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Equinox Katahdin Long Term Report
Tester Bio
Name: Evan Cornell
Age: 15
Gender: Male
Height: 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters)
Weight: 115 pounds (52 kilograms)
Email Address: llenrocnave AT backpacker DOT com
City, State, and Country: Milan, Ohio, U.S.
Date: December 7, 2004
Backpacking Background: I have been backpacking about two years (fall of 2002). I like my pack to be as light as I can make it, but don't consider myself as a minimalist yet. I am in the process of refining my backpacking system, downsizing and simplifying. I am well on my way to falling under the category of ultralight backpacker. I normally hike with my scout troop in Ohio, where the temperature is in the range of up to 90 F (32 C) in the summer, and down to 0 F (-18 C) in winter.
Product Information
Manufacturer: Equinox Ltd.
Year of Manufacture: 2004
Manufacturers website: http://www.equinoxltd.com
Listed Weight: 1 lb 6 oz (0.62 kg)
Weight as Delivered: 1 lb 8 oz (0.68 kg)
Manufacturers stated capacity: 3350 cu in (55 L)
MSRP: $110
Product Description: The Katahdin Equinox is my ultralighter's dream pack. It is much lighter than most other "heavy-duty" packs, and it has a pretty large capacity. The main body fabric is "sil-nylon" which is blue, and feels very slippery. The fabric has proven water-resistant, but not totally waterproof. The bottom and sides are made of a heavier ripstop nylon, of the color black, which is more durable than the main body fabric. Of course, as with any pack, good treatment of the pack will extend the usable life of the pack. The lower back panel of the Katahdin is a soft, black, fabric slot through which the waistbelt passes. The upper back panel is a heavy black mesh to enhance ventilation of the back. The waistbelt of the Katahdin is removable, and is connected by the side stabilizing straps (which I will explain later) and a large square of a hook and loop closure. The inside of the waistbelt is covered in the same material that is on the lower back panel, and the outside of the belt is the same material as the bottom of the pack. The belt is secured by a large black webbing belt with a large plastic clip. The side stabilizing straps are set up in a V configuration, and are made from black webbing. The shoulder straps have the same material as the waistbelt, and are constructed with a strip of black webbing along the length of the shoulder strap. On this vertical strap is a sternum strap, which prevents the pack from swaying side to side when one is walking. The shoulder straps are connected to the pack at the bottom by a black webbing strap with a plastic slider to adjust the length of the strap. The shoulder strap is connected directly to the top of the pack with a heavy reinforcement patch on the heavy mesh back panel. The vertical line of webbing on the shoulder strap connects above the main attachment of the shoulder strap to form what are known as load-lifter straps. On the reinforcement of the shoulder strap attachments, there is a loop of webbing to lift the pack with. On each side of the pack, down near the waistbelt, there is a mesh pocket closed with a toggle and elastic cord. This pocket is meant for a water bottle, or other small items that need to be kept handy. On both side panels of heavier ripstop nylon, there is a zipper pocket, small enough for a energy bar or multi-tool. The main body of the pack is closed by a toggle and cord, and there is no lid pocket. Along the front of the pack connected to the side panels, there are three webbing compression straps to help the load be compressed to have a smaller, convenient pack to carry. Also, on the body fabric, there is a patch that says "Equinox, made in Williamsport, PA". There is no frame on the Katahdin, so a rolled up sleeping pad or careful packing is necessary to ensure a comfortable load to carry.
Field Information
Along with the additional field information in my Field Report, I have taken 2 additional outings in the testing period. One trip was to Kelley's Island State Park in Lake Erie. The climate was mild, with no precipitation, and temperatures at around 70 F (21 C) during the day and 40 F (4.5C) at night. The terrain on Kelley's Island is mostly flat as it is a huge slab of limestone sticking up from the lake. The usage of the Katahdin during this trip was limited to hiking from the ferry to the campsite, about 1.5 miles (2.42 kilometers) on the other side of the island. During this short walk, the Katahdin performed admirably. Using a Therm-A-Rest 3/4 as a pseudo pack frame, the load of about 25 pounds (11 kilograms) was very comfortable to carry. One small nuisance is that the hipbelt rubbed uncomfortably on my hips about halfway through the hike. The other trip that I have used the pack on was my Boy Scout Fall Encampment. The location was the Lorain County fairgrounds and the temperature was about 60 F (15.5 C) during the day and 30 F (-1 C) at night. It lightly rained and misted all weekend, so the weather was cold and wet. The terrain was flat, as it was a fairgrounds, and I used the Katahdin to walk around the campsite to stay in shape. The pack's exterior fabric was water resistant enough to keep a drizzle from wetting my gear. The pack was very comfortable during the 5 miles (8.05 kilometers) I hiked, and I am pleased with the lightness and comfort of the Equinox Katahdin.
Summary
The Katahdin is my ideal ultralight pack, as I wanted to drop a few pounds off my packweight. It is comfortable, easy to use, and water-resistant pack, and the user doesn't have to be a hardcore ultralighter to put the Equinox Katahdin to good use.
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