I've been getting some PM's asking questions about the REI I've been using. It's basically a new pack hardly used.

After reading some reviews here and other place in regards to the REI XT85 Pack I bought one to use for hunting.

The are a comfortable pack and I thought I had a winner. It actually hauled a good amount of weight really well.

Would I recommend it? NO!!

Here are some pics of the pack after just a few times out.

I had 3 breakdowns with it all within 10 minutes.

Zipper break

Another zipper break 5 minutes later.
No excess weight on these zips.


Now, after getting loaded up for the trip out, this happens, broken buckle.
Not fun hauling out a load on your shoulders.


Good thing you can take these back to REI and get your money back. I did.
I don't think I'll buy another REI pack again.

fwiw....

Thanks for the heads up!

Wow...what a bummer.

Thanks for the heads up.

In fairness, my son uses an REI pack that's reliably hauled several critters, so they ain't all bad.

Easy returns at REI - most of the gear I've bought there has been great, but it's comforting to know they will take just about anything back if you have issues.

Dollar for dollar, your recommendation on the Marine ILBE was the best pack advise I've had ever. A little heavy, but hell for stout and dirt cheap.

Add a HPG Kit Bag, and I have everything I need right there.

Bob, dont forget about the load lifter parts I found laying on the ground. That particular pack is easily the biggest pile of [bleep] I 'be ever seen.

Thank you for that review. I had almost pulled the trigger based on some great reviews i read. Buying cheap usually isnt i guess. Kifaru timerline instead probably wont be a mistake.

SU-
Does it seem to you that in order to make the pack competitive in the weight department that they used components that are too delicate for the job or is it just crappy quality?
Thanks!

Interesting. I bought the same pack early in the summer and used it for a 3 night scouting trip about six miles in and packed 65 lbs I don't know how many times on the treadmill. I also used it to pack out my archery elk. So far I have had 0 issues.

Nothing more frustrating than getting a piece of equipment that falls apart. Hopefully mine doesn't turn into a big turd like yours.

Andy

No doubt in my mind crappy quality.

My understanding is that some XT85's survive just fine with lemons being in the mix.
It's your gamble though, I won't buy another REI pack. That haul out with meat was no fun.

The gents in REI were recommending Gregory, and they are a nice pack.

Light, durable and able to haul can be difficult to come by unless you spend the bigger bucks. For me, just a once a year hunt, it doesn't make sense. I use an external DD for packing out meat.

I have used MR's and they are just to heavy for what I do. MR is supposed to be coming out with a lighter hunting pack. It will get you in just fine but it will not have the ci though to be a meat and gear hauler.

I doubt we'll have any horror stories with our old Danas. The extra weight to start with seems like cheap insurance to me.

I've found an extra belt buckle to be good to have along with any pack. Was happy to be able to steal one from the lid/fanny pack of my Longhunter one trip when the main one broke.

I believe one of the best "values" out there in a pack is the MR pack frame with and XL Alice pack bag attached.