REI Ridgeline Men's Pack - 65 Liters - 2009 Special Buy

Comments about REI Ridgeline Pack - '07 Special Buy:

Just took this pack out for a 1 1/2 week backpacking trip in NM carrying 45 lbs. The pack itself is great, but it has a few flaws. The first flaw is a major one, and the reason I'll be returning this pack - padding. The pads are stiff and they hurt your hip and collar bones. This was true even when I was carrying 35 lbs. The other two things are weak buckles and loose straps. I broke one of the bottom buckles trying to cinch down my pack. Easy replacement. The top straps kept slipping throughout the trek though. I had to keep pulling them tight to keep the pack against my back.

Other than that, I really liked it. The side zipper was awesome. The biner loops came in handy a lot. There were ample pockets. Everything cinched down well. Just can't get past the pads, because if it's not comfortable, what good is it?

Comments about REI Ridgeline Pack - '07 Special Buy:

I like this pack. When i bought it about 9 months ago, it was advertised as the '08 pack, but i still loved it too much to return it.Upon receival, i noticed that all the clips on it seemed to be streamlined, maybe to reduce weight, but it was as though the majority of it was cut out, a design i had never seen before. Not a bad thing. I liked that the main compartment also could be reached by a zipper on the front of the pack. The daisy chain all along the back of it proves to be useful, and it has let me clip biners and other equipment securely and in reach for quick acess. The padding proved to be ample enough not to dig into me, but was not the softest padding i have experienced. The zippers on it are beefy and have a waterprooofing tape over them (cut in the middle to allow operation of the zippers) that seems to be very effective. There are zippered side pockets and two pockets on the top that allow for easy acces of essentials, i use them for matches sunblock, firstaid kit, raincover, etc. It seems that pack has the potential to hold alot of equipment, but i havn't used it for that yet. The top acess is two drawstrings, and the cords on them seem to be delicate, because if you try to pull the sliders on the cords when they are not completely compressed, they roughen and sightly fray the cord. A minor inconvenience. The exposed tubular metal that runs the perimeter of the pack can prevent you from leaning your head back, and the frame sheet needs some pretty extensive modifications to be in contact with your entire back (can be accomplished by bending over your knee). If your like me then the cons in this review will make you reconsider this pack or disregard it completely, but don't! This is a great pack, and the pros definetly outway the cons.
P.S. The way the pack looks on the website is nothing like what it looks like in real life. It looks alot better.

Comments about REI Ridgeline Pack - '07 Special Buy:

I've done weekend backpacking with this pack, and it is great. Could see doing a 5-7 day trip if packed right. Access to bottom makes unpacking easy with zippered opening. Lots of areas to stow equipment. Comfort is the main reason I like this pack. With all the adjustments, the load can be placed on shoulders, hips as you want.

Comments about REI Ridgeline Pack - '07 Special Buy:

This is my first commercial large pack. I just got back from a 2 day trip with a 2700' elevation gain and I'm very happy with this pack. I've used military gear before and this is light years ahead. The pack weight was 39# due mostly to water for a desert mountain hike. The pack was never an issue. I did have minor soreness over strap and belt areas but it never became a concern. I'm very happy with this pack and will continue to use it.

Comments about REI Ridgeline Pack - '07 Special Buy:

I used this pack on a four day trip this last summer. I had the pack loaded with a total weight of 65 lbs., and it never hurt me. (everything else hurt) The straps were very comfortable on my shoulders and the waist belt held the weight very well. The only complaint I have is the cinch mechanisms for the draw strings on the top of the main compartment did not work from day one. The spring on the inside was collapsed and would not keep retention on the string. This really wasn't to big of a deal it just kept me from getting the compartment cinched down tight.

Comments about REI Ridgeline Pack - '07 Special Buy:

I bought this pack before my second backpacking trip, wanting to have one of my own. this pack worked well. The design of the buckles is suspect though, I had one break before I actually even used the pack. The front access zipper is a nice feature, however when your pack is really loaded it is fairly useless. This is a great starter pack with room for improvement. I got it with a coupon for [$] can't beat it for that price.

Comments about REI Ridgeline Pack - '07 Special Buy:

I'm not experienced with many packs. I had an external frame jansport many years ago and now the ridgeline which i bought in 2009. I'm 5'8" and 160# in the summer. I was sized at the REI in Madison Wi and so have the mens medium. I usually do 4-7 day outings. I try to keep my pack weight in the 35# range including food and water. I've been out on several outings with this pack. This pack has been very comfortable. It can be adjusted so that the hips carry the weight, which relieves the shoulders. I hiked with some folks who couldn't make these adjustments and they had very sore shoulders. Mine says made in Vietnam. If I had to do it over I would be willing to pay some extra for an American made pack, no offense to foreigners, this one has not let me down to date. This is a fine pack. No buckles have broken, no straps have ripped and zippers are all still intact. I think i paid around $200.

Comments about REI Ridgeline Pack - '07 Special Buy:

This is my first personal pack, I have used others and this was far better. Not only is the pack good, but you have REI to back it up. One of the buckles on a compression strap broke the first time I loaded it. A quick call to REI and it was taken care of. I would recommend this pack, as long as you are not dead set on a seperate sleeping bag compartment

Comments about REI Ridgeline Pack - '07 Special Buy:

This backpack is great! It's suspension easily handled my 45 lb. pack on a recent 3-day/2-night trip in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. The load was balanced and comfortable. The frame did not flex and the padding, although stiff, was comfortable and added to the support, particularly in the hipbelt.

Stitching and zippers are of high quality. If I were nitpicking however, I may have some long term concern for the lightweight buckles others have talked about. Yes, they work and yes, they area lighter, but will I have to replace them regularly?

I go on one to two trips a year, when possible, so I'm not one who can justify the high-dollar (and compressible) equipment...my pack was full for a 3-day/2-night trip. I ditched my usual stuff sacks for my sleeping bag (Kelty Lightyear 25 deg.) and tent (REI half dome), just to fill up every corner of the bag. I usually do not like this because I hate a wet tent without a stuff sack in my pack. This leads me to my final minor issue. If all four corners of the lid were adjustable (as opposed to the 'hinged') I could have placed my tent under the lid but on the outside of the main compartment.

Final analysis is that I love this pack for weekend trips even with its minor shortcomings. A fully adjustable lid or a slightly larger size (70) would have allowed me to accomodate my stuff a touch better but I was able to manage. The load carried very well and I see many years of great use from this pack.

Service and delivery comments:

Service and delivery were great.

Comments about REI Ridgeline Pack - '07 Special Buy:

For the clearance price it is a steal. For me the pack has no real weaknesses. The accessability to the pack is superb and I can generally get to anything in the pack without much shifting of contents. The bag is certainly overkill for a day hike and provides ample room for extended hikes. As others have said, yes the hip belts and shoulder straps are a bit bulky, but they will contour and soften with repeated use, just like a pair of boots. My pack loads are generally rather light for the bag, around 25 - 30 lbs for what its worth.