Reviews > Packs > Internal and External Framed Backpacks > Kelty Satori 4500 > Owner Review by Tom Van Rossum

Name: Tom Van Rossum

Age: 47

Gender: Male

Height: 5'10" (1.78 m)

Weight: 155 lb (70 kg)

Email: tomvr1@yahoo.com

Portland Oregon, USA

08 April 2004

Background: I started backpacking in Scouts and have been hiking ever since. Most trips are in the typically wet mountainous Cascade Range in Washington and Oregon - from thick underbrush, to old growth forests, to snow above the tree line I enjoy it all. I also make occasional trips to the more arid region east of the mountains or along the very wet Pacific coast. One or two night weekend backpacking trips are my most common, followed by day hikes, and a couple week long hikes each year. I am a traditional "heavy" packer enjoying comfort and low risk. The last couple of years I have tried to lighten my load but have had minimal success.

Manufacturer: Kelty

Model: Satori 4500 (Kelty has recently replaced the Satori 4500 with the similar 4700)

Purchased: January 2003

URL: www.kelty.com

Listed weight: 5 lb 15 oz (2.69 kg); measured 5 lb 11 oz (2.55 kg)

Size: Large (torso 19-21 in, 48-53 cm)

Volume: 4500 cu in (74 l)

Description. An internal frame pack designed to be modular in both capacity and suspension system.

Features:

Three suggested configurations are:

Location: Numerous weekend hikes in the Cascade Mountains in Oregon and Washington

Weather: Wet, down pours, showers, rain, sprinkles, mist, and a few sun-breaks; 35-70º F (2-21º C)

I purchased this pack with the intent to lighten my load. I have always used a large external frame pack so this was a switch to smaller and lighter. This goal was certainly achieved, my last pack was 7 lb (3.2 kg) with no way to make it smaller. I usually fill all available space in my pack so having a smaller pack means I take less with me. The modular design of the pack allows me to make the pack even smaller and lighter for short trips. I really like this modularity, I often remove the two side pockets when the volume is not required. And if it is packed light I take out some of the suspension as well.

The pack consists of a top loading bag with extension collar, removable pockets on each side, a removable front mesh pocket, and a removable lid compartment. I normally use the pack fully loaded (45 lb, 20 kg) in the 'Super Backpacker' configuration described above. The modularity enabled me to significantly scale down the volume and weight of the pack during a summer off trail weekend hike as I experimented with going light (I got my pack down to 25 lb (11 kg)).

The pack frame consists of a number of components. There are two aluminum stays and a plastic framesheet which attach to the inside of the pack bag forming the frame (yes, these are also removable). There are also six optional aluminum tubes (two for each of the side pockets and two for the front mesh pocket) which add more structure to the pack bag. Being used to an external frame pack I found these extra tubes worth the minor weight they add. It made it easier to rummage through the main compartment and pockets looking for things I had misplaced. The removable front pocket has its own shoulder straps so is usable as a daypack, I used it several times - volume is good but it is not comfortable being only a mesh bag on my back.

The pack material is durable, has not leaked water, and remains looking new after one season. The external pockets have exposed "waterproof" zippers without flaps and as advertised they have not leaked. Even after a weekend hike in the pouring rain without a pack cover the contents stayed dry (certainly dryer than I did).

The pack is covered with loops for lashing items to the pack - two rows of loops across the lid, two rows across the bottom, and two vertical rows up the front of the pack. I personally do not like to lash things on to the outside of my pack so have not used these at all. The three removable compression straps which go 3/4 the way around the pack keep the load close to my back and could double for attaching items to outside of the pack.

There is a long narrow vertical pocket (6.5x16.5 in, 17x42 cm) in the main compartment for a hydration bag. I like the location of the pocket as it keeps the water at the center of my back minimizing sloshing but the pocket was too narrow for my MSR bladder (10x17 in, 25x43 cm). An exit hole for the hose is available on both sides.

I found the waist belt comfortable. I have no specific construction details but it appears to be foam which gets progressively denser (the inside is firm and the outside is hard) and covered with a breathable fabric mesh. As expected with this pack the waist belt is removable for those ultralight trips. The shoulder straps are made of the same material as the waist belt and are very comfortable. The back of the pack has a unique mesh/foam/material combination that I found refreshing against my back. Having used an external frame pack most of my life I was concerned about the lack of ventilation with an internal frame but was pleasantly surprised, finding no such issue.

A unique feature of this pack are the 'levitators' for pack-to-belt load transfer. These are carbon fiber leaf springs on each side between the pack frame and hip-belt. I found the levitators effective on loads over 30 lb (14 kg), any less and I just take them out and leave them at home. I did have one of the springs in a levitator break, it was replaced by Kelty at no charge. Excellent customer service - they answered the phone on the first ring; I explained the broken part and was off the phone within two minutes!

The reconfiguration of the pack can be a bit tedious with lots of compartments, suspension components, straps, hooks, and loops.

The instruction manual is useful with well illustrated fitting, reconfiguration, and packing information. Based on the manual I made the fitting adjustment myself and it is the most comfortable pack I have used.

Summary - With strengths of weather resistance, comfort, and modularity it is now my favorite pack. On the down side the large number of straps and pieces are confusing and make it vulnerable to losses. I am also concerned about the long term durability of the carbon fiber levitators.

Reviews > Packs > Internal and External Framed Backpacks > Kelty Satori 4500 > Owner Review by Tom Van Rossum