Kelty Trekker 3900 ST Backpack Gear Review

[armeniandude1000]

cool pack, i have the yukon 2900 pack

[parfumatu2003]

What kind of poncho is that ?

[drcstudios]

@parfumatu2003 that is an official us army rain poncho - they go for like $25 bucks and this particular one did come through for me in a recent rain. I've since abandoned the idea for a light rain shell jacket and silnylon tarp instead. hope that helps. DRC.

[Estebanfuturo]

oh a little thing i want to mention, i purchased a 3 liter hidration bag, and it fits in the hydration poket with room to spare.

[Estebanfuturo]

purchased it 1 month ago, i couldnt be happier with it, very very adjustable and the fabric is really really heavy duty, and not elastic at all, again couldnt be more happy with it.

[notoriousnews]

I am actually ordering this pack today. Can't wait to get it. Great review.

[trucker274]

Great job! we need more videos like this on youtube. thanks!

[notoriousnews]

This pack looks beyond awesome. I am buying one from Campmore next week.

[xUbastardx]

Thanks for showing your pack. I was wanting to look at this one and now I have. Awesome.

[jakmak52]

You might like the Kelty Coyote 4750 as an alternative.

[drcstudios]

@jakmak52 Already had the kelty page up when you chimed in... looks cool... are you familiar with the Karrimor Sabre SF series I'm talking about?

[jakmak52]

@drcstudios I just checked their website and the padding on the hip belt looks very comfortable. I bet the shipping charges must be sky high LOL

[jakmak52]

@drcstudios and the daisy chains galore for lashing about as much as the pack can stand LOL

[jakmak52]

Have you given the pack tested out in the field yet?

[drcstudios]

@jakmak52 Yes, I tested it out in the field... For me - the pack ended up being too small - it kept cutting into my pecks under my arms so it was very uncomfortable no matter how I adjusted it. I gave it to my girlfriend and she has been very happy with it on two subsequent outings. It's a great pack, absolutely! For a man I'd go with the 3950 Kelty Trekker if you're wanting something with a little smaller capacity. Ultimately I'm looking at the Karrimor Sabre line out of England.

[jakmak52]

@drcstudios How about the Kelty Tioga 5500?

[drcstudios]

@jakmak52 As much as I enjoyed working with the external frame pack style, I think I'm gonna go with an internal frame, although just tonight I looked at Gregory Evolution external frame on ebay that looks really sick.

[jakmak52]

@drcstudios Gregory, Deuter, Ospey and Arct'x have high reviews.

[drcstudios]

@jakmak52 Nowadays I'm looking at the Arc'Teryx Altra 65L or the Vaude Versametric UL...

[drcstudios]

You should probably talk to the head of the department... i don't think they would lead you astray. If i was't already on more of a bushcraft mindset i'd probably consider the 3950 as a strong alternative for a larger size.

[drcstudios]

@xAcesxHighx It's called the 3900 ST --> ST means "short torso." I was finally able to use it in the field, and as it turns out my shoulders are a little too broad for this pack - it cut into my pecks so I gave it to my girlfriend who is petite and it fits her perfect. I'm 5'10" also. If the 15 year old is long in the legs it would probably be fine provided he isn't broad shouldered. My replacement pack for myself is probably going to be the British Karrimor Sabre 45.

[trucker274]

Great video, good information. You sound educated

[slodeth5]

I did like your review. I too hope to see a video on your actual usage of it. I was wondering if you could look at my old Kelty aluminum frame pack I recently bought at a second hand store. Can you I.D. it? Thanks

[andrisig33]

@drcstudios

A somewhat strange questions perhaps. What are the dimensions of the Kelty Trekker without stuff. Normally of course you would add stuff, but I have to get it first :-) I'm trying to make an estimate of the costs when ordering this backpack and need to know what the packaging dimensions are to calculate the freight costs and have it send to The Netherlands. The same applies for the Kelty Tioga 5500, that one I would like to have also.

Thanks, great review on the Kelty Trekker 3900ST

[HvinnyTheViking]

I have a Kelty 4300 that mirrors your review of the 3900 perfectly, It has been a great pack that has proven itself over the years. Excellent review and I like the para cord wrapped topbar Idea :)

thanks for the review

[Pwinklebottom]

thanks for the video, i think i've made my choice

[lagertown]

Sold me. I've been reading reviews for days and knew I wanted a Trekker. Nice to see the video review. My only question is about construction. I've read rave reviews and then read where someone's frame snapped on their first trip out so I'd hope I got a good one off of the assembly line. External frame all the way.

[drake911]

hey, thanks for the video; your review helped me decide to buy one, i just ordered it from backcountry for 118 on sale khaki color just like yours and i cant wait to get it and try it out on the back country. I bailed out on my internal frame backpack due to major stress on the shoulders so i hope this will distribute weight better.

[drcstudios]

@drake911 Yeah, this one has adjustable load lifters on the shoulder straps which will help with the shoulder stress... incidentally, i saw some close up pictures of the 3950 Trekker, and it did not appear to have load lifters... if that is true then the 3900 is definitely the way to go. Lemme know how you like it once you get it!

[drake911]

@drcstudios I finally got it and load all my gear that I had with my old internal frame back and the difference night and day!!! the 3900 external frame just put my Teton 3400 internal frame to shame. Kelty knows what they are making, all the stress load are evenly spread with the load lifters and I have no shoulder stress on hours of hike. What an amazing backpack. The 3900 seem small on camera but when you pack there are more room to stash what you can carry for 4 day hike, the bag expand!

[drake911]

@drcstudios Thanks a lot drcstudios, your review is most helpful and I'm a happy camper:) PS I also bought the Kelty Grand Mesa 2, very lightweight to complement my 3900. Just finished the Grand Canyon hike, heading up north in a couple of weeks and my comfort of choice is my trusty Kelty 3900.

[xThatLoneSomeSong]

very nice review. I'd love to see a video on how it packs with a full load

[drcstudios]

@xThatLoneSomeSong you can bet that will be forthcoming...

[MosquitoFood]

Great review. That looks like a great bag. I ended up cutting out my hydration pocket to minimize weight (dont use a hydration system). In fact, when the bag is packed full, its hard to get anything into that pouch anyhow. I also cut out that baffle at the bottom. It allows me to pack the bag more evenly. Hope it works well for you.

[M1American]

BPA free is refering to the plastic type that bleads into your water and is not good for you, they found this out in the last few years and are now making plastic containers for liquids that are "BPA free".

On a nother note the Kelty Trekker 3900 is a pack I have been looking at my self, when you use it please let us know how you like it, Im holding out due to low budget, I cant do multiple packs at this point. So all the info is apreciated.

Good review!