
Imported.
Item 809761
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| Ultralight | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Adjustable torso | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Suspended mesh back panel | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Sleeping bag compartment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Raincover included | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Average weight - metric |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
Cons
Best Uses
Reviewed by 20 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-10
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Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Crestrail 70 Pack:
just had my first opportunity to try out this rig on a rainy 3 day hike through loyalsock in northern PA.
i found myself adjusting a couple hours into the hike with great success. the entire shoulder harnesses unit can be lowered and raised with its nifty velcro adjustment system. so i was able to get it EXACTLY where i wanted it on my back and shoulders. hip padding is ample with great compartments of larger than usual size. the lower back padding was really excellent and helped distribute the weight around my entire core. not just the hips.
dual water holders were ideal for summer and the nalgene bottle lock system seemed silly at first. but really easy to ensure your water is secure and very easily available while you are hiking (unlike my fellow backpackers).
the outer mesh pocket was really convenient for stuff i didn't mind getting wet (as it rained a lot) as well as wanting to dry. so my platypus and water purification were a perfect fit back there.
great little strap system set up for poles/ice axe.
zippers all functioned perfectly and the bag was a cinch to pack. even a sneaky little zipper on the back to quickly access something deep in the depths. whistle clip was a nice touch.
the bag was a great purchase for my big upcoming trip. i highly recommend spending 20plus minutes with an REI staffer trying out different bags and getting a feel. the young lady who helped me was extremely polite and knowledgeable. and lead me to the bag that was perfect for me.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Crestrail 70 Pack:
I like the sewn tang at the top, don't change it and here's why: you will access the pack in two situations, when it is on, or when it is off. Think about that. If it's off, you are in the woods or setting up camp. The pack is on the ground and you access through the top so the tang doesn't matter. When it's on, you will have someone else accessing it for you. With the tang, you don't have to worry about the contents dumping out if that person isn't careful. Repacking on the trail would suck. The tang is a mess preventer. That alone makes it awesome.
Regarding the rest of the pack, it packs easily, and when you have it fitted properly at REI before purchase, it is the most comfortable pack I have ever worn. It has a total of four tool loops/ax loops. I use an ax loop for a tactical tomahawk (the second most useful tool on Earth, next to duct tape), and the side pockets are full mouthed, for easy access and versatility. I love the snack pouches on the belt, though I use them for gadgets, not snacks. The zippers are a little stiff, but you have to accept that because they are water resistant. I like not having flaps to get caught in the zippers, so this is important to me. Overall, I am very happy with it.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Crestrail 70 Pack:
I bought mine at an REI garage sale. I figured it was too good to be true after my past experiences with packs. I've used osprey, granite gear, deuter, and REI packs before, and after just a few uses I can say that this is my favorite. It is highly adjustable and very comfortable. If you are an ultra-light fanatic, this may not be the ideal pack. However, if you are willing to carry a couple extra pounds then you'll get (IMHO) increased adjust-ability, functionality, and durability. Unlike a previous reviewer, the strip of fabric between the two "U-zippers" doesn't bother me, as I haven't encountered a situation that would warrant the need for this type of frontal access. I do agree that having a zipper separating the top and bottom compartments would be a welcome change, but this concern is not a deal-breaker. It seems bombproof so far, and I will update after I use it for a whole season.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Crestrail 70 Pack:
Haven't gone on the trail yet, but loaded w/ 30 lbs. in the store and compared to several other packs for fit and comfort. It's outstanding comfort. Feels very secure to the body and excellent transfer to the hips. Very comfortable hip belt. Very nice for such a light pack.
One MAJOR flaw: the pack seems to have been designed as a panel loader with a U zipper to give full access to the pack from the panel, BUT for some reason there is a strip of fabric across the zipper at the top of the zipper that stops it from zipping all the way around. So you can only access the interior from each side of the U zipper. Very weird and severely limits access from the back.
I bought it anyway because it's so comfortable, but I bet they change this in next year's model.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Crestrail 70 Pack:
I have been out of backpacking for a long time (see profile) and needed to upgrade. The changes in todays packs are incredible. Just left a week on the AT and this pack help up wonderful. It was easy to pack and has a ton of places to trap things on if required. The coolest part of the pack to me were the pockets inside the hip belts. I used these daily for my camera, knife, map and anything I needed quick access to. The water carriers on the sides were also very convenient and well made. The one "gripe" I have and I have no idea how to fix it (if possible) is the water pouch for Camelback. It is a pain in the neck to remove, refill and replace. I bought a Katadyn Hiker Pro water purifier that is supposed to hook directly into it but did not get the chance to use it so that may help it as well. The only negative to that is you need to carry your pack to the water supply and taht could be a big pain. Overall, I was very impressed with the pack and enjoyed the "comfort" as compared to the packs of thirty years ago.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Crestrail 70 Pack:
I pretty much have one thing to say that I haven't seen anyone else mention, if you are planning on using the hydration pouch be for warned, it does not fir the camelbak 100oz antidote bag, that is the only bag I own so that is the only one I can say definitely won't fit. Other then that I love this pack very comfortable and plenty of room for a multi day trip.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Crestrail 70 Pack:
I am an adult leader taking a group of Boy Scouts to the Appalacian Trail this summer for a week of backpacking. This pack is a good value, holds TONS of gear--like you could easily overload the average adult. It has served well in preparatory hikes.
I agree with other previous reviews regarding fit, comfort and taking time w/ a staff member if there's an REI store in your area. I really like the hip belt pockets. It's a handy storage spot for a compass, pocket knife, bug repellant, cell phone, etc.
My suggestion for an improvement in the future is only one: The divider between the top and bottom compartment is held closed by two quick release buckles. A zipper here would be my preference as it could keep littles things from migrating top to bottom.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Crestrail 70 Pack:
Went out for the first time with this pack last weekend. VERY comfortable, easy to load. My only two complaints were 1) the water bottle pocket was hard to reach while hiking and 2) the zippers were tough to move. The pack is ready for a hydration system so maybe that's the intent instead of a bottle. And maybe the zippers will loosen over time and get easier. Overall, I'm glad I bought the pack!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Crestrail 70 Pack:
Used this pack recently in Alaska on Admiralty Island. I had it packed full and probably weighed in around 35-40 lbs. Without any trails we had to punch brush uphill towards the high alpine. With tons of devil's club (3-6 foot tall with nasty thorns covering the entire plant) around I thought for sure the pack would snag a few times, but it didn't have any snags the whole trip. I loved how the pack felt like it was riding with me and didn't pull hard against me. This is a great pack overall and well worth the money I spent on it.
Just two criticisms of the pack: firstly I would like it to have just slightly more room in the main compartment and secondly the water resovior hold was hard to access with a full pack. I felt like I had to unload some gear before I could slide my camelbak into or out of it. Not a huge issue, but it will add a few minutes to everystop that I want to refill my water.
Overall I love this pack and was pleased with it's functions and look forward to plenty more trips with it.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Crestrail 70 Pack:
First time use this weekend. 30 + miles including 2 full pack days 50 pounds and 2 long day hikes with 10 to 15 pounds in the Ventana Wilderness and it handled well. Hip belts fit snugly on my non-existent hips which is important to me to be able to keep weight up on my hips and back and off my glutes. I would give it 5 but only if REI changes the bottom straps so they can be unhooked instead of just loosened to give more flexibility and more importantly to make it easier to interlace the straps of whatever you are attaching so if they fall off they are caught. We went through very bushy gnarly areas that snagged what I attached to the outside but my wife was following me and saw it.
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