Since I do a lot of wandering on my canoe trips, I decided I could fit everything into this comfortable pack instead of hauling a giant canvas bag with a tumpline on my head. Pros: - It fits a lot of gear and is comfortable under heavy loads - You can strip it down by taking the daypack and lid off - Bottle holster in convenient location (once you get used to it) Cons: - The lid pocket is impossible to keep 100% stable with a lot of stuff in it, (always wants to hammer my head into something when I wipe out) - The parasite pack is too small to be of use to me - Attention to detail/ quality seems to be sketchy (possibly attributable to outsourcing of labour to third-world countries to keep up with the demands of TNF's more lucrative fashion enterprise). My pack was torn up after a few simple bushwhacking jaunts. - Overdesigned with little features and extras that add more weight than their usefulness would warrant, eg: daypack, compartment divider with straps, internal pockets and sleeves, and those zippered pockets outside with all the useable space of a knife sheath. To summarize, I would say that a no-frills top loading pack with large capacity, and good fit would be more up my alley, but others may find this thing to be top notch.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Canadian army current issue pack, and old style jump pack, Camp trails, Go-lite race, various canvas behemoths

This is a great bag for 2 reasons: comfort and features. The X-Frame really does move with you, and the hip belt/shoulder straps are made from a molded foam that really do conform to you, not the other way around. The North Face really thought this backpack through, and didn't leave anything out. For example there's a holster for a GPS and a Flashlight next to a clear map pocket. All the straps on the back have velcro to keep them from flopping. There's an attached rain cover! The negative aspects of this bag are that the straps on the front have no velcro and are long and floppy. The detachable daypack is so small it's more or less useless, I leave it at home. This bag weighs about 7 lbs, which is not heavy but not light either. Overall, I think this bag measures up to any Gregory in features, and definitely in price.

Customer Service

No warranty - bought it on Ebay

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Lowe, Jansport, Gregory

The pack fits so well, carrying a 50 pound loaded pack seems a breeze. The Shoulder straps though is a bit long for my size but very comfortable. Construction wise, i know this pack will serve my for many more years and miles to come.

Customer Service

I haven't needed it

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Marmot-Kelty packs and several local packs

Swallowed my anti-fashion prode after trying this on. Note to bitter woman who hates North Face -- I bought it because it fit me the best out of about 10 packs I tried on. Am trying to find a good patch for the logo, though...Yes, too many straps and a tad heavy. Small water bottle pocket is good -- don't want heavy water bottles on the outside of your pack, anyway -- get a small bottle for this pocket and keep your load balanced. Day pack is small, but fits 10 essentials, lunch, water and a jacket lashed on back (it is stuffed tight, though). Bottom line -- if it fits you the best, it is a good pack.

Customer Service

Lost oa fastex buckle, but that was easily replaced for free at REI. Many miles last summer and still no problems.

I bought this pack after trying several packs at REI. It fit the best and felt the most comfortable. I carbon fiber stays flex well makining it a comforable carry. The compression strap configuration give you a good range of options. I bought the large size and the volume is good for 3-7 day trips. The only negitive things about the version I have has only 1 water bottle pocket and the attached day pack is a tad small.

Customer Service

Never used

Similar Products Used:

Kelty, REI, Jansport

Having workied at a mountain shop for several years, I feel I have a good perspective on packs and pack-fitting. Relativly speaking, this is an improvement an previous designs by TNF. But. . . First, this is not a custom fit pack. You cannot bend the frame to suit a person''s back. Everyone''s body is different! Second, many of the "new" features on this pack are rips on other pack designs. I can''t tell you how many times someone has come into my shop for a TNF pack and after trying a few packs on (which you should always try on more than one pack, with weight), they leave with something else. Too much hype, too little pack. For the money you can get such a better pack!

Customer Service

Getting better. Their return policy is sub-standard. There''s no satisfaction guarantee. So you''re stuck with it.

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Most

An excellent pack for lightweight backpacking or weeklong trips. The suspension suits this pack to rough terrain (the fit feels cemented to my back, not sitting on top of it or dragging behind it). The construction is tight. The warranty is excellent. I''m a minimalist, so this pack works for up to two weeks for me. No problems yet. It seems Rachel''s review smacks of sour grapes somehow. Sure, TNF clothing is turning into a fashion line (as opposed to a function line). Their gear, though, hasn''t suffered the same decline.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Kelty Red Cloud, REI Valhalla

I bought this pack for cross-country traveling and it works great.. Perfect fit/form/support/room/durablity for my needs.. Ive looked at other packs and nothing compares to TNF for quality. The pack is on the steep side but if you want something that will stand the test of time then this is the pack for you I dont know what noobie Rachel was talking about, this pack is way too big for hanging around the college campus..

Customer Service

REI for 250.. Zero problems...

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Kelty (thumbs down)

So far I am quite pleased with the pack. I agree with the other reviews that the hydration sleeve, adjustibility (I'm 6'3"/192cm), and construction are all very good. In contrast to the other reviewers, I find the day pack on the small side for putting anything in. For my uses I would rather have something larger than just for your sweater.
This is my first large pack to supplement my day pack which always seemed to be too small for long trips, so I don't have a lot of experience with other packs. I bought it for the size and price
Some issues to think about: if you don't attach the daypack, it doesn't compact as well. The shoulder straps are a bit narrow and abrasive when you have the pack on for multiple days in hot weather (i.e. thin shirt). also no access to main compartment from any place other than the top so you have to pack intelligently.
I would go along with the others saying that the pack isn't worth the suggested retail price, but it does very well if you find it on a good sale.

Customer Service

don't have a warranty since I got it at warranty sale (though it was brand new), but haven't had any problems with it so far

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Mountainsmith Bugaboo + hip bag

I purchased this pack for my 14 year old daughter. The folks at REI seemed to think that it is one of the best possible fits for her, that still allows for multi day camping trips. She wants to use it on her first Dall Sheep hunt this fall, so stay tuned for another review.

Untill then, she has used it, filled with about 20 lbs, for day walks so that she can get used to it. As this is her first back pack, she has nothing to compare with, but claims that it is very comfortable.

Any input from other female packers out there would be appreciated.

Customer Service

REI has proven themselves to be very customer oriented.

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My personal pack is a custom, external frame pack with a kevlar reinforced bag, built by Barney's Sprot Chalet in Anchorage Alaska.