REI Ridgeline 65 Pack

Comments about REI Ridgeline 65 Pack:

I used this pack on a 30-mile trip in Big Bend National Park of Texas in March. It did an admirable job and I'm planning on using it for future trips. I had it loaded down pretty heavy, including at least 8 liters of water (this was a desert trip with no water on the trail), as well as a heavy and cumbersome sleeping bag, which took up quite a bit of the interior (I have since replaced it with a much superior down sleeping bag). Despite carrying all this "extra" weight, I was still able to fit all of my gear and travel in a reasonable amount of comfort. My hips did get a little sore on the first day, but I blame this on myself for not figuring out how to properly adjust the straps. Needless to say, I think this trip represented an extreme case as far as weight for this pack, and it still got the job done. I'm anticipating even better results on lighter trips in the future.

One aspect of the bag that I particularly like is the ease with which extra items can be attached externally. For instance, I used the side compression straps to hold my sleeping pad. I also bought some extra straps and fed them through the loops on the top of the pack to cinch down my tent. I was even able to rig a small day pack to the side of the bag in order to carry some extra water. The bag has numerous attachment points for other smaller items as well.

Overall, this is a great pack for a reasonable price. It is simple yet rugged and effective.

Comments about REI Ridgeline 65 Pack:

I have now used the Ridgeline 65 on two week long trips to Alaska (one in the summer and one in the winter) and a couple other weekend outings in Texas. It has performed flawlessly. All seams are still in great shape and the pack is just as comfortable as the day I bought it. My only complaint would be that the air flow system to keep your back dry does not seem to work very well, but it does dry out quickly once the pack is removed. This pack is great for extended weekends and carries 40 pound loads very easily.

Comments about REI Ridgeline 65 Pack:

This pack is OUTSTANDING!!! It performed like a champ, in the Sierra National Forest. I slammed it around like an old friend. I had the thing overflowing by the time we hit the trail head. It weighed in at 50lbs! But contrary to some reviews that it was 'squeaky'. I didn't hear one squeak, but that could have been due to the gross overload I was stupidly schlepping through the forest. Anyway, it was a 4.5 hour hike in to Jenny Lake and I didn't notice the battleship I was toting on my back. In all honesty...this is an excellent pack, easy to load, hauled the weight easly. My buddies brand new kelty took a dump on this trip. His straps were tearing an hour in!! REI brand is the best. I would highly recommend this to a buddy...in fact I have...2 of my buddies bought it!!

Comments about REI Ridgeline 65 Pack:

I shopped around for a month trying to find the best weekend trip pack and I think I found it. The hipbelt has great padding and the openings for my camelbak were big enough to get the bite valve through. This pack is very adjustable so your sure to get a great fit. Also, unlike ultralight packs this one is tuff enough to toss on the ground when you get to camp. The only thing I would change about it would be to make the removable toplid also function as a hip/waist pack,(thus the 4 star rating). The rei 80 liter duck's back rain cover goes well with this pack.

Comments about REI Ridgeline 65 Pack:

Talk about a great pack! I upgraded from my Lookout day pack to the Ridgeline and couldn't be happier. It easily holds my sleeping bag, tent, cooking system, hydration bladder, as well as all of the 10 essentials and my miscellaneous gear. It readily sheds light precipitation and cleans up like a charm. You'll be hard pressed to find a more comfortable rig. The only downside that I have found is that the water bottle holders are a too far out of reach to grab them myself, but since I use a hydration bladder that's a minor inconvenience.

Comments about REI Ridgeline 65 Pack:

I used my pack for the first time yesterday on a +7-mile easy hike. I found it too be quite comfortable, generally. I especially liked the heavily padded and formed hipbelt,which does keep the weight on my hips. (I'm pretty thin and have little in the way of hips and buttocks for a pack to rest on.) I cinched it up nice and snug and the reduction on shoulder/back strain was noticeable and pleasurable compared to my old Kelty Redwind 3100. The mesh water bottle is set too far back, and is hard get it in and out without taking the pack off; but, I did manage; you have to be a bit of a contortionist. All the straps provide a wide range of adjustment to suit your particular frame, needs and preferences, I think.I did find it rubbing a little on my left shoulder blade as the hike wore on. After I got home, I tried to figure out if the back panel and the hip belt are both adjustable, because both are attached internally via Velcro, and it seemed like you can separate them from the main pack and make an adjustment. However, the pack does not come with any instructions, and you have to figure this out on your own. [...], I learned the hipbelt is not designed to be adjusted, and the Velcro feature there is for the movement control feature only. [...] the "shoulder strap Velcro ladder" is adjustable. I presume this refers to the foam back panel itself, which has a massive piece of Velcro down in there, which you can feel as you slide your hand in there in an attempt to free the piece up entirely and make an adjustment. I played around with this, and did manage to re-center the back panel (or the shoulder straps?) a little. It seems more comfortable now. Customer Service did offer to have me call them (I had e-mailed them) and walk me through this lone adjustment, but I declined since I seem to have figured it out on my own. For [$]the pack should come with at least some instructions.

Comments about REI Ridgeline 65 Pack:

I took this pack on a two week trip along the Colorado Trail. It easily fit all my gear, including food for a week on the trail at a time.

This is the first pack I've used for more than a weekend trip, and I was quite pleased with its performance. The standard top loading design worked well, with the zippered access an added bonus to bail me out when I ended up needing something during the day that I didn't think I would. There are plenty of places to strap items on the outside of the pack, like my tent poles and crocs. I also appreciated the lack of compartmentalization in the pack. I felt that it allowed for more efficient packing on my part. The 4 small exterior pockets were more than sufficient for the small items I wanted quick access to throughout the day.

I also used it as a day pack for summit hikes during the trip. Its not designed as such, but it worked just fine. After hauling a loaded pack most days, even a day pack on the heavier side felt amazingly light.

Comments about REI Ridgeline 65 Pack:

This is an update to my previous review in June 2008. This pack has given me lots of good and consistent use, but I wanted to highlight its exceptional performance on one trip in particular to reinforce my previous comments. In January 09 I took this pack on a six-day, five-night, 50+ mile trip in the eastern Grand Canyon. At 65 liters, this pack is technically intended for 3-4 day uses, but now I'm convinced it can be used effectively for week-long trips. It handled the weight and storage needs of a six-day trek with no problem. On most days of this trip, I was carrying no more than 4 liters of water, which I would consider a moderate amount. The pack was certainly quite heavy for the first two days (sorry I don't know the actual weight), but the padding and suspension were quality enough that my hips did not rub raw and I had no noticeable sore spots. And once some of the food started getting eaten, carrying this pack was a breeze.

I have found a packing configuration that works pretty well for me, and I'll describe it here. I bought some straps to pass through the loops on the top of the pack; I use these to cinch my tent down on top. I use the straps on the bottom of the pack to hold my tubular thermarest. I also purchased two large Granite Gear pack pockets at REI, which attach to the sides of the pack via the compression straps. These hold small items such as a water filter, stove, fuel, first aid kit, etc. With all of these items stored externally, I have the entire main compartment of the pack devoted to my sleeping bag, food, water, cooking pot, and some clothes. This configuration is more than adequate for a week-long journey.

I should mention that my pack has shown no noticeable signs of wear; everything seems to be strong and durable. The pack also cleans up nicely and still looks in really good shape. I'm very satisfied with this purchase.

Comments about REI Ridgeline 65 Pack:

I tried it on at the REI Store in Missoula MT. It felt right when I put it on. Adjusting it was easy. It holds lots of stuff, far more than I needed for the day hikes we would be taking in the immediate future, but I loaded it up just to break it in. Given all the junk I added in just to add weight, I am confident that this pack could hold enough stuff for at least three nights, unless maybe you are going into extreme cold weather. I used it on several day hikes in the Bitterroots, in Glacier NP, and in Yellowstone NP. Carrying food and beverages for myself and my wife, plus extra clothing just in case the weather changed, I was far more comfortable with it than I would have been without it. My 3-Liter Camelback fits right in and the drink tube is held right where I can get it. I am looking forward to using it for longer hikes, actual backpacking, multi-day stuff. Time will tell if it holds up to the beating of life on the trail but it does seem to be well-made.
It did not rain on us so I cannot comment on the pack's waterproofness or lack thereof. I think I will snag a raincover on GP. Why find out the hard way that it is not waterproof? Plus a cover would help protect from wear and tear.

Service and delivery comments:

The personnel in the REI Store in Missoula MT were very knowledgeable about all things backpack-related. They were very friendly, not at all pushy, and were genuinely interested in giving me the best service they could. They took their time and exercized considerable care fitting me into several packs and waiting while I walked around in the store to try them out.

Comments about REI Ridgeline 65 Pack:

I am a senior citizen. Purchased the pack for a weekend in Dinkey Lakes Wilderness in CA and some flyfishing. I am new at backpacking and have had some difficulty with space in the pack. It seems marginal for an extended trip but I am still working on being a minimalist. I have seen reference to the multiple external tie down points but there were not any straps or shock cord provided. The straps for the bottom were barely long enough to secure some added equipment (see above comment on being a minimalist). The sales literature discussed the removal of the top hat. Last weekend I again went fishing and had the need for a fanny pack. I removed the top hat and made it work with my wading belt, but not well. My partner had a new Kelty and the top hat was made with a belt so it could be used as a fanny, a nice feature. These are minor points and I like the pack.