Arc'teryx Khamsin 70 Backpack
by Arc'teryx, Backpacking Packs
Arc'teryx Khamsin 70 Backpack
On an extended weekend alpine ascent, every ounce of weight is scrutinized and versatility is a necessity. The Arc'teryx Khamsin 70 is a well balanced midsized backpack that exceeds these requirements. Loaded with alpine features and highly modular, the Khamsin 70 can be expanded to support a monster payload, and then stripped down and compressed for light forays or a summit bid. When fully loaded, the Vframe suspension, removable aluminum stays, pivoting thermoformed hipbelt, and removable dual density framesheet pack a whole lot of carrying comfort. Strip it all down and it converts to a summit pack with just the necessities to tag the top.
- Material: 210D Ripstorm, 100D Invista HT / Mini ripstop with silicone and polyurethane coating
- Suspension: Tri-component suspension system includes 2 removable aluminum stays, horizontal frame members that prevent "barreling" & a removable dual density framesheet that unfolds to become an emergency insulated bivouac pad
- Pivoting Vapor™ thermoformed hipbelt & removable webbing hipbelt with two injection molded reversible/removable gear loops
- Hydration bladder pocket and hose port
- Top loading with full length WaterTight side zip, compressible kangaroo pocket with top closure, and one compressible side stash pocket
- Large removable top lid
- Two front compression straps & four side compression straps
- Two Axio ice tool holders & two modular ice axe keepers
- Glove friendly snow shedding buckles
- Volume: Short 3967cu in/65L, Regular 4272cu in/70L, Tall 4577cu in/75L
- Weight: Short 4lb 9oz/2.1kg, Regular 4lb 14oz/2.2kg, Tall 5lb 2oz/2.3kg
Reviews - Arc'teryx Khamsin 70
Brett Brown -
10/2/2009
Suspension has issues
Overall, it's a nice pack. It looks like one person designed the pack and one person designed the suspension system. I bought this based on the bells and whistles vs. weight. The pack itself I would give 5 stars. The suspension is a different story. I am a solid medium according to their sizing. (My back measures 19.5". 18 - 21 is a medium) Here are the problems: I can't get the shoulder straps to sit tight all the way around my shoulder. There is not an adjustment where the shoulder strap attaches to the top of the pack. I can't adjust the pack so the load lifters are more than about 20 degrees. Even with these problems, the pack still handled quite well with 55 lbs in it on steep terrain. When I got to the top of the trail, I took the pack off to dump 4 gallons of water. I noticed the stays had worked passed the velcro straps that held them in. This slid the top of the pack down 3-4 inches below the stays. I fixed this and descended the trail (pack now weighs about 25 lbs). After the 1.5 mile decent, one of the stays had worked passed the velcro again. I contacted Arc'teryx and they confirmed the installation of the stays. Being I bent the stays, I cannot return the pack, otherwise I would have. Now I'm trying to hold the stays in with plastic one way ties. Something I shouldn't have to do with a new pack carrying this kind of price tag.
