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The Product...
Pinon Expedition Backpack by Wildman Packs
Volume: Small 5025 c.i., Medium 5475, Large 5775
Weight: Small 7.2 lbs., Medium 7.5, Large 7.75
Frame: Small 24", Medium 26", Large 28"
Torso: Small 15-18, Medium 17-20, Large 19-22
Dimensions: There are no specific dimensions for this pack.
Additional: 1000 Denier Cordura, 1500 Denier Ballistic Cloth, nylon water resistant fabrics, Quick Release Beaver
Tail, Convertible Top Lid/Bum bag, Lash Straps and Shock Cord provide additional lashing points, Dual Storm Collar allows
over stuffing, H2O System 2-liter bladder, Mesh wand pockets fit large water bottles, separate sleeping bag compartment,
Adjustable suspension system provides custom fit, Aluminum stays contour to spine to provide custom fit and support,
HDPE frame sheet protects back from objects in packsack, Wildwoman proportionally sized packs available for special
female features.
Customer Service: 435-753-8136
MSRP: $310
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The Product Tester...
Rob Castillo
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 170lbs
Build: Medium Slim
Style: Go for eet!/let me sleep
Background: Professional outdoor photographer. Backpacking through mountain, desert and
cities for over ten years.
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The Completely Biased Review...
Category: Accessories
Photos: Rob Castillo
I recently took the Pinnacle Series Pinon Expedition Backpack to the Himalayas for a month to make an attempt on Mount Ama Dablam in Nepal. When the pack arrived a week before the trip, I was impressed by how solid it looked and how well it fit. It is made of 1000 Denier Cordura, which is the heaviest weight Cordura available. In the main compartment there is a 100oz. water bladder pocket and a clip on the shoulder strap to hold the mouthpiece in place for easy hydrating. I knew I had made a good choice in selecting this pack for the expedition.
My initial judgments of the pack were reinforced once I got to the Himalayas and started trekking. It has a comfy waistband that saved my hips from chafing on those long haul days or when I walked downhill with heavy loads. A nice feature of the waistband, other than the comfort, is it easily combines with the top pouch to create a fanny pack, which was useful when I reached camp and wanted to go for a short exploration.
Another great feature of the pack is the plethora of access zippers. The top pouch has zippers on opposite sides, making access quite convenient no matter what side your pack is facing. This also allows access to items on the reverse side so you don't have to dig around the pouch to find things. Much like a Dana Design backpack, the bottom of the pack has a horizontal zipper and an optional compartment separator for sleeping bags. However, unlike the Dana, it also has a vertical zipper down through the main compartment, making it much easier to grab that extra layer or find the fuel bottle.
The Pinon performed extremely well in just about all the conditions I encountered in the Himalayas. It kept the load evenly distributed and snug to my body, so it was easy to negotiate the rocky terrain. The padded waistband also saved my hips from the pain I have sometimes experienced with other packs.
I only found a couple problems with the pack, which ironically corresponded with some of the features that I especially liked. Although the waistband was very comfortable, the fact that it was attached with Velcro made the pack lose some stability on the more technical terrain. Occasionally, the Velcro on the waistband would detach from the Velcro on the pack, causing the load to shift unexpectedly. The number of zippers and cords on the pack also took away from the simplicity of the Pinon. As I was hiking, I found myself struggling to find the correct zipper to open or the correct cord to pull. In general, the draw cords were too long, and the pull-tabs (that most backpack companies are now using) kept coming off whenever I would adjust them with any amount of real force. Wildman (and the other manufacturers) should save the money and go back to tying the cords in knots. Jason Mons, the president of Wildman, assured me that the problem with the waistband would be solved on the next generation of the pinon pack. He also told me that they are using a new type of pull-tab that he believes will not come off.
Overall, the Pinon was very impressive in fit, function and durability. I think this would be an excellent choice for backpacking trips of 4-10 days on moderate to rugged terrain. If you are looking for a smaller pack for a shorter expedition, Wildman offers its Discovery Series line as well as various other daypacks.
More Biased Reviews Of This Product...
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