EMS 3000

Review Date
August 16, 2002

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: oravikmatt(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Pittsburgh

Price Paid:  $99.00 at EMS

Summary:
This pack is very comfortable to carry. The padded shoulder straps made it very easy to wear for long periods of time. The hike I took this pack on was no trail hike, it was chopping my way through thick brush up a mountain. Most of the time I didn't even notice the pack on my back even though it was packed to the brim with all my stuff. That is the only thing I didn't like about it. I didn't have enough room. Maybe I just take to much stuff with me. Other than that it is a great pack. It even makes a nice sleeping prop. The woods were so thick we couldn't even throw a tent so we all just laid our packs on the ground and slept laying against our packs.

Customer Service:
The salesman was a great help. He even packed the pack with some weight so I could try the pack loaded before I bought it.

Review Date
June 15, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Hans Shaffer(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Charlevoix, MI, USA

Price Paid:  $89.00 at EMS

Summary:
I got this pack after trading in their 5500 pack, it was too big and heavy, the top lid slipped off, and I've discovered that I really don't like to carry as much junk as is so easy to do with a pack of it's size. I got the EMS 3000 top loading, long torso style. The suspension isn't adjustable, but it fits my 6'2" frame just right. The simple design without tons of bells and whistles means less weight and less hastle. It feels very comfortable and lets me move, yet it snugs tight to me when I sinch it up. Like alot of other reviewers have said, this pack works best at around 30 lbs, which will keep your legs happy and your life easy on the trail without all that heavy junk. One thing I wish this pack had is a shove-it pocket. Oh, and the water bottle pockets are too small to be used as such, betterto keep energy bars and garbage in them, besides, it comes with a hydration sleeve and platypus included!

Customer Service:
EMS took the 5500 pack in exchange when I told them what I didn't like about it.

Similar Products Used:
An old Kelty internal frame that has since given up the ghost.

Review Date
January 27, 2000

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Jay(Unregistered User) ,  Climber , from Evanston, IL, USA

Summary:
I have used this pack for loaded day trips, overnights, and carrying climbing gear. I works great as long as you don't load it with more than 40 pounds or so. Above that, the shoulder straps become quite uncomfortable because the padding tends to slip aside and allow the nylon load-bearing strap to rub the front of your shoulder. The hipbelt it quite comfortable. The durability of the pack is very good as well. I would recommend this pack as long you don't load it too much.

Review Date
January 27, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Justin(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from NY

Summary:
This is actually my second review of the pack. My first is all the way at the bottom of the page. This pack is now 2+ years old and it is bomproof. I've had no problems with it and I have gotten better at packing it and understanding its limits. The pack has been used for at least 40 days on the trail and I couldn't be happier. I tend to use it more than my $400 terraplane for my 3 season backpacking. Still I maintain that this pack cannot hold more than 35lbs comfortably but under 35 and you have one hell of a comfortable and durable pack that can take some abuse.

For $100 this pack is a steal. Buy it, use it and enjoy it. I got mine for $50 and have never been happier.

Customer Service:
EMS is great. They have a no questions asked return policy.

Similar Products Used:
Terraplane, Kelty, and Mountainsmith.

Review Date
January 20, 2000

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Aili The Great(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Connecticut

Summary:
I have the ST (short torso) version of this pack, which has a great fit for womens' bodies, even taller women (I am 5'9"). I would recommend this pack for summer trips of up to one week, but probably not longer, and also fall and spring trips of this length if you don't mind lashing stuff to the outside. As this is my only pack, I have managed with it in the winter, but overstuffed it tends not to hug your body as closely as other internal frame packs i have used. It holds more than 3,000 cubic inches if you are willing to be a little creative with your outside-lashing skills. If you don't mind carrying some stuff on the outside this is a great pack with plenty of lash points. Excellent, also, for airline trips where you don't want to check any stuff, because most airlines will let you take it as a carry-on. And you can beat the heck out of it- i've had mine for a couple years.

Customer Service:
EMS has a FABULOUS return policy, and is very understanding in taking back or fixing old gear. paying a little more at this store (as opposed to buying direct from the manufacturer) is worth it, because you can return products purchased there with relatively few questions asked, any time.

Similar Products Used:
Mountainsmith big unwieldy internal frame pack, very old EMS external frame pack