A loyal servant, still going strong, but I'm choosing to upgrade. Find it here for $67.44
My Take
When you hike, especially solo, you kinda become attached to pieces of your kit. This bag has done some amount of miles with me and never failed me. It has been in rain and snow, on mountains, by the sea, and thrown around like a rag-doll - it doesn't give up! It fits everything I need for a 3-4 day trip and it is built like a tank. But that's the problem - that strength comes with a little extra weight and it will likely be my next gear upgrade with the savings of a pound or two being worth it to me. Obviously, I'll review my next pack, but let's not overlook this bag just yet - I am still a fan.
Teton Sports are one of those "disruptive" companies in the back-packing space, going after folks who don't need/want to be ultralight, but want quality and durable products with features for their outdoor adventures. This pack is what I would call a "traditional" pack - long lasting materials with plenty of features. So let's take a look at those features starting at the bottom:
Rain cover
Sleeping bag/pad compartment
2 mesh water bottle holders on both sides
External mesh holder on the "belly" of the pack
2 external zip-able side pockets
Main internal body/cavity
Internal zip-able pouch in lid
External zip-able pouch on outer lid
Bungee cord on "belly" of pack
Bungee cord on head of pack
Adjustable waist strap
Adjustable shoulder straps
Additional adjustable external carry straps
Adjustable torso slider
Water bladder access hole
Hand pull on upper bag
Adjustable sternum strap
Zip pulls
It is a 55L pack made with 600d Ripstop Nylon and uses YKK zippers.
I have done a few hundred miles with this pack and it is incredibly comfortable. From time to time it makes a "squeaking" noise from somewhere around the shoulder straps, that if you obsess upon it, can drive you a little crazy (I never figured out the cause!), and the zips, while being great quality, can be hard to open if the pack is stuffed, which mine usually is. But other than that the features all work well.
My 3 day kit all fits into this as follows
Tent (strapped outside)
Sleeping pad
Fleece
Thermals
Wool hat
Clothes change
Stove
Cup
First Aid
Bear Cannister BV450
Toiletries/Clean up
Camp shoes (strapped outside)
Hiking poles (strapped outside)
Water bottles
Water filtration
Maps/compass
Book
Pillow
Chair (strapped outside)
For my kit, a 55L bag, like this bag, is the bare minimum in size, but it works (barely).
Specifications
Dimensions: 55L. 30"x17"x12"
Weight: 4.5 lbs
Materials: 600D Polyester Diamond Ripstop
Price: $67.99
Pros & Cons
Pros: Durable, quality, good features, trustworthy.
Cons: Zips can be difficult, unexplained squeaks, weight
The Final Score
7/10 - The bag will keep going for a long time, but on someone else's shoulders, primarily due to the weight.