Marmot Kompressor Summit

Lightweight, comfortable day pack with 28L of capacity. Works well for long day hikes with my gear and for two people's gear for 2-3 hour hikes.

I've vowed this spring and summer to do more longer day hikes in preparation for tackling some 14'ers.  I've lived in Colorado for 20 years and have never summitted one and this is my year to start.

My other packs were either too large (a 45L and an 85L) or too small (12L) to carry the gear I need for the longer 4-5 hour hikes so I started looking around for a mid-20L-30L pack that can handle a small cook set, a mid-layer and rain shell, 4L of water, medi kit, food, etc.  as well as carry gear for an extra person on shorter family hikes.

I was looking at a 36L Osprey at REI but was having a tough time coughing up the $140 for it. I really like the way the venting worked on it but the price held me back. I found this Marmot Kompressor Summit at Sierra Trading Post and with my discounts I was able to pick it up for about $55 so decided to give it a try.

I've used it twice on 2.5 hour hikes but loaded more like full day hikes for testing it out, and I must say I've been really pleased with it. Even though it doesn't have a rigid back structure, it does have a full compressed foam backing which helps keep the back smooth and the hip belt has enough strength to let the pack ride well on the hips.

The pack has many nice features:

• 28L capacity
• interior sleeve for water bladder
• lid with two zippered pockets
• exterior pocket with stretchy material
• two loops and securing straps for hiking poles or ice axe
• two exterior water bottle pockets
• two compression straps on each side
• load adjuster straps on the shoulders and waist belt
• adjustable chest strap with security whistle

The two things I've found that downgrade this pack a star are:

• for my 6'3" height, the torso length is a little too short. In the picture above you can see that in order to get the waist belt to sit properly on my hips, I have to loosen the shoulder straps too much causing the pack to sit low on my shoulder.
• when the pack is loaded, the venting channel in the back bulges out some essentially blocking the air flow causing my back to sweat more than it would with a more rigid structure.

So far with the two 4-5 miles hikes, this hasn't been to big of a deal and I've been pleased with the overall comfort. I think because the pack itself weighs very little (1 lbs 10 oz is what Marmot lists it) and I'm learning to pack lighter as well, this pack will work well for me this season.

Update 12/17/14: After using this pack much more through the summer and fall, the one thing to keep an eye on is the thinner sil-nylon material around the sides. I've had to repair four small holes that have formed as a result of things inside my pack poking through (such as the little ends on my GSI kettle handle).  I bought McNett's Gear Aid Sil-Fix Kit and it has done an amazing job repairing the holes.

Simple and light. Sit pad also doubles to firm up the pack and serve as a frame. Also has a slot for water bladder.

The Marmot Kompressor series of packs have always had two things in mind: light and simple.

For such a light and spacious pack it gives you many great features. Top pocket has internal smaller zipped mesh pocket for phones and the like. A key clip for your transportation and another pocket under the top flap. Though not large by any means the main top flap pocket has plenty of room for gloves, sunglasses, hat, munchies etc.

The main compartment has a slot for your water bladder and a removable foam pad to sit on that also doubles as a stiffner for the pack, like a frame. The outside has stretch pockets for odds and ends as well as loops and ties for ice tools in a pinch, not the best or strongest I have seen.

There are also 4 lash straps, 2 per side, that do double duty to lash on gear but also compress the pack down when not full. The hip belt is not padded but works well and has small pockets for some munchies or small equipment such as a compass, lighter etc.

Have done some skiing, hiking and scrambles with it so far and really enjoy how it fits and moves with me. I am 5ft 10in and 162lbs and this thing fits me like a glove.

Way sturdier than I thought it was going to be. Definitely don't regret learning with this pack.

I really appreciate how well this pack is built. Everything about it is pretty decent, especially for the $90 price I bought it for. That is to say if you don't overload it like me.

I started training in December 2012 for the A.T. in February 2014 and I've been loading this pack with 35+ pounds and enough gear to fill a 45 liter pack. I've been through desert terrain scrambling up rock faces and back home in Michigan mountains and deep swamps and forests with this pack and it hasn't really worn in the year and half I've had it.

That being said, I definitely do not recommend using this pack like I have been. Although a great bug out type bag for the average human's bare necessities (sleeping system and cooking system), this bag should not be considered for multi-day use unless you're particularly masochistic like me.