawless. The pack stays dry inside and the hydration pack addition is a nice touch.

Recently went hiking for four days and carried camera equipment with a weight totalling about 65lbs w/o much problem. The pack is quite comfortable. The side pockets carry canteens or Nalgene bottles well and the outer pocket is very handy. The removable fanny pack is very useful.

This is a great bag for the multi-day (4+) hike and holds a lot of stuff. Anything less, consider a smaller Arc'teryx.

Would buy again, although judging from the construction, I don't think I'll have to. This is my second Arc'teryx pack (two sizes) and I love them both. Find a friend in Canada and get these from MEC.ca for much cheaper than available in the US.

Similar Products Used:
None