Weekend Packs

Recent Weekend Pack (50-69L) Reviews

Kelty Asher 55

The 55/65l version of the Kelty Asher is an excellent and overlooked option at the high end of beginner/budget backpacking and a great option for those more experienced hikers who prefer simple, classic design. Perfect for weekend to weeklong trips. 4.25/5 Layout: The Asher is a fairly generic design internal frame pack. Top-loading, sleeping bag flap with straps, 2 water bottle pockets, 1 large zippered compartment with 2 rows of daisy chain, lid pocket + key-retainer, 2 ice axe loops, 1 mesh hip-belt… Full review

Osprey Exos 58

Superb design, build, and features with enough volume for a week of "comfort light" backpacking. The easily adjusted, trampoline-style suspension system is about as comfortable as 16 kg/35 lbs + can get.   Mudhopping in Sweden My 10 year-old Atmos 50 was looking a little worse for wear and tear -- ditto for my wife’s Aura. Both packs were veterans of 25 days on the John Muir Trail, a 10-day hike in the Wind Rivers, a pair of week-long hikes in Iceland, and numerous shorter outings in Arizona,… Full review

Osprey Porter 65

Great backpack for travel, with just the right amount of space to carry everything you need for an extended trip, while taking up minimal space. I’ve used mine for almost a decade for business and personal travel, and hope to do so for years to come. As mentioned, I found this to be a great backpack for travel, with just the right amount of space to carry everything you need for an extended trip, while taking up minimal space. I’ve used it for almost a decade for business and personal travel,… Full review

Osprey Porter 65

Four continents and counting. It's (almost) a backpack! This Osprey has been with me for over 10 years. It's been on 4 continents and served its designed purpose very well. Like many of Osprey's packs, the Porter is designed for travel and ease of carry through airports, on trains, and even short walks to lodging or nearby camping. But it is not a backpack. I would not want to carry it much more than a mile if it was packed full. It holds seemingly more than the 65 liter capacity would suggest. … Full review

Atom Packs ATOM+ 50L

Well crafted and some unique features. Handmade in England!  I ran across two English backpackers on my last trip to England that had the ATOM MO 50 liter backpack and was very impressed with the design and structure of their packs. I also love supporting international , true cottage brands! For my return trip this May, I wanted to force less carry. My HMG 70 liter Windrider was going to stay at home and thus this pack. I’ve only done one day hike but was impressed with how it easily responded… Full review

ROKK Flat Iron

You can haul a bunch of stuff and this thing is hard to kill. Rain fly included. But you will definitely be sore after a few miles with any significant amount of weight. I have used my Flat Iron since 1994 and it still holds my stuff. I don't know the size of it, but I currently use it to haul my float tube, fins, and water on day hikes into the mountains of Utah. I will say that my fishing setup ends up being about 30lbs with all my gear and the pack becomes rather uncomfortable on a 6 mile day… Full review

Fjallraven Keb 52L

Pity about the breast strap. Everything else is fine. I added a clip for each shoulder strap to allow attachment of a camera bag.   Replaced breast strap and two female clips attached to shoulder strap   I show a camera bag capable of holding a full frame camera attached to the added shoulder strap clips. The Fjallraven Kafka models come with shoulder clips installed at the factory. When a person is wearing the pack the breast strap is much higher and in its normal place on the chest. The camera… Full review

Fjallraven Kajka 65

Best packs I have ever owned Kajka 65 and 85. In 48 years of backpack hiking these are the best. I own both the 65 and the 85 Litre versions. The three sizes (65, 75, 85) all follow a similar design. They only differ in size. The 65 and the 85 are identical except for size. I saw the 85 while on a trip. I tried it on in a store and it was “love at first sight”. I got home and ordered the 85 for winter hiking. I took it out twice and YES this was it. So I immediately ordered the 65 for summer… Full review

Granite Gear Crown2 60

Wanted to point out the differences in the Women's fit versus the regular fit model. I purchased a Massdrop version several years ago, and liked it so much, we got the women's for my wife. In 2018 I hyperextended my knee and injured my back. This prompted me to move to a more ultralight setup. I found a good deal on the Massdrop version of the Crown 2 and decided to try it out. A year later, I bought my wife the Crown 2 Women's fit to replace her 4-lb Gregory Deva. These packs now have a few thousand… Full review