Living in the Northwest virtually obligates you to having a large ("serious") backpack. How else is one supposed to enjoy the breathtaking scenery?! One of my favorite things to do is go out to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and camp with my girlfriend. It is so beautiful out there! Around Mt. Rainier is pretty nice too. And of course, Mt. Hood is always fun! We've made many trips to Mt. St. Helens as well, but there are too many tourists for my liking.

This is a backpack meant for someone that does more than just occassional backpacking and hiking. With the Morning Star 65 you'll be able to take off for 3 days or so without turning back!


The Morning Star 65:

The Morning Star 65 is designed for your entry-level, carry just enough to get by adult. If you're overly rotund or short, or really tall this pack might not work so well. It will fit your average person of average height just dandy. I'm 6'4" and 250 lbs (a lean 250) and this is the pack I use so go from there. The shapped and padded shoulder straps team up with the hipbelt and sternum strap to give you a snug fit. The straps also help relieve pressure on your back by transfering some of the weight to your hips. They also give you some control over the balance of the pack. Remember, light stuff on bottom - heavy on top. It's easier to carry that way. Essential items should be in the outermost pockets or in the cargo pockets of your pants/shorts or a vest. To stablize your load there are six compression straps - 2 vertical and 4 horizontal. These also come in handy if you want to bring a jacket or something else just stuff it under the compression straps. There's the main compartment, a top pocket, 2 side pockets, 1 front pocket, and an interior pocket. For you crazy hikers there's an ice axe loop. Daisy chains and accessory patches allow you to attach additional gear to the pack. Since REI didn't make an allowance for an integrated hydration system (Camelbak) they added two water bottle pockets. When the pack is empty it's a relatively ligth 4 lbs. It's made out of super-tough 420-denier ripstop nylon and has a Kodra nylon bottom of added strength and durability.


Specs:

- 4,200 Cubic Inches (29 x 13.5 x 9 inches)
- Fits Torso 18 - 22 Inches
- Fits Waist 29 - 50 Inches
- Nylon Ripstop
- Aluminum Frame
- 7 Pockets + Main Compartment
- Weight 4 lbs. 4 oz.
- Sleeping Bag Compartment


Things To Remember:

Always tell at least two people (two that aren't going with you) where you are going and when you will be back. This way they can notify authorities if you don't show up on time. Take a map and compass - and be sure you know how to use them! Never backpack by yourself! You can't imagine how many times the local Search & Rescue has to go out and rescue some retard that was out alone and got lost. For example, this one guy went out by himself. He was rapelling down a cliff. Somehow he gets his arm trapped beneath a rock and is stuck for like 5 days with no food or water. Eventually he cuts his own arm off and hikes like 10 miles before he's found! There's no reason this has to be you! No one knew to look for him because no one knew where he was or when he'd be back. Usually when I go out with friends we go in pairs (a group of 4 in pairs of 2). And we always carry those little Motorola radios (5 mile range) and check in with each other every 5 minutes or so when we're split up for whatever reason.

- Food
- Water
- Matches/Lighter
- Compass & Map
- Friends
- Radios
- First Aid Kit
- Tell 2 people where you're going and when you'll be back.


Overall:

This is a great pack for a 1-3 day camping trip if you dont want to take any additional gear you can fit enough in the 65. Probably the biggest downside to the Morning Star 65 is the fact that it doesn't have a built-in space for a hydration system (Camelbak). However, that doesn't mean you can't just put one in the 65, it just makes things easier when they are integrated. You'll certainly have plenty of room for all of your stuff. This is a huge pack. It is rugged, REI makes good products so you don't have to worry about buying a new one for a long time! Unless, you need more packing space! With 4,200 cubic inches you'll be hefting a lot of weight, make sure you're in good enough shape to handle it.


Final Say:

REI is great and the Morning Star 65 is inexpensive. For the price it'd be very difficult to get a better backpack of this size. The shoulder straps could have been a little wider to prevent them from pinching into your shoulders, but I think for most people it'll be fin. If you need one for multi-day trips, the Morning Star 65 should be your choice. It's worked for me!


www.rei.com


Thanks!




Recommended: Yes