This pack was purchased by Third Coast Hikes and this review is my own.
Yesterday, the weather was a stunner. We headed out to our favorite day hike spot within about an hour’s drive of our place in Chicago. Gander Mountain Forest Preserve up near Fox Lake, Illinois and directly on the Wisconsin border is easily the best spot for an afternoon of challenging hiking, when you can’t get far from Chicago.
When we’re just going on a one day hike we limit ourselves to the Coleman Max 2L hydration day packs we bought probably three years ago for our trip to the Grand Canyon. We probably paid about $25 for them at the time, and that was at least three years ago, so I’m having trouble finding our exact model online. This is similar, sorta.
The primary reason we chose them was because we wanted to carry water with us through the arid canyon environment, and it totally worked for that. The packs came with a 2L bladder, we have since upgraded to a 3L bladder, and the hose mechanism never stuck too bad. It could have been more antimicrobal than it was, but because we have replaced the bladders that doesn’t matter anymore.
There’s a good amount of space inside, but because I tend to fill my pack with ice and water, if I don’t want something to get cold or risk it coming in contact with condensation, I put it in the front pocket. It’s got zippers on two sides, which are fine but I don’t totally get. There is a mesh inner-inner pocket so that’s a good place for keys and things you really don’t want to lose. There are also these two triangle pockets on the front which I do not understand. Why are they there? I’ve managed to attach a bike helmet between those, but I’m really not sure what’s going on with that.
After a few years of wear, they aren’t in great condition anymore. They still work, this year they accompanied us to Riot Fest for the last few years. The zipper on mine is starting to split, so it’s probably nearing the end of its lifespan. Until there is a compelling reason to replace it, I probably won’t.
A middling review for a middling product. S’alright, not bad, not great. C+