User Review: The North Face Crestone 75

The North Face Crestone 75
Above: The current Crestone 75, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed November 17, 2006 by John Gibbons

Rating:
Design: top-loading internal w/ front access pocket
Size: 4900 cu in
Number of Pockets: main pocket, sleeping bag cpt., top lid, two front pockets
Max. Load Carried: 20 pounds
Height of Owner: 5'7"
Price Paid: $159

I am an experienced hiker. I've been hiking the A.T. and the trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway (VA) for some time now, and I've become an expert on gear (not trying to brag or nothin). I was looking for a large pack (4600-5500 cu in), and I quickly found that the packs that I was looking for are generally run in the higher end (the Marmot Terraplane, same size as this North Face, cost $369).

When I saw this for the price, I flipped and bought it right then and there. It was delivered via UPS the day after the next day. I might never need another pack. It held my REI Camp Dome 2 tent, my Kelty Tundra +15 sleeping bag (in the seperate sleeping bag compartment), my MSR Pocket Rocket stove and two canisters of fuel, my GCI anonidized aluminum mess kit, my food for two days, my Thermarest Trek Lite sleeping pad, two Nalgenes, my Camelbak bladder, a jumbo bottle of Powerade, and food and clothes for two days in 15 degree weather (a cold front was coming through).

I could not even feel the weight on my back. The hip belt and the shoulder straps balanced the weight so evenly, and the pack compressed so neatly, that I felt like I was strolling down my neighborhood with my school backpack on. I KID YOU NOT--BY THE END OF THE HIKE, MY FRIENDS--ONE HAS A MARMOT TERRAPLANE, ONE HAS AN OSPREY AETHER 85, AND ONE HAS A MILLET ODYSEE 50+10 (A FRENCH PACK)-- ALL WANTED TO GO AND BUY A CRESTONE 75 AFTER SEEING HOW MUCH STUFF I WAS ABLE TO JAM IN HERE AND HOW FAST I WAS MOVING WITH THIS CLOUD (AT LEAST IT FELT LIKE A CLOUD) ON MY BACK.

Don't hesitate to get this pack. It's $159 from EMS.