Customer Reviews

TETON Sports Scout3400 Internal Frame Backpack (Mecca Orange)

5 star:		(56)
4 star:		(27)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'M 4'11". I have big problems finding packs that are comfortable for me. I carried this pack for two weeks through Guatemala, where wheeled luggage isn't a good option.

The pack work excellently. I carried 26 - 36 lbs, depending on how much liquid I was packing. The shoulder straps are very easily adjustable for different height people, and the different pockets made it easy to find and store things. I particularly liked and used the handy rain cover. I never ran out of room and could have easily carried more junk...

This pack is a screaming deal, which makes it even better.

Why is this pack so inexpensive? I thought I was buying this because it looked like a decent pack for the price but I really didn't expect so much. Most quality packs are well over $100 and some even approach $200 for this kind of quality. I was so blown away with the quality construction and all the "extras" that I'm still a little speechless. What's the catch? I dare say this is the best experience I've ever had buying anything online and I buy quite a bit. So if you are wondering if you should buy the Scout3400 backpack by TETON Sports, take my word for it, you'll be incredibly pleased. I can't say enough about how much pack this is for the money. If 6 stars could be given, this one would get it.

I took this bag to Mt. Whitney - hiked up to Trail camp with it and back. I think that's quite a beating for a bag like that.
Pros:
- Cost. Probably the best deal for $52
- Quite sturdy and the sleeping bag compatment helps with packing the bag even better.
- Lots of pockets
- Good lower back support
- Strong back support buckle/clip
- Quality synthetic fabric should last forever.
- Compact. Keeps the load together very well.

Cons:
- The clips/buckles are not good quality plastic. The chest attachment slipped out of place on the very first trip. Granted, my bag was like 40 lb and I was putting it to test at that weight in that terrain, by placing a good portion of the weight on the chest but that's what these bags are supposed to do.
- 3500 cu.in is good but for longer trips 4500-5500 is nicer.
- Middle, upper back support is good but not as good as other bags that have a strong aluminium frame on the back.

Overall, it's a great product for the price. If you are going to DEPEND on it, meaning that if it broke, you'd be stranded in the middle of a long hiking trip, then I don't feel confident enough on this bag. I'd pay the extra money to get something that will give me the peace of mind of not breaking at all. Unfortunately, such bags are easily at least 2-3 times the cost of this bag. For expeditions, not too heavy loads, camping trips, etc. where you have a vehicle you can place this bag or have a backup option (store close by to buy a replacement as a worst case scenario), I think this is awesome.

First of all, I think this is a good pack--very sturdy and I'm sure it would perform well. My problem with it is that it didn't include measurements of what height or back length it would fit. Only the tag mentions the measurements (max height is 5'9"), and the tag is on the actual pack, not in the product information, so that was disappointing. I had hoped the tag was wrong, but it was a little on the uncomfortable side for me, and that was when it was empty. I'm 6 feet tall btw. My only other complaint is the sleeping bag compartment--it's just too small for my needs, but that works out because I can always put my bag in the pack and put other items I need to get to quickly in the "sleeping bag" compartment. And please don't forget that you shouldn't order this if you are taller than 5'9", otherwise it won't work out.

To summarize, the pros are:
-Quality construction
-Definitely affordable

The cons are:
-Lack of height specs in product information
-The sleeping bag compartment is too small, a VERY compact one might fit, but certainly not a winter bag.

I bought this with a very hopeful attitude after reading the other reviews. Had tested a number of backpacks loaded with various weights and even gotten helpful hints on adjusting at a store. This pack came with some nice features: separate sleeping bag compartment, lots of compartments, decent size for class, built in rain fly, places to attach things. However, there's a point where the shoulder pads attach to the bag that is a big uncomfortable knot in my shoulders. Also, no matter how I adjusted for height, the pack felt like it was pulling me backward at the shoulders, not shifting weight to the hip belt. I had to send it back and replace it with one at twice the cost. I was sad, because it's nifty for all the features. If you're new, please make sure you get good advice and know how one should fit before you try this one on - that way, you'll be able to make a good decision.

This is a great bag for the price. And best of all (which I did not know at the time of buying) is that it meets the carry-on size limits for flying. Fits enough clothes and materials for a 2 week trip with no problem at all.

Just got back from a 3 day camping trip with this bag. I purchased this bag because I was on a tight budget and the pack offered features (like built in rainfly) that are only found in more expensive packs. I also needed a smaller pack that would be better suited for my petite wife or twelve year old.

Upon arrival, I found the weight of the bag noticiably heavier than more expensive internal frame packs. When I tested the clasps, they worked, but I didn't feel the crisp snap I get from higher-end bags. I found the stiching, zippers, and fabric comparable to more expensive bags.

The bag performed well during the trip. It did not sit in a car trunk, but was carried on back for a three hour trip from subway to rail to hike. It accomodated four sleeping bags (two external), one blanket, a small fishing rod, two rolls of toilet paper, two rolls of paper towels, toiletries, and a host of other small items.

On the return portion of the trip, the adjustable back/shoulder velcro adjustment came loose and had to be readjusted. The real problem came when unpacking. The plastic clasp would not squeeze in all the way and release. I checked to see if there were something lodged in between the clasp, but nothin was found. I eventually had to use a small screwdriver pry in the clasp so it would open. I retested the clasp works fine (and it works fine, for now. I do expect have the problem again because the clasps ae just not well made.

So, do I regret my purchase? No. For $49 it's a pretty good deal. Just expect to fiddle with the clasps from time to time, and don't expect the bag to be ultra lite.

So I went out to several stores and tried on several different packs in the 100- 200 dollar range. This one was about 75 in the stores so I thought what the heck let's try it on and give it shot. It fit me well and overall was very comfortable. I am fairly short by guy standards; 5'6 160. So I hoped on Amazon and saw it was just about 50 bucks. Well like most, I was expecting some of the problems I have read about here. However, I have yet to have any of them. Since buying this, I have hiked Mt Washington in NH, Mt Davis in Pa, and Back Bone Mountain in. I have also taken this pack on multiple climbing excursions. I must say this things has held up amazingly. I have had zero problems with it thus far. For my local climbing trips, it has handled my full climbing gear (200 ft rope, harness, helmet, carabiner, belay, etc...) plus food water etc for the day. For my hike up Mount Washington, which anyone who has done that knows how crazy it can get, it performed very well... I ended up having to use the handy dandy waterproof "sheath" that came with the pack. It has endured some serious abuse and keeps on taking it. I would recommend this pack to anyone at this point. As to the pack itself, it has tons of little features. It has locking mechanisms on the lumbar straps, 2 outside pockets that are literally the perfect size for a Nalgene, It has a pocket on the top for random things (I used it for flint and my back up plan of 9V battery and steel wool), At the bottom it has a place for your sleeping bag. All in all a fantastic pack for the price, until I wear this one out I do not anticipate needing another one. Well at least not until I learn how to ice climb and knock out Mt Rainier!
All in all this is a great pack for the price and I would recommend this to anyone who is just starting out in their hiking career

UPDATES!!! 6/22/2011
So over the last week I did 3 more high points with this pack where the use of a ultra-lightweight tent was required (i have the Seedhouse SL-1 in case you are in the market for a tent). And again this performed more than adequately. I trekked up the Appalachian trail to Mt rogers in VA and then drove to Black Mtn. in KY and then spent 3 days hiking on and around Spruce knob in WV. Once again the rain fly came in handy mt Rogers was under severe winds the entire time i was there... This pack hold everything I needed. I have added some D-ring accessories to it my self for easy access to food and my camera, but otherwise it is the pack as I bought it. I am not sure if I am missing something the other reviewers are saying, but the side pockets (the ones about mid way up the pack) are large enough to Hold my 32oz Nalgenes, but you just can't zip them shut (mostly because of the lid), if you need clarification on this I can send some pictures to you. The only down side I can see thus far is the eventual need for space for longer duration and technical climbs... But as i am using this for 2-4 days trips, it works great.

Likely My Last update! 11/28/2011
As the winter approaches and my hiking time is slowly replaced by strip mall and market time. Since my last update I have used this pack extensively. I hiked a 30 mile portion of the Appalachian trail on my way to Clingmans Dome in TN and then in once that was completed I did about a 10 mile hike on my way to the top of Mt Mitchell in NC. I must stress that I am very much the minimalist... I take very little extra that one could safely do without. That means a couple sets of clothes, cold gear, tent, bag, food, water, and obviously first aide and water purification. I keep a small multi-tool on me and a rather large knife I was issued in the desert... That's about it... I have yet to come across i situation where the pack is more than maybe 2/3rds of the way full... But at any rate, I have had very little issues with this pack aside from the chest strap... The clasp did give way finally, about mid way through my 30 miler to clingmans... Luckily I came across a nice woman who was willing to give me one of her extras... I made on modification to the pack it's self. The mid-side pouches sewed on some netting so over the top of them and got ride of the zipper so I could fit my nalgenes there. But other than that the thing has been flawless... I likely will not need a new pack for some time... Hope this info has been helpful

I bought this for my hike down into the Grand Canyon for overnight tent camping. It worked out very well. I had two days of food, my tent, blankets, and little pillow. And had room for my water too.

Hi i am from Guatemala, the land of volcanoes,

I purchase this back pack to travel an do hiking trips, i have climbed the 3rd and the 5th highest volcanoes in Guatemala with this back-pack in a 2 day trip and its AMAZING; were you have to walk 5 to 7 hours to meet your final destination, its really useful,

I usually carried 3 liter's of water plus all the extra junk(food, tent, clothes, camping gear), in total the average weight i placed on this bag was between 40 to 50 pounds, and it was comfortable to have it, strapped to your back

Here in Guatemala you have the surprise that at any time can rain in a volcano, and the protection it brings this back-pack does magic to your equipment, doesn't get wet at all, also has some handy pockets to place some protection for your self.

The internal space is a little limited, but then again when you are in a volcano you bring only the essentials, so it does the work. (a 44 -55 LT bag would be nicer)

i ended paying around $100 for the back-pak(shipping and handling) because i live in a foreign country but still is a pretty decent price. Here in Guatemala you pay that and more for back-paks that are not half as good.

So if you are planning a weekend trip or camping i would suggest this bag. For walking the adjustable straps make it more comfortable, but if you are planing a 4 day to a week trip, you will find your self in a tight situation on what equipment to place in.