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The North Face Men's Skareb 55

rated 4.5 of 5 stars

The Men's Skareb 55 has been discontinued. If you're looking for something new, check out the best weekend packs for 2024.

photo: The North Face Men's Skareb 55 weekend pack (50-69l)

Backpacker Magazine rated this ultralight pack (3Lbs for Lg) as the Best Buy for 2006. The magazine says it is like Altoids-curiously strong. I wholeheartedly have to agree with this. I can't believe it weighs 3Lbs and it is very tough. My best experience this year with this pack was carrying it to Havasu Falls, backpacking near Mooney Falls (about 12 miles). My friend and I made to the campsite without stopping (carrying about 40Lbs). I was very comfortable the entire way.

It also comes with a matching rain cover in the side pocket (great idea!). It is also ready for a hydration reservoir. I packed a 3 liter reservoir from my North Face Hammerhead and it was a perfect fit.

I know that Gregory G Pack has won several Backpacker Magazine Editor's Choice Awards, but I think this pack deserves it. The G is still less than 3000 cu in for a large size. It is barely big enough for a weekender. Also it is not as durable as this pack.

One minor quibble: I wish that this pack was tad bigger. I was super stuffed for weekend backpacking trips. Come on Skareb 60 or 65!

Great, great pack. The North Face has been improving recently. Too bad there are so many people out there wearing TNF products just for brand name bandwagon jumping. Just go to any airports or universities! Doh!

Design: Internal
Size: 3650cu in
Number of Pockets: Enough
Max. Load Carried: 40Lbs
Height of Owner: 5'11"
Price Paid: $170

Bought 8 of these to outfit tours. Been using them over the past few months.

I had the opportunity to replace my old heavy canvas packs with these. Decided on them cause I like the innovative top, they were lightweight, comfortable and at a good price for our needs. Now after some use I have found several annoying things with them!

*The supplied buckles are %$#^%# and the company doesn't seem to care- such a shame for such an annoying little thing.

*The hip belt sits too square- even after many miles, you seem to not be able to get a tight fit around the top of the belt, and worse for 'those with hips'

*The cord pull n' wedge buckle and the cord seem like half a good idea- what happened to the other half?

Seriously -a great pack, with a few letdowns, a shifty bunch of re-sellers included!

Design: internal
Size: 55L
Max. Load Carried: 25kg
Height of Owner: 178 (5'10)

I bought this pack in early spring to replace an old "Z" Pack. I liked the roll down top and the weight. The pack weighs just uner 3.5 pounds. I have carried it on about six backpacking trips of 2-3 nights. It handles up to 35 pounds w/ease if you pack it well. I wish it was maybe 300 or so ci bigger but then it wouldnt be ultralight.

It adjusts a lot of ways and the back ventilates about as well as any pack I have carried. I have nothing but praise for this pack as I hadn't been real excited about North Face packs. I don't think I would attempt a week in this pack, but for weekend warriors that don't overpack, it will do all you need plus some.

Design: Top Loading Internal w/ Roll Down Closure
Size: 3700 ci
Number of Pockets: 3
Max. Load Carried: 38 LBS.
Height of Owner: 5'11"
Price Paid: $160

The North Face Skareb 55 is a sturdy lightweight pack with some neat features like the roll top closer, "which replaces the lid top to save weight," large mesh pocket and three zip pockets. You can also use a hydration bladder in this pack. I hauled it with twenty five pounds of gear in it for a 5 mile round trip overnighter and found this pack to handle the load with ease and was very comfortable to carry. No strain on my shoulders whatsoever.

This is the best pack I have ever owned and a very good buy at $169. I purchased this pack at The North Face Store in Boston and I highly recommend this store to anyone living in the Boston area who is interested in high quality gear and clothing.

Design: Top-loading internal
Size: 3050 cubic inches
Number of Pockets: 3
Max. Load Carried: 25 lbs
Height of Owner: 5' 3"
Price Paid: $169

The Skareb 55 is a great lightweight backpack for the money and is quite durable. When packed correctly it is so stable that you can actually run with it on, so scrambling is no problem. The roll top is a nice feature and the rain cover is a perfect fit. I have packed up to 40lbs and remained comfortable enough, but I would suggest keeping it below 35lbs. The things I would change...Slightly more padding on shoulder/belt, 1 or 2 more pockets. Other than that I would recommend this pack for someone trying to scale down their packing and weight.

Size: 3350
Number of Pockets: Main + 3
Max. Load Carried: around 40lbs
Height of Owner: 5'9 , size medium
Price Paid: $169

This pack is very comfortable and you can really move around with it. I loaded it with 20 kls. but you wouldn't really feel the weight.

The downside of this pack and a real big deal is that the fabric starts to rip off from the stitch-line on the top-side and on the pocket-line. I am so disappointed because it is only my second time to use it. Compare to my other pack that I've been using for years. I don't think this pack will last for another 4 or 5 more hikes.

Design: folding-top internal frame
Size: 55lt
Number of Pockets: 2 pockets on both sides + 1 inside for hidration blooder
Max. Load Carried: 20 kgs
Height of Owner: 5'4"
Price Paid: 9900 pesos

I just broke in my Skareb for a 4 1/2-day winter trip in northern Maine. It performed beyond my expectations, the best features for me were the roll top, included pack cover and the E-vap suspension. The only problem I had with this pack was the expandable outer pocket. I decided to cut the line and replace it with a long length to increase the amount it could expand. Overall it's a great pack for those who are looking for something more durable than a super ultralight option.

Design: Roll Top Internal
Size: 3350 in3
Number of Pockets: 3
Max. Load Carried: 40 lbs
Height of Owner: 6'
Price Paid: $132.95

rated 4 of 5 stars All Skareb 55 versions

In addition to the 7 men's reviews above, there are 2 reviews for other versions of the Skareb 55. Read all reviews »

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Price Historic Range: $97.85-$169.00
Reviewers Paid: $132.95-$170.00

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