User Review: Arc'teryx Bora 95

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

Reviewed November 9, 2006 by Branden Dillon

Rating:
Design: USMC Bora 95 Varient
Size: 6710 Cu In
Number of Pockets: 3
Max. Load Carried: 115 lbs for 12 miles on sand
Height of Owner: 5'11"
Price Paid: USMC Isued

A little known fact is that the Bora 95 has been adapted for service in the United States Marine Corps. I didn't know it myself untill the day I stood in line for a new pack. There had been a lot of rumors speculating on the preformance of the new pack. Great field test reviews and so on, but the real test is to give it to a bunch of grunts like us and head out for some good old fashioned Marine Corps training.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I was handed a brand new pack still in the plastic (Marines usualy get hand-me-downs from other parts of the armed forces). I was stunned further when I noticed its resmblance to friend's Bora 95 he'd loand me for a week in Colorado. That pack was a dream to wear and made me yearn for it every time we went on a hump (Marine for hike). I was like a kid who'd just been handed a huge box for X-Mass I couldn't wait to go on another hump and try it out.

It recieved its fair shre of abuse on training operations carying loads in excess of 70 lbs for training. It wasn't untill my unit recieved orders to go to Iraq that the pack recieved its true test. I caried 115 lbs of amumnition for 12 grueling miles across the Iraqi desert and could still move at the end of it. I must say that this pack is a dream to use. If it can survive the abuse put to it by the Marines you shouldn't worry about it on a leisurely backpacking trip.

Semper Fi and thank you, Arc'Teryx.