Absolutely wonderful product. I spent 3 months looking for a 3-4000ci pack and ended up with this one. I am so glad I spent the time to find it. Easily adjustible shoulder straps, waist belt, and all stabilizers. No problem with shifting weight. Wonderful padding system allows you to keep the bag tight to your back, or just as easily suspended off your back except for the hip pad. Excellent for climbing, skiing/boarding, and biking as well as hiking because of it's slim shape.

Customer Service

REI is simply a world leader in outdoor gear sales, support, and information. Because of this some of their gear is higher priced that elsewhere - NOT WITH THIS BAG. I found this bag at REI for 1/3 the price of any equivalent bag. I have only praise.

Similar Products Used:

None

This is a great pack for light loads and weekend trips. The syspension is extremely easy to adjust to fit almost all torso lengths. The only downside to being so adjustable is the suspension isn't as solid as a fixed suspension and can woble a little on a scramble.

Customer Service

R.E.I.'s customer service is unbeatable. Their staff is well versed and educated in the equipment and outdoor experience. The best part is the staff is not on commission so it's not a pressure sell.

Similar Products Used:

None

This is a great pack for smaller hikers, It is very versatile and easy to adjust. I have a very small torso and this pack fit snug through all of my hikes. The pack is also a steal for the kind of performance you get out of it. The only thing I think could improve on the pack would be to have more compression straps. Other than that this a great all around pack.

Similar Products Used:

I use to have a Camptrails external frame pack and believe me, the REI Rising Star is a Cadillac compared to it.

for the price, this cannot be beat. i bought it on sale, but even at its $99 original price, it was by far the least expensive pack there with comparable size and features. it fits me great since i am rather short too, and since i dont do any heavy hiking, climbing etc and camp only every so often, i think its great for people like me who dont want to spend too much on a pack- i was prepared to spend more than this too, but why when this has the same features- this was just the pack for me.

Customer Service

i always try to buy the REI brand when possible. if you read the labels, you will see they use the same fabrics as more costly brandsmand have the same if not better features- they really think of everything in design. and their gear is soooo much cheaper. even if i was more serious about backpacking, i still dont see how anyone would not buy REI. plua they service really knows there stuff, i really learn a lot every time i go in there.

incidentally, there are more color selections this year- i have red and black

Similar Products Used:

None

I bought this to use as a winter daypack. I am 6'3" and it fits pretty well at the longest setting. As a daypack, it is very nice. I can stuff the 10 (or is it 11? or 12?) essentials, a couple of clothing layers, and some extra food and water with room to spare.

The cool thing is that, by moving the straps down, my 12-year-old Boy Scout son can use it for overnight backpack trips. (He is about 4'10" and 80 pounds.)

A lot of versatility in a little pack, and all for $100 (list price, although I have seen them on sale for as little as $70).

Customer Service

I *love* shopping at REI. Around here, which is the heart of REI country, they hire and/or train very knowledgeable, patient sales people. When I bought this pack they spent 30 minutes or more on a pretty small sale. Same story for my tent, and now that I'm shopping for a large pack for myself they are thinking of giving me my own parking space.

Similar Products Used:

I also own an REI Half Dome day pack. Perfect for 3-season day hikes.

This pack is well worth the small price tag. Simple in design, high on function. I have used this pack from a daytrip and one night backpacking trips, to a 5 day stretch on the Vermont Long Trail this summer. It has always fit good on my smaller frame 5'7". I would recommend this pack to anyone looking for a quality pack for a tight budget.

Similar Products Used:

None

This pack is wonderful. I got it when I was young so it fit me well, so it's good for shorter torso people. Now that I've grown a bit it's barely fitting but it's still perfect for a few day trips cause it isn't too big and it still fits amazingly well. All the straps and closure systems work well. It's toploading which has it's drawbacks sometimes but most of the time it's alright. Great product for the money, that's all I can say.

Customer Service

REI customer service rules!!

Similar Products Used:

None

I found that this backpack fits those with a shorter torso and that there are plenty of padding available. A drawback is that it is top loading rather than a hybrid, but you can get away with it, with this size pack. Very durable and good for weekend trips.

Customer Service

REI has provided me with many good items at reasonably good prices. The salespeople are also really helpful, even online where you can chat with someone and ask them questions about the gear.

Similar Products Used:

None