The Cohiba on the 11,006 ft (3,355 m) summit of Estes Cone in Rocky Mountain National Park.
The 14,255 ft (4,345 m) Longs Peak summit is behind the cloud in the center of the picture.

Personal Biographical Information:

Name:	James E. Triplett
Age:	44
Gender:	Male
Height:	6' 2" (188 cm)
Weight:	191 lb (86.6 kg)
Chest:	42" (107 cm)
Shoulder circumference:	49" (124 cm)
Torso Length:	21.5” (55 cm)
Email address:	james_triplett@hotmail.com
City, State:	Cedar Rapids, Iowa - USA
Date:	September 14, 2005

Backpacking Background:

I grew up car camping all through my childhood as a means for family vacations. I later started hiking to bouldering areas in Southern Illinois, which somehow led to continuously hiking the lower 1/3 of the Appalachian Trail, with an external frame Kelty Tioga (loaded to over 50 lb / 23 kg) and some rather massive Vasque boots. Now I hike every day, and backpack when possible, which leads to many weekends backpacking and camping each year. I try and take at least one annual one-week backpacking trip, in addition to many one to three-night weekend trips. My style can best be described as lightweight, but not at the cost of giving up too much comfort. I prefer a tent over a tarp, in fact I love tents, but have not yet tried a hammock.

Manufacturer Information:

Manufacturer:	Ultimate Direction, Louisville, Colorado
Phone:	1-800-426-7229
URL:	www.ultimatedirection.com

Product Information:

Year of Manufacture:	New for 2005
Date Item Received:	January 28, 2005

Item being tested:	Ultimate Direction Cohiba
Model number:	# 4139
MSRP:	None given
Listed weight:	3 lb 5 oz (1.5 kg)
Volume (listed max):	2500 cubic inches (41 L)
Volume (listed, with front and side pockets removed):	2100 cubic inches (34.5 L)
Hydration bladder volume (fluid capacity):	128 oz (3.79 L)
Dimensions (height by width by depth):	22 x 12 x 7 inches (56 x 30 x 18 cm)

Actual Weights:

All weights are as measured on a US postal scale	Total in lbs and oz	Total in lbs	Total in oz	Total in grams
Ultimate Direction Cohiba Backpack As shipped; with hang tags, all removable pockets attached, rain cover, and hydration system	3 lb, 13.7 oz	3.86	61.7	1750
Removable Pocket (left)	2.0 oz	0.13	2.0	57
Removable Pocket (right)	2.0 oz	0.13	2.0	57
Removable Pocket (front)	4.0 oz	0.25	4.0	114
Cohiba Backpack Without the three removable pockets	3 lb, 5.7 oz	3.36	53.7	1522
Hydration System Bladder, hose, Kicker-valve	7.3 oz	0.46	7.3	207
Cohiba Backpack Without the three removable pockets, and without the hydration system	2 lb, 14.4 oz	2.90	46.4	1315
Removable Pack Rain Cover	2.4 oz	0.15	2.4	68

Additional Cohiba Backpack Product information, and information on the 128 oz. (3.79 L) Reservoir, can be found on the Ultimate Direction website, and in my initial and field reports.

The Cohiba resting at the summit of Longs Peak.

Review:

Field Test Conditions:
The Ultimate Direction Cohiba has been used on daily hikes in the woods, parks, and on trails near my home in Eastern Iowa. These hikes have ranged from 2 to 6 miles (3 to 10 km), with pack weights ranging from 18 to 34 pounds (8 to 15 kg). Temperatures have varied from 10 to 95 F (-12 to 35 C). The terrain has included most all trail conditions, from snow and frozen earth, to dry packed dirt, to mud, and overgrown foliage covering the trail. In addition to the hikes in Iowa, I used the Cohiba for a week of backpacking in Rocky Mountain National Park. While the elevations in Iowa were always around 800 feet (250 m), the elevations in Colorado ranged from 7,500 to 14,255 feet (2,290 to 4,345 m). My starting pack weight (with full water reservoir) in Colorado was typically 22 pounds (10 kg).

Due to the change in seasons and hiking conditions, the Cohiba has been worn over multiple varieties of clothing, from the minimum of a thin wicking t-shirt, to several layers including a fleece jacket and a rain shell. I have hiked with the Cohiba wearing sandals, trail shoes, and moderately heavy boots. I have also used the pack with and without trekking poles.

Fit and Comfort:
I have come full circle on my opinion of the fit and comfort of the Ultimate Direction Cohiba Backpack. When I first received the backpack, I was intrigued by the Adjustable Torso Link Suspension System, and thought it looked like it would be a very usable pack. After I had put some trail miles on the pack, I became disenchanted with the fit and was constantly adjusting things to try and get it to feel more comfortable. Somewhere along the line, however, I stopped playing with the pack and just used it, and it became quite a pleasant experience. The changes I made prior to "just using it" and changing my opinion of the pack were to adjust the Torso Link Suspension to slightly shorter than it's longest setting, and to re-bend the aluminum stay in the frame sheet using my back as a mold. Then I loaded the pack up and left it alone. It wasn't that comfortable at first, but as the pack settled in and the frame sheet and aluminum stay started conforming to my body, I stopped noticing any discomfort. I found the pack quite useful in all my adventures. I still feel like the pack sags too low in back, and wish the hip-belt was mounted lower on the structure, but I have become almost completely used to it, and the Cohiba is no longer disdained, but rather cherished, as a desired piece of my on-the-trail equipment.

Using the Cohiba:
I have used the Cohiba almost daily as mentioned in the "Field Test Conditions" above. When preparing for Longs Peak in Colorado, I over-loaded the Cohiba to about 34 pounds (15 kg), with some weight not normally associated with backpacking (a couple of quarts of oil, a 1 1/2 inch open ended wrench, a dumbbell and some extra water bottles, to aid in my conditioning. This made the pack heavy to put on, but I did get used to it, and it became comfortable the longer I wore it, and I even got to the point where I didn't really notice the extra weight except when I initially picked it up. That was my intent, as I wanted it to seem like it wasn't even there when I reduced the contents for my climb up to the 14,255 foot (3,700 m) summit of Longs Peak. It worked like a charm. Aside from the Colorado trip, and the associated training, I have also used the Cohiba for local overnight hikes, and as a day pack.

In general I like the Cohiba backpack. It seems a little heavy for its capacity, but has become comfortable and quite durable. I have slid down some rocks, and I have taken it through thick brush, and there are no signs of wear on the pack at all. The curvature of the shoulder straps seems to allow for extra clearance for swinging my arms as I hike. This especially noticeable when using trekking poles, and on the couple of bike rides I have taken with the pack. Primarily I have used the Cohiba on a bike for use of the hydration system. With the removable pockets stripped off it makes for a decent biking pack, although it really is overkill for taking along one jacket and a small amount of food. Still, it does seem to work for this purpose. And I just love that the "Four-Flex" side pockets on either side of the pack can be reached while wearing the pack. I can't emphasize enough how nice this is.

In my previous report, I mentioned that the design of the shoulder straps is such that they should slid, through a pivot point, as they are connected together around a dowel at the base of the pack. The intention is that as one strap gets shorter the other gets longer. As I reported, this slippage doesn't seem to occur as it should. In other words, with a decent load in the pack, there is enough resistance to cause the straps not to slide. After six months with the pack this has improved somewhat. When the pack is lightly to moderately loaded I have noticed this feature functioning properly. When heavily loaded it is still restricted.

The hydration system, consisting of the reservoir, hose, and Kicker-valve, works well. The large, 128 oz. (3.79 L) reservoir, is easy to fill with its full-width roll-top opening. I generally fill the reservoir while it is in the pack, and I usually fill it all the way up, so the fluid level markings on the outside haven't been useful to me. The form of the system is well thought-out, and the construction is first rate. The center membrane in the reservoir does an effective job of maintaining its shape. The hose is insulated, although the insulation is too short and the end of the hose near the Kicker-valve is not covered. The hose itself is also too short causing me to need to turn my head to the side to get a drink. When I adjusted the Torso Link Suspension to a shorter length, the pack rode higher and there was more available hose from the hydration system. However these settings were not conducive to my body frame. I like the Kicker-valve for the most part. When it is open the water flows remarkably freely. When closed, there is rarely a drip. The hose does tend to drain back into the reservoir when not being used, making it necessary to suck the air out of the tube before getting a drink on many occasions. Opening the valve is done by pulling the nipple away from the rest of the valve with my teeth. Occasionally the nipple slips back into the closed position, causing my teeth to slip off and clash together. I really hate this, but tend to blame it on my on lack of attention to what I am doing, rather than on the valve design.

Two other points of interest are that I have actually used the key clip (officially the "Detachable logo key ring") when reducing pack weight to only a single key for my truck. It is convenient and makes a nice key fob when I am using the truck or otherwise have the key in my pocket. When hiking, I clip the key inside the removable front pocket and I always know where to find it when I return. The second point is that the rain cover works sufficiently well and is out of sight, out of mind, when not needed.

The Cohiba sagging, note the high belt

The Cohiba sags, despite the belt riding rather high.

Summary:
The Ultimate Direction Cohiba backpack is well suited for long day trips, especially when hydration is an issue. The multitude of pockets and compartments make it easy for me to stay organized. The pack has shown no signs of deterioration after six months of nearly daily use, including some encounters with branches, brush, and rocks. I do believe there are some opportunities for weight reduction, such as making the removable pockets permanently attached - which would reduce the amount of fabric needed. For my needs, I would like the hydration hose to be about four inches (10 cm) longer, and I would like the hip belt lowered by an inch or two (2.5 to 5 cm) so that the bottom of the pack wouldn't rub on my posterior, and the bulk of the pack would ride a little higher. Other than that, I have enjoyed using and testing this backpack, and will undoubtedly use it again in the future.

Respectfully submitted,

-James T.

JET in shades, at the Key Hole

The Cohiba stores poles nicely using the axe loops.

Read more reviews of Ultimate Direction gear
Read more gear reviews by James E. Triplett

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