Jandd’S Backpack’S Probably Good Choice

Sun., Sept. 6, 1998

Q. I don’t see a lot of reviews or discussion on Jandd packs in any of the archives. I’m looking for a good 5000 ci internal and was thinking about their Barash model but I can’t find one locally anywhere for a test drive. Why can’t they get better distribution? Is it a conspiracy? The Backpacking Mafia? What? Their stuff is made in the good’ ol USA with domestic fabrics and that is a big selling point with me (all other things equal). I’m in the LA area and will probably drive up to their Santa Barbara factory store to check one out but won’t be able to do side by side comparisons with the local REI and A-16 stuff. I’ve got one of their small lumbar day packs and think it’s great. Any opinions, rumors, or recommendations? I’m 5 feet 11, 170 lbs and will be carrying 40 lbs for 2 to 3-day adventures. Thanks, you do a very good and entertaining job!

Mike Salem

Gear Guy: Jandd is kind of a funny little company. They make a wide line of really well-made stuff, but devote about 67 cents to marketing and promotion. So they have a loyal cadre of users, but nobody else knows about them. I’ve gotta admit, I’m more familiar with their bicycle bags (which are world-class) than their backpacks. But the Barash specs out well. It’s a great size (about 5,200 cubic inches), has solid components and a useful design, and I’m sure is built to Jandd’s usual bulletproof standards. The only question is how the suspension stacks up to other packs in its mid-upper-end price range ($289). Probably pretty well. Moreover, 40 pounds isn’t that great a test for most suspensions. I suspect that given its other attributes and what probably is at least an above-average suspension, you’d be very happy with a Barash.

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