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Mountain Hardwear Koa 55 Backpack - 3350-3650cu in
Available Colors / Styles
The Mountain HardWear Koa 55 Backpack offers you a streamlined pack with plenty of room for all the essentials for a few days on the mountain trail. This large pack has multiple options to expand your load, while featuring extra ventilation and load transfer to give you an extremely comfortable ride that stands up to the every-changing mountain weather.
- FL suspension combines tensioned mesh for ventilation with ample load transfer for comfort
- Padded hipbelt with ventilated mesh panels distributes weight while keeping you cool
- Weather tight roll-top design offers quick, easy access to contents and saves weight
- Stowable stretch mesh front compression panel adds versatility and capacity for overloads
- Zipper on right side of main compartment gives full access to gear
- Extra-large side pocket on left side helps organize gear
- Hydration sleeve with external access keeps water close and convenient
- Minimalist daisy chain on front panel carries ice axe, trekking poles, etc.
Bottom Line: A cool, comfortable, and convertible pack for your weekend adventures.
Talk shop with all the gear freaks out there: ask 'em questions, upload/browse photos, and give your 2¢.
small big pack
By:
Joe Miller
July 30, 2010
very nice pack pretty standard other than the roll up top. VERY nice feature you can make this pack as big or small as you want! the green on it makes me feel a bit army like but just sew a patch from your local mountain right on that middle blank spot and you're set!
Just curious if anyone knows if this pack will be accepted as
Just curious if anyone knows if this pack will be accepted as a carry on on major airlines? Or if someone could give me the outside dimensions when full, that'd be great.
By: Lloyd
October 6, 2009
I think these dimensions are if they are fully expanded. Thankfully, this pack has tons of compression.
By: Babak Sakaki
June 5, 2010
Specs for Medium:
Capacity: 3350 cu. in.; 55 liters
Weight: 3 lbs. 11 oz.; 1.66 kg.
Fits Torso Range: 17.5"- 20"; 44 - 51 cm.
Fabric: body: 210D HexNut Ripstop Nylon
Fabric: accent: 100D Ripstop Cordura
Fabric: bottom: 315D Cordura Nylon
Waist Range: 30.0" - 35.0"; 76 cm - 89 cm
Dimensions: 26.0" x 14.0" x 14.0"; 66cm x 36cm x 36cm
Specs for Large:
Capacity: 3650 cu. in.; 60 liters
Weight: 3 lbs. 12 oz.; 1.71 kg.
Fits Torso Range: 19.5"- 22"; 50 - 56 cm.
Fabric: body: 210D HexNut Ripstop Nylon
Fabric: accent: 100D Ripstop Cordura
Fabric: bottom: 315D Cordura Nylon
Waist Range: 34.0" - 39.0"; 86 cm - 99 cm
Dimensions: 27.0" x 14.0" x 14.0"; 69cm x 36cm x 36cm
By: Benjamin Vincent
April 15, 2010
This pack is GREAT!!!
By:
imaxeman1371
July 22, 2009
I bought this pack for summer weekend trips when I can pack light and hike fast. I took this out on the North Country Trail in Northern Michigan over a three day weekend. It held all my gear with ease, and I was able to carry an extra 4 liter water bladder for the first day (due to lack of water access) in the external gear net on the front. I was concerned that the hipbelt would get uncomfortable after a few miles down the trail, but to my surprise I found it to be a great fit and a nice comfortable suspension. I found that with the hydration bladder compartment on the side, it did not get pressurized from being squished amongst the gear in my pack for refilling (I use the MSR HyperFlow, so I do not have to take the bladder out of my pack, great time saver!, but I have had the water spray back out of the drinking tube on other packs that have the bladder in the main compartment). With the extra water, the pack weighed in at 43 lbs at the trail head, was very comfortable; it weighed 32 lbs when I left the trail, and still very comfortable. I can say that I felt the cool breezes on my back while I was hiking! I would not recommend this for extended hikes unless you are a minimalist though. It had just enough room for 3-4 maybe 5 days, and in fairly warm weather (no extra warm layers). Overall a great pack and an awesome design!
Is it true that this pack doesn't have any divider between
Is it true that this pack doesn't have any divider between the main and sleeping bag compartments? If so, wouldn't all the content of the pack shift down when you take out the sleeping bag?
Thanks
By: Pakrr
August 21, 2009
Sort of. While this pack has zipper access through the bottom, there is no divider between that zipper and the top of the pack. So yes, if you pack your sleeping bag at the bottom, contents will shift down if you remove it while the pack is upright. The "sleeping bag compartment" (if you want to call it that) actually runs down the left hand side of the pack vertically. That is where the seperate compartment with different zipper access is. I found it odd at first, but it actually is more versatile. For example, if your tent poles are short enough, this space will hold a 2 or 3 man tent. However, since the compartment is more of a cylinder shape, it might be a bit narrow for beefier sacks. Fits my 25 deg. down bag fine, a stretch for my 5 deg. synthetic.
By: Benjamin Vincent
April 20, 2010
No it has a separate compartment
By: Matt Miller
August 22, 2009
Nice pack
By:
n.bird
October 24, 2009
This definitely isn't your grandpa's backpack. There's a lot of innovative design in this thing and I'm not sure whether or not it's for the better. I like the roll-top closure and the front stowable pocket, and the waste-belt pockets are great too. The other pockets are a bit annoying because they just take up space within the pack itself. Nonetheless, it's nice to have the option of using them. The padding leaves a bit to be desired, although it does carry a full load pretty well.
How would this pack do for a 6-7 day trip with a 29 oz sleeping
How would this pack do for a 6-7 day trip with a 29 oz sleeping bag that packs down the size of a football a 3.5 pound tent and all the basic gear and food. Too small?
By: Lenny
May 15, 2009
Depends on how light you tend to pack. I have a 40L pack and a 50L pack that are all I need for up to a week. This pack is nearly 60L so it depends on what else you have to put in there. Obviously Jetboils and GPS's are extraneous and will require more space. You may also be taking photography equipment, mountaineering / climbing gear, or fishing gear which will require more pack space than general backpacking. The experience you have will dictate how much you 'need' in the backcountry, and the less you take, the more fun you will have while on the move. I think this pack is a good size / weight. My theory on packs is - the less bells and whistles, the better. You definitely want to stay under 4 lbs.
By: Tommy Hunke
May 15, 2009
Koa55 review
By:
weatherswill
September 15, 2009
After years of using a variety of technical backpacks, I've finally found a pack with all the correct features. With 40 years of backpack experience, I've discovered the Koa55 (large) to be lite, comfortable, roomy and versatile. After a summer of high country bikeaneering in the Sawtooth Cascades, this has become my only go-to pack. Without unnecessary straps or accoutrements and the speedy roll-top, I can safely blaze downhill with no helmut interference and not feel off-balance - great stability (for a guy carrying 32 pounds on a bike!). Comfort is paramount while climbing or pushing a bike up steep ascents. Access can be gained from top, bottom or side and the extra pouch in front is a sure-fire plus for quick helmet or jacket stashes. Hydration pouch location is one of the best i've seen and totally accessible despite a full load. I would recommend this pack to all who desire comfort and reliability in a pack designed for both summer and winter backcountry, but be warned: it will hold nearly everything you are willing to cram inside.
If one were to be going ultralight (base packweight of 15-16lbs),
If one were to be going ultralight (base packweight of 15-16lbs), how many days do you think this could be good for? Is there anyway to increase the distance between the straps? Thanks for the answer Jon, you are an indispensable resource. Just one more question; when trying on the pack (empty) I felt it was a bit tight around my collar bone, almost digging in. Anyway to adjust that?
By: Babak Sakaki
May 5, 2009
Jon, thanks much for the help. Honestly, you are one of the most helpful reps out there.
Another question: Could you post a pic of the proper way to buckle down the top? Also, is it supposed to be a magnetic closure?
Thanks,friend.
By: Babak Sakaki
May 25, 2010
Babak Sakaki. With all the added features that are bullet pointed in the content you could probably take this for 5 days or more. There are probably ultralight folks out there that could push it even further than that... I mean it is almost a 60 liter pack. Depending on how minimalist you want to go the options are limitless. Good luck.
By: Jon Webb
May 6, 2009
Perfect Mtn Bike Pack
By:
dcoile05100045351
August 27, 2009
This pack is the best there is for 3-5 day mtn bike trips in the backcountry. Easy to load, weather tight and no top lid. I've always cut the tops off because they bump into the back of your helmet when riding downhill. No more, with the cool rolltop. No silly 2 lb multi-zippered lid - just air behind your helmet. It's 1 lb lighter than my old pack and much cooler on my back. This picture was taken looking north over Lake Chelan on the way to Saska Pass in Aug 2009. I carried 30 lbs with 2 liters of water (and occasionally my bike) over a 4 day trip. Super comfortable.
Style, durability, comfort, and features- a backpacking superhero!
By:
Dakka
August 3, 2009
Extra features in packs often rings like a red flashing light on the interior of a submarine- never a good thing. At least in the minds of a minimalist and seasoned backpacker. Mountain Hardwear has made these extra features be totally functional and taken the 'bells and whistles' idiosyncrasy out of them. What are these features? Well starting with the daisy chain- these often can clutter not only the appearance of your pack but typically manufacturers will make them much longer than needed, contributing to overall weight and unsightliness in one fell swoop. So the daisy chain is all you need, nothing you don't. The roll top design which is also sealed by magnetic closure, is functional in the sense it eliminates the removable top construction we still see today in so many packs. If you're like me you find satisfaction in taking those off before your excursion, Mountain Hardwear knew we did this and had no desire to use it as a lumbar pack, so they cut it out altogether. The mesh hipbelt pockets are used for my camera on one side and a compass on the other for quick access. The stowable front pocket with compression strap is unlike anything I've ever seen on a pack. It's so convenient on those days when you don't know what layer you're going to be pairing up with or for stuffing a rain shell in for quick access if it looks like rain might be in your near future. I suppose it could even hold a helmet if you were canyoneering. There is compression all over the place so leaving with an empty bag doesn't mean you're leaving with a floppy, ill fitting bag. The mesh back and arched framesheet keep your back cool and core temp down. The Koa to me represents Mountain Hardwear's future in the pack industry, If such a thing as a "blind pack test" existed, most of the results would say they were wearing an Osprey Atmos when asked what they thought of the Koa.
As far as sizing goes, I'm 6'1" and I got a medium and it fit absolutely perfect (I'm more legs than torso -about a 21" torso). I wear a large in Arc'teryx and North Face packs, but this medium was spot on.
My only complaints are I wish ONE of the hip belt pockets wasn't mesh so dirt and sand couldn't get into it in order to keep a camera cleaner. I also wish the drink holders on the side were deeper- that's it.
Change me.
Please choose an option to order this item.
Cypress, M (189.95)
small big pack
very nice pack pretty standard other than the roll up top. VERY nice feature you can make this pack as big or small as you want! the green on it makes more...
This pack is GREAT!!!
I bought this pack for summer weekend trips when I can pack light and hike fast. I took this out on the North Country Trail in Northern Michigan over a more...
- Material:
- 210D HexNut Ripstop nylon
- Volume:
- 3650cu in (59.8L)
- Suspension:
- FL Supension
- Hydration Compatible:
- Yes
- Torso Adjustment:
- Yes, 19.5-22in (50-56cm)
- Detachable Pack:
- No
- Sleeping Bag Compartment:
- Yes
- Rain Cover:
- No
- Access Types:
- Top & side
- Pockets:
- [External] 2 mesh, 1 side; [Internal] 1 main, 1 sleeping bag
- Snowboard Carry:
- No
- Ski Carry:
- No
- Ice Axe Loops:
- 2
- Shovel Pocket:
- No
- Weight:
- 3lb 12oz (1710g)
- Recommended Use:
- Backpacking, trekking
- Manufacturer Warranty:
- Lifetime