Kelty Redwing 50
Sometimes pure comfort trumps fancy features.
Brand: Kelty
Model: Redwing 50
Comfort “Every time I hoisted it onto my shoulders, I couldn’t believe how comfortable it felt,” raved an editor after hiking with the Kelty Redwing in Yosemite. The lightly padded, 3-inch-wide shoulder straps are cushy without being bulky, and the mesh backpanel’s raised pods enhance breathability and provide plenty of cushion.
Organization Five slots in the organizing panel (one padded for electronics or glasses), four zippered compartments, a kangaroo pouch, and two side bottle pockets come in handy for testers who like a place for everything. Slim touring skis with low-profile tech bindings fit under the zippered side pockets for an easy A-frame carry (fat skis don’t fit). Ding: Our most fanatical organizers wished for side-zipper access to the main compartment. 50 liters