Expedition Packs (4,500+ cu in)

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Recent Expedition Pack (4,500+ cu in) Reviews

Dana Design Yellowstone

An excellent pack, simply designed and rugged in construction. It had one lifetime before reaching me and, despite my best efforts, is only now starting to show wear 30+ years after manufacture. Much like an old car—every part can be repaired, replaced, or modified as necessary. I obtained my Dana Design Yellowstone pack as a gift from a blind man who used it for close to two decades in his visually-gifted youth. It has served me well on over a dozen weekend to week-long trips across one decade. Full review

Gregory Shasta

A super load hauler!! I have had my Gregory Shasta since the mid '90s. Yes, it is 6+lbs, but the load balancing system and the well padded hip belt make this an absolute go-to for heavy loads. As much as I would like to conserve weight, I would have to think twice before making the cuts in weight starting at this pack. I have carried well over 50 lbs with the pack and it moves and adjusts the load seamlessly as you take big steps up or down the mountain. Would I like to get into lighter backpacking? Full review

Arc'teryx Altra 75

Lived out of it for a year. Comfortable and extremely durable. Access is excellent. I lived out of this pack for a year in Morocco, South Africa, Turkey, and Indonesia.  In that time I did long distance hiking (carrying lots of food, water, tent gear) in the Drakensberg Range, the Lycian Way in Turkey, and simple backpacking around Bali and Morocco.  My wife had to get a new backpack after that trip.  I just looked at my Altra and it shows very little wear and is perfectly functional. Amazingly,… Full review

The North Face Snow Leopard Pack

That is so funny. I have the same pack. I used it and my Gregory from the mid 1980s. I too loved the Snow Leopard. Mine was also bright blue with yellow straps. I dropped it off at the North Face shop today because the weatherproofing was flaking off on the inside of the pack. I am not sure what they will do. It is a strong comfortable pack with easy access to all parts.It has been all over the mountains of California and southern Arizona with a trip to New Mexico, Colorado, and Kenya. It never… Full review

Dana Design Terraplane

I got my Terraplane in the mid '90s. The SEAL version not a make on it after many miles in places such as Iraq, Afghanistan. I have an 85lbs Siberian Husky that decided the right hip belt buckle and strap tasted good. Who knows where I can get it repaired? Great pack. I have had it for 23 years with no problems. Full review

Kelty Red Cloud 90

A heavy hitter. This is my main pack for short or long trips into the wilderness and you will find this pack on my back up until this year. The weight is 5lbs, but was never a problem. Great for hunting, multi-day to multi-week long trips. Comfortable with plenty of detail. This was my fourth or so pack and I was very pleased with this pack. The weight is 5lbs, but was not felt when hiking around on the Appalachian Trail. This pack easily suits the needs of week or multi-week long trips. The pockets… Full review

JanSport Bhutan

Versatile travel bag, simple minimalist design, okay for weekend backpacking trips, nice main pack/daypack combo. Took this bag with me on trips to Greece and Turkey and Tanzania, the Caribbean and Japan, as well as backpacking trips in Texas. A great travel bag, the ability to tuck the straps in and convert it to a suitcase configuration was nice for keeping the straps from getting caught on stuff when checking it on flights, and when checking into nicer hotels that don't cater to the backpacking… Full review

Granite Gear Nimbus Trace Access 85

My favorite pack for heavy loads. I owned and enjoyed using a 2012 Baltoro 75 for four years before discovering the Nimbus Trace. The maple frame fits me better so I've used this pack since 2016. Carries heavy loads comfortably because frame fits my back perfectly! Definitely try it on for fit. Lots of straps to cinch down loads so nothing shifts. Cordura fabric holds up really well, virtually scratch/tear-proof. Lots of customizable options in shoulder strap and hip-belts sizes. I use large shoulder… Full review

Kelty Red Cloud 6650

A comfortable pack that never seems to run out of space! I would recommend this pack (or one of its smaller sibling packs) for backpackers who prefer comfort over light weight (both in the pack itself and with the gear they take). The Kelty 6650 is a high-capacity loader and allows me to take anything and everything! I've been using it for more than 10 years now. While I don't generally have the opportunity to go on more than one backpacking trip per year, the trip is normally for 3-4 days, and… Full review