Aug 10
11
Carry All You Need For A Day Hike
By Karenna Awtry
Kelty Redwing 3100 Pack
Looking for a backpack that will last so long you’re more likely to get tired of looking at it than to wear it out? Funny as that sounds, fortitude is at the forefront of the many qualities you’ll find when you purchase a Kelty Redwing 3100 men’s backpack.
The Redwing 3100 is an ideal blend of rugged construction and comfortable weight wrapped up in a versatile, minimalist-geared pack. When it comes to day hiking, the Redwing 3100 is a shoe-in for the job. It has the daypack features most wanted in a Kelty Redwing pack, including mesh-covered backpanel and hipbelt to quickly wick moisture away from your body. Other dayhike-enhancing qualities: interior slab pocket that will accommodate a variety of hydration bladders (sold separately), three organization-enhancing pockets — front and sides — with a key clip, map pocket, zippers and other features exclusively for delicate or valuable small gear. In all, there are five pockets in addition to the main compartment.
The Kelty Redwing 3100 is comfortable for large loads, too. The shoulder straps, which are curved to fit the body, work in nice conjunction with the sculpted, removable hipbelt to fit snugly and distribute weight for maximal comfort. Special LightBeam stays are half the weight of traditional stays but about 30% stiffer, according to Kelty.
In addition, the sternum strap, load-lifter straps and belt stabilizers will ensure that your load is balanced through the whole hike. The hipbelt tightening force gets an added boost from the pulley-like Scherer Cinch system.
Need to strap on more equipment? A daisy chain, lash tabs and ice axe loop do the job. Make the whole combination stable with 4 easy-to-use compression straps. All this versatility, plus extra-durable reinforced fabric that users say will withstand a 40-pound load of school books as well as a rugged hike in the craggiest of spaces.
REI.com reviews give the Kelty Redwing 3100 men’s backpack 4.5 out of 5 stars. Its outstanding qualities include comfort, ease of load (through panel access), good padding, high adjustability and large capacity in a good size. Three out of 27 reviewers say the Redwing 3100 is bulky, but that’s the only shared complaint among these users.
Redwing owners say this pack is best used for backpacking, as a daypack, hiking, car camping and day hikes.
Kelty offers a wide range of outdoor products. Its backpack line spans from military and tactical gear to that for the civilian adventurer. All are made with the same quality and attention to detail. Soldiers, understandably hard on their gear, have zero disappointment to express with their Kelty Redwings. “I could literally live out of my bag,” says one.
Although the Redwing 3100 isn’t a small bag, some users are pleased with its ability to be used as a biking pack. One such owner detached the waist strap and used the compression straps to customize the size for his daily bike commutes. The ability to open up the capacity for grocery shopping was a plus, too.
The Redwing makes a fantastic travel bag, fitting (fully loaded) without problem into the overhead bin of a large aircraft, such as a 737. If you’re heading out for an overseas backpacking expedition, take a serious look at the Kelty Redwing 3100.
One user would have liked two alterations to this backpack: a new placement of straps at the top front of the bag, so that using them as compression straps doesn’t hinder main compartment access. Another change would be to offer a few more small pockets. Users also note that, though water resistant, the Redwing 3100 isn’t waterproof. A cover is recommended if you’ll be taking it into very wet areas.
Ready to see the Kelty Redwing 3100 men’s backpack for yourself?
