REI Great Star

Review Date
July 23, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: John (Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $179.00 at REI

Summary:
I purchased this backpack in spring 2003. I love this pack. It eats up my gear and still leaves me room to pack any extras. I have used it for short 2 day trips as well as few week long expeditions. Pack fits great and adjusts well with my body. There are a lot of straps, but not overwhelming. I wish they would have built more pockets for storage (but then again, I love extra space).

Customer Service:
N/A

Similar Products Used:
N/A

Review Date
August 2, 2001

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Ryan(Unregistered User) ,  Climber , from Seattle WA

Price Paid:  $150.00 at Rei (suprise!)

Summary:
On the whole a pretty good pack. I have one of the older models and the wastebelt could use an update, it pinches under some loads. I have had up to 90 pounds (groceries, climing gear, a type writer) in it, but only for short periods of time.
I would only take maybe 65 for real walking. I love the fact that it can handel these loads and also the 30 pound loads that I am more likely to carry. It also compresses farely well for use on sumit aproaches, though leave the mushroom fanny pack behind, it will ruin your balance by bouncing around on top.
Oh yeah, the mushroom is useless as a day pack. Its lack of compresion straps mean that, unless it is perfectlly loaded everything will swing around inside, destroying itself and your but. Maybe check out something slightly better if you have the money but this is a cheap and servicable.
I recently went on a trip with a freind who had a newer one and found that the mushroom to pack frame atachment is worse then on the older models...it will throw you off balence unless the pack bag is packed tall. Also, the lower compression straps interfere with the waterbottle holders. On the plus side the suspension has been updated to bake it more ajustable and i assume better.
I recomend it for people just getting into backpaking and wanting something that will last them and for experienced packers who are looking for a big sack with a good suspension system for long trips. It may not fit smaller frame people.

Similar Products Used:
Gregory, Lowe...some others

Review Date
December 18, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: David(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Houston, TX

Price Paid:  $200.00 at REI

Customer Service:
It is exceptional!

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
December 7, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Christian Braunlich(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Alexandria, VA, U.S.

Price Paid:  $210.00 at REI Bailey's Crossroads

Summary:
This pack is great for carrying a big load. Everything buckles down snugly, and it rides very well on my large (6'5") frame. It doesn't have many external pockets, but you can buy some for the pack if you really want them.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
November 17, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Mark(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Vacaville, CA

Price Paid:  $210.00 at REi

Summary:
If you haul everything, including the kitchen sink, this is the pack for you. Affordable, and light for it's size, the Great Star a great value. this is a very durable load hauler. I have carried loads up to 70 lbs in this monster.

Customer Service:
I had one of the shoulder straps begin to rip after a heavily loaded trip. I took it in and asked if they could double stitch both straps to ensure this wouldn't happen again. Without any complaint they did just as I asked. REI is great!

Similar Products Used:
None