Customer Reviews

Swiss Gear Ibex Large Top Load Internal Frame Pack

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Pros:
Good quality materials
Decent price if below $75
Looks attractive/sexy
Has done well on a trip to South America, 2-3 weeks, but these were not hard trekking trails - more like carry and drop off at the hostel kind of trip.
Roomy enough if you're an experienced traveler, though not a whole lot of space in the main compartment.
Bottom compartment fits a lot, so good for heavier stuff like boots and for stuff to launder, unless you have a sleeping bag there.

Cons:
My big complaint: while the shoulder straps are padded - they are not padded along their very edges. So the edges cut into your shoulders and chest if the pack is full. This is kind of stupid. Of all things on a backpack, you want the shoulder pads to be the most comfortable as the shoulders/back carry the load.
The backpack material is soft - this is not the toughest backpack out there.
I would venture to say that this is a woman's flashpacker backpack. If you're female or male, and backpack hard, this is not for you.

Conclusion:
If the shoulder straps were fully padded around, I would have given this 4 stars.
If you backpack for short periods, say 2 weeks-1 month, and don't beat up your backpack too much by traveling on mules, bus roofs, rafts and such, and drop off your pack in your dorm/room for the most part - this is a pretty fine backpack. It's cheap!
If you're a real country-to-country, hostel-to-hostel backpacker, look for stronger stuff, as this one will be cast aside after a couple of trips. I would not buy this pack again.
It's unfortunate, because the fabric and the foam padding on the back is really nice.

Update Nov 2010
I'm off to Asia on a bit harder trek (jungles, rivers) than the last 2 in South America. After much research on amazon, and still trying to keep within a small budget, I bought the High Sierra Sentinel 65 Frame Pack for $78. High Sierra Sentinel 65 Frame Pack It's way better in terms of shoulder straps padding, toughness of material, and space (65 liter vs 50 lit).

Was given as a gift to our son and he has really enjoyed the backpack. It is practical and sturdy.

This backpack has held up very well so far and I have been on 4 very rigorous backpacking trips. Has been an excellent pack for the price. Has all the same features as the high end packs that you pay upwards of $200.00. I stuff my extra large mummy sleeping bag in the bottom compartment and have had enough room in the main compartment for all my clothes and food for 6 days. Carried atleast 60 lbs in it on every trip. I like the side pockets and the back pocket along with a pouch on the very top that covers the main top loading compartment. Can also access the main top load compartment from a zippered side. Also has a hydration pouch for 2 liter camel back blatter. Plenty of lash points. Has place on bootom of pack to thread straps through and that is where I fasten my tent. To top it off, there is a rain fly in a pouch at the very bottom of the pack that pulls out and over the pack to protect it from getting wet. The only reason I did not give this pack a five star is because I have never owned another pack to campare it to.

This backpack is perfect for anyone who is into serious camping and knows how the lesser backpacks lack both convenience and comfort. It is made well and contours to my body (I am female, I do not know how this would fit a man) so I can carry a heavy load for a few hours, without feeling bothered.
It fits exactly what I need and all the pockets are in well-thought-out places.