I've had this pack for about 20 years. I took it to Isle Royale with my family last year, carried 25 pounds. I'm trying to find a pack to replace it and am having a hard time because I just really like This pack!

Would love a bottom compartment for sleeping gear.

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.

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.

Great pack. Great Value. Almost always on sale and less than $99. Can hold way more than 3000. Very versitile from one nighters to long weekend trips. I love the hydration system pocket. Unfortunately, inside is very narrow. This makes it tough to pack so that weight is dispersed evenly and makes getting the stuff on the bottom tough. Still great bang for your buck.

Similar Products Used:

None

It is an excellent 2-3 day warm weather pack. In the summer you can get a weeks worth of stuff into it. It has plenty of lash points but the frame isn't really meant to carry more then 40lbs. It is very durable and has held up well to some serious stuffing. It expands to about 3,800 cu fully extended. For the money it is an excellent pack and I would recomend it to anyone for weekend or multi day summer trips.

Customer Service

It only has a single stay suspension so it will not support large loads cofortably. If you can keep the load to arounf 35lbs or less the pack is really comfortable.

Similar Products Used:

None

I have the 3000PL, the panel loading version of this pack. It is a good quality, simple, durable pack for a light weight weekend. Leave the tent and stove behind, bring the sleeping bag, tarp, iodine, and some clean socks along. The pack will perform admirably and you will be happier without all that heavy stuff anyway.

Similar Products Used:

None

This is a great all-around simple pack. It is comfortable, and large enough for most weekend trips (or 2 week European adventure). Not much in the way of external pockets, but I have not noticed this much.

Customer Service

EMS is great when it comes to service.

Similar Products Used:

None

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.

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.

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