Have this back about a year, use it for both summer and winter camping/climbing. Outstanding backpack, very comfortable, especially on difficult terrain. Daisy chains and tool ties placement are excellent. Compresses great for shorter trips, comfortable for heavy loads also. I was surprised as to how good it felt to wear. Only minor irritant is during warm summer hiking, foam backing gets wet from perspiration .. then again what pack does not have this problem. Definitely more comfortable than Gregory's and Dana's. This pack does encourage you to bring more than you need. Versatile pack, you won't go too far wrong with this one.

Customer Service

N/A

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Gregory

What can I say, I love this backpack. Although I've been backpacking since 6th grade (I'm 20 now), this is the first and only internal frame backpack that I've ever used. After doing months of research, and taking into consideration many different brands, I finally decided on the ARC TERYX BORA 90. Compared to every other backpack that I've had a chance to observe, the bora 90 is superior in construction, durability, comfortability, and pack weight to pack space ratio. Initially I was looking for a backpack with side pockets but I'm actually glad this pack doesn't include any for they would be excessive. With a huge center detatchable pocket and a standard top pocket, the bora 90 more than accomodates all of my smaller, preferabely easy-to-get-to items. And then of course there is the main compartment which easily holds my sleeping bag, tent, clothes, food, water bottles, gas canisters, pots, pans, books, camera, etc.-- with room to spare.
If you are at all worried about the load and weight capacity of this pack--don't be. This pack will carry anythig you dare to bring. The only limitaions you may encounter will be due, not to the performance of the pack but, to the physical restricitons of your own mortal body.

Customer Service

So far I've needed no service and am very doubtful that I will any time soon.

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Wonderful backpack. I am certainly glad that I spent the extra few bucks to get this one. It's lasted me 5 years and counting -- and still looks great. I am a rather short woman, so it is great to find a pack that distributes the weight accordingly. I've loaded up to 35lbs. on this pack and taken it across the globe and back (several times) with no difficulties at all, whether its backpacking along the Nile or through Europe...

I can't say enough good things about this pack.

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Kelty external frame backpack

WOW! What a superb pack. It fits great, not a single pressure point on the entire thing. The hipbelt is the best I've ever tried -- it fits snugly and securely and evenly distributes the weight. Getting nearly all the weight transferred to my hips was a cinch.

I've not carried much more than 45 pounds or so in this pack. Under 40 and it feels like my daypack. At more than 45, I'm aware I'm not carrying a daypack anymore but the weight is stable.

You'll find lighter packs than the Bora 90 (or it's sisters the 80 and 95) but you'll not find a more comfortable suspension system. I'm willing to accept a little extra in the pack's base weight when it so effectively translates into a comfortable load.

The lack of a sleeping bag compartment is a minor annoyance but not a major issue. It's probably the only change I'd make. (the Bora 80 and 95 have this feature) The kangaroo pouch is great for wet gear, and also perfectly fits my 3L platypus. The top pockets (2 of them) are big enough to hold my rain gear and pack cover on one side and my map and some food on the other.

Check Arc'Teryx out... their packs are top notch. If the 90 isn't right, maybe the 80 or 95 is. They all share the same excellent suspension system.

Also, it's very worth trying to get this pack from Canada. I paid $250 including shipping -- that ought to be illegal for a pack this good.

Customer Service

I emailed and asked about how to properly fit the pack and got a 10 page Adobe PDF manual on how to properly deal with it. Very cool.

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Bora 80, Gregory Palisade

Back with an updated review. Just finished a 9 day hike through Canadian Shield country in N. Ontario with this pack. Stood up excellently. Very impressed!! Great storage. It will hold as much weight as you can carry. (I had about 70lbs in it starting) Comfy over 8 hrs days of hiking. Great adjustability!

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First time I used this pack my family of five went on a four day trip through the Porcupine Mountains in the Western UP of Michigan. It was my families first backpacking trip, sans me, including our six-month old boy. Obviously, I had the heaviest load, around 45 lbs when we started. By the third day, I had my wifes, nine-year old daughter and our six-months bags, clothes and equipment in this pack.

It held it all and I was as comfortable as you can be in 60 lbs plus! The only thing that was hurting from this weight was my feet. The Bora 90 is a bomb-proof pack with lots of storage space. I only wish they incorporated a web pocket for a water bottle. Oh well, nothing is perfect. Although, this is pretty close! I am looking at the 65 for my wife, with the hopes that the little one will be walking soon.

Customer Service

I bought the bag through a Canadian firm and paid mush less than MSP, even with two day shipping.

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Kelty, Marmot, Eureka, The North Face

I have had this fantastic backpack for over a year now and I've got nothing but good things to say about it!! The fit and finish is impeccable, and it carries loads over 50 lbs. (if your crazy enough) with apolmb. Be sure to get a proper fitting because this model has different hip pad sizes to perfectly fit every individual. I love
the streamline shape of the pack which helps when you're squeezing through dense vegetation or rocks & boulders. For all you Americans out there, if you want to $ave a lot of money consider buying it direct from here in Canada at a store called: www.mec.ca Your dollar will go farther. Forget the overpriced Dana Design packs- Arcteryx rules!!

Customer Service

Very knowledgable and friendly. Always happy to answer any questions you may have.

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Eureka backpack: sold it, not enough support and questionable craftsmanship.
Dana Designs: Tried a friends, nice pack. But way over priced.

Just got this pack a couple of weeks ago. Pretty pricey pack but I got a steal on it cause it had been used once. Haven't had chance to test it out much except putting all my gear in it and trying it on. So impressed with comfort and adjustability. Also has lotsa handy features like side access zipper, removable mini-pack, and a map pocket in the hood. Trying it out this summer. Keep ya posted.

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Tried a NorthFace Renegade and Camptrails Rainier.

One of my favorite packs. Very versitile. I like the removable pocket that can be replaced w/ a crampon bag (don't know if they still sell that). bit on the expensive side, but your back & shoulders will thank you later. side access zipper is also a plus, now starting to become a standard feature on other packs.

Customer Service

the company is based in B.C., so make sure if you're dealing with them directly you do the math and convert from US to Canadian dollars when paying them.

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