ALPS Mountaineering  Red Tail 65 Pack

Third backpack that I finally liked. Easy to adjust, comfortable and great storage. The only thing that is missing for me is a side zipper. Not a show stopper, may modify it and have a zipper put in later. Hiked table Rock pinnacle last weekend and had to make only minor adjustments and that is because I am still dialing it in. Highly recommend.

I like the way the top closes wtih dual draw strings. A good way to keep out water ingress and also doubles as a main compartment extension. The sleeping bag seperation pocket is excellent. Adjustability is fantasic as it will fit me wtih room to spare and my 12 year old son. Included and integrated rain cover is a plus. The coler and fabric is excellent. The MAIN draback is the lashing straps are all too short. When the bag is fully stuffed, there is barley enough length in the lashing straps to strap anything else down. I can BARLEY get my tent poles and tracking poles in the side pockets to lash them down. The lower lashing straps are practically useless as it is impossible to strap a standard roll-up or fold up sleeping pad, or a 1 man tent. This is what kept this bag from getting 5 stars.

You need to buy this pack!!! Purchased for my 14yo son. Color and fabric are awesome. On a 37 mile trip in Wyoming, summer 2022, I asked him probably 50 times if his pack was feeling good and he gave a thumbs up every time. The wide range adjustability will be good to keep up with the child’s growth. I expect a lot of years out of this pack. Other reviews complained about straps too short for adding gear. The straps are for load stability, you’ll need to buy aftermarket straps to haul big items outside the pack. Not a deal breaker, as other bags out there have the same condition. The “water bottle” holder is better suited for carrying a fishing pole. I obtained an aftermarket bottle holder on Amazon that connects to the dozens of loop attachment points on the belt that Worked perfectly over the 37 miles. Final complaint from others is it doesn’t have a summit bag. I simply obtained a ultralight packable backpack that weighs mere ounces and compacts to the size of a lemon, problem solved. Those goofy detachable hoods that become lumbar packs are the most uncomfortable things. I’m glad this pack doesn’t waste space and weight on that failure of an idea.

I tried this pack with my base weight and water for 12 miles on two occasions and this is what i felt. The build of the pack is solid. Shoulder straps and hip belts were very comfortable. The biggest design flaw i found is the water bottle holder, it is very difficult to reach when carrying it. I have found the same design flaw in few other packs, but in case of Red Tail 65 the bottle holder is really tight for smart water bottles. It literally squeezes the bottle tight. I had to bring the pack down every time I need to take the water out and it wasn't easy to squeeze them back when your pack is full. The specifications mention removable top pocket to make it fanny pack, but its only has click buckles on the front side, on the back (near to shoulder straps) it is not a click buckle and not so convenient to separate out the top. One more thing which i dint like is front pouch is not that expandable to stuff in your jacket unless you completely loosen both the belts. Very similar design issue with size on the belts around the sleeping bag partition at the bottom. When you have the partition stuffed with sleeping bag or tent, I was not able to get in my rolled up 1/8th inch sleep pad within the space even after completely loosening the belts. It was just too narrow and tight. I am choosing to return this pack

I've used this bag on probably 10 backpacking trips and have had a great time with it. There is plenty of space and it is compartmentalized enough to organize things a bit. The hip pockets are great for keeping sunglasses, sun screen, or electrolyte tablets in there. Most of my trips have been 3-5 days, so this might be overkill for a shorter trip and not enough for a week+ trip.

Fits great and holds all the items I'll need for a 5 night backpack trip. So far I've taken it on a few practice runs and this pack is very comfortable and has all the pockets/lashing points I need. I'm 6'2, 200 lbs.

We have the RedTail 80 and 65. Both are flexible, well made, and comfortable.

This backpack is roomy and comfortable. The problem I have is that I needed a backpack with a detachable summit bag. The lid on this backpack is removable but there are no straps to turn it in to a fanny pack or slack bag.