Arc Teryx Bora 80

Review Date
September 28, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: wildernessness ,  Mountaineer

Price Paid:  $245.00 at Pro Purchase

Summary:
A bit of a heavy pack but should never die on you - that's the trade off. Got poured on one day with hail - the whole bit - and the watertight zippers held. Nothing got wet. Super comfy. Never anything more so. Quiet. My previous pack squeeked my crazy. Good pockets. The kangaroo pocket is really useful. The pocket inside the kangaroo is much less so. If the kangaroo is full you can't access anything iside that other one. There is no pocket in the lid - that is unfortunate but bearable. The side pockets are cavernous so you can put small items there when using a water bladder.

Customer Service:
Haven't used yet.

Similar Products Used:
North Face Fusion
Kelty Zuni
Mountainsmith Wizard

Review Date
August 29, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: mlevison ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $350.00 at MEC

Summary:
This is the third backpack I've ever owned and it will the last. Even with a load over 60 lbs (on my 160 lb frame), the pack feels comfortable. I've done trails over a week in length and unlike many of my fellow hikers I've never had a problem. Its seems I carry a spare buckles and sewing kit to repair other peoples packs.

Price was in Canadian $$

In addition to backpacking, I also lived out this pack for a year while I travelled around Australia and New Zealand.

Aside from comments about the side pockets, I couldn't have asked for a better pack.

Similar Products Used:
External frame from ???; Basic MEC internal frame.

Review Date
April 28, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: lotusglass.com ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $369.00 at rei

Summary:
This pack is a well made piece of equipment. By far the best I have tried. It carries heavy loads (45 lbs) very well. The waterproof zippers are nice. They keep weight down and are pretty effective at keeping water out. The side pockets are still a little small, even after they were redesigned (however, you can cram a nalgene in them if you try). The sleeping bag compartment is large enough for my winter bag, which is a plus.
One problem I had with this pack was the hip belt to torso ratio. I needed a medium torso length, but the medium hip belt was way too big. I have relativly broad shoulders and a slim waist, so the medium belt would not hold the load on my hips properly. I had to buy a small hipbelt to replace the medium to accomadate my build. I imagine this would be the same for tall slender people as well, as the medium hipbelt's smallest setting is 32 inches.
The shoulder straps, hipbelt and back panel are made from a thermo moulded foam material that is top of the line. It gives just the right amount of cushioning while still providing awesome support.
This pack may be pricey, but trust me, when you are lugging heavy loads over uneven terrain, you will appreciate the load carring capacity of this pack. Comfort is key. There is no point in being miserable while you are on the move.

Customer Service:
I haven't needed it yet, however REI's customer service is THE BEST, PERIOD.

Similar Products Used:
rei crappy pack, kelty external frame, lowe alpine contour,

Review Date
December 10, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
2.50 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: divinity09(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Tallahassee, FL

Price Paid:  $250.00 at Mickie's Place

Summary:
Just a really wonderful pack. For awhile I was trying to figure out what pack to get, even though I had tried this one on in the shops and new I liked it better than any of the others. I almost settled. Then I found it at a good price (the college gods smile down upon us sometimes). So, the pack works great, has everything I could need (straps pockets space), and is extremely adaptable (comfort and capacity). It works.

Customer Service:
I contacted them with some questions before I bought the pack and they were just amazing.

Similar Products Used:
Gregory packs, Dana Designs (good value!)

Review Date
August 22, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Jmaan(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Sacramento, CA

Price Paid:  $257.00 at Mickiesplace.com

Summary:
Being out of the "overnight backpacking loop" for about 15 years and (putting on the lb's in that timespan), I researched, heavily, backpacks in an effort to make sure that I was buying as comfortable a backpack as possible. I couldn't have been happier. No backpack related aches and pains to report here as the Bora 80 came through in flying colors over a 3 day timespan in Desolation Wilderness. The weight distribution of the pack really made it easy for me to take the climbs with little or no worry at all. I did pack heavy because I wanted to be able to carry enough to go solo (although I did go with a group of 7).

The additional kangaroo pouch came in handy as I needed a place to store my swimming trunks.

I used a Camelbak Unbottle 100oz but was not able to slip it into the hydration-ready sleeve inside the pack but that was ok. I just slipped it into the pack and away I want, water at my ready. The daisy chains were very usefull as I placed my camera bag on one of them along with my map holder. I didn't find the need to utilize the side-zipper access capabilities.

My first overnighter in 15 years, and thanks to the Bora 80, I'm planning on doing several trips each and every year until I'm 6 feet under. Oh, by the way, I feel pretty confident that this will be the last backpack I ever buy. And the price at Mickies Place was just what the doctor ordered. I got lucky. Thanks Arc'Teryx!

Customer Service:
No reason to contact Arc'Teryx 'cept to thank them.