A new daypack

longbow50

longbow50

Joined
Jul 12, 2002
Messages
3,291
As is my MO, I look till I find something I like and it's dirt cheap, meaning it's probably discontinued and half price or something. Anyway, I cruised over to REI and was checking out their packs. I see this smallish pack in a display and ask the guy at the sunglasses case if there's another one in the store. He says nope, that's the last one. That particular pack has been discontinued. So I take it off of the half figured mannequin and try it on (it's stuffed with pillows). He says, he'll find out how much and leaves with it. A few minutes later he comes back with a price of $38.00, so I buy it and bring it home. I load it up with 8# worth of gear and take it for an hour long hike. Did some adjusting to make it weightless and comfortable and when I got home, I felt good about the buy. Great little pack for what I spent to get it. It's called the REI Jet UL, which is an 1800ci/30liter pack that weighs in at a bit over a pound. It is hydration compatible, but they use a couple of tabs to hang the bladder on, instead of adding the heavier pocket. It has a foam back pad, which can be removed for those wanting to save a few ounces of weight. It's stiff, but comfortable when adjusted to the torso. Has a couple of mesh pockets outside and a small zippered pocket on the waist belt. I forgot to take my camera, or I would have taken some shots of using my new Breeden on the short hike, but will get to a review on it later I guess. The pack photos were taken in our rear yard.

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Longbow! I have that pack! I absolutely love it. I carried it all last year. It's a shame it's been discontinued. I wonder what they'll replace it with? I imagine that for most people, it's a tad too short as the hip belt wouldn't do much as far as weight transfer to the hips. It fits me perfectly, though. My wife added an additional pocket to the hip belt for me. You're gonna love your new pack!
 
I have that one as well. It is one of my very favorites. Congrats, but it's too bad it's discontinued.
 
Thanks for your responses. Good to see you are all happy with the little pack. Glad I'm in good company with my choice. I asked what they were replacing it with and he didn't have a clue.
 
My wife has the ladies version and really loves it. Its very lightweight.
 
Thats a good looking pack, I need to get myself a bigger pack. Guess I'll start looking around too:D
 
As is my MO, I look till I find something I like and it's dirt cheap, meaning it's probably discontinued and half price or something.
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That's my MO as well. Need a pack or sleeping bag, pick from whatever's on the best sale at Sierra Trading Post. I mean, what the heck do I care if it's last year's color?!? :D

Haven't gotten a bad deal yet. Glad you've had luck too!
 
comoha said:
My wife has the ladies version and really loves it. Its very lightweight.
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Comoha- I really don't think there is a ladies version. Are you thinking of a different pack, maybe? If you ARE right, I'm curious how it differs. :confused:

I carry a cheap blue foam pad in mine that is cut down so that it lines the inside of the pack with one revolution. The pad is 16.5 wide and 27" long. It's actually a trapezoid shape in that the other long side is 25.5" long. I roll it up, put it in the pack (the 25.5" side in first) and then let it unroll to line the pack. This does four things: The pad protects the (lightweight) pack. It provides somewhat of a quasi-frame, stiffening the pack. It keeps sharp stuff from jabbing into your back. Most importantly, for me, is that using the pad along with the pack itself I can keep most of my body off the ground if I lay in a fetal position should I need to spend an unexpected night in the woods.
 
That looks like a pretty nice pack.
Your MO sounds pretty good. I try to adopt that approach myself as well.

Good score
 
Looks very good. I also love this type of pack with single snap lid, light, easy to carry lots of things.
Thanks for sharing as this product may be one of my next choice.
 
I just went to REI's site and discovered that, not only is the above Jet Pack discontinued, but they've also eliminated their 1030 cu. in. Flash pack, my (and many others) favorite ultralight day pack. I'm surprised because it was so popular. It weighed ounces, and cost $25 new. I sure hope they replace it with something similar. It was such a simple and capable little pack.
 
Scott, I had the Flash pack for a short while and while busting a little brush, a limb caught the pack and the sternum strap broke. I took it back and got my money. I liked it, but wanted to carry a bit more with me, so I could maybe use the pack for a weekend jaunt, as well as day hikes. It took me a couple months to replace it with a pack that I liked and was inexpensive.

Thanks all for your input. I had it out today when the sun was shining. Half way through my hike, the rain started falling, so I finished with my USGI poncho. I like this little pack. It's a great size and and I forget it's there. :thumbup:
 
Longbow- you have a Mora 2000--right? The funky greens of the M2000 compliment the funky greens of the Jet Pack perfectly-- if you're into forest fashion. :)
 
Scott Free said:
Longbow- you have a Mora 2000--right? The funky greens of the M2000 compliment the funky greens of the Jet Pack perfectly-- if you're into forest fashion. :)
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Yup, I do have an M2K. I know what you mean. My main backpack is the same color and the 2000 lives in it.:thumbup:
 
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