Jansport Rainier

Review Date
June 5, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: alex(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $85.00 at sportmart

Summary:
its really comfortable and light, packs well, but one of the shoulder strap eyeholes did break on me after about 100 miles. probably because i was averaging 60 pounds of load, but still a great pack for the price and definitely good enough for any beginner or intermediate backpacker.

Review Date
July 2, 2002

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Reviewed by: skylark(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from san francisco, ca

Price Paid:  $90.00 at Sport Mart

Summary:
Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!

Try walking down a path with 36 pounds on your back, with everything cinched down tightly... and instead of hearing the birds, brooks, and breeze... all you'll hear is: Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!

unfortunately, after numerous applications of various lubricants on the pins, I can't get away from the incessant squeaking!

the pin and post design is great for ledning out to beginners who are just trying to figure out if they like 'packing... however, this pack lacks the customization featured on internal frame packs. (ie load lifters, sternum strap, and compression straps) all of which helps make things feel lighter.

also, for the reviewer immediately before mine: i managed to start the fraying process on that bottom strap. Too bad i didn't think of the duct tape solution!

To the novice: if you're already spending this much, try to find a Dana external frame, and a smaller, more compressible sleeping bag. I guarantee you'll have a better chance of falling in love with 'packing.

Customer Service:
never bothered.

Similar Products Used:
External: Various brands; Coleman peak series; Dana Longbed (or Shortbed?)
Internal: Jansport; Gregory; Dana

Review Date
December 16, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: joevigil(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $70.00 at Big 5 Sporting Goods

Summary:
I've been using this pack on 1-3 night trips for several years now, into the California High Sierras. Although it took a few trips to get the thing adjusted so it wouldn't thrash my shoulders, it's quite comfortable. It has held up quite well, with no failures (not even a zipper!).
I don't like the strap that goes from the pack and around the frame on the bottom. When I take breaks, I leave the pack on and rest it on a rock. Well, that strap gets scraped and could wear out and break; so wrapped it in duct tape to reduce the wear (it seems to have done the trick). I've never had a major amount of rain dump on me, so I don't know how waterproof it is.
It has plenty of room to spare for the length of trips I take. I really like the openings for fishing poles on the side of the pack; my pole pieces fit perfectly. I've taken 'moonwalks' weighing 60-70 lbs with no problems. Recently I started buying lighter gear; I'm down to 35-40 lbs (including food, water, fishing gear, and a backpacker guitar). When/if I get a different pack, I'll try the Mountainlight Ghost 3000 (when/if I get the money!).
I'd recommend this pack to anyone (especially beginners).

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
March 13, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Rick Barger(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Little Rock, AR

Price Paid:  $130.00 at Take-A-Hike

Summary:
I have owned a similar jansport backpack which I bought in 1993. I have backpacked with it for 8 years now and am very pleased. There are lots of pockets, rides well on hips, no problems with zippers, and has held up expcept for on split at a zipper. This happens in CO and porbably happened going through rough forest areas.

I like having all the compartments and little zipped areas for maps etc. I have carried between 50 to 70 pounds with no backpack problems.

Customer Service:
I had to send it back in for a slipt zipper and it cost me $20, but I received it back in just 3 weeks. The repair was made in 1996 and has held up well.

I had a buckle break which Jansport replaced for free.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
February 17, 2001

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Reviewed by: Jega(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Dallas, TX

Price Paid:  $90.00 at Academy

Summary:
This was my first external backpack for my first backpacking trip. It is an ok pack for beginner's, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone else. One, with a 40 lb. load which isn't that much, the adjustment screws began to knife into my shoulder blades, making comfort harder to come by. It has ample room, and plenty of storage spots and places to tie stuff which are a plus. The load control is also decent, but not the best, for it has no compression straps on the side. But, after having this pack and using it on 3 trips to Colorado, I'm am in dire need of a pack that is comfortable. i think my next one will be internal. For, beginner's though, I would recommend a different pack, like the kelty trekker 4300. My brother bought this one at the same time I bought the rainer, and his is much more comfortable with all the good things this one has.

Similar Products Used:
None