I was looking for a very lightweight pack that was still big enough to carry all my gear. This pack has been working great. It carries my usual load of about 25-30 pounds with out even feeling it, the straps are all very comfortable. After taking this out on a few trips I still couldnt figure out what the rubber back pocket is for. I used a seam remover to take the whole thing off and now the pack is even lighter :) My last trip I decided to take out the frame sheet and try it, and it carries just as well with out one! The pack has great construction too.

Have been searching for a new bag and this bag caught my eye. Have been on one 4 day trip with it and am very happy. Large enough to fit it all yet still lightweight. I love the thin straps and hipbelt. Not bulky at all. I too have no idea what the pouch on the back is for but am confident that it will one day be of use. The bag doesn't seem fragile in any way and feel I could put more than my average weight of 30lbs. easily. I highly recommend this bag.

Similar Products Used:

Dana Bombpack, TNF Lookout, Lowe Alpine Vision 40

Great lighweight assault pack. Shoulder pads are narrow to faciliate better range of motion in climbing, great adjustable loops for ice tools, hyperlon patch and bungee worked well for crampons. Easily swallows 30-35 lbs. I think the hipbelt could stand to be slighly beefed up-it is only lighly padded. This pack has Arc Teryx's usual bombproof construction. Dial in the fit, and you won't know you have it on. Have used this bag to summit Mt Athabasca, the Presidents in Yoho, and summits in the Cascades.

Customer Service

Arc-Teryx rocks

Similar Products Used:

Dana Desig Bombpack (a great bag that lasted for years)

I got this pack this past summer (2000) aiming to get a light weight, versatile pack, that would hold enough for gear for a week long trip. I have taken this pack all over Northwest Washington, Southwest Virginia, and even up Mount Ranier. The pack is light and can be used for short day hikes, but expands large enough for overnight trips and expeditions. It is designed with climbers in mind with ice tool attachments in the rear of the pack. The top portion also detatches and can be used as a fanny pack for climbing with a chalk bag of sorts built into it. This was only discovered by accident when my girlfriend detached the top portion though. The internal compartment has no divisions, and the hipbelt is not very thick and is not replaceable with a custom belt. I have found with heavy loads that I often get a small bruise in the small of my back when wearing it, but other than that, the pack is extremely comfortable and bears weight well. There is an interesting pocket thing on the rear of the pack that I have yet to figure out a use for. It is a very tough rubber leading me to believe that it's designed to prevent damage to the pack when rock climbing. It's too thin, and the width decreases as you go further into the pocket. I also think that the elastic webbing covering this thick rubber should have metal eyelets instead of just holes in the rubber. As far as the experience on Ranier goes, I ended up heading up with friends in the dead of night in a summer storm that ended up being a blizzard. Amazingly nothing in the pack got the slightest bit wet. All in all I am _extremely_ happy with this pack. The weight, versatility, internal volume, more than make up for the small bruise on my back (a byproduct of the hipbelt I think) and the dumb pocket on the outside. I love Arc'Teryx and I would highly reccomend this product to anyone looking for a light versatile pack.

Similar Products Used:

None

I have had the backpack for about 9 months. I have enjoyed the pack very much, and it has been very usefully too. I have taken the pack on many 2 night backpacking trips. The most recent was a 10 day trip through Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. The pack worked excellent for me and was just enough.

Customer Service

none

Similar Products Used:

1.Kelty Hurricane
2.Arc'Teryx Khasmin 38

I've owned this pack for a few years and am highly recommending it. From camping, dayhiking, backpacking through Europe, across Canada, and numerous ski trips!!! This medium size pack has held on. Including a 12 day stint through Europe a few years ago. It's very durable and offers an adequate amount of lash points for exterior hanging. Once fitted and strapped, this pack will feel almost weightless. I've had it up to roughly 35lbs without any problems. I would like to see perhaps side pockets for easy access to maps and other quick stows eg. gloves, straps, water bottle etc....

Customer Service

none

Similar Products Used:

Mtn. Equip. Co-op 27L Expresso
The North Face Tempest (60+L)