Bora 95

Comfortable and huge. Lots of bells and whistles...If you took all the plastic buckles and extra cordura/webbing that are not part of the pack's basic structure, you could probably shave two pounds without compromising either comfort or structural integrity.

Disclaimer: for anything but 50+ lbs of gear, this pack is too heavy. This is an expedition pack. If you buy this pack and no other, you will be quite disappointed on overnight summer trips, because the pack alone weighs 8 pounds. For most of my trips these days, both day and overnight, I prefer the 2.5-pound Arc'Teryx Khamsin 38.

On overnight backcountry climbing trips, where a huge load was unavoidable, the pack has served me well. The pack holds a big load securely and rides symmetrically on the user's back. The pack has a detachable hip pack which is useful for summit jaunts.

There are probably better deals than this pack, but so far I have yet to find a better pack in this size. Quibbling about a pound or so makes little sense when looking at packs of this size, if you aren't carrying 50 lbs at least then you've got the wrong pack. I like the fact that it comes in 3 sizes as I've found in the past that one size fit's all packs don't really work that well for me.



The one technical feature of this pack that stands out for me is the swivelling hip belt. I really think this makes a big difference in the effort required to haul large loads and it certainly makes skiing and scrambling easier.

Great pack, great capacity, haven't used a pack that carries as well as this one.

It is a bit pricey , but it is worth it. The new models have shed some weight by adding waterproof zippers and re-engineered materials. But it is as bombproof as the original ones.

I used the Bora 95 this summer (July 11) for two weeks in the Cascades Northern Pickets. This pack will hold all your stuff for an extended trip and still ask for more. I even had a chance to do world class bush-whacking with this monster. When others were having ice axes ripped off their packs by the undergrowth the Bora kept it all together. I now know why ArcTeryx put a double bottom in this thing. All the butt sliding I did could not compromise it. My only complaint is the waist belt. I have no hips and had difficulty moving the weight off my shoulders onto my hips. Other than that, it’s a perfect pack for times when you need the absolute best in materials and construction.