User Review: Arc'teryx Bora 50

Arc'teryx Bora 50
Above: The current Bora 50, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed October 27, 2004 by Jon

Rating:
Design: Rucksack
Size: 3200 i believe
Number of Pockets: 4
Max. Load Carried: 40+
Height of Owner: 6'3
Price Paid: $180

I initially got this pack for winter day hikes and long summer day hikes but have found it to be better for so much more than that. Now that I have slimmed my pack weight down I can use it for 2-3 day backpacking trips. Ideal pack weight would be between 25-35 lbs but have carried over 40 in it out of neccesity once and did not find it to be uncomfortable at all.

Another neat thing that can be done with this pack is taking the top lid off to slim the pack down for long day hikes. Not only does this prevent the top lid from flopping around it also slims down the profile of the pack. Lastly the packcloth has never failed to keep all my equipment dry even when left outside of my tent on one rainy night.

Final thought, why choose a flimsy "superlight" pack that is not comfortable to carry and will fail the first time you scrape it on a rock. Working at REI I have seen alot of those lightweight packs returned destroyed but have never once seen an Arc'Teryx returned!!