Camp Trails Mckinley Review

"I bought two McKinley packs 20 years ago. One for me and one for my 8th grade son. I've carried mine in the Gila Wilderness in New Mexico more times than I can count. It has always perforned well and will hold more than I want to carry. The only improvement I made was to add padding on the shoulder straps. However, it's now worn and the waterproofing is failing. I guess after 20 years of being carried, dragged, thrown, dropped, and rained on it's earned retirement. If I could go back 20 years I would buy it again. My son carried his on a 110 mile trek at Philmont Scout Camp and my sister still carries hers. Want a good rugged pack? Get a Camp Trails McKinley."

"I bought my Camp Trails Mckinley back pack in 1991 when i was a sophmore in high school in boy scouts and have used it ever since having to replace 2 zipper pulls on the sides with paper clips other then that it has been a stand up back pack using it up and down the east coast on the AT and in Florida on the lame Florida Trail and in the Rockies at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico Highly Reccomend this pack if you like external frame packs..."

"For years I had used a cheap pack the name of which I dont even know. Last year to go to Blue ridge mountians I decided to "upgrade". I have always used an external frame and dispite everyone telling me I should switch to internal frame I always felt good with the external. (Put several miles on the other - whites
several times, etc.) I purchased a Camptrails McKinley which was one of the worst decisions of my life. The thing was priced reasonable but the quality left much to be desired. By the end of the second day, I had the fastener on the belt break, I had ripped fabric, I had zippers that ripped off the fabric, I had a zipper that broke, where the sholder straps meet the frame the posts that hold them bent. I was not unreasonable with the pack dispite my urges to throw it over the edge of Mary's rock. Furthermore It was
uncomfortable to the Nth degree. Camptrails did fix the pack quickly but I will never take it anywhere even on a day hike. I now wish I had my old piece of crap pack back - at least it was comfortable. Well onto an internal frame."

"I just read Rick's review on the Camptrails McKinley. I am very supprised by his experiences. I have had a McKinley for 3 years and use it extensively in the jungles of Panama. I find it very comfortable even when working my way through thick rain forest. I have had no problems with the quality of the pack (zippers, faberic, or frame)and I am very rough on the gear. I really cannot think of any problems I have had with the pack."

"I have a McKinley pack on the super freighter frame, and I love it! I am a fairly large guy, at 5' 11'', and 235 lbs. I can adjust the frame to fit my 20" neck, and have carried over 100 lbs on this pack and frame. I couldn't be happier!"

"I 've had it for about two years now an gone through tundra , rain forest, and swampy areas in south america, not to mention backpacking for about two months down there and everything is still almost intact I think its a good backpack not of the best but very good"

"I loved it, it worked so well for me I do not see how anyone could dislike it! I think he was just trying to say that because he didnt like it I dont really think that happened because I have had mone for 4 years and I am 45 and I go camping every weekend. My husband and I love to go hiking and I couldnt use another backpack after that."

"I've had mine for two years and have been completely happy with it. It's a comfortable pack, loads, carrys well and is home away from home. I got more than just what I paid for."

"I've used the Camp Trails McKinley for 5 years now and its a great pack. Especially considering the price is as about as low as they get for an external frame pack.

It has, over the years, loosened around stitched seems that hold the load of the pack (very dangerous). I've had to restich them a few times. Also, wore thru the aluminum tubing in a couple place...but i attribute this to all the use its gotten.

All in all, i think its the best strategy to buy this type of pack and throw it away after a few years and buy another rather than spending a couple hundred bucks on a better pack that won't give you the same value."

"I used this pack for about 4 years while in Boy Scouts. It held up on a fifty foot tumble down Mt Monroe on the Presidentials of NH, to two weeks of extreme heat at Philmont Scout Ranch, NM to name a few. This pack has been used in -10 to 115 degree weather, no problems. To bad it didn't survive the last move I had. Still usable, just needs work. Not bad considering it was a factory second model. Doing it all over again, I would have used the same pack."

"I've inherited this pack from my cousin. He'd used it for a few years out in the Mojave area, but it's new home is with me (which I'm very grateful for) in the Catskills/Adirondacks area. I too have been told I should get an internal frame, but I REALLY like externals for a number of reasons (air can get to my often-sweaty back, bars to strap bags/tents to, etc). Maybe the fact that it's my first pack has something to do with it, but this pack has held up just fine, and I've no complaints about comfort or quality, even though I've put it through quite a bit of abuse myself (and who knows how much abuse it suffered while in his possession!).

LOVE it. I'm actually glad to see it's still in production, as I plan to buy another of the same exact make once this one finally wears itself down on me. Great price for a decent pack, as well. Good value."

"I purchsed my Mckinley 15 years ago. It has made 13 trips into the backcountry of Yellowstone and numerous short trips in Wisconsin. It has been overloaded with to much inside things hanging from the outside. My appearance has been compared to a tinker. I bought it by comparing ratings and price. I was lucky to get this pack sight unseen. Would replace it with the same pack if it wears out before I do."

"I have used this pack for 20-years hiking the Appalachian Trail, with NO problems. One EXCELLENT product."

"I've had my Camp Trails pack since 1994 and I love it. I think it's a "McKinley" model but I'm not certain. I've packed and hiked all over the world with it (Indonesia, Phillipines, Japan, Australia, Peoples Republic of China and all over North America). It's well worn and ragged, but it still comfortably packs a heavy gear load (50+lbs), often for weeks on end. I love the outer pockets which keep my stove and fuel bottles separate from all my other gear and food. It's both light weight and durable, which is an unusual combination. I've not had any real problem with it. All the zippers still work and the shoulder straps and ties are still intact. It was inexpensive but it has lasted well over 1000 miles of hiking. It fell off a van and skidded along the Burma road in China. I sewed one of the ties back on and patched an abrasion, but everything else was fine. I recommend it to anyone, assuming it fits you. If and when I wear it out, I'll certainly buy another. Don't know what else you could ask of a back pack."