The Gear House

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

If you are looking for a great name brand pack, then the Kelty Illusion backpack is a great option. The features are plentiful and the space is great. Here is a quick run down of the features/details of the pack:

• Twin LightBeam™ aluminum stays are strong, lightweight, and shaped for comfort; HDPE (high-density polyurethane) frame sheet
• Spacermesh™ breathable two-layer padded waistbelt, backpanel, and padded shoulder straps
• Extra-large front-loading panel; top panel loading; internal load pocket; adjustable suspension
• Sternum strap for extra stabilization; load-lifter straps; belt stabilizers; daisy chain for external storage; ice axe loops
• Hydration compatible; shovel pocket; four mesh side pockets (two with draw-cord closure); security pocket
• Scherer™ cinch works similar to a pulley system for easy adjustment and tightening of waistbelt
• Spindrift collar for expandable loading; side compression straps; lash tabs

I have had the chance to use this pack about 6 times since I purchased it about 8 months ago. It started out as an item that I scooped up for an incredibly reasonable price (about 50% of retail) and was going to resell it, however, I was looking for a new pack and thought that this would be a good new pack.

I have taken it out on a couple short backpacking trips (3 days) and have had great success with it. All of the pockets and the different access points to them allow for you to get into the pack easily and without much fuss. If you are one to pack a lot of gear, sometimes I like to take extra gear to test it out, then there is plenty of room in the pack for it.

The pack also features a great system of adjustable straps to help you adjust and fit it to your body, including adjusting the height of the back pads and the shoulder straps, as well as load adjusters to bring the pack closer to your back and take some of the weight off of your shoulders.

Overall, I have had great experiences with the pack so far and will continue to use this internal frame backpack until a problem arises. Having this pack in my closet, brings my pack count up to 4 different packs for different uses.

Pick it up at Backcountry.com, or on eBay.

Need some help with packing your backpack? Check out this article.