The proven Redwing is the most popular pack on the trail. Revered for its roomy main compartment, convenient organizational pockets, sturdy LightBeam™ II stay and suspension system, and comfortable design, it’s no wonder this classic, which just got a facelift, consistently earns top scores.The proven Redwing is one of the most popular packs in Kelty’s product line. With a roomy main compartment, convenient organization pockets, a sturdy LightBeam II stay and suspension system, and comfortab
$ 109.95
Great Update to a 1997 Redwing,
The best feature of this pack is the 3/4 of the way around, flat zipper, meaning it zips back the front into a large flap, providing almost complete access to the entire main compartment, Vice stuffing it in from the top, down a cylinder. When you pack you can properly lay items into the bag. This is why I stuck with this product line.
I previously had a 1997 Redwing. I used it every time I traveled, no matter where I went. My 1997 Redwing still looks new. I just felt that after 14 years, it was time for something different.
The new bag gets a little thick around the top/middle, when you stuff it full, but it still fits in the airplane overheads of a Southwest 737. Unfortunately, it does not work well in an American Airlines 737. Their compartments are shorter. It fits pretty well in every other 100+ person commercial aircraft.
The lower cinches can make it a pain to open the main flap all the way, but they easily unclip.
The various little pockets, and sliding slots work really well for me. It has been a nice upgrade.
Why do you need it? I rarely check bags. This is my one “Overhead” item, and my computer bag is the other. I have two small children, and when the family travels, I cannot carry my own bag as well. The backpack is the easy solution, that lets me drag their stuff too.
I initially bought the sm/med version, at ~2500cc. It is only about 10{660353129f8d892044c993645a1c75194301fec6786a7f617c15adde0b0011e9} bigger than a typical school backpack. I sent it back because it was too small for what I needed.
The Large model is perfect for 3-5 days of travel. I use it every time I travel.
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|Tough as nails! Smart engineering!,
Can’t say enough about the positive attributes of this KELTY Redwing 50 M/L backpack that works great on my long upper bodied 6’4′, 180 lb frame. Great midweight pack, especially for the price. If you like the classic American book backpacks we’ve used, this is the same basic design but larger in size, added bells & whistles, and most importantly, a sturdy, padded hip belt to distribute load to your hips and OFF your shoulders. I carry an 8 lb laptop, 10 lb textbook, 10 lb notebook, plus supplies to school everyday–which has created problems in my upper back. Walking 1.5 miles to school each day, this pack has eliminated those problems, making it feel like I am carrying 1/3 of that load and allowing airflow across my back in the heat.
It is bigger than most school backpacks, if you do use it for school, but ease of use and a pain free back = priceless.
On weekend getaways, this is converted (emptied) rapidly to my weekend bag for hitting the road or dayhikes.
No complaints about this pack but one: If you bend, break, or misplace the aluminum stay that provides support, KELTY will not get you a new one. You can’t even pay for one?!? I hope that changes as the popularity of this backpack makes it a classic. (To be fair: KELTY just repaired and resewed my 20 year old duffel bag to my satisfaction, so they are still providing great service of yesteryear!)
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|One of the best purchases I’ve made,
As someone who rides their bike everywhere I was looking for something durable that could carry everything I might possibly need in a day as well as bike and emergency kits. It does this and so much more. I take it to the grocery and laugh as people say, you won’t be able to fit all that in there. So far I’ve found I can comfortably carry 30-40 lbs of groceries in it on my bike. The bar is removable which is extremely helpful as sometimes when I ride the bar isn’t helpful. I’m an avid hiker and while I haven’t been able to take it out yet, again not having a car I have found I can fit 2 loads of laundry in it. I know this will be perfect for my weekend trips! This is a bag that transitions perfectly for any need from school/work to the mountains. The only thing I wish is that I had gotten the smaller torso size. I’m 5’9 but it’s all legs and this can sometimes ride up when I’m cycling and impede motion when I’m trying to check behind me. Removing the bar helps but doesn’t fully resolve this. Other than that… This besides my bike is the best investment I’ve made this year!
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