I had purchased my Vortex 5800 about 3 months prior to taking it out . The looks of it is just awesome. On its first trip with me, we (my Vortex backpack) travelled to England to do the Coast to Coast Hike. Since I was hiking alone and camping along the way, I needed to pack heavier. I was surprised of how comfortable the pack was. Every day of the hike seemed to cruise by without noticing the amount of weight I was carrying. It seemed like a steal when I found the Vortex pack on the internet for $250.00, but after using it I would not hesitate on purchasing the same pack for the retail cost of $400.00.

Customer Service

the warranty is the best deal of all. Vortex will repair or replace any part of the pack free of charge (even if its your fault), for life.

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Well what can I say if your on this web site you have probably read some of the other reviews for vortex and they speak for themselves. Just simply Rock solid reliable and confortable, with service that I have found to be wonderful. I have a 5800 and a 2200 and they are bouth exellent if not the best quality packs on the market. They built to the teeth and made for rugged use. I have gone with my packs thrue rain snow and sleat and counldn't have been happier with them. Was resantly in Sweden hiking and my pack took the beeting of all the rain of lower portion with out a hitch. As to this bleading of color I have never experanced it and it only makes me wonder if I has something to do with the chemicals on the clouthing and not the back pack. I don't know but aka.. this could be marments problem and not vortex feel free to e-mail me with info conserning this but I have no problems and Love my pack.

Customer Service

When I got my pack in the mail after ordering it from a small outfiter here in Lincoln. I found out that the waist belt was to big for me. It was my fault I hadn't checked the fitting before I ordered it. No problem!! I called them up and they had the new waste belth to me pronto and I didn't have to send them the pack thanks to its modulare design on the suspention system. If that isn't good for you how about this. My roomate got a pack about a mount after I did (a 5800) and he screwed up the torso length they sent him a new pack and said you can use the old one till it gets their then send it to us and our cost. Bouth cases it was our fault.The service is great!!!!

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My 5800 was my first pack I bought it about 3 years ago my second was my 2200. I got the first on recomendation and have never regretted it as my intro and stay in backpacking.

I have done extended backpacking trips, up to 22 days, with other packs and can't believe the difference with Vortex. Fully loaded the pack feels like no other pack I have ever put on. They have put more R&D into the stays than I can imagine. The pack molds to my back and doesn't float around when I am moving through tight spaces. The foam used in the hip pads distributes the weight evenly into my hips and and holds it there comfortably all day. I was amazed when I took a closer look at the stiching on this pack. I have never seen a pack on the market that is so well constructed. I love my pack and would recomend it to anybody that values buying quality gear.

Customer Service

Vortex has an unbelievable customer service policy. They will repair or replace any damage done to a pack. Period. To me this is the true sign of a company that believes in what they do.

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Arcteryx, Dana Designs, North Face, and Lowe Alpine

I have used my 5800 in the snow, in the rain, in the sun, the Cascades, the Sierras, and have come away from each trip with more and more appreciation for the thoughtful, bombproof construction. I wanted a lightweight, large capacity pack, with a slighly flexible back panel, and there really is NOTHING out there besides the 5800 that fits this bill. The zippers are snag free and glove operable, and the materials all seem to be top-notch. The only complaint I have is not having a decent place to attach a reachable water bottle.

Customer Service

Excellent all around. They sent me a demo pack to use when I needed to move and my pack wasn't ready yet. Very courteous on the phone.

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Have been out with my new 5800 twice...fully loaded 35lbs...rain gear and space blanket in one outside pocket and my tent fly and ground cloth in the other...stove, fuel, bear box (Canister), fleece (Cabela's Big Stuff), tent body, ditty bag w/odds & ends, toilet bag, sleeping pad & bag, pots & pans, Food,
all inside...tweaked the fit... fits like a glove...had a 2200 that I used in the Yosemite high country four years ago but needed to carry more now that I am getting older...Comfort and Fit are the Key...I am a Barrel-Chested, 40" waist-ed, 19" backed,
"real-old-guy" and these packs are the best. Quality is the best in the industry and made in the USA (do I hear springsteen in background) really says it all...as to this problem w/water and staining...I have only had a dye release on items that come in contact with a chemical coating for water protection... as is on Lowe items... P.S. always put a poncho on "Over" you and the Pack ... Gore-tex is for Camp...Goin-Up?

Customer Service

Ordering and customer service is the best...I mean for a dozen or so Americans...Pack -Harness-Belt can be Mixed and Matched a big plus for this guy...if you have the time you can even (i hope this is still the case) order special colors...a pleasure to do business with...("still waiting for my new catalog Jeff") LOL

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I purchased a 2200 and a 5800 early summer 1999. Both packs, after getting wet, transferred the black dye from the pack, including the back support, shoulder straps and waist belt, onto my clothing including shorts, shirts, jackets as well as items inside the pack. After using the packs in rain and snow, everything that comes in contact with the Lycra material becomes blackened from the dye transfer. As bazaar as it sounds, this is the case. Vortex sent me several replacements and they all had the same dye problem as well as other problems.

Customer Service

Customer Services: The worst I have ever experienced. Yes, Vortex is quick to send out replacements. However, they have never sent me two identical packs in the 11 months I have been trying to resolve this problem. They always seem to be sending seconds, due to production defects. They have sent me three 2200s and one 5800 and they all had the same problem of staining clothing etc. when using them in wet weather. While they reimbursed me for the cost of a ruined Marmot jacket, they still have not replaced the defective packs.

After returning the packs (and the jacket as proof that they have a problem, which they admitted after some prodding. It's not easy to deny the problem with the word XETROV stained in to the back of the jacket) the last time, in December 1999, and after many promises to reimburse me the cost of the packs, ("The checks in the mail") nothing. I 'd call to inquire why the reimbursement never arrived I'd and be given another excuse, this one just as bazaar as the last.

Their latest solution in February 2000 was to send me two more packs. I agreed if they'd assure me that I wouldn't have the same dye transfer problems. They assured me the new ones would not. Yet as of April 23rd I am still waiting for the new packs. I call time and again when the stated date to receive the packs comes and goes. I talk to the same individual Jeff whom I'm told is the only one able to help me. Jeff always blames someone or something else for the packs not being shipped, but always assuring me each time, that I would receive the new packs in just a few days, I am still waiting.

Talk to someone else? I've spoken to 4 or 5 different individuals in the 11 months that I have had problems with Vortex which are still yet to be resolved. Two of those individuals are the co-owners of the company.

I've given up on my investment of $540.00.

My experience with Vortex, "Their the worst."

Fabulous pack! The BEST!. That's all I can say. I've owned numerous backpacks since I was six years old (I'm a crotchety 45 now) and this is one is a dream come true.

The Vortex feels strange with little weight (the stay bends into the small of my back) but as it becomes loaded and the stay gets sprung the whole pack settles into place like a well worn boot.

It doesn't creak or sway or shift. It doesn't have, or need, a zillion adjustment straps. Though it lacks a mid pack zipper (which would be nice) it's giant maw gives good good access to all inside. Because it is a top loader I would certainly suggest putting your small things in stuff sacks or they'll end up at the bottom (which you can access through the lower end zip).

The 5800 is a good size for a standard 10 day summer pack trip. I'd opt for the bigger pack for a winter trip or if you carry lots of non compressable stuff like wet suit or float tube.

Customer Service

Haven't needed customer service. This thing is built like a bomb - doubt I'll need to use it.

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Kelty, North Face, Trailwise, Sierra Designs, Mt Smith, Synergy, Gregory, Osprey, Mt Master (I know - it dates me), and Lowe.

This bag is awesome, it has all the features you need and is really simple, it works out great and i would not trade it for another bag in the world

i spent a while looking at packs. I wanted something bombproof, light, comfortable and usefull. The vortex works great. I especially like the strength and the frame that molds to your frame.

Customer Service

great customer service, the water pouch that came with my pack broke and they immediatly replaced it.

I used this pack when I climbed Denali last spring and loved it! Vortex packs are built ultra-tough and even have Kevlar bar-tacks to reinforce the high stress points. Their ergonomically molded foam suspension worked wonderfully to eliminate hot spots even when I waqs wearing my harness and carrying 70-80lbs . The pack held up very well to the abuse that a big mountain like Denali will give it.

Customer Service

Vortex gives its customers an Unconditional Lifetime Warranty on all of their packs and as far as I know they have been very good about honoring it. If something happens to my pack, I can always send it back to the factory and they will repair it for free, even if it is my fault! That's one of the things that impresses me most about Vortex, they really stand behind their products.

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