Excellent. Cool in hot weather. Not sweaty in cold. Roomy. Comfortable. Has stood the test of time.

Similar Products Used:

Various internals. Older Kelty.

I've had my Trekker for 4 years. I bought it because I couldn't afford $300 for a good internal frame. I've taken it on trips from 2 to 10 days long and never looked back. I usually hike the Appalachian Trail in GA and NC, also the Ocala NF in Florida. I like the way it can carry big loads comfortably when bringing the kids along. It has a built in hydration pocket and outlet, fully adjustable suspension and plenty of internal space. The external pocket are very useful for organizing frequently needed items. Since most of my hiking is in the Southeast I like the warm weather comfort of external frame packs. I had the squeaking problem the first time out, but fixed it immediately with a strategic application of some chap stick on the spot. The only pack I might consider as a replacement is the Kelty 50th Anniversary External Frame Pack, but it costs more than twice as much as my well-used Trekker. Unless you're bush wacking a new trail (big environmental no-no) or climbing go with an external frame pack. This pack currently sells for about $100 at campmor.com and is more comfortable than some $300 internal frame packs I've tried. Unless you're a gear snob and like to spend money to show off, save your money, be more comfortable, get an external.

Customer Service

I had a 2 problems. The mesh back panel frayed and a plastic buckle broke. I had to pay $10.50 for the mesh panel from Kelty. I think they should have replaced it at their cost. I fixed the buckle myself. Kelty offered to do it (you pay for shipping one way) but would have taken a couple of weeks to get it back and I needed it for a trip. They could learn a thing or two from Sierra Designs or MSR customer suppport.

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Borrowed some other suckey no-name external frame pack, hated it. Got the Trekker for the next trip out. Recently I tried on 4 different internal frame packs (some cost 3 times as much), but I like th

I love this pack I used at least a dozen times. My favorite part is comfortable and does not fell like an external frame. I have two internal frames but I prefer this one. It is a great deal.

Similar Products Used:

rokk rei

i've been backpacking for a while now (mostly with internal frames), but this was also my first pack. it's probably the most versatile, popular ex frame pack. i loan it out to freinds who vary from 4'11"" girls to 6' guys and i can always adjust it just right. excellent first pack that you will enjoy for a lifetime!

Customer Service

hasnt busted yet!

Similar Products Used:

rei, tnf, keltys

This is the first pack I ever bought, but it does averything I would want it to do....plenty of storage for weekend trips, comfortable all day long. unless you want to buy some super-expensive gore-tex kevlar ulti-pack, this should do you just fine.

Similar Products Used:

None

I bought mine last summer on a sale. For about 90 bucks, it has been the best pack ever. My previous pack of about 12 years (and REI SuperPack) had finally just gotten too small so I was forced to upgrade, major drag :-)

The first trip with it was also one of the most draining trips ever. But through the whole thing, no troubles with the pack. Plenty of places to lash on the equipment and I no where near ran out of space. and the bottle pocket on the side was ever so useful.

I was really most impressed with the hip belt on mine. My waist and hips never got sore from the pack.

It does make a fair bit of noise, but I was able to get past that rather easily actually. I just chalked the extra sound up to a bear detterent, though they probably wouldn't of even heard it.

Overall, I dig it.

Similar Products Used:

REI Superpack
Jansport (model ???)
Camptrails (model ???)

Easy to pack and the side pockets are convient and easy to reach for things needed while hiking. Things I don't like is that I didn't feel that it allowed enough extension for longer torsos. The hip belt (at least in mine which is a few years old now) doesn't seem to really consider a female shape, but I was able to find a position that made it work and was comfortable. I got it at an awesome price, though!

Customer Service

Also own a kelty tent that was hard to get and even at a ""camping"" show the reps were not able to give any valuabe information as to when new stock would be shipped to stores or when/how we might be able to get one. We had to find it ourselves my calling around to stores until we found a store with one left from the previous year.

Similar Products Used:

EMS internal frame.

Great pack. The side pockets make it easy to organize small and oddly shaped objects. Adjustable and allows plenty of space to attach sleeping bags, tents or whatever else without taking up pack space.

Similar Products Used:

None

This was my first backpack and I used in a big expedition to the Llanganatis. I put 100 pounds in it and It works perfect. it was pretty confortable. fro the 10 days that I was there I didnt experiment any problem at all !!! really good fro long backpacking trips !!
Juan

Similar Products Used:

kelty coyotee ,gregory

Probably one of the best introductory external frame packs on the market. I've used it anywhere from day hikes to thirty milers and it does it all. It is infinitely adjustable, and has worn well. Hard to beat in my books.

Customer Service

Kelty has never let me down. I'm in the process of buying a Slickrock internal frame pack in the next week and I'll let you know how it goes.

Similar Products Used:

REI, Dana Designs