Let me start with this. It appears that my upcoming Fiji trip is no longer happening. Unfortunately, this South Pacific nation has been hit with some severe flooding over the past week due to a series of storms, including a cyclone, that passed over the area. As a result, the country is not in any condition to host a group of travel bloggers as they deal with much more pressing matters.
Actually, the press trip hasn’t been canceled. It’s just been re-scheduled but because of some other commitments I have back in Europe, there’s a good chance I won’t be able to participate with the new dates.
So to begin with, I want to send my positive thoughts to Fiji and to wish its people a quick recovery from these floods. Hopefully this situation will be over with as soon as possible and normal life on the islands will resume. I’ll certainly be keeping Fiji at the top of my list of potential destinations and hope to make it there at some point in the near future.
BACKPACK THERAPY
Of course, upon hearing the news that the Fiji trip would not be going ahead as scheduled, and despite the reason being perfectly understandable, I still felt quite bummed out as I had traveled all the way to the US specifically for this trip. However, there is one thing that always cheers a traveler up and after a few minutes of moping around my friend’s apartment, I immediately decided to partake in this therapeutic activity myself. It was time to buy some travel gear!
More specifically, I decided to buy a new backpack, which, admittedly, is something I would have had to do anyway given the decaying condition of my current backpack. But once the Fiji trip was called off, this mission suddenly took on a sense of urgency, transforming itself from something I needed to get done eventually into a vital session of healing.
My trusty Kelty Redwing 2900, that backpack that has traveled with me all over this planet for the past twelve years, finally reached the end of its career. But twelve years is a long time for a backpack to be in use, especially when you consider that my backpack is my life and it is constantly by my side, whether I’m backpacking in Asia, working on board cruise ships, living in Mexico, traveling around the Middle East or whatever I happen to be doing.
In fact, this backpack served me so well that it absolutely deserves to spend the rest of its days relaxing on a beautiful beach in Hawaii. It’s actually going to spend the rest of its days sitting on the top shelf of a closet, but at least it’s warm in there and you can hear the water passing through the pipes.
THE SEARCH BEGINS
My search for a new backpack started off with a trip to Paragon Sports, a well-known sporting goods/outdoor shop in Union Square here in New York City. I spent about an hour inside, unzipping, re-zipping, inspecting, stuffing, un-stuffing and trying on as many different backpacks as possible. I’m a bit picky though, and so by the time I left the store, my list of possible winners consisted of only two backpacks.
After Paragon Sports, I returned to my friend’s apartment, sat down at my laptop and conducted some more research. I studied the benefits of traditional backpacks versus duffel fusion packs versus backpacks with wheels. I contemplated long and hard about sizes, styles and yes, even colors. And my eyes read over hundreds of user reviews for every backpack I came across.
It was a painful experience indeed but sure enough, about three and a half hours into this research, I eventually had that moment of genius that I had been waiting for my entire life.
MY SHINING MOMENT
I suddenly realized that if my Kelty Redwing 2900 had treated me so well, and the newer version of the same backpack received such extremely high ratings on every website I checked, and this newer version also made my short list when I was in Paragon Sports, then I should naturally purchase this new version, the Kelty Redwing 50.
Feeling ever so proud at having reached such a brilliant conclusion, I then did what came naturally. For some reason, this involved turning off my laptop and walking down the street to Bagel World, where I devoured a super-soft pumpernickel bagel piled high with chicken salad, tomatoes and extra pickles, and in the process, seemed to completely forget about backpacks altogether.
When I returned to the apartment after my meal, I did some work, played around with my friend’s bongo drums, juggled for a bit, cut my toenails and then, well, took a nap. Only after I woke up from this delightful rest a couple of hours later did I sit back down in front of my computer and continue my backpack shopping, feeling the need to check the internet one more time before making a decision.
(My guess is that I was actually feeling very sad about having to say goodbye to my old backpack and I had trouble pulling the trigger on a new one as a result.)
THE END OF AN ERA
Finally, at 5:52pm, and with a hint of a tear in my eye, I logged onto Amazon.com and made my purchase, having indeed chosen the….
Kelty Redwing 50 Internal Frame Pack (Charcoal color)
So, why did I choose to stick with the Kelty Redwing series?
- Durability – These packs can easily handle the rigors of constant world travel as proven by my Redwing 2900 which remained strong for over 4400 days of travel, through 76 countries, on 100+ flights and despite being slashed open with a knife at the hands of Austrian customs officials.
- Organization – Still by far the best zipper/compartment system I’ve seen. As one of the only backpacks on the market that offers panel-loading, once you unzip the main compartment, you have access to everything as if it were a proper suitcase. I don’t like top-loading backpacks where you have to stuff everything inside and then remove all of your possessions just to find a pair of socks at the bottom.
- Size – The capacity of my old backpack was 2900 cubic inches / 47 liters and while Kelty doesn’t make that size anymore, I went with the 3100 cubic inches / 50 liter version this time around. This is still small enough to take as a carry-on when flying, yet has more than enough space to carry everything that a long-term traveler could possibly need.
- Simplicity – If there’s one thing I don’t understand, it’s a backpack with dozens of very random compartments, dozens of straps with purposes that are impossible to figure out and hundreds of inexplicable zippers all over the place. The Kelty Redwing series ignores that trend completely, offering backpacks that are straightforward and simple and thus, in my opinion, the most intelligently designed of them all.
- Price – At $84 on Amazon.com
it’s an absolute bargain.
And for those very reasons, I am excited to fly back to Europe in a couple of weeks with my new Kelty Redwing 50 by my side, or better yet, on my back.
Before I end, I must also say that moments after I purchased my new backpack, I sat down next to my old Kelty Redwing 2900, massaged its shoulder straps and whispered a few words of gratitude. I then tried my best to express to it the importance of our friendship before I lifted the backpack ever so gently and placed it inside of that closet. It was a tough moment, but I shall have only wonderful memories of the time we spent together during this most remarkable era of my nomadic travels.
Any thoughts on backpacks? Do you have a particular favorite? Or if you’re in the market for a new backpack, any questions?
Back in 1999, I left home for a 3 month trip to Asia that has still yet to end.
Sad day! It must have been tough to acknowledge the end of the road for you and your friend – I understand, though. I just sent one of our Asia backpacks home with a friend to lighten our load coming home in a month. We’d only been with our bags for 2.5 years, but…man, through so much! I actually teared a little as I looked at it for the last time, sitting by the front door waiting for the courier, knowing this was the end of the trip for it (honestly, I even felt a little guilty for sending it home early, like it didn’t deserve to not finish the trip with us! Travel does strange things to us backpackers, doesn’t it?
).
Lol maybe you should auction yours off to your faithful blog readers as a fundraiser.
Also – if they need to fill your press trip spot if you can’t make the reschedule…I’m available. Please pass on my name. (lol – but seriously).
Congrats on the new purchase, may it take you far and wide, and hopefully to our crossed paths finally!
Hey G – Thanks for that and yes, hopefully my new bag and I will find ourselves in the same place as you at some point! And I could auction the pack off, but I’m not sure how that would go considering the inside is deteriorating and the knife slashes get larger by the day…it’s a real mess at the moment
Great post, Earl. 12 years is a very long time to go with one piece of equipment; I can’t actually think of anything I own that I’ve had for that long, aside from maybe a videogame system or two. I suppose all the experiences you have together with your gear does create a sort of a bond, doesn’t it? Like a warrior and his blade, maybe?
I’m glad you gave the new Kelty Redwing such good reviews – I’ve been looking at getting a backpack myself, and 84$ is a fantastic price.
Hey Patrick – A bond was definitely created as my backpack was the only thing that accompanied me on every adventure over the years. Wherever I was, it was there too and it will be strange to get on that plane in a couple of weeks and leave that pack behind.
And as for the $84, it is a great price indeed!
Don’t get rid of it! 12 years of traveling by your side is loyalty. It deserves to stand as a shrine somewhere iny our home (at a relatiive’s place if you have no fixed address)
I have a similar story, but ironically enough, with a little carry-on wheelie. It is blac, one of the zippers is broken, but I still can’t give it away. Has been with me since my very first trip and has gone with me on every adventure, except my trip to Curacao in Nov. because I wanted a bag with no wheels. But my Wheelie is still in my bedroom, waiting for the next adventure…! I
m somewhat attached to it–simply looking at it makes me remember countless of adventures we’ve had together, the best being hithhiking and couchsurfing around Israel solo for 3 weeks — ahh! Can’t wait to do it again
Loved how you made the post so emotional
Hey Maria – I certainly won’t be throwing my old backpack away any time soon…it will be kept in a safe place until I figure out what to do with it eventually!
And yes, a backpack that we are attached to does provide constant reminders of the experiences we’ve had. In fact, sometimes, the backpack was the only other thing around during the good and the bad times, and as a result, it’s impossible to look at it without getting a bit emotional!
Wow, 12 YEARS??? THAT’S INCREDIBLE! Man, I’ll say you made the right decision in sticking with that brand for sure. In fact, I’m ordering one for my son! Thanks for doing all the research. I’ve been trying to decide…
Love your posts.
Hey Lori – I’m glad you chose this backpack for your son…with his upcoming travels, this will be more than ideal for him! Thanks for commenting as always
Goodbye old friend! I love the sentimentality you have toward your pack – minimizing your owned items definitely adds some extra value to the ones that you keep (or that keep you!) Good luck and enjoy your new pack
Hey Dana – That’s the thing, this backpack was my most important possession because it was the only one of my few things that lasted for 12 years! I’ll certainly miss it, but times do change and I’m excited to start the new era as well!
Haha you made me laugh a lot with this article.
12 years is a bloody long time for a backpack! Good on you for going with the same brand again! Kelty should be sponsoring you!!
Hey Conni – Yeah, I’m waiting for their email
It really is a great brand and I simply saw no reason to change at this point…
Bagels have that effect on me too…
Nice work on the choice. You’re not too bothered with the packs that have the day pack zip off the front, or you’re happier to go with a separate smaller day pack?
Travelling through the US (and most places I think) I’m amazed at the size of carry-on allowed. How many kg’s (approx) does your stuff come to? (out of interest)
Hey Andrew – Backpacks with detachable day packs (or detachable anything) are just not my thing! I prefer to use my own day pack (right now I have an REI Zip Pack) which can be rolled up into practically nothing when I don’t need it.
As for the weight of my backpack, usually I carry 8 or 9kg worth of stuff. I prefer to keep it under 10kg at all times.
I was going to ask the same thing! I’ve been on and off reading for over a year now, but I can’t seem to remember if you have one of those “this is what I pack” posts.
I am using a 45L pack, the eagle creek thrive to be exact. I’m not using the zip off day pack though, bc like you, I prefer to use my own. I am using a small Colombian leather satchel type of bag, just big enough for the ole iPad.
It’s good to go light! Andy knows that first hand!
Hey David – I agree completely that the lighter we travel, the better! And 45L is a great size too…it makes moving around so much easier. And I actually did write a post (it’s over a year old though) about what I travel with. Here it is in case you didn’t find it: How Does A Permanent Nomad Pack
Wow! 12 years is really impressive for a single backpack – I can understand your sadness at saying goodbye! I think the longest I’ve gone with a single backpack traveling is 3 years. I just recently got an Osprey Talon 44 pack. I like it mainly because it’s extremely light and can condense down to something very small when there’s not much in the pack. We’ll see how it holds up!
Hey Mark – I looked quite closely at the Osprey Talon series as well and that probably would have been by second choice. I’m sure it will be a great pack as well as it does receive outstanding reviews from users on every site I checked!
Wll done Earl, 12 years! I have an Osprey as well…so far, so good! I also picked it due to the lightweight, but I’m not so sure it will last 12 years!!!
Hey Nate – Osprey was definitely a close second when it came time for me to choose. I’ve heard only positive things about them but the one with wheels (which is what I would have preferred) was too big for me at 60L. Maybe next time…
I think you’re probably the only person who can make a post about a backpack an interesting read! May your bag RIP.
Thank you Deniz
Such a sad story…
As for your questions, I don’t have a favourite backpack. I have a least favourite one…
If there is something I figured out before traveling last summer, it was that Egypt does not sell Backpacks. they do sell the normal small school bags. I searched all over Alexandria, then moved to Cairo where I found cheap chinese bags that looked worse than someone could imagine. I was then told by a wise man selling school bags, that the one I’m looking for is only available in “that” shop and gave me the address.
I went with very high hopes, looked all over the place and couldn’t find it, I asked one of the staff and he didn’t know what I was talking about, he asked another one of the staff who finally was like “aaahhhhh…you’ll find it with the camping gear”
And that is when I found the most precious “Pyramids” bag. I shall post a picture of it
For $30, and lasted barely one month on the Camino de Santiago (I was praying it doesn’t get a major cut before I end my camino, it was starting to get cuts at the straps after less than 20 days 
)
And that my friend is the least favourite backpack for me.
In defence for Pyramids’ camping gear though, their sleeping bags are really good (warm) and low in weight
Hey Mina – That is quite a crappy situation you went through with that backpack. I can see how that would be your least favorite…I think it’s now my least favorite backpack just from reading your story! Anything that lasts less than 20 days should not even be sold and the Chinese bags probably would have lasted longer.
I guess the next time you travel you’ll have a different backpack
I know what it’s like to lose a good friend. I was thinking about upgrading my 40L to a 50L. May have to nip down to REI and try this guy on for size.
Hey Adam – The 50L seems to be a perfect size…it’s still really small but, at least with my new pack, it has much more space than it seems at first. Let me know what you end up getting!
A. Holy crap, 12 years!?
B. Holy crap, your backpack is small!
C. I love all the little pockets on my pack. Helps me keep things organized.
Hey Gigi – Haha…I can see how some people like all of the little pockets. I guess I just don’t have enough stuff for them to be useful
You are one frugal wanderer…
@BoxCanyon – Traveling with just a few possessions gets addicting quite quickly
I have been through this grieving process. Sometimes you just have to put a good one down. My sympathies.
Thank you Tom…as hard as it is, everything must come to an end eventually!
Aww.. always sad to see the end of a backpack’s life. We got ourselves Osprey’s with wheels because they are super convenient. Haven’t had to lift them once yet in our 6 months of travel. I do think you should’ve got one with wheels but hey if you’re happy – GOOD LUCK on your new adventures
Hey Ashray – The main reason I didn’t go with the Osprey backpack with wheels is because the smallest size is 60 liters and to me, that’s just too big. And since I rarely carry more than 8 or 9 kgs worth of stuff, it’s not too bad to carry it around on my back
I love how you wrote this post! Good choice on the bag, I have almost the same one. It’s a Kelty Redwing 3100, and I honestly don’t know what the difference is between it and the one you bought, except maybe it’s a few years older. I have run into problems trying to take it as carry-on. My guess is that since I’m so short (5’1″) the bag just looks bigger on me, so they always question me, and sometimes it weighs too much. I’ve since bought a slightly smaller one (REI brand) that worked out decently for my RTW. But I have too many backpacks. You know how a lot of women love buying new purses? Not me, I may have a backpack addiction. Good luck with the new bag, and sad to hear about the old one. Amazing it lasted 12 years! Maybe take a picture of it to carry around with you, like family
Hey Ali – Actually, I think it is the exact same bag but they recently changed their numbering system (instead of using the cubic inches, they now number the packs by liters). And that’s funny about your backpack addiction
Do you have a closet full of packs??
Good idea about the photo by the way…I might place a photo of the old pack inside the interior pocket of my new pack!
Deniz, you are absolutely right. I subscribed by email probably a year ago. I delete a lot of emails without looking. When I see Earl’s, I always hesitate to delete because I’m afraid I’m going to miss something. He can make a good story out of nothing.
I appreciate that Randall…it really does make me happy to read such a comment and it certainly motivates me to continue with this blog
I hope you’ve been well out there in the Philippines…another country I need to get to soon!
Yeah, congrats!
Looks gooood! I’m searching for new backpack as well…. my search begins soon. I’ll remember your post for my guidance. 
Good luck with your search Juno!
Have you heard of the blackhawk assault pack? It’s military but good quality and fits a lot of stuff too!
Hey Kyle – I have not heard of that pack but will look it up and see what it’s all about.
I too have a beat up old backpack that I’ve been having difficulty letting go of.
Hey Emme – It’s not easy saying goodbye to a backpack. I’m still opening the closet door every day just to say hello to my old pack
Haha, while I’ve only replaced my backpack for practicality-sakes (downsized from a whopping 90L to a 32L after my trip to Asia in 2010), I know from other facets in life how sad it can be to replace something that has been with you through the years!
These days I go with the Deuter Futura 32. I love absolutely everything about it, except perhaps the fact that it’s a top loader. But given it’s small capacity, I use a series of air compression bags for organization, so I don’t mind the top loading aspect. I especially love the ingeniousness way you can squeeze extra space in there, the large gap to allow air to flow to my back (I sweat…a lot) and the suspension system, which makes it feel as if I’m not wearing it at all!
Congrats on your new friend!
Thanks Aaron! Seems like you’ve found the perfect backpack for you…I would love to carry around a 32 liter pack, but don’t think I could manage it quite yet. And I can definitely see how the air compression bags can make a difference, especially with a top-loading pack. I might have to give those a try with my new pack as well…
(And thanks for not bringing your backpack to dinner tonight!)
I live out of a 35 liter and another regular backpack. The 35 liter gets checked in when I fly and I carry on my laptop bag + regular backpack. But almost all of my clothing/life is in that 35 liter
I have a German brand, it’s called Deuter…bought it when I was living in Bulgaria. Super comfortable, rain cover, lightweight, great bag. I’ve only been using it for about 4.5 years now, and it doesn’t even have any wear and tear on it yet. I’m very pleased/happy with it.
I’ve never felt the attachment to bags that I do to a good pair of shoes. For me, that’s where I really feel it. When it’s time to break in a new pair of shoes I have a hard time getting rid of the old ones…been through so much together and they were so comfortable…but when they finally reach that tattered phase it’s time to move on
Hey T.W. – That’s funny about the shoes
I can see how that would happen…but for me, I go through shoes too quickly for me to feel any attachment!
Wow sounds like a great backpack! Is that the only bag you travel with?
Hey Roy – I also travel with a small day pack that can roll up into virtually nothing. Usually I just take that pack out when I’m wandering around some city but not when I’m traveling from one destination to another.
Oddly enough, that’s the backpack Patrick and I have been looking at. We’ve also been looking at the Kelty Lakota 65, Red Cloud 110, and Yukon style backpacks. What are your thoughts on the frame style backpacks?
Hey Michele – Do you mean the external frame packs? If so, I’m personally not a huge fan just because they tend to be bulkier, heavier, less stable and a bit more challenging to lug around. But that’s just my preference…there are people who do like these packs. Although, I must say, I’m really loving my Kelty 50 so far
12 years?! Now that’s quality gear my friend. I have a Redwing 44 and it fits all my stuff perfectly and meets all airline carry on specs.
Congrats on your 2900′s retirement!
Thanks Alberto! Glad to see yet another Redwing fan on here…they are great packs
I love the Kelty backpacks! I have a Kelty Redtail and it has gone through a ton. It handles all kinds of use from school to hiking to traveling to carrying my camera stuff. Kelty’s are really tough and have well thought out designs. Congrats
I currently have a 44. I do NOT love it. At the time all I wanted was a “daypack”, not a bag for traveling, and at 50l the big Kelty would be the same size as my wife’s “backpacking” bag. The 44 is not comfortable. I think it’s to short. It’s too big. I can’t fill it on a day hike or going to work. Things have changed though and I have to carry a bunch of stuff for my kid. Too much stuff for my poor little 32L Deuter (wich I love and is like wearing…. nothing, no matter how much I cram in it) to haul. On the trail the bag is fuller. Around town, not so much. Either way, it’s still not comfortable to hump.
When you picked out your bag did you consider thee 44 at all? Would you think that it is significantly different that “upgrading” would result in a more pleasant carrying experience?
Hey Ken – I did consider the 44 and I would have loved to buy that version but in the end I decided that the 50 would give me a little more flexibility. Of course, every backpack feels different on every person and what feels very comfortable to me (the 44 and the 50 both feel great to me) might not feel as comfortable for someone else.
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Hi Earl,
I just very recently found your website and I’m already a huge fan! Your posts are extremely useful and really well written (something not so easy to find online).
Even for someone not considering a long travel (which I am) it’s interesting and entertaining to read. Thanks for that!
Regarding your “new” pack I was wondering if you would have any extra feedback, since you’ve probably wear it on one of your trips by now. It’s just that I found this not so positive review and was wondering what’s your take on the flaws that are described here:
http://www.amazon.com/Kelty-Redwing-44-Internal-Frame/product-reviews/B004CXENI6/ref=cm_cr_pr_hist_3?ie=UTF8&filterBy=addThreeStar&showViewpoints=0
Cheers, and fun travels
Hey Luisa – I don’t know, the reviews have an average of 4.5 stars out of 5, that’s quite good to me
I still love my backpack and it fits me perfectly, although every backpack fits every person differently of course. I’m still very happy with my purchase!
Luisa, I went ahead and read that review because I don’t really like my redwing and EVERY ONE else LOVES theirs. It saddens me to be “o. The se side” as that guy. I would not take too aeiously any thing that he said.
First, let’s review his un intended kudos. The design of the 44 is the same as the 2650 before it. That particular design of Reding has been well loved by millions for over a decade and has not left any one crippled or dehydrated to death that I have heard of. It HAS been so durable that his last redwing pasted him ten-ish years of not-so-gentl use!
Personally, I have never had any discomfort witht the aluminum stay, which is removable at any rate. Also, I have never had trouble using the water bottle pocket and side pocket at the same time. Of course, you don’t have to use the mesh pocket for any sort of a bottle at all! It will hold many different small items ( dirty socks are my fav).
Also, keep in mind: that guy is using his Redwing for hiking amd adventure skiing and all kinds of super-active outdoor activities. Earl uses his for the same purpose that you have in mind: travel. Even I have to admit that my redwing makes a great container for cloths and toiletries for trips amd back amd forth to work.
This is an amazingly durable and versatile pack for the price. If it fits you well (and I personally don’t like the way that it fits) and like panel-loading back packs, you could do a lot worse than picking a Kelty Redwing!
Hi Ken, thank you for your feedback! I’m seriously considering the Redwing. Hope I find it a good fit!
I’ve been spending FAR too much time researching backpacks for my upcoming RTW trip, hours reading reviews, deciding upon options and trolling travel blogs for what other packs fellow travelers use. Yours is not the first but may be the deciding review telling me that the pack I’ve been using for every trip overseas for the past five years is the one I should stick with!
I’ve used the Kelty 3100 (renamed the 50) for all of my trips and love that it’s not top loading, it’s got nice side pockets for shoe storage, easy access to the various compartments, fits in most overhead bins, etc. I don’t know why I feel compelled to buy a new pack for the trip, just a little worried that what has served well for 14 day trips might not handle a long term one, you seem to have proven that wrong! So I need to maybe learn how to pack a bit lighter eh, ha.
Hey Frank – I do think you might already have the perfect backpack. It sure can handle long-term trips and if you’re able to leave a few extra things behind, then you’ll be able to travel around with ease. I wouldn’t spend the money for a new pack when you have this great one already!
I’ve had a Redwing 2900 for years, and it’s simply the best and most versatile of all the pack I own. And I own too many.
Do any airlines hassle you about the size for carry-on? Technically, it’s a few inches taller than the 21.5″ maximum. I’ve taken mine as carry on in the past, but airlines are a bit stickier these days. I think it’s about 24.5″ tall in the large version.
Any problems lately? I’m thinking of taking it to India in December, but I’d hate to have to check it at the last minute.
I’ve had my Redwing 2900 since 2002. And for a little more. At first I thought it was time to get a new one, but decided not just yet. So I am preparing to ship my Kelty to have the failed zipper repaired. I l o v e my Redwing 2900.
I am a big Hawaiian man and it suits me well!
Aloha,
–Liko
Aloha Liko – Thanks for sharing your experience with this backpack. It’s a hard pack to get rid of or even replace…it’s funny how attached we become to a good pack
Thanks for this awesome blog, Earl! I’m graduating high school early and leaving in mid-January to backpack through Europe for several months. The Redwing 50 will be my first pack. For future reference, I bought mine through an eBay store for only $55! Here’s the site: http://stores.ebay.com/Altatac/_i.html?_nkw=redwing+50&submit=Search&_sid=623602658
I enjoyed your storyreview very much. I too have an worn old Kelty friend, an external frame pack with old travel dirt still falling out of the corners. I still use it to hump the family toys and tackle to and from the beach. Since July I have read and re-read reviews and looked at day packs. I have purchased three and then almost immediately returned them all one by one. I liked the Redwing 50 best of the three. It’s utilitarian. I loaded it with sixty pounds and it was the nicest pack I’ve had on my back. But I quickly discovered with that test load in the living room it was too long and the center aluminum stay always hit the back of my head when I looked up. I tried both sizes of the pack and Kelty graciously returned each one. I concluded I would get the shorter one, the Redwing 44. Now the holidays are over, I again have researched days upon days all my options and now I am in a dilemma. Should I get the Redwing 44 Or the new Redwing 44? Kelty just updated the Redwing series and while the last version is fantastic, Kelty somehow improved what seemed perfect. I will get a Redwing 44 shortly. But I need to think this one over a beer or two.
Hey Jack – Let us know what you decide and how it goes!
I have the same exact Kelty Redwing 50. Same color too. Mine is M/L size. I love it 1000x over. One question though, has your new Kelty passed the airline size restrictions for a carry on? We’ve booked an alaska cruise for our honeymoon and I can’t imagine leaving my new Kelty behind. But it technically doesn’t make the airline standards (American Air) of 22x14x9 or 45 linear inches total. I think the published dimensions are 25x18x12. I can avoid packing it all the way full and “hope” I’ll pass security, but I’m just not certain. Just wondered what your experience was in this regard.
Hey Dave – So far I’ve taken my new Kelty as a carry-on on board at least 10 flights or so (with several different airlines) and have never been stopped or questioned at all. In fact, a couple of times, when I went to check it instead (sometimes I prefer to do this), the check-in staff asked me why I wasn’t just taking it on the plane with me!
Hi Dave,
Similar to Earl, I have had no problems with my pack as a carry-on. I use a CPAP and carry it, among other “no way am I packing that in a suitcase” items, on board the plane.
Best,
–Liko
I’ve been agonizing over packs forever. I’ve taken a different pack on every, since nothing ever works out as well as I’d like, or it breaks, or some other horrific disaster ensues. All I want is to find The One and never look at any other pack ever again. The Redwing is looking pretty great. There’s an even newer version than this one that has a very clever combination top and panel loading design, but accomplishes this with just a single zipper. Easily the best of both worlds since all they do is angle the zipper correctly and all of a sudden it’s simultaneously top loading and panel loading. But I do love a good trampoline-style backpack…sigh. The trials and tribulations of pack woes.