Kelty Coyote 65 / Coyote 60

Overall Rating: 4.0

Suspension • 4.0

The Coyote provides pro-level comfort at an entry-level price: Our testers maintained a natural, sway-free gait no matter how much they packed. Diagonal compression straps run from the front of the pack across the side pockets, pulling weight up as well as in. “They not only secure items in the pockets, but tighten the pack and keep loads close to your back,” explained one tester after a trip through Colorado’s Uncompahgre National Forest.  

Comfort • 3.9

At 5 inches wide, the cushy hipbelt wings are among the broadest in the test, and excel at spreading weight across the hips. We stayed comfortable and chafe-free carrying 40 pounds on a trip near Colorado’s Book Cliffs. Testers also reported minimal swamping thanks to deep, 3-inch-wide cutouts on the upper back. 

Features • 4.2

One zippered hip pocket fits a phone and headlamp, and one non-zippered mesh belt pocket holds a few granola bars. Our testers also loved the space between the lateral zipper pouches and the packbody, which creates a hollow sleeve: “You can run tent poles or trekking poles through the sleeve and into the mesh bottle pockets. That way they’re easy to load and unload without unstrapping anything,” one says. Ding: The toplid is side-access only. 

Durability • 4.0

The 420-denier polyester withstood plenty of battering while off-trail hiking through the Book Cliffs. “I raked it across rocks and saw no sign of material failure whatsoever,” our tester says.