User Review: Arc'teryx Bora 95

Arc'teryx Bora 95
Above: The current Bora 95, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed October 18, 2004 by Jim Butterworth

Rating:
Max. Load Carried: 65 lbs.
Height of Owner: 6'5"

This pack held everything I wanted to take on a 4-day trek on the Appalachian Trail. My first day out the pack weighed 65 pounds. I like how it feels on my spine rising off my back keeping me from sweating too much unlike my old internal frame pack. I strapped my tent on the side one day to make room for more group food, but it made the load lopsided causing too much pressure on one hip. I balanced the load the next day and all felt better.

Could use a little more padding on the front hip bones, but after a couple of days I got used to the way it rode. I slung it low and hardly noticed it. I love the way you can tilt your head back in the formed pocket to look up at the trees and mountains or the sky. At rest stops and at night all compartments accessed easily from the lower zip pouch to the side zipped main.

Tried carrying my hydration system in the rope pocket but the tube was too hard to reach. Put it on top of the load and it was perfect. Just glad the large volume bladder didn't leak. The hydration bladder pocket inside was too small for my bladder. They could make that bigger. I also enjoyed the fanny pack function of the top flap pouch. Great for a trip to the water hole from camp.

After four days I was married to this versatile expedition pack. I love Arc'Teryx's Gore-Tex products. My rain jacket is my favorite of all time. Very utilitarian and stylish. Keep it up guys. Can we buy stock in your company?