Framed For Comfort
Product: Wasatch XPD backpack
Description: A 4,500 cubic inch, six-compartment, Kevlar-reinforced composite external frame pack. Pack bag comes in green with bronze trim.
Pro: Perhaps the best feature of this pack is the newly designed frame, which is made of a Kevlar-reinforced composite. This new frame offers several advantages over the traditional frame pack including: excellent flexibility for greater freedom of movement; wonderful adjustability - with more than 100 adjustment slots molded into the frame, you can literally customize the fit and carrying characteristics of the pack to within an inch; and, because the frame is so flexible, it helps to absorb shock that leads to less fatigue on the wearer. Four external pockets, including two vertical side pockets with expansion bellows, provide for easy organization and access of gear. Pass-through wand pockets provide an easy carry option for long items such as tent poles or fishing rods. Zippered front load panel offers quick and easy-to-view access to gear in the top main compartment. The suspension of molded foam is comfortable and supportive.
Con: None of the seams, except one major seam within the main compartment of the pack, is taped or hot cut. Even with normal wear and tear caused by items jostling around while walking, abrasion from dust, and wear caused by loading and unloading gear, the edges of the fabric near the seams began to fray quickly. As the seams are only single stitched, the potential for seam blow-out is high. For an external frame pack at this price, the very least I would expect is to have the seams taped.
Comments: The lines of distinction between an external frame pack (more rigid with greater carrying versatility) and an internal frame (more flexible with greater carrying comfort and improved center of gravity) have softened. With the Wasatch XPD, the backpacker gets all of the carrying support of an external while still enjoying the flexibility and forgiving suspension comfort of an internal frame.
Suggested Retail: $195.50
Company: The Coleman Co., 250 N. St. Francis, Wichita, KS 67202; (800) 835-3278.