Arc Teryx Bora 40

Review Date
August 1, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Rocky Mtn Man ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $200.00 at local high end shop

Summary:
I decided to go "light & fast". The target is <30 lbs all in (including food, water, gas for the stove and the clothes I am wearing) for seven days. No bivy either, a real tent even if it is just a single person. I wanted a pack that would do dual purpose, pack a load for extended trips, but strip down to a day pack for side trips. I just field tested the Bora 40 and intentionally weighted it heavy to 35 lbs (water being the difference between 25 and 35lbs). It worked great. The side pockets where used to strap down the ThermaRest and the tent. Water was kept in a bottle on the hip belt on one side, and bear spray on the other. I used an old heavy sleeping bag to fill the large cavity, but I will get a Marmot Helium and strap it to the top below the lid. This will leave the large opening for cold weather gear, stove, food and extra water, all of it being close to the body for better weight distribution. The top cavity was used for maps, compass, survival and first aid. All of my clothes (and not a thread of cotton in it) was in the back pocket. My Leikas tied to the back quit well. Even heavy (35lbs) it worked great. The hip belt is very good and the internal frame fit like a shirt. It has excellent access to all the gear I needed for the trip in and the dayhikes once there. Even though it was heavier than other packs I have tried, it "hiked" lighter. I was concerned about the volume, but by putting all the "night" gear on the outside will make the interior space more than adequate. I have the "total weight" now down to 22 lbs for everything (including what I am wearing) but food, and gas. That leaves me a pound a day for 8 days to get to 30lbs. To call this a day/overnight pack does it a disservice. It is an extended trip pack, if your desire is to take what you need, and not what you want. The $'s are Canadian and sorry for the double post, it did not take the first time.

Review Date
August 1, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Rocky Mtn Man ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $200.00 at local high end shop

Summary:
I decided to go "light & fast". The target is <30 lbs all in (including food, water, gas for the stove and the clothes I am wearing) for seven days. No bivy either, a real tent even if it is just a single person. I wanted a pack that would do dual purpose, pack a load for extended trips, but strip down to a day pack for side trips. I just field tested the Bora 40 and intentionally weighted it heavy to 35 lbs (water being the difference between 25 and 30lbs with a 5 lb buffer in case I need to pack water for more than just the day). It worked great. The side pockets where used to strap down the ThermaRest and the tent. Water was kept in a bottle on the hip belt on one side, and bear spray on the other. I used an old heavy sleeping bag to fill the large cavity, but I will get a Marmot Helium and strap it to the top below the lid. This will leave the large opening for cold weather gear, stove, food and extra water, all of it being close to the body for better weight distribution. The top cavity was used for maps, compass, survival and first aid. All of my clothes (and not a thread of cotton in it) was in the back pocket. My Leikas tied to the back quit well. Even heavy (35lbs) it worked great. The hip belt is very good and the internal frame fit like a shirt. It has excellent access to all the gear I needed for the trip in and the dayhikes once there. Even though it was heavier than other packs I have tried, it "hiked" lighter. I was concerned about the volume, but by putting all the "night" gear on the outside will make the interior space more than adequate. I have the "total weight" now down to 22 lbs for everything but food, water, and gas. That leaves me a pound a day for 8 days to get to 30lbs. To call this a day/overnight pack does it a disservice. It is an extended trip pack, if your desire is to take what you need, and not what you want. Highly recomended. The price is Canadian Dollars.

Review Date
July 30, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: mephistopheles ,  Mountaineer

Price Paid:  $45.00 at You'll Never Guess

Summary:
I bought this pack from someone while I was mulling having to pay FULL price for one. It was a Textbook steal at $45.00 (The person selling this pack was not a backpacker, but instead bought this pack to carry her books!). Any how, I have relied on my Bora 80 in situations which would have left me up a creek, therefore, it was very little effort that drove me to search for a short-trip Arcteryx. ****The side pockets in most Bora Packs are NOT meant for Water Bottles, they are meant for gear such as avalanche probes, tent poles, etc**** for those that have complained about the side pockets not being able to handle a Nalgene bottle, I suggest they should look into bladder systems such as CamelBacks/Platypus. If you feel compeled to carry a water bottle, there are 2 daisy chain systems from which you can easily carabiner the empty bottle for camp use.
The pack is perfect fit for my torso and does not get the way of arms as I move through miles of talus/scree. The suspension system is unparalleled, as is the hip belt.

Customer Service:
Don't expect to have to call them, not for 45 dollars

Similar Products Used:
Arcteryx Needle 35, Northface Minute Man (BAD), Lowe Alpine (OK).

Review Date
November 16, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: zner1(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $120.00 at Valhallla Pure

Summary:
Great pack. I replaced an Osprey Eclipse 36, with this pack and have been really happy with it. It could really use larger side pockets or a provision for a hydration system. I have found that you can get a 1L Nalgene in the side pocket and clip a small caribeener between the lid and a side strap, seems to keep the bottle in place until you start jumping from rock to rock.
The pack carries a load pretty well. I have been able to stuff all my camera gear and cold weather gear in for a day trip of picture taking.

Customer Service:
No need to test them out, pack is really well built.

Similar Products Used:
Osprey, North Face, Lowe Alpine

Review Date
September 3, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: cbgarrett(Unregistered User) ,  Skier , from North Carolina

Price Paid:  $160.00 at REI

Summary:
I bought two of these for my wife and I for our hiking trip to the Swiss Alps. I did extensive research testing fit and carrying comfort. We settled on the Bora 40 because it is the best. The detaining is top notch. My wife already has a Bora 80 for backpacking, so we know about the long term durability. The 40 was great on our trip: from day hikes to a multiday hut trek, it expanded or contracted to the right size for anything. And comfortable as can be. The only downsides are the price (but can be found on sale) and the heavier weight (but it carries so well you never feel it.)

Customer Service:
Never used.

Similar Products Used:
Marmot, REI, Dakine, The North Face