BackpackGearTest.org - Eastern Mountain Sports Ridgeline Scott Downard

Initial Report - Eastern Mountain Sports Ridgeline Backpack - Men's
Rigdeline

Date: August 25, 2005

Product Information
Manufacturer: Eastern Mountain Sports
Manufacturer URL: http://www.ems.com/
Year of Manufacture: 2005
MSRP: $89.00 USD
Country of Manufacture: Vietnam
Color: Cobalt and Black
Listed weight: 3 lb 7 oz (1.56 kg)
Actual weight: 3 lb 8 oz (1.59 kg)
Volume: 2200 cu in (36 L)
Quoted Dimensions: 25 x 10.5 x 6 in (64 x 27 x 15 cm)
Materials Used: 330-denier double ripstop nylon with Hypalon accents and a 1000-denier Kodra nylon bottom

Product Overview:
The Ridgeline arrived in a small box with no padding or documentation beside the hang tag that was attached to the pack itself that described the materials used, its weight, and capacity. I removed the pack and started the inspection process. I inspected all seams and they appear to be solid and complete. I moved on to the zippers. The zippers are a large gauge and operate smoothly. They are located on the Shove It flap and the lid pocket.
The Shove It flap looks like it could be used for a mountaineering helmet. I do not do the type of excursions that require a helmet, but I'm sure I can find a use for it during my testing. The Shove It flap is not removeable (it is attached at the bottom), but has ladder locks attached to each upper sides with straps running through it. I believe that tightening these will provide some extra compression for the internal load. I will be testing this further. There is a daisy chain that runs vertically above and behind the Shove It flap. There is another set of compression straps on either side of the pack about mid-way. On each side of the pack there is a mesh pocket. The pocket is anchored on each side to the pack. It is more of a pouch as it has a pass-through behind it for skis or poles so slide through. The ice axe loop resides in a slot just under the Shove It flap and can easily be pulled out.

    Inside the lid pocket is a key hook with a spring closure. This lid pocket is not very large. I could easily fit my first aid kit, a few Power Bars, and my Princeton Tec Corona headlamp inside. Additionally, I was able to "stuff" a small tube of sun block and some toilet paper in a baggie inside the lid pocket. Under the lid pocket are two sets of draw strings for the storm collar similar to what is found on larger backpacks. The storm collar provides a large opening to the top of the pack.    There is no other access to the inside of the pack, so the order I place things inside the pack will be taken into consideration. Inside the pack, along the back panel is a horizontal zipper that provides access to the plastic frame sheet and aluminum stay. The stay is removeable which may allow me to custom bend it to my back. Against this pocket is the water bladder sleeve. It is a solid material with a strip of elastic along its top edge, typical of bladder sleeves I have seen.
    On either side of the pack is a set of Y straps about a third of the way up the pack. Pulling on only one strap, I was able to compress a rather large area of the pack. In conjuction with the Shove It flap, the entire bag can be compressed rather well in my opinion.
    The back panel has many features standard on other pack bags. It has a haul loop near the top. Just under that is the hydration port that is a slotted rubber opening that should accomodate all the different mouth pieces on my various water bladders. Under the port is the EMS logo. Under this is a sort of chimney in the center with padding running alond either side. The back panel seems stiff enough, but I will be testing this under load and with many miles (kilometers). The hip belt is sewn onto the back panel. It is very lightly padded, but that should be enough for a day pack. There are nylon webbing straps attached to the sides of the hip belt that connect to the pack bag. The webbing runs through a ladder lock and allows for the load to be pulled closer to the hips. The shoulder straps have a slight S-curve to them and feel comfortable when trying on the pack. The sternum strap is attached to the shoulder straps along a sort of cord piping. Attached to the sternum straps are plastic sliders that fit over the piping and allow it to slide up and down easily. My concern is whether the sternum strap will stay in place while hiking, or will it ride up?

Testing Conditions:
I have trips planned for the San Gabriel Wilderness inside Angeles National Forest; a peak bagging trip to the San Bernardino Peaks Trail near San Gorgonio, in the San Bernardino Wilderness. Car camping trips into the Mojave National Preserve and Joshua Tree National Park with day hiking are also planned. Elevation will range from 3000 ft (900 m) to just under 11,000 ft (3300 m). Expected terrain will include cross country through dense forest and rock scrambling and desert enviornments. Anticipated temperature range will be 40 F (4.5 C) to 90 F (32 C).

Things I will be looking for:

How well will the pack material withstand desert hiking and the abundance of rocks to scramble across, up and down. There are many thorny plants that like to catch clothing and packs while I am heading cross country in the desert.
What size of water bladder can I fit inside the hydration sleeve?
Will this pack be of sufficient size for a one night, lightweight backpacking trip? With all the external tie out points allow me to secure extra gear that won't fit inside?
Will I have problems putting a 32 oz (1 L) Nalgene bottle inside the water bottle pockets since there is a pass through behind the pocket?
What is the maximum comfortable load for me?
Is the hip padding sufficient when this pack is weighted down?
Is there enough air flow along the back panel?
What kind of items fit under the Shove It flap? Will these items remain under the flap?
Will the sternum strap slide up and down on its adjustment too easily and ride too high for me?

Reviewer
Name: Scott Downard
Age: 30
Gender: Male
Height: 6 ft (1.83 m)
Weight: 205 lb (93 kg)
Email address: rookthepagan@verizon.net
City, State, Country: Apple Valley, California, U.S.
Date: August 25, 2005

Backpacking Background
As a teenager I did a lot of backpacking and hiking with the Boy Scouts. After I turned 18 and I left the Scouts I abandoned backpacking. When I was 28, I started getting interested in backpacking again. I started buying gear to replace the old stuff from my teenage years. I hike in the local mountains and desert areas. I hike mostly in the spring and fall in moderate weather. Some rain is encountered. I primarily do day hiking and short term (i.e. one to four nights) backpacking excurdions with some five day trips. I like to hike fast and light while backpacking.

Reviews > Packs > Frameless Backpacks and Day Packs > Eastern Mountain Sports Ridgeline > Scott Downard > Initial Report

Reviews > Packs > Frameless Backpacks and Day Packs > Eastern Mountain Sports Ridgeline > Scott Downard > Initial Report