User Review: JanSport Tahoma II

Reviewed March 28, 1999 by Dave Pell

Rating:
Design: soft padded and compressed... rucksack
Size: 2600
Number of Pockets: one lid and main bag
Max. Load Carried: 22 lbs.
Height of Owner: 5'11"
Price Paid: $75 (seen at $65 at discount)

http://www.jansport.com/main/catalog/displaypage.pl?view=45019&keyword1=technical&keyword2=internal

Just spent a delightful day on the Long Trail in VT. with this pack. (see it on the web with above usp.) It carries everything needed for a day trip and has room to spare. I barely even used a half of its capacity. I intend to use it for an overnighter too with the Granite Gear compression sacks (extra small) and still I can fit more into it.

Most heavyduty backpackers may turn up their nose at such a lightweight pack (Only 2 lbs, 2 ounces which I confirmed with my scale -- Jansport is accurate) and stick to their Danas and Ospreys and Gregorys and Mountainsmiths -- but I tried all of them and believe it or not this one seems the most comfortable -- and it doesn't even have internal stays or a frame.

The lightweight hip belt seemed sketchy to me but now I prefer it as I can't get the heavily padded Dana Terraplane's belt to cinch up tight enough to keep from slipping over my hips. This one works even if with much padding.

I carried skis and snowshoes with cook stove, a day's food, large camera, down coat, guide book, ultralight Thermorest pad, stove fuel, 32 ounce water bottle (on belt), snow pants, and small items and still had another 50% of room left and that was without the compression bags.....which I can easily add bivy and sleeping bag into mix for overnights even in winter. A tent can easily strap on with the compression straps supplied with this bag.... and the bungee cord system on front ( or extreme rear when wearing it) held my 9 by 30 snowshoes fine.

I would be leery of carrying more than 30 lbs with this bag. But why should you? Again 2600 cu. in. at 2 lbs. 2 ounces.

My Dana Terraplane feels heavier empty than this pack feels loaded. And although the suspension seems sketchy on the Jansport....after 8 hours straight of mountaineering in the snow I never noticed it was there.

Only I might order the next size up which is a Jansport Nisqually which has hydration pocket which this pack lacks. and a bigger hip belt...although apparently a light pack like this doesn't need it. The Nisqually http://www.jansport.com/main/catalog/displaypage.pl?view=45020&keyword1=technical&keyword2=internal, weighs almost 3 lbs and carries 3000 cu. in. It seems other brands are a full 2 lbs heavier including the mountainsmith which lies about their weights (the Bugaboo was listed as 2 lbs, 10 ounces and instead weighed over 4 lbs...)

Jansport has some great packs but market themselves as low cost and cheap. I spent 2 and a half hours trying out Ospreys, Gregories, and Danas in this middle range and rejected them for this cheap thing --- and cost wasn't the reason.... this one feels light and delivers.

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