Kelty Slickrock Review

"A great technical pack that is big enough for the long trips in winter or summer. lots of spots for skis, shovel, tent, etc. Recommend it. Don't really need a pack bigger than this. The wieght is carried lower in the bag than Lowes packs. Lower is better. Way easier to walk up and down hills, manoverbility during skiing. ag97ae@badger.ac.brocku.ca"

"There are actually two versions of this pack. One with tie ones on both sides of the back and one with two long pockets on the back, instead of the sides like other packs. I purchased the one without the pockets. Dumb. The pack will clearly hold anything and everything. The straps are comfortable and it really conforms to your back. I don't have much use for the gopher hole feature, so I would leave that out of considerations. Detachable hip pack top is one of the best out there. Even has a padded fleece zipped section for sunglasses. Great buy, but without a way to get organized, pockets, I am sending it back."

"The pack is one of the strongest packs I have hiked with. I have had mine for four years, it has seen a large amount action including two Philmount Hikes. And not a tear, my gear has never been wet, no complaints with its durability. The only thing it lacks is outside pockets for convienience. But straps make tent, fly, long rope, or sleeping cushion easier to remove and replace on pack for easy packing on those early mornings."

"Have had the pack since 1997 and had to send it in to Kelty for repairs 3 years ago. They repaired it no questions asked and paid shipping (Thanks Kelty!). I have done many week long trips with "Gourmet" meals (I like to eat well and enjoy slaving over the stove on my vacations), therefore it's usually loaded with 70+ pounds of gear on my small (5'9") frame. I love this pack! Sure I've been quite sore after logging the miles and hills hauling it but who isn't really?
The only qualm I've got is the lumbar support and hipbelt. The lumbar pad has diminished to the point of now pressing the aluminum stays into my back and the hipbelt is of mediocre construction. The hip belt has now started to unstitch from the bottom of the pack so back to Kelty it'll go.
After this last week long trip to the Washakie Wilderness I did break down and purchase a replacement for it - Granite Gear Access 5500. 7 years out of a pack, abusing it all the way, is not bad at all - especially for $110 in 1997!

Oh, one thing that I'll miss is the gopher hole which I use to hold my bag of water and route the hose through."