Kelty Flight

Review Date
January 11, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Rob (Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from ny

Price Paid:  $140.00 at campmor.com

Summary:
this pack is great for the A.t. trails it stands up to all types of weather and has alot of durability to it. it has not ripped yet and ive had it for 3 years. I chose this pack over most packs.

Review Date
December 27, 2002

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: mmacfer(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Baton Rouge, LA

Price Paid:  $140.00 at Local outfitter

Summary:
I found this to be a great pack and a heck of a deal for the trips I go on. I've customized all the pockets, straps and tabs in all kinds of ways, making it just as suitable for lightweight overnighters as 14-day treks. I've hauled up to 60-lbs in it (for that 14-day stretch w/out resupply), and while I wouldn't do that regularly, it held up fine while my pack lightened up again.

The only complaint I have is that the buckles on the straps (most notably the shoulder load-lifter and hipbelt load-stabilizer straps) seemed to work themselves loose when put under a strain... they weren't "grippy" enough. A couple of trips I found myself stopping to retighten them on a regular basis. I fixed that by buying some sturdier "pull-buckles" at a sports store and easily replaced them. I hope Kelty is taking that into consideration. However, when used with light loads, it held up just fine!

Customer Service:
I once had to replace the hipbelt and a shoulder strap after mice in my apartment chewed my pack up to confetti. Kelty was great about it! Definitely recommend.

Similar Products Used:
A couple smaller Marmot packs, and an old army-surplus external frame.

Review Date
September 19, 2001

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Chris Jain(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from Orange County, CA

Price Paid:  $200.00

Summary:
A nice pack with a serious flaw: the top pocket has only one attachment point on the back and is not stable. As a result, it does not well work to pack a rope, jacket or sleeping pad on top of the main compartment under the top pocket. This may not be an issue for most backpackers but is a big problem if you plan to use it for mountaineering, unless you plan to always carry the rope inside of the main compartment.

I was planning on buying this pack, but after borrowing a friend's and using it on two consecutive weekends (one 3-day canyoneering trip and one 2-day mountaineering trip) I've decided to hold off.

I emailed Kelty regarding the top compartment and they appear to be aware of the problem and will probably fix it in the future. But until then, I wouldn't recommend this pack for mountaineering.

Similar Products Used:
Wild Things Ice Sack

Review Date
August 31, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Bobdavisnpf(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Redmond, WA

Price Paid:  $140.00 at Campmor

Summary:
Weight of pack with full suspension + compression straps, all else removed: 3 lbs. Use your sleeping pad inside the pack for this weight, it replaces the foam sheet as your back pad. Top pocket adds 4-5 oz but gives the pack a rain hat and a convenience pocket for water, camera, 1st aid, etc.

Clips for pockets is a sore spot, they can break but just when you're opening them. There's a trick to it (press in on the middle of the clip, while prying the hook open) -- too bad the instruction sheet doesn't mention this. It does point out you should set up the pack at home. Modifying in cold weather will lead to more broken clips. None of the load-bearing clips are likely to be a problem.

Considering the cubic inches and comfort you get for the weight and price, this pack is amazing. We have a couple Ghosts that weigh less and do fine for 15-20 lb, but the Flight's suspension is way more comfortable if your load exceeds 20 lbs.

Similar Products Used:
Mountainsmith Ghost, North Face top-loader, Jansport rucksack, various external-frame packs

Review Date
August 22, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Jeffrey Olson(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Laramie, Wyoming

Price Paid:  $100.00 at ???

Summary:
I got the Flight for $100, a deal that lasted only a few hours. I just spent two weeks hiking 160 milkes through the Winds on the Fremont/Highline trail and then the Highline trail from Leidy Peak to the trailhead on Hwy 150 through the High Uintas in Utah.

The pack performed without a problem. I took off all the gizmos and straps and the top pocket. I put the two side pockets on. The loaded pack except for water or food topped out at 16 pounds. Perfect... The pack with seven days of food was not stuffed full, and topped out at about 33 pounds.

I thought the waist belt might be a problem because it is not as "heavy duty" as is typical on the six and seven pound packs that are out there, but it wasn't. No notice of its existence, except for tightening it to account for my shrinking waistline.

The pack is definitely not waterproof. Use a garbage bag. It fits perfectly. I have a long body but wear the waistbelt up on my waist, above my hips. The stays are strong enough to bend so that there is no weight on the tops of the shoulders with the load lifters cranked with lots of torque. This is the first pack I've used where the chest strap connecting the two shoulder straps was not needed.

This is not a pack to carry the kitchen sink to a base camp. If you're budget minded, even for the asking price of $200, and carry a lightweight load, this is an excellent pack.

Similar Products Used:
None