My only complaint is that the kangaroo pouch is made of a non-durable material. On my first trip the gear I had in there (plastic bowl, fuel bottle, other non-sharp items) wore through the pouch. I returned the pack and will wait for ARCTERYX to redesign it. Other than that it was the most comfortable pack I have ever used and only required one full day for the belt to break in. Not a single bruise on my shoulders or hips, even with a 22+ mile day over Sequoia's Elizabeth pass during a five day trip. Please join me and write to ARCTERYX to have them beef up the fabric on the pouch!!!!! 4 stars for value (when compared to similar products / prices) 3 stars for overall rating since the pack should not fail on the very first outing. I think they can solve this problem.

Customer Service

N/A - but REI gladly accepted the pack as a return due to the pouch not holding up during my first use.

Similar Products Used:

Dana (not a single failure in 10 years of abuse but not comfortable), Gregory (what an over-hyped joke), Mountain Smith

There are a lot of good packs out there - there are only a few great packs. This is the Ferrari of backpacks. The best combination of meticulous construction, usable features, no "gadget-like" gimmicks, and attention to detail on the market. I looked at Gregory Palisade, Mountainsmith Spector, Marmot Muir etc - nothing is in this class. Fit is key, this can be dialed down so it's part of you. Although the 2002 version has changed the shape of the side pockets somewhat to accomodate Nalgene bottles, that isn't what they're designed to do - they are wand pockets. Use the bladder sleeve w/ a camelback reservoir and it won't be an issue. Anyway, you can get a good pack, or you can get this one and have the best.

Customer Service

Arc'Teryx has been very helpful answering questions, and doing so accurately (unlike Marmot). Altitude Sports is top-notch - buy this pack from them at $75 off retail before they realize they're the only ones on the web discounting it!

Similar Products Used:

Gregory, Marmot, Mountainsmith.

Great pack, fits me very well. I tried on many other packs including Dana, Osprey, and Gregory, but the Arc' Teryrx felt the best on my back. The padding they put in this pack is the best I've come across. I have taken trips ranging from a few equipment laden overnight trips to go climbing to a 2 week stint in the Winds. The pack has held up very well and it fits me like a glove. My advice is to do your homework and try on everything first. Not all packs will fit everyone. I am 6'2 about 190lbs with an 18 inch torso, the regular size fits me like a dream.

Customer Service

Haven't needed it yet, although I had a slight bend in the hipbelt and Arc' Teryx never contacted me back. Shame on Them!

Similar Products Used:

Gregory Shasta, Dana Terraplane (very nice but too pricey), Osprey Crescent 75 (another good pack).

I review this pack after only one strenuous trip in North Georgia. I review it as one who just purchased a pack - something another reader might appreciate - but also as one who has tried on many and used many over the past 30 years. Here are its strong points: 1. Suspension - the hip belt articulates. This allows the load to stay over your center of gravity. The benefit is more hip movement and easier walking. Generally, it feels like less weight. But as you hike, all weight feels like itself. So for the first mile, 50 lbs feels like 35. But soon, its just weight and you get just as tired. 2. Kangaroo Pocket - Long outside pocket that can swallow up gear like wet stuff and raincoats. I tend to put my fuel bottle here. This thing is really convenient. One can keep frequently needed items here. It has drain hole in case you put wet stuff here. 3. Side Access Zipper - why doesn't any one else do this? As you pack, you can put your water purifier, or stove, or whatever on the side under the zipper for yet another easy access point. 4. Construction - quite well stiched and reinforced. Once you use this thing as its designed, you may find yourself wondering why you ever considered anything else. Its comfortable and well made. At first, you may find yourself looking at this strange beast sideways. Then you realize how smart it is. Only down: Somewhat expensive. Madden and Granite Gear are less but offer very excellent products.

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

Osprey Crescent, Lowe Contour

It''s been long enough that I no longer remember the sting that the price gave me when I bought it 5 years ago. However, once out of the store, I have not once had to regret the choice. It packs a lot of stuff and is comfortable from the beginning to the end. Doesn''t shuffle or move around. Tip: pay attention to the positioning of the pads and get a bigger Bora if your back doesn''t fit. I LOVE THIS BACKPACK!

Customer Service

Never used.

Similar Products Used:

Nothing like it.

Great pack, very comfy, very stable, lots of room with easy access. I have placed 79 lbs in it and it was still very supportive. I would own no other pack after this. only thing that wasnt dandy was the side pockets dont fit a 1liter nalgene very well.

Customer Service

never needed it yet

Similar Products Used:

some EMS internal frame pack, a camp trails external frame.

Great pack. Fits like a glove. Don''t worry if its a lb or two heavy cuz it will make 50 lbs feel like 30. Here''s a quick tip for all those who want to put nalgenes in the side pockets. buy a strip of velcro and put a 2-3 inch strip of the abrasive side vertically down the side of your nalgene bottle. (just throw away the other ''soft'' side) The rough texture of the strip provides enough friction so that your nalgenes won''t fall out. i''ve been doing it for a couple years and i''ve never had one fall out since i started.

Similar Products Used:

Lowe Alpine, Gregory

I got this backpack at the last minute, a couple days before I left for a three week trip to Costa Rica. It was very easy to fit and took only a couple days of wearing continuously to break in. I backpacked with it throughout CR. It held my 2-3 person tent, sleeping bag, clothes, and sanitary supplies well. Even when full, the pack felt very light and was easy to carry. The contents always felt well contained, even after packing/repacking numerous times. During light rain, nothing inside got wet. The padding was extremely comfortable and in no spots did it rub. Overall, my initial impressions of this pack are excellent and I can''t wait to take it out again, maybe to a different climate next time.

Customer Service

Have had great customer serive experience at both Marin Outdoors and Sonoma Outfitters in Santa Rosa, CA. The latter really goes out of their way to make sure the equipment will work for you.

Similar Products Used:

North Face Galileo Mid 90''s Kelty internal frame pack

None

Cons: 1. Heavy. 2. Heavy. 3. Expensive. (Arcteryx = $$$!) Pros: 1. Awesome suspension. 50 lbs. never felt so good. Very adjustable. Some advice: spend a good deal of time adjusting the aluminum stays to your spine. Makes a world of difference! In fact, spend a lot of time adjusting everything on this pack before you go out. This pack can really be dialed in. 2. Awesome construction. Every seam, zipper, strap and buckle is rock solid. 3. Access. Side panel zipper gets me to that extra fleece I buried at the bottom because that''s where it fit. Sleeping bag compartment lets me pull out my bag without unpacking EVERYTHING. 4. Lumbar pack. I''m a setup base camp and dayhike from there backpacker. And this pack is no peakbagger. It''s been really nice to have the top lid/lumbar pack to strap on some lunch, water, and other stuff and hit the surrounding peaks. 5. Kangaroo pocket. Lunch, map, compass, raingear, bandanna all in an exterior pocket. 6. Compression straps. Hopping over/under blow-downs, streams, scree all feels really stable because the load is tightened by straps 3 on each side and 2 on the bottom. This is a hurking pack and more suited to the 4+ day hikes. I''m thinking of getting something in the 50L range as a weekender, but this is one nice piece of gear for extended outings.

Customer Service

REI. Can''t beat em.

Similar Products Used:

TNF, Gregory, Kelty

None

This is hands down the greatest piece of gear I have ever owned and is ABSOLUTELY bomb-proof! I just returned from 10 months of trekking in every continent and climate including Torres del Paine, Inca Trail, Alps, Rila Mountains and Central Asia. After all these, not to mention countless (mis)handlings on aircraft, busses, trains, and camels, not a single stitch is frayed! Though usually a Jardine apostle, it feels like 8-10 kg even at 22 kg and while $340, is still excellent value as a lifetime investment. On the road, it also won rave reviews from everyone else I met who had one, most of which had a lot of experience with several other packs. The ONLY minute flaw is the oft-derided shortness of the water bottle holders, easily overlooked given its quality and performance. Huzzah!

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Lowe Alpine (very good, too, but with the Bora there''''s no need to lash anything outside)