Western Pack Hiking Backpack (Black)

Price : $39.95

Product Description

This large HK3 Western Pack Hiking Backpack is an excellent pack for both traveling and backpacking. With a large internal carrying capacity, it provides carrying comfort with large padded shoulder straps. Three exterior pockets, a large top pocket and an exterior water bottle holder.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B0014TSSLO
  

Product Features

• large backpacking traveling pack
• turtle shell back padding
• water resistant pvc backing
• excellent comfortable heavy-duty shoulder straps

 

Western Pack Hiking Backpack (Black)

 

Customer Reviews

I bought this expecting to do some work to get it trailready. I think i underestimated the pack. I was very very very suprised at the quality and design of this pack. NOTE: I have not taken this out on the trail yet!
Pros: Tremendous amounts of storeage. This pack is HUGE! Yet it is very light. I was worried there wouldnt be many external storeage compartments from the descriptions but there are 8 total + main compartment. HOrizontal entry to main bottom as well as vertical entry to main (and top of course). and the main compartment is simply HUGE. 2 drings front and 2 on back. Straps appear to be quality pretty decent with double and triple stitching in some places. If youre one of those people who yanks straps with all your might, and generally abuses bags.. spend a couple bucks on some high tensile fishing line or whatever and reinforce them just in case. The fabric is good quality..i honestly expected cheap fabric barely stitched at this price. LOTs of compression straps. 2 across chest. straps on sides, bottom and back to compact the pack. Carrying height is extremely adjustable. The waist straps are substantial though i will probably reinforce them (a pack this big can end up packed VERY heavy!). The buckles/connectors are MUCH higher quality than i expected. Ive seen $$$$ packs at REI with cheap garbage connectors... These are substantial. Zippers appear substantial as do the fobs. I might consider treating parts of this pack with silicon.
Cons: i think they saved money on back support. no high dollar aluminum.. just a thick, pretty stiff plastic insert with zipper access. So you could insert the supports from a higher $ pack or roll your own. Should be fine for anything but a HEAVY pack. No evaporation mesh next to back.. which you could install yourself fairly easily. No rain cover. buy one or buy some silnylon and make one. This could be a fairly serious issue as the bottom and vertical rear access zippers to the main arent covered. I plan on putting a bottom suport in the main bag. It appears to be thick/strong enough but better to be safe.
For the money this pack is a STEAL. It is a tiny bit oldschool feeling (in the old quality backpack sense), very very large and could use some tweaking/modding. But if you want to go deep woods camping, are one of the "survivalist" types, or just want to carry a lot of gear/food for you and your friends to have a cookout a few miles off the road you wont find a better deal for less than a couple hundred. I think ill try to find a 50ish liter version of this pack to go along with it for shorter hikes. Overall i think this pack is a fantastic deal, ideal for someone willing to do a few minor mods.

After much deliberation and anguish, I decided to go with the Western Pack. I did have to pay shipping but we'll say I only paid 37 bucks to aid with the illusion. Firstly, this pack is not fancy. There are no embroidered logos, no racheting straps, no "biometeric comfort system". It has no internal frame (hence, the four stars). The plastic panel gives it some structure and helps it stay upright while packing. Otherwise, it is just a large backpack. On the other hand, it is monochromatic for those of you who prefer a more subdued look. Not everyone wants neon green and safety orange gear. As for the size, it....is....BIG. Hammock, underquilt, fleece liner, sleeping bag, thermals, water, food, poncho, gear, an entire military closed cell foam pad (you heard me); it swallowed them all. And when last minutes items were needed, there was plenty of room in the exterior pockets. Like a magicians hat or circus clown car, I just kept stuffing. If you were to attach gear to the outside (which you could easily do), you could pack the proverbial kitchen sink. As for durability, I feel bad for the guy whose pack burst at the seams. Mine, however, has been rugged and tough. I used force to stuff my sleeping bag into the lower compartment, I drug it over fallen trees, I laid it against rocks at the campsite. I neither abused nor coddled it. It could fail on my next trip leaving me to bearhug my remaining gear like a bachelor in a grocery store. But I don't think it will. It is a great pack for 37 bucks.