User Review: Kelty Redwing 2900

Reviewed September 17, 2003 by Simplicius

Rating: rated 5 of 5 stars
Design: front panel-loading internal frame
Size: 2900
Number of Pockets: 5
Max. Load Carried: 30-35 lbs.
Height of Owner: 5'10"
Price Paid: $100

The Kelty Redwing 2900 was being billed as a “daypack plus” when I bought it. If that's true, what I did with it this summer -- a five-week, 450-mile hike across Germany with camping gear -- was downright abuse. That said, it performed beautifully every step of the way, and I can hardly wait to take it on another long trip.

I started out with 22 lbs. of stuff (some details for the gearheads out there: Marmot Eclipse with fly and footprint, REI Nooksack +35, and Therm-a-rest Ultralite Long, all of which did just as well as the pack.) The hip belt and suspension seem to be comfortable at almost any weight, and once I was a few weeks into the hike, I’d started carrying around bottles of wine, hardcover books, frivolous food items, etc. with no ill effects.

The waterproofing seemed a bit spotty, even in moderate rain, and I ended up putting all my stuff in plastic bags inside the pack. Next year I’ll either invest in a good lightweight pack cover or treat the thing aggressively with silicone. Maybe both.

As you’d expect, the pack was a little grungy by the time I got home, especially the padded back panel. I took out the stays, ran it through the washing machine with cool water, left it out to dry in the sun, and it was as good as new.

Bottom line: a great piece of equipment, lightweight, low-profile (esp. in the sage/black version I have), apparently indestructible, and recommended for just about any outdoor activity you might throw at it. In ordinary life, it does just as well carrying the groceries home from the store!

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