The North Face Prophet

Review Date
September 16, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: ben (Unregistered User) ,  Climber

Price Paid:  $125.00 at Northern mtn supply

Summary:
Just purchased the Prophet 55. Very light for still having an internal frame (3 lbs). I have a smaller osprey that is very comfy and light, but can't take the heavy loads because it only has a pad, no stays. The carbon fiber stays in the prophet let you carry heavy loads and distribute the loads very well. After a very steep approach and descent with overnight and climbing gear (@40lbs) the pack did great. Very comfortable. Though, I would have preferred a shovel holder over the crampon pouch, but a Nalgene fits in there as well.

Similar Products Used:
Jansport Haute Route (great features, no comfort), Osprey (great pack, very light), Kelty (good starter pack, cheap)

Review Date
July 24, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: C (Unregistered User) ,  Day Hiker , from NYC

Price Paid:  $200.00

Summary:
Kudos to The North Face. This pack weighs nothing! I use it for all my travel, as this pack (prophet 65 M) actually fits straight into overhead compartments in most planes. Packed with lightweight travel clothing (synthetics) for 5-7 days can get me out the door for 12-15 lbs total. It allows me to carry everything on. A medium-size sleeping bag in a medium compression bag will fit crosswise at the bottom of this pack. Compress your tent, strap poles and thermarest to the outside, and enjoy some real lightweight camping. Fit is excellent. Pack is very adjustible. One negative: Apparently this pack is not made in a size small, which would keep most women, and many shorter guys from enjoying its benefits. A medium fits 17-20" backs, and I know a lot of people who measure less than that. Are you listening TNF

Similar Products Used:
None. Picked this for its size:weight

Review Date
June 28, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: mkempt(Unregistered User) ,  Climber , from SLC, UT

Price Paid:  $50.00 at swap meet

Summary:
Mine is actually to older version of this pack called the Slipstream. Its the same except mine is hideous 80's colors. I'm not a huge TNF fan, but this is a well designed pack. It has everything you could want for alpine and ice climbing. The X suspension is very supportive, yet the pack weighs less than 4 lbs empty. The yellow inside is great for finding stuff in the pack. The extendable bivy sleeve is annoying for packing/unpacking pack, but is nice to have just in case. The tool tubes work well. I can reach behind and release an ice tool without taking the pack off. I use this pack for almost all my climbing/backpacking trips. I'm a pack junkie, and this is definitely my favorite pack.

Customer Service:
Haven't sent anything back to them

Similar Products Used:
Kelty White Cloud, Gregory Makalu, Jandd Zoor Alpinist.

Review Date
June 3, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Desey(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $199.00 at REI

Summary:
This is the best pack I have ever owned.!!! It is the perfect size (about 2600 cu.) for trips of 4-7 days, as long as I am not carrying all my winter gear. Then I have the next 2 packs up, the "Archangel" and "Seraphim". Obviously, I love this series of packs.

Considering that you are getting a pack with the lightest weight material and carbon stays.. at $200 this pack is a steal. For anything like it you would pay over $300.


The pack is narrower than most, which suits my build. No matter how much wieght you put on it, the carbon stays make it feel like it can take more. I train with exactly 52 lbs. even though I go out with about 32 lbs. on a trip. It can take it.

I have had to haul down and up rock and the durability is fine. I have managed to put a small tear in the Spectra grid, but no big deal.

Bottom Line: buy this pack, there is nothing like it on te market!!

Customer Service:
never had to find out

Similar Products Used:
REI big pack, Gregory Shastsa (like 8 lbs.!!), Lowe, Ketly

Review Date
April 7, 2002

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Rick (Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from Montana

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Bob Wards & Sons

Summary:
I see only one review so here's my 2 cents for the prophet 65. I tried it through generosity of my local retailer last year before a glacier ski and mountaineering trip. I hiked our local hills with the anticaped load. It carried #40 pretty well but I bet you could find a more comfortable load hauler for just hiking. I liked the spartan design for climbing. I would have bought the pack were it not for the frame stays which rubbed my sacroiliac area increasingly with each use. I returned the pack and used another for the trip. I'm still looking for a good pack for long alpine trips. Might try the Seraphim.

Customer Service:
NA

Similar Products Used:
Wild Things Andanista
Lowe Snowpeak 50