The Kelty Tioga 5000 external frame backpack is a back country classic.
It has got load hauling capability.
It has got a ton of capacity and the ability to lash lots of gear to the outside.
We are going to take a closer look at its suspension, its access features, every-thing
that has made it such a reliable back country favorite.
I am going to take the Tioga off and flip it around so we can take a look at its suspension
system.
On an external frame pack you certainly have rigidity and stability.
That is what makes it so capable of carrying heavy loads.
Aluminum frame that runs the full perimeter of the pack itself, high overhead when this
is on your shoulders, again, gives great support to the pack.
Suspended from that farm you have got really beefy padding on the con-toured shoulder straps.
You have got nice padding on the hip belt as well, a nice wrap to that padding.
There is adjustability on the hip belt.
There is adjustability on the shoulder straps, load lifter straps above the shoulders to
also, again, really dial in that fit.
You can adjust the height of the frame so that it will accommodate a fairly broad range
of torso sizes, so a nice feature there, as well.
Again, excellent support.
You do have some nice ventilation.
There is basically a screen panel here, adds a little bit of support, not a lot of cushioning,
but it does create some separation so air can flow between your back and the actual
pack bag of the Tioga.
Turning the Tioga back around we will take a look at its broad array of organizational
fea-tures.
Again, another stand out on a pack like this.
So it is big.
It will carry a lot of stuff, 5500 cubic inches, 90 liters worth of stuff.
But it doesn’t just haul it.
It also organizes it nicely.
You have got a fairly traditional lid that gives you top access to the main pack bag,
a draw string closure up here on top into a very, very sizable interior panel.
You have got a very large zippered pocket here on the front of the pack, just a huge
pocket there.
You can get all kinds of stuff inside that.
Also a lower zippered sleeping bag compart-ment.
There is a shelf that separates that lower compartment and the top compartment, but you
can also remove that or open it up so you have got one single, large internal com-partment.
You have got side pockets, an enormous pocket here.
I actually have two different water bottles stuffed inside it.
And on the outside of that is yet another large zippered storage pocket.
Down below yet another zippered storage pocket.
So you have got organization there as well.
A very, very long and deep zippered storage pocket here on the side of the pack and you
also have pass through storage in behind that pocket.
So whether I would put my trekking poles in there or tent poles, other gear, there is
all kinds of places to store items.
There is even a zippered pocket here on the top of the lid, ideal of maps or other things
you just want to have quick and easy access to.
Daisy chains running down the face.
You can lash gear there.
The frame itself certainly allows for lashing of gear up high or down below.
It could be a sleeping bag.
It could be a sleeping pad or any and all types of gear.
You do have compression straps here across the front or that serve as compression straps.
You can lash those down, but you can put gear behind that as well.
Trekking pole loops, just all kinds of access, organizational lashing features on the Tioga.
So, again, if you are looking for a time tested back country work horse, a pack that will
carry a lot of weight in a stable fashion with organizational features, all kinds of
storage capacity, the Kelty Tioga 5500 external frame pack is worth a closer look.