Kelty La Sal

Review Date
May 31, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: jjustinhill ,  Snowboarder

Price Paid:  $250.00 at Omaha, NE

Summary:
The La Sal is the only pack I have ever owned and I have no complaints. It is still holding up great after 6 seasons of being used for an average of 7 days per season. I use the interior pocket to hold my water (the heaviest thing in my pack). The quick access hole between the shoulder straps make a great place for my hydration system tube to run. I personally prefer the front compression straps because I am able to compress my pack much more than I was when I tried my friends with the side straps. I also hike a lot of steep terrain, and falling onto the pack with the pockets down the front often results in broken gear. The hipbelt cinches nice and tight thanks to the reverse tightening system (pulling in instead of out). I have used this pack with loads up to 70 pounds without any pinching or problems from the pack. More often than not my pack weighs around 40 or 50 pounds and, after the first year where the pack bent to my back, is very comfortable with this weight.

Customer Service:
I have never had a reason to contact Kelty since the only thing to ever break on this pack was the clip that holds the compression straps together, and it was my fault for pulling on it the way I was. I just ties the straps together for the rest of the trip and replaced the clip for $3 when I got home.

Similar Products Used:
No other packs, numerous other Kelty products all of which have worked great for years.

Review Date
September 26, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: rbwno1(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $110.00 at ebay

Summary:
The Kelty La SAl is the most comfortable pack I've tried so far. I have the 6500ci pack and I am very satisfied. So far the pack has stood up to being loaded up to 50lbs, and due to the padding I withstood the weight comfortably. The pack has not seen much abuse but the material looks strong (600 upper, 1000 kordura lower- i think). I like the quick access gopher hole, adjustability, padding, and top compartment converting to fanny pack.

Best bang for my buck thus far, in terms of packs.

Similar Products Used:
Kelyty red cloud (5500-5700), Lowe Alpine (6,000), camp trails (3200).

Review Date
April 25, 2002

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: chare(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $200.00

Summary:
This pack has been updated since the photo pictured on this page. the pockets have been moved to the front of the pack and the compression system to the sides. this is basically the slickrock 5500 with two 250 cubic inch pockets attached. by moving the compression system to the sides the pack pulls in closer to your back giving a comfortable carry. the gofer hole is a nice touch with behind the head access to the interior, it allows you to stash a jacket or food and retrieve it quickly. it has a slab pocket inside so that heavier items like a stove or food can be contained closer to your back and hence improve the way the pack carries. the detachable lid-cum-fanny pack works well too. it takes a little modifying to get the stays shaped to your back, but once you do, the pack works wonderfully. the hip belt is also functional though doesn't look like it could hold up to +35lb loads, but i have had no problems carrying weight with this pack. the water bottle pockets could be larger though. overall i'm happy with this pack and the price isn't too bad either.

Review Date
April 28, 2001

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Rusty(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Pittsburgh

Summary:
I've had this pack for 3 years and it's performed great. I'd definitely buy a Kelty pack again in the future.

FRAME: I imagine that most people who complain about Kelty packs being uncomfortable haven't figured out how to customize their pack's aluminum stays and fit. It can be a little tricky at first, but once you get the pack dialed in to your back, it's awesome in terms of comfort. I routinely carry 45 lbs in my pack on 2-3 day trips over rough trails and have never had any back soreness.

HIPBELT: The Kelty hipbelt tightener is one of those great ideas that should be on all packs- you get a tighter fit by pulling the straps inward using the equivalent of a pulley. (most hipbelts tighten by pulling the straps outward). Try it out and you'll see what IU mean.

LOAD COMPRESSION: One weird thing about this pack is that the load compression straps make the pack narrower rather than pulling it closer to your back. This seems a bit counter-intuitive to me, though I've never had any major problems with load-balancing. If this load compression issue bugs you, I suggest trying out one of Kelty's other packs.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
July 12, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Lee McKenzie(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Calgary, AB, Canada

Summary:
I love my La Sal. I'm not sure what Ijhan's problem was. My guess is he got one put together on an off-day. Poor luck.

I take mine out on 3-4 day trips in the Rockies mostly and on the West Coast of Vancouver Island when I have the time and money. So far I could not ask for a better muli-day pack.

The suspension was the selling point for me. I took 55lbs on a trip and still my shoulders were unbruised.

The gopher hole is a nice add-on but I don't find a great use for it yet. Perhaps I'll pack it up next time so that there will be more to access from there instead of from on top.

It is a little heavy for those ultralight backpackers but if your willing to carry the 2 extra pounds it will treat you well.

I got mine for $120CDN but I notice they are now selling for around $230. My value tilt is thus very high.

I also have the Kelty Cylcone 2 tent and am super happy with it. Although I noticed one other reviewer on this site that was unsatisfied with that product as well. It seems as though Kelty quality control takes holidays from time-to-time. Before buying I suggest really looking it over and load it up to make sure it's not a lemon. But you should do that with any item you buy.

Customer Service:
Have not had to use it yet - I have heard both good an bad reviews about it.

Similar Products Used:
MEC Brio 70.