Jul 10
8
Carry Big Loads With This Award Winning Multi Day Pack
ArcTeryx Altra 75 Pack
By Karenna Awtry
Winner of Backpacker Magazine Editor’s Choice Award in 2010, the Arc’teryx Altra 75 is a star among deluxe hiking backpacks. The standout feature of the Altra 75: a top-loading pack body that features a full-length, inverted U-shaped zipper for main-compartment access. Say users, “the u-zip system is phenomenal and packs like a suitcase.”
Here’s what Backpacker Magazine had to say about the Altra 75 hiking backpack: “Until they make a pack that walks behind you, get the Altra. The key to comfort: the best hipbelt we’ve ever tested. It’s wide and stiff, with memory-foam-like padding for all-day comfort and reinforcements that prevent even the hint of big-load sag. Add a lumbar pivot, which lets the belt rotate with your hips as you walk, high-step, and navigate tricky terrain, and you get a smooth ride with no rubbing.”
In addition to being a pack that moves as you do, the Arcteryx Altra 75 backpack does its best to let cooling air circulate between your body and this backpack. Specially designed mesh and perforated foam lining can be found on the back panel, the hipbelt and even the shoulder straps. No need to worry about pain from stress points rubbed raw beneath damp fabric.
For a backpack that loads “like a suitcase,” the Altra 75 offers a lot in the way of organization and versatility. There are seven pockets in addition to the main compartment. The top lid, which can be taken off and expanded, has two zippered compartments and a map pocket.
The collar has a draw cord and can also be extended to increase the volume of the main compartment. A large reservoir sleeve will carry a 3L bladder and comes with external ports. And for easy-reach, high-frequency items, there is a kangaroo pocket on the front of the pack and two side stretch-mesh pockets (complete with elastic draw cords) for water bottles.
The Arcteryx Altra 75 hiking backpack is durable, too, with reinforced fabric on the pack body and a padded bottom for extra protection against whatever you’ll throw at it. High-wear areas have also been reinforced.
Users, many of whom were inspired by Backpacker Magazine’s accolades, share their experiences with the Altra 75:
Says this reviewer from Fort Irwin, Calif.: “At any price this is the best all around pack that I have tried. … This pack really has an exceptional and well thought out packing system [and is] extremely comfortable carrying heavy loads with the anatomically shaped shoulder straps and the excellent, excellent pivoting hip belt with Load Transfer Disc. It really provides increased agility, stability and comfort like no other.
The first day I got the Altra I put in 80 pounds and did 8 miles for a quick test, wow such a good balance did not even notice the weight. … The top 2 zippered pockets on the lid are water sealed and I just tested it this morning in the rain for over an hour, every thing was bone dry.”
A hiker from the Southern AT did not have the same positive experience. “When I took this pack out of the packaging I was so excited. Great construction, great features, great material. … Pop! that is the sound of my balloon being popped as soon as I loaded this pack up (30lbs) and began to walk around with it.
I could not get the shoulder straps adjusted to fit comfortably. The chest strap attachments do not slide, there are 4 positions on each strap that you have to hook a clip into, and the straps have a very poor shape. The adjustment board has a lot of positions, but none were wide enough.
Backpacker mag had but one negative thing to say about the Altra 75: the U-shaped zipper is not waterproof, so it leaked even when the fabric held watertight.
The Altra 75 backpack from Arc’teryx has pros and cons, but the positive reviews make it worth your time to check it out.
Go Here To Learn More About The Arcteryx Altra 75 Backpack
