this pack is great for the A.t. trails it stands up to all types of weather and has alot of durability to it. it has not ripped yet and ive had it for 3 years. I chose this pack over most packs.

I found this to be a great pack and a heck of a deal for the trips I go on. I've customized all the pockets, straps and tabs in all kinds of ways, making it just as suitable for lightweight overnighters as 14-day treks. I've hauled up to 60-lbs in it (for that 14-day stretch w/out resupply), and while I wouldn't do that regularly, it held up fine while my pack lightened up again. The only complaint I have is that the buckles on the straps (most notably the shoulder load-lifter and hipbelt load-stabilizer straps) seemed to work themselves loose when put under a strain... they weren't "grippy" enough. A couple of trips I found myself stopping to retighten them on a regular basis. I fixed that by buying some sturdier "pull-buckles" at a sports store and easily replaced them. I hope Kelty is taking that into consideration. However, when used with light loads, it held up just fine!

Customer Service

I once had to replace the hipbelt and a shoulder strap after mice in my apartment chewed my pack up to confetti. Kelty was great about it! Definitely recommend.

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A couple smaller Marmot packs, and an old army-surplus external frame.

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A nice pack with a serious flaw: the top pocket has only one attachment point on the back and is not stable. As a result, it does not well work to pack a rope, jacket or sleeping pad on top of the main compartment under the top pocket. This may not be an issue for most backpackers but is a big problem if you plan to use it for mountaineering, unless you plan to always carry the rope inside of the main compartment. I was planning on buying this pack, but after borrowing a friend''s and using it on two consecutive weekends (one 3-day canyoneering trip and one 2-day mountaineering trip) I''ve decided to hold off. I emailed Kelty regarding the top compartment and they appear to be aware of the problem and will probably fix it in the future. But until then, I wouldn''t recommend this pack for mountaineering.

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Wild Things Ice Sack

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Weight of pack with full suspension + compression straps, all else removed: 3 lbs. Use your sleeping pad inside the pack for this weight, it replaces the foam sheet as your back pad. Top pocket adds 4-5 oz but gives the pack a rain hat and a convenience pocket for water, camera, 1st aid, etc. Clips for pockets is a sore spot, they can break but just when you''re opening them. There''s a trick to it (press in on the middle of the clip, while prying the hook open) -- too bad the instruction sheet doesn''t mention this. It does point out you should set up the pack at home. Modifying in cold weather will lead to more broken clips. None of the load-bearing clips are likely to be a problem. Considering the cubic inches and comfort you get for the weight and price, this pack is amazing. We have a couple Ghosts that weigh less and do fine for 15-20 lb, but the Flight''s suspension is way more comfortable if your load exceeds 20 lbs.

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Mountainsmith Ghost, North Face top-loader, Jansport rucksack, various external-frame packs

I got the Flight for $100, a deal that lasted only a few hours. I just spent two weeks hiking 160 milkes through the Winds on the Fremont/Highline trail and then the Highline trail from Leidy Peak to the trailhead on Hwy 150 through the High Uintas in Utah.

The pack performed without a problem. I took off all the gizmos and straps and the top pocket. I put the two side pockets on. The loaded pack except for water or food topped out at 16 pounds. Perfect... The pack with seven days of food was not stuffed full, and topped out at about 33 pounds.

I thought the waist belt might be a problem because it is not as "heavy duty" as is typical on the six and seven pound packs that are out there, but it wasn't. No notice of its existence, except for tightening it to account for my shrinking waistline.

The pack is definitely not waterproof. Use a garbage bag. It fits perfectly. I have a long body but wear the waistbelt up on my waist, above my hips. The stays are strong enough to bend so that there is no weight on the tops of the shoulders with the load lifters cranked with lots of torque. This is the first pack I've used where the chest strap connecting the two shoulder straps was not needed.

This is not a pack to carry the kitchen sink to a base camp. If you're budget minded, even for the asking price of $200, and carry a lightweight load, this is an excellent pack.

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I did a ton of research before deciding to buy this pack... I narrowed it down to the Kelty Flight and the Vortex 3500. Even though the Vortex was more comfortable I like the lighter weight and more pockets of the kelty. Also, If I was going to get the vortex I would have had to pay an extra $150. Plus you can remove what you don't want to take on the kelty.

After considering all these things I ended up buying the kelty (mostly because of price). It was a mistake. I wish I would have shelled out the additional $150. The first time I used this pack I had been hiking for about 3 or 4 hours in the High Uintias and the gear holder on the left shoulder strap ripped. This should not have happened. I was a little upset but theres nothing you can do when your up there. Nothing else happend to the pack after that, it worked fine. I haven't called customer service yet but I'm assuming theres not going to be any problem.

This pack retails for $225 at REI but I got it on sale for $139. If I had paid full retil price I think I would have been very upset, however for $139 I got an ok deal.....

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North Face Minuteman
CampTrails Torrid II

This pack is excellent for whatever your backpacking/climbing needs require. It can be stripped down and weighs around 2 lbs., or with all of the pockets, bags, and clips weighs in around 4 lbs. Compare this to packs of the same volume & money that come in around 7-9 lbs. in weight. This fabric is also very strong & durable. Very adjustable and easy to access anything inside.

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MOving up from a Jansport Ranier external frame (7.5 lbs).

This is a great pack for the money. Every piece of the pack is designed to be removed so you can use only what you need when you need it. Quality is great. I would like to have seen a separate compartment on the bottom for a sleeping bag. Other than that, a very usable pack.

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