How to Choose a Backpack

Designed for long days and heavy loads, the men's 55-liter Mountain Hardwear PCT pack provides all-day comfort with its breathable trampoline back and an ergonomically efficient 3D pivoting hipbelt.
Imported.
View all Mountain Hardwear Backpacking PacksBest Use | Backpacking |
---|---|
Frame Type | Internal Frame |
Gear Capacity (L) | 55 liters |
Gear Capacity (cu. in.) | 3,356 cubic inches |
Weight | S/M: 4 lbs. 2.2 oz. |
Adjustable Torso Length | Yes |
Fits Torso Length (in.) | S/M: 16-19 inches |
Fits Waist/Hips | S/M: 29-48 inches |
Material(s) | Shell: 210-denier ripstop recycled nylon; base: 420-denier CORDURA nylon |
Frame Material | Spring steel |
Number of Stays | 1 peripheral hoop |
Reservoir Compatible | Yes |
Suspended Mesh Back Panel | Yes |
Pack Access | Top / Panel |
Number of Exterior Pockets | 3 + main compartment |
Hipbelt Pockets | Yes |
Removable Daypack | Yes |
Dimensions | S/M: 29.5 x 15.7 x 15 inches |
Gender | Men's |
Sustainability | Contains recycled materials |
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The pack is yet to be used, but will be a couple times soon. There is a 'fatal flaw' in the design of the day pack bladder holder. Customer service was unable to grasp it and/or give me a straight answer. The day pack is a roll top like a dry bag. In that design MHW forgot about HOW the bladder hose would EXIT the day pack to the user. The only options, from my perspective not MHW, is to either cut a hole in the day pack (immediately voiding any warranty) or leaving the top open, which interferes with how it attaches to the main pack. I exclusively use a bladder for hydrations so I'm struggling with whether I want to use this pack at all now. Another more minor flaw is the sewing on the hip belt. It was not finished well and missed by Quality Control on the particular pack I received. There is a ROUGH part that I am hoping gets used to smooth, but we'll see as it touches directly to my person and may cause a hot spot and chaffing. Now that I'm done complaining about it. The design features are great. It, in theory, met what I needed, and I'm eager to try it. Not sure how I'll use my 3 ltr bladder though. I can't recommend this pack at this time, but I own it and will have to deal with it and see...
Not Bad, but not great. Pros: Can comfortably carry loads up to 35 - 40 pounds Can carry a lot of gear ( more than you might expect from a 55 liter pack, more than a REI Flash 55 for example ) Hydration sleeve converts to a small daypack Very easy to adjust the torso length Cons No rolltop closure. You MUST use the lid if you are expecting rain Left hipbelt pocket is mesh, basically useless if you are expecting rain Pack is heavier than most 55L packs.
just used this pack in the Grand Canyon. Very comfortable, moves well on rough terrain, It's a bit clunky looking but I like the three compartment 'brain' and the back stuff pocket is very practical. My complaints are the lower pocket doesn't open very wide and it's difficult to get a sleeping bag in, and while the side pockets look very large in the photos once the bag was loaded I found them difficult to fit my 1 liter water bottle in; the elastic is not adjustable and is too tight. The belt pockets are also a bit small, and not sure why the one is mesh. There should be a 'maybe' button about recommending.
Ordered mine on sale in late spring, taken it on a handful of 10+ mile out & backs and a 20 mile summit so far, overall I’d say really great bag i’d expect nothing less from mountain hardwear. Excels in comfort, ventilation, and overall layout in my opinion compared to similar options from Osprey & REI brand bags, although a bit more spendy. The fit was pretty true to size, I have a 19” torso and 32” waist and the S/M fits me great. The sliding lumbar support really sells it for me, keeps the pack considerably more balanced and stable especially on more technical terrain. The pack has held up well enough in both the rocky high desert as well as alpine bristlecone forests over my first season with it. The detachable day pack turned out to be a lot more useful than I originally expected when I ordered this pack, Great for small day hikes or dropping your main pack at camp to summit with the daypack. Daypack is pretty comfortable with a 3L bladder although a chest strap would be nice. Biggest gripe I’ve seen about the bag is the front mesh pocket, it hasn’t been a tear concern for me personally even in pretty thick brush, and I hardly use it for anything but wrappers anyway so rain getting the contents wet is not a concern for me either. All in all It’s the best bag I have ever owned and I love it so far. The unique features like the detachable day pack and sliding lumbar set it aside from other bags around its price range in my opinion. I would rate 4.5 if i could only because I think the price is a bit steep, however for the sale price I think I got an all around great deal if the bag lasts as long as i think it will.
I’am returning The new-out-of box MH PCT 55 pack to rei because of a major deficit! The left hip belt pocket is made of easy to tear mesh material!!! PLEASE MH staff ! Fix this problem by using durable materials like the right side pocket is
Retired Special Forces Engineer: I have spent many moon under a bag which I called my home and walked pretty freakin far. This bag perfect for my long hikes and durable enough to really not worry about it. This isn’t for the ultra light hiker, but if you have to muscular endurance and ambition to go far with a durable AND comfortable pack, this is it. I didn’t care for the hydration pack honestly could do without it. But it holds what I need for my week long hikes and hunting expeditions.
I've had this bag a few years now and used it to trek and wild camp as well as international travel. Likes: Very durable, comfortable, great sweat management. Dislikes: SQUEAKY!! side pockets are hard to get items in and out, weird pack shape makes it awkward to fit items. The main reason for the lower rating is the noise. Soo squeaky, every step you take sounds like you are a clown heading to work. As you can imagine wearing it for long periods it gets very annoying. There are many good points like the durability and the sweat management with the mesh but I just can't live with the noise and the awkwardness of the side pockets. The other pockets around the bag are great and deceivingly large though. Also it has far to many straps that all overlap eachother. All in all, decent bag but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone at the price point it's at with all its flaws.
I'll rate this 10/10 for comfort, convenience and features. I've owned many packs and this one is the most comfortable by far. The material is durable. Everything is well though out and things inside are easily accessible. The side pockets are a joy to use. I just could not take the constant squeaking when hiking. I returned it reluctantly, because there is so much to like about this product.
Comfortable, light and tons of features in this pack. The side water bottle pouches are my favourite feature by far. The hip belt has a pocket that comfortably fits an iPhone, and includes a small day pack on the inside. I liked this bag so much in the 55L which are very well allocated space, that I bought a smaller day pack in this line as well.
This pack is everything I wanted. Super comfortable, lots of pockets, very versatile. However, it is the noisiest pack I've ever owned. I'm hoping it will quiet down after breaking in, but after a year it's still noisy. Are there any tricks to break it in and quiet the rustle/creak of fabric?