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REI Mars 80 Pack

$199.00

(42)

Item # 795513

REI Members get back an estimated $ 19.90 on this item as part of their annual member refund.

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Built to handle heavy loads with all the creature comforts, the newly updated REI Mars 80 pack handles extended backpacking in any season.

Precurved shoulder straps match your anatomy for nonbinding comfort on and off the trail
With a "rip-and-stick" torso adjustment, shoulder strap system easily slides along pack's frame to fit torsos of varying lengths
Dual-density foam padded back panel provides a comfortable and supportive fit when carrying heavy loads
Precurved hipbelt is designed to cradle hip bones for a natural fit and to distribute weight without sagging
Hipbelt webbing system allows you to use a natural forward pulling motion for quick, easy cinching and precise adjustment
Enjoy dual access to pack via the top-loading opening and the horseshoe-shape, zippered front panel opening, which works like a duffel opening
Removable top lid pocket with water repellent zipper lets you stash the essentials you want to bring into tent; pack can stay outside or in vestibule
Zippered pocket under lid stores maps and keys, spare batteries and other small essentials
Front panel features a new and improved stretch-woven zippered pocket with easy access for packing often-used gear
Internal sleeping bag compartment is created by a zippered divider, separating it from gear and clothes in the main compartment
Utilizing 4 buckles, the pack's streamlined compression system lets you cinch and strap down loads for jostle-free carrying
Concave head pod at the top of pack gives your head freedom of movement—no more staring at the ground
2 mesh side pockets hold water bottles, energy bars and other essentials you want close at hand
Side hipbelt pocket stores those small essentials you want at your fingertips, such as lip balm and sunscreen
Lash points on the other side of hipbelt let you attach camera and GPS pouches
Lash straps on bottom of pack let you attach sleeping pad
Hydration-compatible design features an internal reservoir sleeve and dual exit ports for drinking tube (hydration reservoir sold separately)

Imported.

Item 795513

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REI Mars 80 Pack Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

REI Mars 80 Pack

4.3

(based on 42 reviews)

95%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Large capacity (40)
Good padding (39)
Comfortable (38)
Easy to load (34)
Good suspension (32)

Cons

Heavy (9)
Heavy / bulky (4)
Restricts movement (4)
Not enough pockets (3)
Weak seams (3)

Best Uses

Extended trips (39)
Heavy loads (33)
Travel (15)
Wet weather (12)
Day hikes (7)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid adventurer (24), Casual adventurer (12), Outdoor professional (3)
- What Is Your Gear Style:
- Comfort driven (23), Survivalist / minimalist (17)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (22)

Reviewed by 42 customers

Sort by

Displaying reviews 1-10

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Feb

2010

(17 of 22 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

felt like a day pack

By filky

from Tacoma, WA

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Easy To Load
Good Padding
Good Suspension
Highly Adjustable
Large Capacity
Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Extended Hikes
Heavy Loads
Light Loads
Travel
Wet Weather

Comments about REI Mars 80 Pack:

i bought this pack after about 2 months of researching, trying on, and losing sleep. ive only taken it out once but it felt like i was packing nothing at all. we hiked in to boulder river at night with about 40lbs and i was really glad the pack was comfortable because the trail was washed out and a little sketchy in spots

Mar

2010

(12 of 12 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Best pack for long trips

By Scout Camper

from St louis, MO

About Me Casual Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Easy To Load
Good Padding
Good Suspension
Highly Adjustable
Large Capacity
Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Extended Hikes
Heavy Loads

Comments about REI Mars 80 Pack:

I have the REI Mars pack from 2007 and love it I tested many packs and went with this one because of the ease of adjusting on the hike and the comfort of a heavy load. Philmont was a breeze with this pack 83 mile trek never even felt sore once.

I am glad the revised the water bottle side pockets that was my only issue with this pack the mesh started to come apart after 3 years on mine and needs repair.

Great job REI hope to see this pack stick around for a long while to come.

Doug

Aug

2010

(9 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Great pack for the price!!

By That Guy

from Philadelphia, PA

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Easy To Load
Good Padding
Good Suspension
Great "kitchen sink" pack
Great winter pack
Highly Adjustable
Large Capacity

Cons

Delicate
Weak Seams

Best Uses

Extended Hikes
Heavy Loads

Comments about REI Mars 80 Pack:

I got this pack a while back for winter trips and mountaineering. Found it on sale and just couldn't turn it down. Turned out to be a wonderful pack. First few trips were in 90 degree weather with roughly a 35 pound pack (very light for this size) just to try it out. Handled great. This pack feels better than some of my 25 pound/3day ultra-light packs.

As with any gear, use caution with it. If you take care of it, it will take care of you. The pack has plenty of room but don't "under load" it or it will not sit right. This pack is designed to handle 40-60 pound loads, no less!

For customization, I added a some straps to hang snow shoes, crampons, hiking poles, etc. Did find it just a little too small for 5+ day peak bagging trips. Lucking, we used a moutaineering sled to carry all of our gear in so this wasn't an issue. Did handle great in the extreme northeast with several feet of snow and 50+ pounds on my back for 10 miles a day.

For those of you who say it's heavy, OF COURSE IT'S HEAVY!!!! Again, this pack is designed to handle heavy loads, not minimalist, 3 season, high mileage trips. I would not suggest this pack for anyone going for less than a few days unless an extreme packer.

The pack sits very comfortably on my hips and the high stays really pull the weight down onto your hips. Like I stated before, at heavy loads, this thing is better than my ultralight 3 season setup! More than enough room if you know what and how to pack for extended winter trips.

The only reason this pack got a 4 out of 5 stars is because, while very good in price, it's just a little too delicate. I've had to return it for a grab loop replacement and it wears slightly less than normal. All and all, this is a great pack for heavy loads. If you are an extreme winter or heavy hauler, I would suggest spending a substantial amount more for a better pack, but for those who spend more on the trip than they do the gear, this pack will get the job done comfortably.

Feb

2010

(9 of 10 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Awesome Pack

By DetroitExplorer

from Detroit, Michigan

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Easy To Load
Good Padding
Large Capacity

Cons

Best Uses

Day Hikes
Extended Hikes
Heavy Loads
Light Loads

Comments about REI Mars 80 Pack:

I purchased an earlier model of this pack (3 or so years ago) and I absolutely love it. I'm sure REI has improved it even more if that is even possible. I've taken it on trips ranging from 3-7 days (in all seasons) and weights up to around 50lbs. It swallows gear, has a lot of great compartments, and well located zippers / access. I highly recommend this pack. It is high quality, comfortable, and extremely functional. If my pack ever wears out (no signs of age yet!) I would get another one in a heartbeat. Go try it on at REI, walk around the store with some weight in it and see if you like it! Happy exploring!

Mar

2010

(8 of 10 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Amazing!!!

By xXJake the SnakeXx

from Monterey, Ca.

About Me Casual Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Easy To Load
Good Padding
Good Suspension
Highly Adjustable
Large Capacity
Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Extended Hikes
Wet Weather

Comments about REI Mars 80 Pack:

This backpack was the most amazing backpack I have ever purchased in my entire life. It lasted in pouring down rain on the Monterey coastline and kept everything in side dry. There was plenty of space for everything. All my gear was 50 pounds. It felt like I was wearing nothing!! I don't make alot of smart purchases but this backpack was the best one so far!!

Jun

2010

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

I Love It, But...

By RadicalSelfReliance

from West Puget Sound

About Me Casual Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Easy To Load
Good Padding
Good Suspension
Highly Adjustable
Large Capacity

Cons

Weak Seams

Best Uses

Extended Hikes

Comments about REI Mars 80 Pack:

I bought a Mars 80 in April, took it out on two 3-4 day trips and it performed great -- except that the handle started to tear right where it is stitched to the pack on both sides. I took it back to REI where they gladly exchanged it for a new one. I tried lightening my load a few pounds (I've been averaging about 45 lbs), but after two trips the new pack handle is tearing.

I'm disappointed to be taking the second pack back as it has been exceptional in every other respect.

Jun

2010

(4 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Mars 80 Pack.

By strider112575

from Boston, MA

About Me Casual Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Easy To Load
Good Padding
Good Suspension
Highly Adjustable
Large Capacity
Lightweight

Cons

Zipper Snags

Best Uses

Extended Hikes
Heavy Loads
Travel

Comments about REI Mars 80 Pack:

The Specs on the pack are somewhat off. In the description it says that there is a zippered compartment for the sleeping bag, there is not. There is a flap at the bottom which has straps. The zippers snagged a bit on the first outing that I had with the pack. It wasn't a huge issue, but would be frustrating in a downpour. Other than that everything is pretty much as it says. The "waterproof" zippers on the pack came in handy as it rained one night while we were camping and I had my electronics stored in this area. They were dry when I checked on them. The top of the pack has two drawstrings. The inner one has a locking mechanism. However the outer one does not. This can maybe be corrected in future models, as the ability to cinch the top of the pack closed would be an improvement. Other than that, the pack is great. I have no real complaints about it. I had my last pack for almost 20 years, since I was a kid, and look forward to using this pack for the next twenty.

Apr

2010

(4 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Great pack for the price

By Guy313

from Atlanta, GA

About Me Casual Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy To Load
Good Padding
Good Suspension
Highly Adjustable
Large Capacity

Cons

Heavy

Best Uses

Extended Hikes

Comments about REI Mars 80 Pack:

I used my 20% discount on this pack, so first and foremost I should say for the price... this deal can't be beat. That being said, I bought an 80 because I've accepted that I over pack. For those of you like me who pack for all the possabilities... the shoulder straps on this are not great. With a fully loaded pack of 60 pounds, and the hip belt as tight as I could get it, still got left with bruises on my chest and shoulders where the straps ran. Granted it was a tuff hike with lots of down trees to climb over and river crossings, but never been bruised that way when I loaded my Northface with the same amount of weight. May go back to REI to make sure I have it set up right. The good news is if you want to pack the kitchen sink, you can, and seems substantial enough to hold up in the long run.

Apr

2011

(2 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

A Great Multi Day Backpacking Pack!!!

By NashvilleTennesseeGuy

from Nashville, TN

About Me Getting Started

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Easy To Load
Good Padding
Good Suspension
Highly Adjustable
Large Capacity

Cons

Heavy

Best Uses

Day Hikes
Extended Hikes
Heavy Loads
Travel

Comments about REI Mars 80 Pack:

I am currently using this pack to train so I can make the transition from day hikes to multi day hikes. The positives are that the pack has tons of storage, it has a hydration bladder sleeve, it has molded shoulder straps, and it is very comfortable to wear. The negatives are that the pack can hold a ton of stuff and if you aren't in shape the weight can be too much. I love this pack even though I purchased it last week and have only used it once so far. I went on a 5 mile loop trail at Cedars of Lebanon State Park that is classified as easy to moderate. The pack was very comfortable and made the 25 pounds I had loaded in the pack seem more like 5 pounds!

Jul

2010

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

My mars 80 pack.

By strider112575

from Boston, MA

About Me Casual Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Easy To Load
Good Padding
Good Suspension
Highly Adjustable
Large Capacity

Cons

Delicate
Restricts Movement
Weak Seams

Best Uses

Extended Hikes
Heavy Loads
Travel

Comments about REI Mars 80 Pack:

Overall, the pack is very nice., I like the extra padding on the back. The should straps pinch a bit into your chest, but it does not inhibit movement too much. My main problem was that the handle to hoist the pack tore on my second trip using it. I am hoping this is a defect with only my pack and not every mars 80 pack. I am bringing the pack to the store where I bought it when I get some free time.