I bought this pack to use for overnight backcountry skiing, long-term backpacking, and mountaineering. I've had it out once on a backpack trip, and love it. The pack is modular, in that you can leave off the two external zippered side pockets and the crampon/shovel pouch in on the rear. The main compartment is one big sack without any internal dividers or zippers. Works great. I loaded it with 30 lbs or so, and found the carrying characteristics to be fine. The removable top compartment is large, and I used it for my maps, immediately accessible essentials, gloves, etc. To convert the pack to ski use, you leave off the side pockets and replace them with compression straps which are then used to hold the skiis on the pack. Its a great product.

The only problem is the exorbitant price Kelty now charges for the White Cloud Spectra pack. They are coming out with an identical model in July 2000, but constructed of rip stop nylon, that will weigh in at slightly more than 3 lbs. It will sell for about $200 (Check out the Kelty website). If you need the pack for backpacking only, I'd wait. My uses, including mountaineering and backcountry skiing, demand a tougher pack.

Customer Service

The pack was delivered without some of the compression straps. I notified Kelty and they promptly put the missing straps in the mail.

Similar Products Used:

Gregory internal frame packs and Kelty exterior frame packs.