I have nothing but great things to say, but they've all been said in the previous reviews. I'm a guide, and this pack has stood up to two years of almost CONSTANT abuse, without a single problem. If youre in the market for a pack this size, there aint no compairison. Buy it + abuse it. (For a guide, "abuse it" is sinonomous sp? with "love it.")

Customer Service

No need with this pack, but REI dominates customer service.

Similar Products Used:

Gregory
Arcteryx
Lowe Alpine...........ok, this is gonna take an hour, forget it.

I agree w/Tom on this pack.

I got this VauDe in 1998 to replace my 10 y/o Jansport Tahoma for skiing and daytrips. I've been using it for the last 5 years from NH to Alaska on many mountains skiing and/or hiking and also as a weekend carryall pack.

The VauDe is extremely comfortable with easily adjustable and well padded hip and shoulder belts. The pack easily carries a shovel, probe, skis, water (in a built-in hydration bladder), food, first aid gear, rope and spare clothing (Tom is right that this pack is a huge 2400 cc's). It rides close w/o swaying when skiing or moving over rock. The hidden pocket inside the top pocket is great for your keys and wallet. Really nice pack that seems tough enough to last for a long time. Oh yeah, the built-in rain fly is a nice touch.

Customer Service

None yet.

Similar Products Used:

Jansport Tahoma
Kelty rucksack
TNF Hotshot
EMS small purple backpack

Great pack at a great price! The Vaude line is already really popular in Europe, but it hasn't caught on yet in the US, which means great prices. I Have used this pack on numerous technical winter climbs in the White Mountains in New Hampshire, and the pack handles abuse amazingly well. The pack features a single removable alluminum stay, but it handles weight as well as many 2 stay designs, while allowing greater flexability. Removing the stay is convienient for backcountry alpine skiing, because it allows for flexibility. The 2400 inch estimate is very, very conservative. When a strap on my REI Newstar (5200 Cu in) broke last weekend, I pressed the Vaude into service for a 2 day backpacking trip over 5 peaks. By packing fairly conservatively, I was able to fit everything in, and it handled the 28-30 pounds as well as my larger pack. Coolest feature: Integrated rainfly. PS: The pack is ugly, but dont be put off by it. Try it, and you'll be sold.

Customer Service

Coustomer service wont be a problem with this pack, it wont break.
PS REI coustomer service is outstanding, I much prefer them to EMS.

Similar Products Used:

EMS 3000, and it was smaller, more expensive, and less effective than the supposedly 2400 cu in Vaude.