baccountry snowboarder for Winterstick snowboards. I purchased one of the early 2200 models as my first good pack. fortunately winterstick ordered OEM via VORTEX and I used and Tested three generations of the 2200. I have ridden, camped, hiked, caved, and toured europe with a 2200 on my back. surely it was and still is the most comfortable and versatile packs I have ever had the privelege of using. i have ovverloaded this pack too many times, untill I learned sensibility on a 9 mile hike. Since I no longer ride for Winterstick, I no longer have limitless backpack connections. I recently had my 2200 vortex stolen from me. It had been in my service for 4 years and had just been serviced at the factory. I want to assure Bill crawley that some of us would be willing to pay exorbitant prices for your domestic made bags, however I personally understand the dilemma of turning a buck in this expensive country. They way that freemarket economies are, drives nearly every unsubsidised manufacturer out of country!!!! You can thank your government for that one!!! Anyway. Bill, I will be paying, finally, for a replacement pack I will buy another 2200 VORTEX, because true purpose built design and comfort along with durability are still your main concerns. Thanks for making the best damn pack I ever hauled daily throughout my snowboarding career, and thanks for creating something I hope to enjoy for the rest of my outdoor life. sincerely, Scott c McClarin

Customer Service

Vortex has the best policy on repair. rip it up, tear it, tie it to the bumper and drag it to the rockies!!, they will fix it no questions asked!!!!! Beat that corporate america!!!!

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there really is no comparable backcountry pack made in america, or any place else for that matter.

Sorry to hear your reviewer comments about Vortex packs being made in Asia. The reviewer should really spend some time talking with people like Bill Crawley who owns Vortex and see the real problems they face with cost and the small margin in which they operate. There are no big bucks especially when you are dealing with a very high end product which is also price sensitive.

I purchased a Vortex 2200 after days of research on the net. I thought they were built in Salt Lake and was looking for a domestic, high quality product. When it arrived, I went over it with a fine tooth comb and deep in a bottom seam was a tag with "Made in Sri Lanka" on it. I called Vortex and they confirmed they had out-sourced their production about 18 months ago. Said no one could make it paying US wages. I believe they "sold out" for the big bucks. I returned the Vortex the next day, called Arc''teryx to confirm they still produced in Canada and placed an order for a Bora 40.

This pack was a gift from my girlfriend. She has an older model of the 2200 which I didn't like as much as this new one. I went to the factory with her to try one out and pick one out for my birthday. They had a unique pack with a 'rasta' color scheme that they admitted they put together from spare parts. Nevertheless, I wanted it. Anyway, I've had opportunities to test this pack excessively. It hauls skis, snowshoes, shovels...anything, no problem. I also used it in Europe for a 3 day hike up and down a mountain, and I would not recommend this pack for this type of activity (as it was not designed for that). I found the shoulder straps painful due to lack of adequate support. I've also experienced some hip pain when I overload the pack (again, going past it's design specs). As a day pack, however, this thing is a keeper.

The amazing thing about this pack is that I keep finding new uses for all of it's features. An internal sleeve behind the rear access is perfect for maps or a small hydration bladder, and the outside (main) pocket and straps acommodate a camelback. The amazing thing about this pack is that I keep finding new uses for all of it's features.

Customer Service

I have no experience with them personally, but I have many friends with vortex packs who have completely beat on them. Returning them for repair or replacement has never been an issue.

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North Face day pack

For a day pack, this is by far the best pack I have ever used. I have had my pack for about 4 years now. It has endured many climbing/backcountry snowboarding trips through the mountains of the western US without any hang-ups. I have 6 close friends with the same pack (moving Vortex comercial as it would seem) and everyone claims it is the most functionable/comfortable pack on the market. We highly recommend it.

Customer Service

While climbing one of the 50 classics outside lake tahoe, my climbing partner noticed a curious marmott inspecting our packs at the base of the climb. Because we were at the top of the first pitch, we couldn't descend to guard the gear. As luck would have it, my Vortex was the only pack with an energy bar in it. The marmott wasted no time chewing several holes in the pack.
When I took the pack into Vortex for repairs, they were happy to fix the damage (which included holes in the top of the pack, holes in the internal pocket, and 2 zippers) at no cost. Very impressive!

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Mountainsmith-Bugaboo, Vortex day-pack

I've used this pack for 3 yrs now and it's by far the best I've had. I took it on a 4 wk trip to Nepal, used it for iceclimbing rock climbing, skitouring and it's still in one piece. Never had any dye problems like on of the other guys had. Especially the fact that you can swing the pack around and acces it from the back is extremly handy even when your in belay on a rock face you can still acces it. only minor point I've found sofar is that if the pack is nearly empty a climbing rope might slip from between the front straps. But overall this it by far the best pack on the market

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I very much have enjoyed this pack. It carries what I ask it to. This winter I had snowshoes,trekking poles,crampons,ice axe,and shovel,that dosent include my camera equipment,lunch,coats,bivy sack,water,etc. I only have had one problem which was getting the rather stiff shoulder harnesses to hug my body. Over all this is one of the best designed and thought out packs you can buy.

Customer Service

I called about the shoulder harnesses being stiff and was treated fairly and was offered a replacement harness at no extra cost.

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osprey kestrel,lowe alpine contour v,gregory minaret

I purchased a 2200 and a 5800 early summer 1999. Both packs, after getting wet, transferred the black dye from the pack, including the back support, shoulder straps and waist belt, onto my clothing including shorts, shirts, jackets as well as items inside the pack. After using the packs in rain and snow, everything that comes in contact with the Lycra material becomes blackened from the dye transfer. As bazaar as it sounds, this is the case. Vortex sent me several replacements and they all had the same dye problem as well as other problems.

Customer Service

Customer Services: The worst I have ever experienced. Yes, Vortex is quick to send out replacements. However, they have never sent me two identical packs in the 11 months I have been trying to resolve this problem. They always seem to be sending seconds, due to production defects. They have sent me three 2200s and one 5800 and they all had the same problem of staining clothing etc. when using them in wet weather. While they reimbursed me for the cost of a ruined Marmot jacket, they still have not replaced the defective packs.

After returning the packs (and the jacket as proof that they have a problem, which they admitted after some prodding. It's not easy to deny the problem with the word XETROV stained in to the back of the jacket) the last time, in December 1999, and after many promises to reimburse me the cost of the packs, ("The checks in the mail") nothing. I 'd call to inquire why the reimbursement never arrived I'd and be given another excuse, this one just as bazaar as the last.

Their latest solution in February 2000 was to send me two more packs. I agreed if they'd assure me that I wouldn't have the same dye transfer problems. They assured me the new ones would not. Yet as of April 23rd I am still waiting for the new packs. I call time and again when the stated date to receive the packs comes and goes. I talk to the same individual Jeff whom I'm told is the only one able to help me. Jeff always blames someone or something else for the packs not being shipped, but always assuring me each time, that I would receive the new packs in just a few days, I am still waiting.

Talk to someone else? I've spoken to 4 or 5 different individuals in the 11 months that I have had problems with Vortex which are still yet to be resolved. Two of those individuals are the co-owners of the company.

I've given up on my investment of $540.00.

My experience with Vortex, "Their the worst."

i've had my 2200 for quite some time. its been on numerous backcountry travels and seen plenty of red rock country. primarily i use this pack for backcountry ski travel. it is large enough to carry everything you need (your shovel, food, water, emergency gear, probe, xtra clothes, etc.) while at the same time not becoming overbearing and awkward. its unique front entry zipper is definite plus as you don't have to take the pack off to enter it. the xtra large zipper grips sure make life easier on those frigid tours in the backcountry. backed with vortex guarentee, this value is tough to beat. Drawback--if not filled almost completely, the bag might not fit the way it should.

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The 2200 is awonderful backcountry snowboard/ski pack. I have used it for regular day hikes and climbing trips as well. One of my favorite features is the front zip entry which allows you to enter the pack without having to take it off. You can just take the shoulder straps off, spin the pack in front of you and access your gear through the front. This is very handy in wet or awkward situations where you would rather not take the pack off and set it down.Price is approx. $150

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