Open main menu

The North Face Spire 45

rated 4.5 of 5 stars

The Spire 45 has been discontinued. If you're looking for something new, check out the best overnight packs for 2024.

photo: The North Face Spire 45 overnight pack (35-49l)

I've already sent a review that you can see below but I wanted to do another after taking this pack up every major peak in New England (Wildcat, Washington, Waschusett, Liberty, Monadnock, Isolation, Katahdin). This pack has held up very well and I'm now a believer in the cordura fabric and I will never buy another pack without it.

Other than its durability it has everything needed for packing efficently, nothing more. The two daisychains with velcro straps can hold anything fron hiking poes to skis or an ice axe. In addition the wand pockets in combination with the clips on the top compression straps are great for holding tent poles or other longer things (I even took a two-piece fishing rod once), and you don't have to decompress your pack to remove them.

But like I said in my previous review, the biggest asset is the stability of the pack. No pack I've tried holds to your waist better than this one, you'll never experience that swaying feeling. So I hope this follow-up helps you decide if this is the pack for you.

Design: Alpine Internal Frame Pack
Size: Large, 55 liters
Max. Load Carried: 50lbs
Height of Owner: 6'0"
Price Paid: $129

I was looking for a pack that would do many things for me, including full-day trips with many toys, 1-3 night trips, climbing and I wanted something durable. The fabric and stitching hasn't been sacrificed for weight or price and for the price I'd say it's the best you can do.

Also included are some nicer features like two pockets on the sides that fit a nalgene bottle nicely and a whistle on the strap acrost the shoulder straps that expands with breathing. Probably the feature I like best is how the pack stays out of your way. With a compleatly adjustable 3 point supension you can adjust the weight to your shoulders or hips easily and the pack is narrow and compact enough so that you have full flexiblity over rough terrain, this goes for the waistbelt as well.

While probally not for the super light crowd it is what I want and I would recommend it to anyone looking for an overnight pack to a highly technical terrain pack.

Design: top-loading
Size: large, 50L
Number of Pockets: 2
Max. Load Carried: 38lbs
Height of Owner: 6'0"
Price Paid: $129

Very well done pack, the best thing about it being stability. Not as plush as others, but I don't think it would be as stable if it were.

One thing I disagree about the above review is the side pockets, they don't fit a nalgene bottle and I think they're only wand pockets. The compression straps on the side have a clever system to release whatever you strapped on the side without decompressing your load.

I wouldn't recommend this product to people who like all the bells and whistles possible, but it is for the crowd who likes a practical balance between durability (take a look at the fabrics and stiching), weight (>4lbs), and features.

Price Paid: $128.95

Your Review

You May Like

Specs

Price Historic Range: $64.50-$128.99
Reviewers Paid: $128.95-$129.00

Recently on Trailspace

Call for Reviews: Your Favorite Spring Gear