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Cortez 4900 Cu In Backpack Jan 24, 2008
By B. L. OCONNOR
"BLOC"
I'm giving this a 5 star rating with a caveat: my priorities are not likely to be the same as those of most people.
I bought this pack as a dedicated hasty pack for Search and Rescue (I need to have a pack that's all set up to go at a moments notice. It should contain all you need to keep you alive for 3 days if you're stranded alone in the wilderness -- I view it as a survival kit, not a recreational backpacking kit, because we can't pick the weather, temperature or terrain we'll be operating in.)
My priorities are: lots of pockets, decent size, light weight, front-loading if possible. I am less concerned with durability and more concerned with quick access to different categories of stuff (first-aid supplies, water purification tablets, snacks, fire-starting stuff, flashlight, batteries, rain gear, stocking hat, gloves, flagging tape, pruning saw, paracord, etc.), and I don't require that it be the most comfortable pack in the world.
This pack looks like it's ideal. It's light, and has two spacious side pockets, two pockets in its beaver-tail (I like beaver tails), a lid, both top and front access to the main compartment, and a lower sleeping bag compartment. It's got lots of compression straps, so you can cinch things down really well, and a fair number of tie of points.
In the main and sleeping bag compartments, I can easily fit my el-cheapo tent, sleeping pad and 50 degree sleeping bag, my Jet-Boil stove and food (mainly couscous and foil fish packs like salmon and tuna), plus synthetic-fiber cloths which I can layer on for warmth both for sleeping and during the day, if necessary. And I have lots of room for spare batteries, additional fire starting stuff, a backup compass, Petzl light, distress mirror, additional paracord, etc. (I actually have quite a bit more space than I need).
Altogether, my loaded pack weighs between 25 and 30 lbs. and it's turned out to be pretty comfortable to wear.
What I don't know is how durable this pack will be, or how weatherproof (zippers always seem to leak), but I've planned for the worst weather by storing my stuff in waterproof bags. As for durability, it didn't cost an arm and a leg so I won't be crushed if it rips, and there's always duct tape and paracord (right-side pocket) if it fails in the backcountry.
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