Kelty Red Cloud Review

"big_Shout out to all, the RedCloud was very servicable for me after a week on the AT (Smokies).Toted 48+ pounds without a gripe. Might add this was my first backPacking experiance; so I really have nothing to compare it with."

"Just bought this pack. Love it. Hiked three days with about 50lbs in the White Mountains of NH. Plenty of room, solid construction, good load balancing, no irritations to speak of."

"this pack is one of the most
comfortable packs Ive used. the frame
really forms to you back making this a
great long time use pack. the load lifters make for well distributed weight. Im taking this hiking for three months to south america and I have complete confidence in this pack"

"I just bought the kelty red cloud, and have nothing but praise, i used it for a 3 day 2 night hike alone the AT, carrying loads up to 40 pounds with ease. I might add that the camp trails wrist loops, that attach to the D-rings on the shoulderstrap really help manage the wait, and help with posture."

"bought the RC 5400 end of last summer. it was great! functional and serviceable. i fine-tuned the frame to fit me to a 't' and carried 60+ lbs (have kids, too). the detachable (big) fanny pack for day-hiking was perfect. gotta luv it...rsilva"

"I got this Kelty and its now my favorite from amung two other Backpacks that I have. This Kelty fits well, is comfortable and holds a heavyload tight against your back. Solid performer here."

"This is a quality entry level pack. The stays are just a bit on the flexy side, but the plus (if you call it that)is that you can make the pack fit just by torquing everything down and pulling the stays to the shape of your back!
The load panel is a bit thin, and the belt is a one-size fits all proposition.
Overall, the pack performs surprisingly well for what it is."

"The RedCloud has been a great first-time pack for me. Durability has been no problem after two tough seasons, and it is hard to beat the user-friendly design quirks (bag compartment, detachable lumbar/fanny pack, lots of exposed pockets, bottle pockets etc), especially for the price. I wouldn't recommend this pack, however, for loads exceeding 50lbs, as the stays are soft and the shoulder straps a bit narrow."

"Only used my redcloud 5400 on one trip so far. 40 miles. I was astonished in that I didn't have any of the aches, pains or bruises like previous external frames i owed. I also didn't believe i could get a weeks worth of gear inside (including fishing gear). I did with room to spare."

"I have had the redcloud for about 2 years now, and i have had no problems with it. Its sooo comfortable. The exterior pockets on the side make for quick acess to water bottles and anything else your heart disires to put there. The durability of the pack is cause alone to buy the pack. I have put the redcloud through alot of torture and it never fails to deliver. My friend david was ill informed about the pack untill now. He thinks Kelty is the "Walmart" brand for hiking. Ohhhhhh man was he wrong. I would highly suggest this pack to anyone looking for one."

"As a Den Leader and father taking my kids backpacking, I needed a huge pack. I got the Red Cloud 6650, and am very happy. More space than man should be allowed and plenty of padded suspension to deal with it. I sometimes get low back pain and this puts the weight on my hips nicely.
Pros: well made, lots of pockets and features (H2O comp.; fleece pocket for glasses, security pocket, removable lid/fanny pack); giant capacity
Cons: heavier than some, giant capacity."

"I've had some great times with this pack; using it both in the backcountry, and on different urban trips (mostly lugging in through the airport of the latter type).

I've put tons of wear on it, and i've had over 70-lbs in it from time to time, and it has for the most part, held strong throughout -- even when i was working with troubled youth in the woods for 8 days at a time, sleeping under a individually constructed tarp shelter.

The "brain" of the pack comes off to form a daypack-fanny pack, which works quite well -- but i don't recommend having very much weight in it, as it does not ride comfortably.

Also worth mention is that on one of my airport trips, the back padding started to rip when i pulled the pack onto my shoulder. Later in the trip i sewed it up with with my backpack kit [read: needle and dental floss, haha], and it held fine from there on. When i got my job in the woods, i decided to contact Kelty about what should be done about that, unsure of whether it would hold up to the wear i would be putting on it with my new job. They were VERY helpful and friendly, telling me a repair number, where to send it, and roughly how long it would take. Not 3 weeks later, i had my pack back:

Kelty had replaced (for FREE) the entire back harness / support system of the pack, AND the "brain", because of a damaged (but still functional as far as i was concerned!) zipper.

So, not only do i love the pack, but i'm rather fond of the company and how i have been treated by them on the few occasions that have warranted my contacting them."

"Great product. First pack and Its gone with out a hitch for more than 80 miles. The shoulder straps could be a little widder though. I would recommend to everyone."