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Gear Reviews: Backpack

FALCON 2600

Manufacturer: Kelty

rating

Reviewed by: Bhikshu

So the important stuff first! Super comfy! Pretty good ventilation, lots of ways to change the configuration! Both top and panel access! Has a camo rain cover which and be flopped to a high visibility cover. The only reason I give this backpack a 4 out of 5 is that as a backpacking pack it is on the small side. If you are a one man show for backpacking and you went with all ultra-light gear it would work, but then way wouldn’t you buy an ultra-light pack? My soon to be use for this pack is my wife is going use it as her pack since I will be carrying most of the heavy stuff in my Kelty Red Cloud 110(tent(3man not ultra-light) cooking gear and such. I bought this backpack for my deployment to Iraq, Not as a Combat pack but as my personal backpack, it was pretty much perfect. I could attach a lot of gear to the outside and hold enough personal gear to not need a second back. When I travel back to the states for R&R this is the only bag I took with me. I had my laptop and all cords, some gifts, and some civilian clothes I wanted to bring back. It wasn't stuffed. The airlines even let me keep it as my carry on. (That might have been more of my uniform than its size, but it didn't cause any problems) Right now I use the backpack as my winter survival pack, full set of a change of clothes ("silk" long johns, BDU pants & shirt, and some rainproof pants & jacket, fleece blanket, high density food, and some other things I can’t remember right now, it is fully loaded, I have a survival knife strapped to the side and a camping hatchet inside, my medic pack (slightly better than a first aid kit, But I am a EMT)
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Ask the Expert

Ask Kristin
Kristin Hostetter
Q.} Dear Kristin,

I'm allergic to down, but I like its compressibility. I’ve been trying to find a synthetic bag that packs as well as a down one. But do you know anyone who makes a hypoallergenic down sleeping bag or am I stuck with synthetics? 
Submitted by: Greg
A.} Dear Greg,

Guess what? You are probably not allergic to down. You are likely allergic to the dust particles that remain in down that is not cleaned and processed properly. Or dust mites. Or mold that can grow in an im properly stored down bag. Some tips: Forget about buying a bag that’s labeled 750-fill power or under. Those are lesser quality downs that might have you sneezing and wheezing all night. If you opt for an 850-fill power or higher bag, you’re getting only the fluffiest down plumules that have been thoroughly cleaned.

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