The North Face Crestone 60

Thirteen years later, I still use it for three-day hikes and heavy-load trips. It's been with me on backpacking adventures across Europe, the U.S., and South America, getting pulled out about every other year for international travel or backcountry treks. Despite its age, it remains one of the most dependable pieces of gear I own.

North Face Crestone 60L – Still Going Strong After 18 Years

I'm writing this in 2025, reflecting on the first backpacking pack I bought way back in 2007. The North Face Crestone 60L has been my trusted companion through nearly two decades of travel, and it’s still holding up for 3-day hikes and heavy load trips. Here's my honest breakdown after extensive real-world use:

Fit

This pack fit me well out of the box and continues to feel balanced on my back. The torso length adjustment isn’t ultra-refined like some modern packs, but it worked for my frame (5'10") without issue. While not designed specifically for women or shorter torsos, it’s fairly adaptable if you get the right size. All straps—from shoulder to hip—have enough range for a customized fit.

Comfort

The hip belt is padded just right and still bears weight comfortably. The shoulder straps have softened over time but remain functional. The sternum strap adjusts well and never gave me issues. Ventilation isn’t its strongest suit—expect some back sweat on long summer hikes—but it was standard for its time.

Capacity

The 60L claim holds true. I’ve packed it for everything from transatlantic trips to multi-day backcountry hikes. It swallows gear with ease and handles awkward loads better than expected. At times I even used it as a carry-on by removing the top lid (brain), which makes it more streamlined.

Organization & Accessibility

The design is classic: top-loading main compartment, sleeping bag compartment, dual side pockets, and a generous brain. Nothing fancy, but everything has a place and is easy to reach. The side access zippers help a lot when digging for buried items. Simple, effective layout that never confused or frustrated me.

Ride

This pack distributes weight well, especially with loads in the 35–50 lb range. I’ve done long treks and walked through airports and cities with it fully loaded, and it stayed stable and centered. The internal frame holds its shape nicely, even after all these years. Definitely built for serious hauling.

Compression

Compression straps work well for trimming bulk or securing gear. They’re not ultra-refined compared to today’s packs, but they hold firm and get the job done. I’ve carried both light overnight setups and overloaded expedition loads, and the bag adapted well to both.

Ease of Use

Everything functions as expected. Zippers, buckles, and drawcords have held up better than I could’ve hoped. Some plastic bits are cracking now (inevitable with age), but they haven’t failed in the field yet. I’ve replaced a few minor pieces over the years, but nothing major.

Features

No flashy tech here—just a smart, rugged design. The sleeping bag compartment, hydration sleeve, and removable lid have all been used extensively. There’s a simplicity to this bag that makes it dependable. It doesn’t have today’s bells and whistles, but it never pretended to.

Background

Thirteen years later, I still use it for 3-day hikes and heavy-load trips. It's been with me on backpacking adventures across Europe, the U.S., and South America, getting pulled out about every other year for international travel or backcountry treks. Despite its age, it remains one of the most dependable pieces of gear I own.

Dudes/dudettes...did a five-day 50 miler on the LSHT during an East Texas summer and this pack performed way beyond my expectations. Handled an exceptionally heavy load (I am a creature comfort kind of guy). A well balanced backpack. Rides well on the hips if fitted properly...just felt right.

I am kinda new to backpacking, about three years now. I bought this pack at a local shop about a year ago. It was my best investment yet. First of all the price really apealed to me, secondly the quality for the price. The X-frame suspension is excellent, handles loads between 40-45lbs very nicely.Good room in the pack as well. There are a lot of suspension ajustments, so I recmomend you pack ur stuff and make the ajustments before u hike. Best pack for the price, at least I thought so.

Excellent pack for the price. I love everything about this pack except the lack of waist belt pockets. This pack has more features then most other packs and seems to be very durable.