Thinking about getting the REI XT 85 for multipurpose use. Anyone here have one? What are your thoughts?
This will be my first pack in decades (last one was a a cheap Coleman external frame from when I was a kid). I realize its a huge pack compared to the other options out there, but I figure I can get more use out of it that way and hopefully go with this one pack for decades to come. My uses? Here they are however silly you might think they are:
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when not camping/hiking I will use it to carry my Javelin 21 (parachute rig weighing around 35lbs) to dropzones along with helmet and other gear.
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Car camping with friends, where the campsite is 3-5miles on foot from the cars and we're bringing lots of heavy wet food and drinks.
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Eventually section camping the AT
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Eventually to fill it with meat while camping/hunting (deer)
Has anyone used it for any of the reasons above? Does anyone know of a better multipurpose gear bag or am I trying to get too much out of one bag? Think I'd be better off just getting individual bags more specific to each hobby?
For further info here is the bag and I'm a 5'11" 205lb 30yo man in decent shape so the heavier loads aren't a problem at all.
Thanks for any advice!
Posted Apr 8, 2014, 7:34 PM UTC
That pack is huge – though given your listed uses, it's not going to go to waste. If people are strictly backpacking on weekend or even week-long trips, 85L is overkill. But, not for what you plan to use it for. If anything, though, it's worth trying on before you buy, loaded with pillows and beanbags, to see if it fits you well, and if you jive with how it carries weight and all that.
Also, some clarification: purchases at REI have a one-year return policy, which means that if it doesn't meet your needs (too big, not big enough, etc) you have a one-year window to bring it back. If a piece of gear turns out to be defective due to some sort of manufacturing defect, that one-year window does not apply, and it can be returned at any time.