User Review: Kelty Trekker

Kelty Trekker
Above: The current Trekker, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed July 26, 2007 by Dan

Rating:
Design: External frame backpack
Size: Tag says "Size 3" - 3900? 3950?
Number of Pockets: 1 center, 4 side
Max. Load Carried: 55 lbs
Height of Owner: 6'1"

I bought this backpack about 6 years ago and it has served me very well on about 18-20 1-2 night backpacking trips, most of which involved some significant up- and down-hill mountain hiking (I live in Washington state) in Cascade and Olympic rain forest, Eastern Washington hot sun, beach excursions, and winter snowshoe backpacking on Mt Rainier (snow).

It is a great value for the money. The design as adjusted is very comfortable on me - I'm 6'1" 180 lbs with a 34" waist and 34" inseam. I really like external frame packs because they are so sturdy and versatile - you can lash all sorts of stuff to them, or use them "as is." Stability has never been an issue for me. I can't understand why people don't buy them much anymore - unless it is simply a fashion trend - they want to look like they're climbing K2.

The drawbacks relate to hydration: The user cannot grab a Nalgene bottle with it on, because the pocket is up high, and my model has no bladder pocket. Also, a little peeve - the zippered radiuses on the small side pocket are tight, making it hard to zip them closed when anything is in them. While I'm considering getting a Gregory Whitney for a more extended trek, I would still keep the Kelty Trekker for shorter hikes.

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