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Rei Ridgeline 65 Pack

Hiking & Camping > BackpacksRated: ***** by 10 reviews.

REI

With improved load carrying capabilities, this multiday technical pack offers light weight with durability for full-featured hiking comfort.

  • Perimeter-style, lightweight tubular aluminum frame provides structure without restricting movement, and it keeps pack weight low
  • ActivMotion hipbelt pivots as you move, delivering a balanced load by keeping it centered and stable as you move over uneven terrain
  • Precurved waistbelt is designed to wrap hip bones for a natural fit from day one
  • Hipbelt webbing system allows you to use a natural forward pulling motion for quick, easy cinching and precise adjustment
  • Precurved shoulder straps match your anatomy for nonbinding comfort on and off the trail
  • Durable molded-foam backpanel is designed to improve body contact comfort, with channels for air circulation to keep your back cool and dry
  • A rip-and-stick torso adjustment lets you dial in a precise fit for a variety of torso lengths
  • Enjoy dual access through the top-loading opening and the J-shaped, zippered, front-panel opening; zipper is water resistant
  • Removable top lid pocket with water repellent zipper lets you stash your essentials to bring into tent, so pack can stay outside or in vestibule
  • Hydration-compatible design features an internal reservoir sleeve and dual exit ports for drinking tube; hydration reservoir sold separately
  • Side compression straps secure both large and small loads for increased stability
  • Two side pockets—one zip and one mesh—hold water bottles, energy bars and other essentials you want close at hand
  • Hipbelt pocket stores those small essentials you want at your finger tips such as lip balm and sunscreen
  • Lash points on the other side of hipbelt let you attach camera and GPA pouches
  • Quick release straps on bottom of pack let you attach sleeping pad; tool attachment points on front of pack for lashing on trekking poles and ice axes
  • Durable nylon construction provides high abrasion resistance with low weight; polyurethane coated for weather resistance
  • Specifications for Fits torso / Fits waist/hips / Average volume / Average metric volume / Average weight / Average metric weight are as follows:
  • Large - 19 - 21 in. / 34 - 40 in. / 4,211 cu. in. / 69 liters / 4 lbs. 8 oz. / 2.04kg

Access / Loading:Top / side
Adjustable torso:Yes
Approximate volume:3,966 cubic inches
Approximate volume - metric:65 liters
Average weight:4 lbs. 4 oz.
Average weight - metric:1.9 kilograms
Backpack style:Lightweight backpack
Fit:Men's
Fits torso:18 - 20 inches
Fits waist/hips:31 - 37 inches
Frame material:HDPE/aluminum
Frame type:Internal
Material:Nylon
Number of pockets:5 + main compartment
Number of stays:1

View other products from Rei classified in Hiking & Camping > Backpacks.

View all products from Rei.
View other products classified in Hiking & Camping > Backpacks.

This product is available in the following colors:

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Redstone / GraniteRedstone / Granite

Option Availability:

Use this chart to find which retailer offers this product in the size, color or other options that you desire. Click on the price to purchase.

SizeColor
Redstone / Granite
Redstone / Granite
Medium199.00
Large199.00

Legend

  •     - REI

Rei Ridgeline 65 Pack Reviews Summary:

RatingNumber
of Reviews
*****5
****5
***0
**0
*0
To see how this product compares to others view Backpack Reviews.

Reviews:

Please With My Ridgeline 65

Rating:****
I used my pack for the first time yesterday on a +7-mile easy hike. I found it too be quite comfortable, generally. I especially liked the heavily padded and formed hipbelt,which does keep the weight on my hips. (I'm pretty thin and have little in the way of hips and buttocks for a pack to rest on.) I cinched it up nice and snug and the reduction on shoulder/back strain was noticeable and pleasurable compared to my old Kelty Redwind 3100. The mesh water bottle is set too far back, and is hard get it in and out without taking the pack off; but, I did manage; you have to be a bit of a contortionist. All the straps provide a wide range of adjustment to suit your particular frame, needs and preferences, I think.I did find it rubbing a little on my left shoulder blade as the hike wore on. After I got home, I tried to figure out if the back panel and the hip belt are both adjustable, because both are attached internally via Velcro, and it seemed like you can separate them from the main pack and make an adjustment. However, the pack does not come with any instructions, and you have to figure this out on your own. [...], I learned the hipbelt is not designed to be adjusted, and the Velcro feature there is for the movement control feature only. [...] the "shoulder strap Velcro ladder" is adjustable. I presume this refers to the foam back panel itself, which has a massive piece of Velcro down in there, which you can feel as you slide your hand in there in an attempt to free the piece up entirely and make an adjustment. I played around with this, and did manage to re-center the back panel (or the shoulder straps?) a little. It seems more comfortable now. Customer Service did offer to have me call them (I had e-mailed them) and walk me through this lone adjustment, but I declined since I seem to have figured it out on my own. For [$]the pack should come with at least some instructions.
TrailNut at REI on 08/28/2008

Solid, Affordable Pack

Rating:*****
I used this pack on a 30-mile trip in Big Bend National Park of Texas in March. It did an admirable job and I'm planning on using it for future trips. I had it loaded down pretty heavy, including at least 8 liters of water (this was a desert trip with no water on the trail), as well as a heavy and cumbersome sleeping bag, which took up quite a bit of the interior (I have since replaced it with a much superior down sleeping bag). Despite carrying all this "extra" weight, I was still able to fit all of my gear and travel in a reasonable amount of comfort. My hips did get a little sore on the first day, but I blame this on myself for not figuring out how to properly adjust the straps. Needless to say, I think this trip represented an extreme case as far as weight for this pack, and it still got the job done. I'm anticipating even better results on lighter trips in the future.

One aspect of the bag that I particularly like is the ease with which extra items can be attached externally. For instance, I used the side compression straps to hold my sleeping pad. I also bought some extra straps and fed them through the loops on the top of the pack to cinch down my tent. I was even able to rig a small day pack to the side of the bag in order to carry some extra water. The bag has numerous attachment points for other smaller items as well.

Overall, this is a great pack for a reasonable price. It is simple yet rugged and effective.
r25david at REI on 06/03/2008

Felt right, right from the start.

Rating:*****
I tried it on at the REI Store in Missoula MT. It felt right when I put it on. Adjusting it was easy. It holds lots of stuff, far more than I needed for the day hikes we would be taking in the immediate future, but I loaded it up just to break it in. Given all the junk I added in just to add weight, I am confident that this pack could hold enough stuff for at least three nights, unless maybe you are going into extreme cold weather. I used it on several day hikes in the Bitterroots, in Glacier NP, and in Yellowstone NP. Carrying food and beverages for myself and my wife, plus extra clothing just in case the weather changed, I was far more comfortable with it than I would have been without it. My 3-Liter Camelback fits right in and the drink tube is held right where I can get it. I am looking forward to using it for longer hikes, actual backpacking, multi-day stuff. Time will tell if it holds up to the beating of life on the trail but it does seem to be well-made.
It did not rain on us so I cannot comment on the pack's waterproofness or lack thereof. I think I will snag a raincover on GP. Why find out the hard way that it is not waterproof? Plus a cover would help protect from wear and tear.
BBQDad at REI on 08/03/2008

Solid, versatile pack

Rating:*****
I took this pack on a two week trip along the Colorado Trail. It easily fit all my gear, including food for a week on the trail at a time.

This is the first pack I've used for more than a weekend trip, and I was quite pleased with its performance. The standard top loading design worked well, with the zippered access an added bonus to bail me out when I ended up needing something during the day that I didn't think I would. There are plenty of places to strap items on the outside of the pack, like my tent poles and crocs. I also appreciated the lack of compartmentalization in the pack. I felt that it allowed for more efficient packing on my part. The 4 small exterior pockets were more than sufficient for the small items I wanted quick access to throughout the day.

I also used it as a day pack for summit hikes during the trip. Its not designed as such, but it worked just fine. After hauling a loaded pack most days, even a day pack on the heavier side felt amazingly light.
kschnitz at REI on 10/05/2008

Worthwhile

Rating:****
I am a senior citizen. Purchased the pack for a weekend in Dinkey Lakes Wilderness in CA and some flyfishing. I am new at backpacking and have had some difficulty with space in the pack. It seems marginal for an extended trip but I am still working on being a minimalist. I have seen reference to the multiple external tie down points but there were not any straps or shock cord provided. The straps for the bottom were barely long enough to secure some added equipment (see above comment on being a minimalist). The sales literature discussed the removal of the top hat. Last weekend I again went fishing and had the need for a fanny pack. I removed the top hat and made it work with my wading belt, but not well. My partner had a new Kelty and the top hat was made with a belt so it could be used as a fanny, a nice feature. These are minor points and I like the pack.
EasyJess at REI on 11/04/2008

Great Pack

Rating:****
I used this today for the first time on a 5 mile hike(2.5 up and 2.5 back) up to flat rock in Colonel Denning State Park in PA. The pack was loaded with 20-25 pounds of gear and flat rock is at an elevation of 1800 feet. This is my first real pack, but I have to say that it worked great. It was very comfortable, especially around the hips once you got it adjusted, it kept my back pretty cool the whole time, and it was easy to access my water bottles because of the side entry feature. My only con is that it started to squeak. This isn't a very loud squeak, but it can be heard by others. To me it was just barely noticeable, but it could be an annoyance over time. The squeaking is why I have given 4 stars, overall it's perfect, just have to be able to take the low squeaking sound.
legatoistheman at REI on 05/04/2008

This Pack Is NAILS!

Rating:*****
This pack is OUTSTANDING!!! It performed like a champ, in the Sierra National Forest. I slammed it around like an old friend. I had the thing overflowing by the time we hit the trail head. It weighed in at 50lbs! But contrary to some reviews that it was 'squeaky'. I didn't hear one squeak, but that could have been due to the gross overload I was stupidly schlepping through the forest. Anyway, it was a 4.5 hour hike in to Jenny Lake and I didn't notice the battleship I was toting on my back. In all honesty...this is an excellent pack, easy to load, hauled the weight easly. My buddies brand new kelty took a dump on this trip. His straps were tearing an hour in!! REI brand is the best. I would highly recommend this to a buddy...in fact I have...2 of my buddies bought it!!
SingleWingFootball at REI on 03/02/2009

solid, simple and strong

Rating:****
I shopped around for a month trying to find the best weekend trip pack and I think I found it. The hipbelt has great padding and the openings for my camelbak were big enough to get the bite valve through. This pack is very adjustable so your sure to get a great fit. Also, unlike ultralight packs this one is tuff enough to toss on the ground when you get to camp. The only thing I would change about it would be to make the removable toplid also function as a hip/waist pack,(thus the 4 star rating). The rei 80 liter duck's back rain cover goes well with this pack.
weekend-warrior at REI on 03/04/2008

Good Durable Pack

Rating:****
I have now used the Ridgeline 65 on two week long trips to Alaska (one in the summer and one in the winter) and a couple other weekend outings in Texas. It has performed flawlessly. All seams are still in great shape and the pack is just as comfortable as the day I bought it. My only complaint would be that the air flow system to keep your back dry does not seem to work very well, but it does dry out quickly once the pack is removed. This pack is great for extended weekends and carries 40 pound loads very easily.
Adam C at REI on 01/27/2009

Amazing comfort and convenience.

Rating:*****
Talk about a great pack! I upgraded from my Lookout day pack to the Ridgeline and couldn't be happier. It easily holds my sleeping bag, tent, cooking system, hydration bladder, as well as all of the 10 essentials and my miscellaneous gear. It readily sheds light precipitation and cleans up like a charm. You'll be hard pressed to find a more comfortable rig. The only downside that I have found is that the water bottle holders are a too far out of reach to grab them myself, but since I use a hydration bladder that's a minor inconvenience.
halfbrown at REI on 09/15/2008