Summit 1500 Backpack

I had a smaller day pack that only had shoulder straps. While it was roomie enough for most my gear for day hikes we love going out for several hours. Without a hip belt, my shoulders would be extremely tired and sore by the end of our trip. I also was looking for a bag slightly bigger as we are venturing into more and more remote areas that even day hikes require packing a bit more gear. This bag has been on several hikes already throughout Yellowstone and I'm not disappointed. I have the Teton Explorer 4000 for longer backpacking trips and this one is great for day/overnight trips. I'm not fatigued at all and it fits my small torso perfectly once adjusted. I recently hiked up Avalanche Peak which is 2100' elevation in just over 2 miles and then back down with a lot of loose gravel and rocks for 1/2 of it. I never felt the bag slipping, pulling me backwards or making me off balance. My only wish was that the opening for my water pack was on my left not my right. But that is minor.

I am an old (age 70) Kelty Pack fan because of the multiple separate pockets for gear on most of their models.

I spent my 30 years in EMS/Fire/Rescue; so preparing for 'unforeseen eventualities' is something that I will never be able avoid.

Where others may venture with only a water-bottle and a smartphone, I will always have most of the old list of 'Essentials'.

I always have decent First Aid Supplies, Headlamp, Small Shelter Tarp, 10-20m of rope, and on and on; . . I have seen just too many thoughtless/careless/ill-prepared folks suffer in the backcountry.

All that said, that is the strength of this pack; it enables me to easily carry all the 'stuff' that I am 'unlikely to need' on a long day-hike.

When a Larger Party, a Longer Distance, or more Rugged Terrain requires a bigger pack; I currently use my old Kelty.

I do wish the outside-access (side & rear) pockets were more spacious.

I also felt the need to make a couple of modifications.

Much of the pack fabric is 'Black', All the Webbing is 'Black', All of the Strap Buckles are 'Black'; and in poor light it is difficult to grab the correct loose buckle on the first try.

I dreaded the job; but I used nail polish to color-code the buckles.

If even just the webbing had been light gray or some other color, I probably would Not Have attempted the crappy paint job on the buckles; but all the 'Black' made it necessary for my use.

I even replaced the cord-adjusters at the pack top opening with colored ones.

I did find an easy…