REI Mars 85 Pack

Comments about REI Mars 85 Pack - '08:

I purchased this backpack to take me on a 53 mile hike through the New Mexico Wilderness and it performed like a charm. 9 hours of hiking a day and my back didn't hurt at all whatsoever. The suspension is designed to adjust to any and every need you have while on the trail. The straps are very ergonomic and it's easy to shift the weight between your back and your hips. The loading system is also exceptionally convient due to the handy side loading feature. I've owned a couple of top and bottem only loaded packs before this and nothing quite beats the convience of being able to zip up the side. Finally, durability is the thing i've come to respect the most about this backpack. Between torential downpours, blistering heat, and general rough going, this pack put up the best fight i've seen from any backpack. All said and done this pack looked brand new by the end of a week long rigerous trek and i believe it will continue to hold for many more.

Comments about REI Mars 85 Pack - '08:

I use this product for huntin' and, weekend campouts. This July I will be using it for Phimont, a Boy Scout camp in New Mexico.
This pack has a good many places to attach things to, and also it has a front loading feature that makes it easier to pack.
The straps on the back of the pack are hard to reach, but thats about the only bad thing about it.

Comments about REI Mars 85 Pack - '08:

[...]I have used both the Bora 85 and Bora 80 for the Sierra for many years. The chief complaint that I had was its weight, the second was the hip belt and the last was the shape of the pack that touches one’s back (upper portion.) I bought the Mars 2007 but was never able to use it due to scheduling and constraints. Upon looking at it again, I notice a tear on the mesh pocket. I went back to [...] exchange, upon my arrival to the back packing section I see the Mars 2008. I loaded up the pack to about 40 + lbs and dragged my 2.5 year old after me as I jumped on and off benches, walked the plastic rock in the shoe section and just jumped and bounced around anywhere else that I can without looking strange. My take on it is that the pack felt very comfortable and very stable. Keep in mind this is an initial observation. Observation:1. Hip belt is thicker and wider to which it hugs better2. More padding on the shoulder straps3. No more rail track to secure the sternum strap4. Larger room for a sleeping bag5. Straps on the bottom to secure a sleeping mat6. Left side of hip belt has straps to allow one to secure items to it and on the right is a large pocket to accommodate snacks and what not.7. Bottom left of pack is a roomy pocket which appears easy to access when the pack is on8. Bottom right is a nice size mesh pocket to store a Nalgene bottle9. The straps are shorter all around – thank goodness for that10. The bottom of the pack appears to have a tougher material so as to avoid tears or abrasion when setting the pack on the ground11. There is an orange emergency whistle on the sternum strap – nice touchMy Limited Experience:The pack felt very comfortable, more so that I thought it would. The hip belt just hugged my hips and yet felt very firm and secure. Felt no discomfort on my back. The fit was excellent given that I am 5’5”. Over all, the fit and feel felt great. I will know for sure how I feel about this pack once spring comes around. Otherwise, I like the modifications and look forward to using it in the near future.D…Semper Fi

Comments about REI Mars 85 Pack - '08:

The first use of the backpack.A total of 7 days trip to bear the weight of 55 pounds.This route is not difficult.However, the lower edge of shoulder strap to wear with a broken hipbelt.This poor use of sensory.

Comments about REI Mars 85 Pack - '08:

I bought the pack at an actual REI location after asking the Very Helpfull associate a plethra of questions and concerns. I was impressed by the heavy duty zippers and hardware in-store, and the capacity was on par with what I was looking for. I thought the super rigid(while heavily padded)hipbelt would keep the weight off my shoulders with the 65-85 lbs. I was planning to carry (I go on extended desert hikes/camps/rock-climbing excursions with full gear and LOTS of water) Initial unloaded fit was excellent, however, once loaded and mid-trip, the hipbelt would not stay in place on my hips no matter how I adjusted or sinched. I tried it so tight my hips were visably bruised and several of the meaty buckles actually broke, making the rest of the trip a real PEACH. I immediately returned the pack after this first/only trip (the crew at REI was very helpfull and understanding of these issues-KUDOS)...... In summary, I think this pack is probably a good buy for the money, and would be sufficiently stable with less than 35 lbs, but here's my gripe; Wouldn't someone interested in an 85 litre pack expect more from a pack with that capacity? Not everyone stocks up their packs with cotton candy and down pillows, know what I'm talking 'bout?

Comments about REI Mars 85 Pack - '08:

So I just got done using this pack on a hike through the AT. I did the Smoky Mountains National park end to end, and this pack did great. I fit everything I needed and the pack didnt even need to strain. After I packed it and cinched it up, it handled amazingly well. But make sure you get it well adjusted before you start hiking. Adjusting is really easy on this pack, but if you dont get it how you like it before you head out you'll be adjusting constantly. But, if you are on a long trip and you start trimming up a little, the easy adjustment is really nice, especially when you've realized you've lost a little wieght. The pack gives great support, and I love how it sits the majority of the weight on your hips, letting you go for miles without any type of back strain. The double access is beyond handy; making camp is a breeze when you have total access to the pack from the front. All in all the only complaint is that when you are on a long hike you need to make sure the pack keeps its shape. I've noticed that as you use up your food, or if it rains and you have to cover the pack, you just need to keep up with that adjustment. If not the pack will sag, and if it gets lopsided it gets uncomfortable. I went quite a few miles with it in such condition, and it'll get to you after a while. But if you maintain your pack you will get an awesome hike out of it, I promise. It really works for you, and is just all around a great pack. Definitely a good buy.

Comments about REI Mars 85 Pack - '08:

This is the pack they rent out at the Atlanta-area REIs and I rented my gear for my first overnight hiking trip (Conasauga River Trail in Georgia's Cohutta Wilderness). I was impressed with the comfort of the pack. When the pack was on, I didn't notice and spots where it weighed more heavily than others. It fit close and didn't shift at all (which is good when a sudden shift would have dunked me on the many river crossings in that hike). The only problem was that early in the second day of the trip, the left cinch strap to pull the pack in close at the shoulder broke away from the pack.

Still, I was impressed enough with the pack that I bought one when I got home. I knew it would fit well and be comfortable even at fairly heavy weight after hours of wearing it on the trail. I've used that pack a couple of times since and have had no trouble with breakage.

Another benefit is that it's rained on two of my trips and most of the pack has proven very resistant to water. However, the small pocket on the side of the pack's main body doesn't have the waterproof zipper of the front or top pouches and will let in some moisture.

I've had no issue with the pack rubbing me or causing any discomfort. The only thing resembling a complaint I have is that the waist strap will gradually slip. Every couple of miles I'll need to shrug my shoulders to raise the pack and pull the waist straps to retighten. This is easy enough to do and can be done without even breaking stride.

And this seems to be a really big pack. Most of my trips are just overnighters and this is really more pack than I need. Still, I'm glad I got it because when I hopefully do some longer hikes this summer I won't have to buy a larger pack.

Comments about REI Mars 85 Pack - '08:

Pretty happy with this pack. Lots of room inside, though I wish the lower sleeping bag compartment was a bit larger to accommodate synthetic bags easier. It rains a lot here, so Down is not my choice for bags. This pack did extremely well when we got hit with a spring downpour...nothing inside even got damp. The water bottle pocket is too far back to reach without help, but there are rungs to hang your bottle on the front hip belt, so thats nice. The forward pulling waist cinches work very well...almost too well...you can really tighten this puppy up. No head interference, it cinches up nicely, so no more swaying and bouncing or pulling you over backwards. I haven't used it in the heat yet, so I cant speak on the airflow across the back, but in long (20 mile plus) 65 degree treks, my back has stayed mostly sweat free. I'm 6'2" and this pack adjusted easily to my torso.
Overall, I am happy with the Mars (I have the 87). In the past, I have spent more and liked what I bought less. This is a great deal, especially for the price.

Comments about REI Mars 85 Pack - '08:

This pack was a great buy for me. It has plenty of room, I usually end up carrying everything for 3 people and finding a place for all our gear hasn't been a problem. My favorite part about the pack is how well it distributes the weight. On the trail I never feel the need to take the pack off on breaks because of the equal weight distribution. Great pack, I would buy again if given the chance.

Comments about REI Mars 85 Pack - '08:

I love this pack.I packed it with over 50lbs and hiked Mt. Katahdin.Great padding on the straps and hips,made it a very comfortable trip.used it for three more hikes with no problems.Quality is top notch,a steal for the money.