I love this pack,5 years of use and not one problem.I have packed up to 75 pounds with very little frame deflection. Unlike internale frame packs my back is not soaked with sweat.I am into function not good looks.I have a long torso and this pack fits great.I back about 200 miles a year and this pack as never let me down.

Customer Service

I have not needed it.

Similar Products Used:

CampTrails,Camp7,Jansport,Ultima and Dana Designs shortbed(over enginered junk)

I'm a 50+ year old novice backpacker and chose this pack because I'm 4" 11" tall with 15" torso and it was advertised as having great adjustability, and load carrying ability. I couldn't find many packs, except kids packs, that I could afford and that would fit my short torso. Since I'm wide in the body, the kids packs don't fit. I read all the reviews and tried on some external and internal frame backpacks that I could afford, then I bought the Women's Tioga. It did take me quite a while to get the fit just right, but once I did, I was able to carry everything I needed with no problem. I carried 35 lbs. one trip and only 30 lbs. the 2nd trip. The pack has good balance and holds close to your back. You can adjust it quickly while on the trail by tightening/loosening the hip belt, shoulder straps and/or load lifter straps. I really like the "hold open" frame. One negative I've experienced so far with this pack is the location of the the water bottle pocket. There is no way I can reach up and get my water bottle out of the pocket and/or put it back into the pocket. I don't like hydration reservoirs (this pack will take one), so I purchased a Lowa Water Bottle Holder, which slides onto the waist belt of the Tioga pack and works just right. The other negative is the sleeping bag compartment is not big enough or easy to use. My sleeping bag in it's stuff sack would barely fit in the compartment. I ended up unzipping the inside divider between the main pack compartment and the sleeping bag compartment and just stuffing the sleeping bag (w/o the stuff sack) down into the compartment. That worked out fine. This pack has a good, hefty, padded waist belt, with a big connector. I have no complaints about the waist belt, but I have plenty of my own padding, so a thinner person might not find it as comfortable.

Customer Service

This is the only thing I ordered from this company, but they had the best price on this particular item

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Inexpensive and adequate. I had no problems with the pack through many Scouting outings and a 10 nighter through Philmont in New Mexico. It''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s the pack the Boy Scouts issues to "backpackers" who don''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''t come to Philmont with a pack? The zipper in the lower sleeping bag compartment (that no one ever seems to use for a sleeping bag) is difficult. It is reaasonably comfortable but compared to higher quality packs, feels like it''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s stressed when fully loaded with 40 to 50 pounds of gear. The Dana Desigh Shortbed I bought to replace it carries that weight with great confidence. The rain cover Kelty sells for them is a waste of money. Buy an Outdoor Research rain cover. In short, it''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s a good and economical entry level pack. However, if you plan on doing a good amount of backpacking and can afford to spend a little more, your experience will be more comfortable with higher quality pack

Customer Service

Never had to use them.

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I sold the Tioga at a garage sale and used the money to buy a Dana Design Shortbed. The Dana pack is much higher quality, more comfortable and much more prepared to carry loads. My son has a Janspor

Durable and dependable with all the space you need, and more. Anybody who is looking for a good pack thats comfortable, affordable, and spacious for a hike of up to 5 days should definately consider it.

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None

My husband purchased a Kelty tioga to use on our first backpacking trip. He loves it because he thinks he got such a good deal. The reality, however, is that the pack was hard to adjust, was hot and was awkward to carry. I bought a Gregory Forestor. It was easy to adjust, was cool against my back and was comfortable to carry. I would suggest that you compare and try several different packs before you buy. Don't believe everything you read on the internet. Do your own research.

Similar Products Used:

Gregory Forestor

I purchased the Kelty Tioga because of the convenience of an external frame pack. Although I had read reviews that suggested the Tioga had an inferior belt, I did not experience any problems. In fact, the pack exceeded my expectations. The pack is easy to adjust and finding the right fit took a short amount of time for an inexperienced backpacker. While on the trail, the pack's adjustments made it easy to shift weight from the shoulders to the hips as trail conditions warranted without having to stop and remove the pack from my back. My wife purchased an internal frame which was three times as much as the Tioga, but it was harder to adjust, more difficult to pack, inconvenient to use, hotter against her back, and required the purchase of expensive attachments to compete with the Tioga's external pockets. For hiking on trails, this is the perfect backpack for someone who wants a high quality product at an extremely low price.

Customer Service

Being inexperienced as a backpacker, I had many questions that the Kelty customer service representative answered. I am convinced that it would be hard to find a product as reliable as this one for the price paid for it.

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None

I love this pack! I purchased the Women's Tioga. First of all, I have to say unless I'm carrying less than 16 lbs, I'm definitely a fan of external packs! I've taken this pack on about 5 two - three day trips. I generally carry 30 lbs. I'm able to fit everything in the pack and have yet to strap something to the outside - thereby protecting my gear from branches, rain, etc. Many nice features: removable internal compartment, external mesh pocket for maps, place for platypus on inside with hole for hose, bottom straps for extra gear, external Nalgene waterbottle holder, external pocket large enough for tent stakes, etc.

Most importantly, this pack is COMLETELY adjustable. You name it, it does it. I haven't had problems with the hip belt, although it isn't as beefy as those for other packs. If it becomes a problem, I'll just upgrade! The women's pack is nicely sized for my small frame.

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Lowe Alpine Internal

Dare I say it? A Classic Workhorse pack! Since 1980, I have packed my Tioga all over the Sierra Nevada and Southern California. It's well made, easily repaired and the extendable top bar is very handy. Contrary to another review here, the shoulder straps are adjustable for width. However, the waist band and it's buckle leave some to be desired when compared to current offerings. If I get around to it, I'll just buy a Kelty upgrade and be done.

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--1950's Kelty: not as large, waist strap carried no weight. --Lowe internal frame: good for winter & heavy storms, but hot on the back

A great workhorse, often greatly discounted. After experimenting with it's wide range of adjustibility, I've been able to carry 50-60 lbs comfortably from the White Mountains to the Sierras. It's smaller size (compared to the Super and Ultra Tiogas) has'nt been much of a limitation to me, besides, you can lash tons of stuff to the extendable frame. My only gripe is that I wish the backband was a little beefier.

Similar Products Used:

EMS internal and external frame packs.

The Kelty Tioga has carried my gear over many painful miles. The straps are stiff and hard. The belt fastens with a lame clip. The mesh back isn't adjustable. Speaking of adjustablity the shoulder straps don't adjust up or down only from side to side and the belt doesn't adjust up or down for height. Don't buy this pack unless you enjoy pain and suffering. Get a Lowe instead!

Customer Service

On the bright side it didn't break.

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I have a Lowe Contour IV and, I now enjoy painfree bakcpacking.