Western Pack Hiking Backpack

I had a couple of Western Pack Bags and was VERY happy with them! I use these for work as a railroader and so they get a lot of use. I replaced my last bag with this one and plastic clips broke, seams tore and the lacing string outside popped right off. Also a previous bag had additional room on the bottom instead of the pocket with a drawstring separating it from the body of the bag as this one does. I thought that was better, but personal preference there as this pocket could hold an extra jacket or something but then when you empty it and still have the rest of the bag full it is a pain. Looking for a bag to replace this one and actually thinking about just using the last bag I had prior to it as the material and zippers are durable, but the worksmanship has suffered in my latest bag. I previously recommended this bag to co-workers, but would certainly hesitate now. (Posted on 9/1/11)

I purchased the same bag, but the smaller size, so no pocket at the bottom several years ago. I replaced that first one with the same style after a few years. Just replaced the second one with this purchase and wish I could still get the smaller size. I also bought one for a friend. Between the two, we have had several things break/tear off. I think I would purchase again, but my friend will not. (Posted on 9/11/10)

I have had this back pack for about two years now... Its great for hiking a 2-3 mile hike and setting up camp. The bag holds an incredible amount of stuff and is comfy holding 45 lbs or less. I have had no breaks or tares on the bag but still would not recommended hiking far with this. The reason being is it weighs 8.5 lbs alone and has a plastic back frame. If your going to be hiking far i recommend a bag with aluminum support and weighs 5 lbs or less. (Posted on 9/7/10)

its a very, very roomy pack, just about as good an internal frame pack you can get for under $200, and this is way under. It is very convenient to access the main compartment, which is top loading but has a zipper of the front which goes basically the length of the pack for access as well as access from the bottom. There is a spot for either a sleeping bag or what i used it for was shoes on the bottom of the pack, and the main compartment is above that. The zippers are very strong, and i have never had a problem with them. The daisy chains are excellent, and very sturdy as well. The side pockets zippers seem like they open the wrong way, but its not bad once you get used to it. The front most pocket is wonderful, very convenient to access without looking and roomy without being too large. there are straps on both the top of the pack and the bottom of the pack for sleeping bags or ground rolls. i personally found the bottom one to be larger and it fit my sleeping bag which is larger than most. The hip belt is very strong but this pack is not for a small person. I'm 5'10" and it was way too big for me, but i was still able to use it for short hikes to our campsites, under half a mile. Once filled the pack is very heavy, especially because it weighs almost ten pounds without anything in it.
Now the negative:
i have had the pack for three years. it lasted two trips, one a month, before the top loading area started to rip. I duct taped it and it has held very nicely since. The main material of the pack is excellent but there are some areas of the pack made of a much weaker material, hardly stronger than cardboard. Thankfully those areas are not important to the whole of the pack, and it can still be used with them ripped or missing. The shoulder straps of the pack are attached to the rest of the pack on bottom by a plastic clip to adjust the size, like most packs. however the clip is not exactly heavy duty. I just threw my pack out after three years because the left clip broke, and the whole left strap is now useless. It actually broke in the middle of the woods, thankfully at the end of my week long trip. Overall, the pack is economic quality. Don't expect it to look new once you have used it once. Something is bound to have broken. My pack took a lot of duct tape and knots over broken clips to keep it going for as long as it did.

Overall, its an amazing pack for the price,and it would still be a great pack if it cost 100 dollars. However, don't expect to have it for more than a couple years, even if you do repair it as it breaks. But while you have it, you will not have many complaints. (Posted on 7/26/10)