Kelty Super Tioga Review

"External frame packs rule. At least when you're talking about carrying a heavy load on long backpacking trips. Two years ago I rented an internal frame pack and spent a week in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. The strain on my shoulders and back was major distraction. Last year I did the same trip using a big external frame pack -- a Kelty Super Tiaoga. What a difference. All of the weight was on my hips and legs. I since have purchased a Super Tiaoga and have used it on several long backpacking trips in The Smokies. The pack has numerous compartments for organizing your load and the frame has plenty of room for strapping stuff on. This is a great pack."

"This is a large external frame pack with plenty of space for longer trips. I've used it extensively, hiking for days at a time on trips in the Sierra Nevada and Washington State. The quality of construction and materials is second to none. I came to that conclusion after I was forced to roll the pack down a steep rocky hill and it ended up with no damage whatsoever (some of the contents of the pack didn't fare as well). There are many zippered pockets of all shapes and sizes and the big main compartment has a top/bottom divider to prevent everything in that area from ending up at the bottom. The shoulder and hip belts have firm but comfortable padding, and their adjustment straps are sturdy and work well to keep the pack from leaning away from you and shifting too much. There's a big mesh screen on the frame to provide ventilation for your back. There are lots of places on the frame to tie things onto, and the pack itself has many stitched-on fasteners you can use with your own straps to carry even more (sleeping bag, pad, tent -- anything rolled up or in a stuff sack). I bought mine new about four years ago ('95) for around $130, so it may be more or less than that now. The Super Tioga is a pack that should serve any serious backpacker well for years. It's definitely worth considering."

"The Super Tioga is an excellent external frame pack. I have used mine for weeklong trips, and have felt little discomfort. The pack has internal hydration system pockets as well as external mesh pockets that are great for water bottles and other easy access items. Inside, there is a pack divider that allows you to move your gear higher if you're carrying a smaller load. The hip belt has a lumbar support pad, and the shoulder straps are comfortable as well. My only complaint -- the sleeping bag compartment OPENING is a little small, and the rounded zippers make it difficult to open and close. Then again, maybe my bag is too big!"

"i had a camp trails external (that i got for 49.95)for 15 years until the hip belt wore out. saw a super tioga on sale and picked it up. i didn't realize how far packs have come in 15 years. the pack bag is big enough for over a week trip and can handle a big load. ive done 5 15 mi. days with no pain at all. i had to do some fine tuning to keep the belt from sliding down but so far its a great pack"

"A heavy external frame pack with a rigid aluminum frame, the Super Tioga is made "old style" with a very wide, high-riding pack. This is great for broad-shouldered folks, not so great if you're thin and tall, as the pack often catches brush. The aluminum frame is also 'old-school' and has absolutely no flex, which makes crossing broken terrain a dicey proposition. Also, as designed it is quite heavy. I cut over a pound off mine by eliminating the useless sleeping bag compartment and wires, and attaching the pack bag to a light Coleman synthetic frame (which also flexes with body movement). Kelty needs to update this design."

"For heavy loads and long hauls, there's not enough good that I can say about this pack. I've had mine for about 2 years, and it's been on everything from long mile treks to car-camping. There's so much space and ability to organize that it's basically become my suitcase as well as my trekking pack. The only mod that I've made is to trim the slack on all the webbing after having dialed in the adjustments."

"Ten days across New Zealand and this pack did very well, once I got the straps adjusted correctly. The sleeping bag compartment is useless, and only decreases the amount of space inside, though you can remove the divider to rectify the situation. That's why I give it 4 out of 5 stars. Otherwise, I'm very happy with this pack."

"have had mine for 6 yrs now and so far its the best hiking investment yet. Ive only changed the removable pins for I bolts so I can bungee cord or rachet strap stuff to outside as well. Well built and versital design Cuddos to Kelty and they need to bring it back....."

"Bought this pack almost 10 years ago and have taken it on at least 5 long trips. Have carried 80+ pounds with no prob. Plenty of room is a good and bad quality, you have space for all your gear, but if you're not careful you'll always fill it anyway. Good pack for the money."