For $50 close-out from REI it's hard to go wrong! This thing carried about 75 lbs. of gear for me and my family and didn't hurt nearly as bad as my old Jansport Bicentiennal vintage D3. I think it's discontinued now.

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None

A VERY good pack! Contrary to another review on this page, there are plenty of fit options-the frame telescopes, the shoulder straps and load lifters can be moved in and out, and the backband also shifts up and down. It's my understanding that the Tioga series might be a bit big for smaller people, but for a tank like me it's super. It carries 50+ pound loads with ease, comfort, and surprising stability for an external. Very highly recommended and a great value for the money!

Customer Service

When I purchased the pack I found the waistbelt (a Kelty size 3) to be too small for me. Not only did they replace the belt with a size 5, they upgraded it as well, with a better belt clip, denser padding on the hips, and a stiff plastic support integrated into the whole thing.

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Kelty Red Cloud, Wilderness Experience Bushwacker

I got my first Kelty from the Glendale factory for $35 in 1961...when it died in the early 90s I made the mistake of getting an internal frame North Face...the Tioga is much better than each...feels good, lots more sophisticated than my first Kelty...glad to be back! Like the mesh pocket on the outside, the size and ability to sort gear...should last the rest of my life...

I must admit that I see this pack alot in the backcountry. I think it is a good weekend/entry level backpack but it is definitely not abuse-proof. On the positive side: The pack is simply made, inexpensive and light. It is easy to pack and easy to lash lots of gear to the outside. On the negative side: The pack is cheaply made and not real comfortable with heavy weight regardless of how much you try to adjust it. I have had many reinforcement stitches fall out and the frame has broken twice. While I admit I am hard on my gear, the quality of this backpack is poor if compared to Gregory, Dana, Lowe, etc. Kelty has a good reputation with people who backpack in good weather a few times a year and I believe that their equipment is a reasonably good value.

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Gregory, Dana Design, Camp Trails, Peak-One