Windrider

Love this pack!!

I admit, this is also the only pack I’ve used for backpacking/thru/section hiking… I went straight for the good stuff offthebat.

But having used this pack, I just can’t fathom how awkward, heavy, and inconvenient a typical, conventional pack from a mainstream outdoor equipment store must be.

By rejecting all of the typical pack “features”, it gains SO much practicality.

The only thing I wish it had would be load lifting straps. My first trip with it chaffed my collar bones pretty good. I’ve been testing out mods since then, and found that the over-the-top strap that connects just above both shoulder straps can be re-routed through the daisy chains on the frknt of each shoulder strap to act like load lifters and shift the weight from my collar bones to the tops of my shoulders. It’s a little janky, and requires a quick adjustment to prevent lopsidedness every time I put the pack on, but it’s a significant improvement without adding any weight.

purchased the original version ( the 4400) quite a few years back- used extensively every year for multiple multi-day trips in all seasons in many countries- and can carry loads of gear comfortably and with confidence this pack will last the journey. Great Gear, a great investment for the long term!

A perfect ultralight backpack with great capacity.

Fit was excellent, Very light yet durable. 4 day trip was perfect.

I bought this pack for Philmont, and went from an ALPS Cadera 75 to a Windrider 70 saving 3.25 lbs. My son needed a pack for the trip so did a hand-me-down upgrade for me switcharoo :) I like the simplicity, dry stuff inside, and quick access items in the netting on the outside. I typically max out with about 40 lbs in it and wish the shoulder straps had a little more girth in them to spread out the weight. I was able to find some pads on Amazon that helped. I wanted to save weight in the pack, so i could carry more luxury items :) I miss the comfort of the ALPS a little bit and notice it's not as easy for me to just throw it on when heavy. One pretty cool feature you might not know is this pack can shrink down really good.. so I can carry all my stuff in it at 70 liters and then set up camp and squish it down to day pack size and easily carry all my needs for the day in it, leaving the stuff I don't need in my campsite.