EMS Long Trail Regular

Review Date
May 22, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: osin120(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Manchester NH

Price Paid:  $100.00 at EMS

Summary:
I have had this pack for quite a few years. I bought it back in college and really didn't have much use for it, only for weekend camping trips. I did get a chance recently to really give this pack a true test of durability...Delta Airlines and a 9 day trip to Ampsterdam and Belgium. I carried everything I needed in this pack (I did bring a north face double shot day pack with me as well but that was it). I must have exceeded the stated load limit for the duration of the trip and put it through a real airlines test with no problems. The pack at times became tedious to wear due to the excessive weight, however manuvering through european trains stations was no problem at all. The pack made it back from my trip in one peice and very broken in... Im glad I had this pack, you should have seen the other people I went with carying thier suitcases all over europe. This pack is great!

Customer Service:
EMS has always been good to me from tents, packs and clothing. They are customer service.

Review Date
July 16, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Damien(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Boston

Price Paid:  $140.00 at EMS

Summary:
Have used the pack for a few 4-5 day hikes and have always been pleased with it's performance. It could be a bit wider and I wouldn't recommend it for trips lasting more than 5 days, but it fits me pretty well. Hip belt could be more comfortable as well, but several 8-10 hour days have left me with few complaints. Build quality is great, and the pack has put up with a lot of my abuse. Also makes a great travel bag as it just barely fits in some over-head airline compartments.

Customer Service:
Typical EMS service- always good

Similar Products Used:
Jansport- The North Face

Review Date
June 26, 2001

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Reviewed by: Bob Gifford(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Schenectady, NY

Price Paid:  $110.00 at EMS

Summary:
Good pack for the money...However if your gonna spend 100$ go to a discount site like sierratradingpost.com and overstock.com and buy a 200$ one for the same price. Just check out what you would buy at a store to makle sure it fits. Anyway very durable, kind of uncomfortabel..the back lumbar pad chafes on long hikes. Its definatly better to try & then buy stuff on the net for a better value

Customer Service:
Exellent...haven't returned it, but my sierra designs explorer leaked like a sive and they took it back w/o even looking at it and gave me 20% off on a omega cd

Similar Products Used:
jansport

Review Date
September 4, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: neal wilson(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from winooski, vermont, usa

Price Paid:  $120.00 at ems store

Summary:
Great entry-level pack for overnighters and weekend trips. Used for winter camping and it was fine. Offers a lot of the same features as high-end packs.
A good buy.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
March 13, 2000

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Reviewed by: Ezra(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Sanbornton, NH

Summary:
This was the first backpack I ever bought, and I was on a budget. In fact, I still am, and haven't been able to buy a new one. The bag is well-made and very durable, except for the plastic buckles at low temps. My problem was that the bag just didn't fit me or my needs. For one it is too narrow, both for putting gear in and for wearing. It really didn't fit my back and shoulders well at all. It is too small and narrow for the heavy loads of winter camping, and it became exceedingly uncomfortable over prolonged periods of time. I’m sure this bag fits some people wonderfully, but certainly not me.

Customer Service:
EMS has excellent customer service.