Kelty Soar 5200

A Very nice and lightweight pack. This was a replacement for an older pack I had and at 6'3" fit me very well and was quite comfortable.

Ease of use could be better although what it lacks in simplicity it makes up for in adjustability so many users would probably like this one but I find myself constantly adjusting the load while hiking. I particularly like the stay design and the weight carried is well supported though although takes some tweaking on the trail.

The color has been mentioned and I thought it would bother me but I actually like it. It reminds me of some of the gear my parents used in the 70's! LOL!

Everything is accessible and the main compartment is easy to get to through the top loading option or the main compartment zipper which is very stout and waterproof looking. A couple of mesh side pockets and a top compartment round this thing out as far as places to stash things goes, along with a place for your integrated water system. There are also a couple of zippered pockets on the inside to place important items like keys, wallets, etc which has served me well when using this pack to travel with.

I would highly reccomend it and the only reason I am not ranking it with more stars is the sternum strap on mine seperated from the track it runs on to adjust it and is being sent back under warranty. Again this thing is covered under warranty but I would have preferred a simpler option with less adjustability and more reliability but what can you ask for in a $160 pack that is under 4 lbs?

A nice option from Kelty as long as you have access to a computer to return it if something were to go wrong with the pack.

This is a great pack, lightweight with plenty of room, comfortable, very adjustable, and simple.

The color is the biggest downside but I also want to stress that is is unfairly portrayed in almost all photos I have seen. The photos look like a salmon color, a bit pinkish, but the color really is rust. It is rust colored, no hint of pink, very orange and all of the fabric, light and dark has a metallic shine. It isn't bad, I like the color and like to stand out a bit. This is a pack that I am proud to carry with my friends who use their Ospreys because I can say, "my pack is lighter, bigger, and look at the color!" It is a good and unusual pack with plenty of room and pockets.

Oh, and all of the Kelty fast and light series is great for tall users, I also have the Kelty Nimble, pity these seem to be discontinued, but it means they are cheaper now!

Yeah, it's an ugly color, but that's the only thing to dislike about this pack. It's giganticous, but only four pounds, a little less if you do some trimming. Plenty of extra room to carry your expensive down bag a little less compressed, room for extra water bottles during drought conditions, winter hike, no problem, pile in the extra large sleeping bag and extra clothes,etc.

I'm six foot and it fits me perfect, carries well, plenty of mesh side pockets, only three zippers to fumble with, and they work smooth as silk. Feels like 95 percent of the weight transfers to hips, for excellent comfort. Too large for a weekender, but if you are planning an AT thru-hike, this is the perfect bag, reasonably light and more durable than my one pound silnylon pack. Kelty is finally getting things right! But that color...