The North Face Primero 85 Backpack - 4880-5200cu in

This pack is, simply put, great. I love it. It's big yet light, has tough fabric yet fits comfortably, and it has the reliability that I'm used to with TNF products. This pack is very, very water "resistant". I hesitate to say "waterproof" because if you completely submerge it, it might leak. Maybe. All in all, if you want a great pack for long trips, this is the pack for you.

I just recently bought this pack, and after having 4 previous packs this one just felt incredible. Granted I only took it on a 8 mile shakedown. I did load it up to 40 pounds, and I hardly even noticed the weight. Also it rained pretty good on the hike and everything stayed completely dry. I'm very impressed with this pack, the support is great, its very roomy, has plenty of straps and pockets and is built tough. Can't wait to take it on long expeditions.

While it's true that the fabric is somewhat difficult to manipulate because it's hard, I think it is a very quality bag that won't tear easily. Even my ice axe couldn't tear it. The pack makes carrying loads easy as it diverts the weight to your hips and the X-frame really follows the shape of your back. There are some few minor things however: the plastic where the strap meets the softer shoulder strap should have been two inches higher as it now pushes in your chest when you carry loads of +15 kilo. Secondly, the foam around your hips should have had a butterfly-shape so that it would follow the contours of your hips even better. But all in all, I really loved the pack cause it made my trekking very comfortably. So if you need a pack that is really big and that needs to be able to withstand wear and tear; don't look further!

I'm not really seeing where the complaint is coming from about the fabric. If you want to see stiff, hard to manipulate fabric then go check out a stiff Arc'teryx bag. This bag only has some of the panels that are "stiff". I view those panels as durable! I don't want a bag that is going to blow out when I'm 20,000 feet up. This bag has proven to not even need any sort of a rain cover either. It's weather proof! ha! Besides, how much do you need to manipulate the fabric anyways?! If you're having to 'manipulate' any fabric then maybe it's because you're trying to wad too much into the bag and need a bigger one. I love this bag and it's held up to the mass amounts of abuse it's taken. The bag still looks new.

Buyer Beware! Not if you like to hike big, bushwack, or are hard on equiptment. Zippers are set up with a wierd off center knot on the top pouch, making them hard to pull, and both zippers broke on me, on the 1 and only hike i took it on. The "waterproof bottom" is only the bottom, as the sides of the bottom are not the waterproof material, and when you load your sleeping bag, it poofs out into the non waterproof area. There is no inner liner, and when you load the pack you can see LOTS of light coming through the seams. Back panel for camel back holder ripped when rested against rocks. Pack was 60-70 lbs., packed for a winter week, and after all that i was afraid to lift it when it was loaded. At 85 liters, it should handle that weight easy. I have a north face day pack i like, and my TNF Solaris is bomproof with a great back panel desigh (vertical). The features tnf thought of for this pack are great, the x-frame works well and is comfortable, but the waist belt(while comfortable when fitted) constantly loosened under the weight of my pack. This pack is NOT for serious hikers or mountaineers in my opinion. Go for an Arcteryx Bora 80 on sale on this site, E-OMC, or Hermit's hut for the same price as this junk!

I bought this pack for an 8 day trip into the Wind Rivers Wyoming, and even though the trip was cut short by rabid mosquitos the size of small cats the pack worked great. If your familiar with the winds you know when it rains it poors. This pack kept my gear nice and dry during those storms. The only thing that I would change is the feel of the waist straps, they began to rub my hips raw after the 3 day. But then again it is backpacking and you cant expect your pack to feel like Bently! Ill be honest though, next time a buy a new pack im going with another North Face product.

This is quite possibly the best pack I have ever bought. Plenty of room for anything you coulld possibly want to bring. Not to mention slightly water resistant. Fits well right off the shelf for larger torso people. When I were this one out I will replace it with the same.

I really do enjoy the pack and it really is water proof. Its light and easy to really sets the weight on your hips well. The fabric is tough but also tough to handle as well but i think worth it if you plan on using needing a water proof pack.

Anyone looking for a relatively light, water resistant, durable backpack that would allow them to pack their house on the trail would be more than happy with this bag. Although, I do understand the complains about the materials/zippers being difficult to work with. Give it a little break-in time and the material should soften up. Also, it doesn't come with a detachable lumbar back which is always nice for those short trips away from base camp. Other than that it's sweet pack. If you're shopping around take a look at the Osprey Argon 85. It comes with all the bells and whistles the Primero comes with plus the lumbar pack and a removable hydration blatter! It costs a little more though, but it's an Osprey! Check it out! Happy hiking!

This pack is great. Its very comfortable, has good compartments, is very water proof. For the size of the pack, it is still quite light. I was able to carry twenty days worth of food for a solo trip in this pack, (with some cheeky strapping of tent and sleeping pad to the outside though). So in all, this pack has plenty of room, is light, strong and waterproof. Great buy.

while the pack worked well, the fabric was difficult to manipulate. pack seemed heavier than what i was expecting and while completely waterproof the fabric was uncomfortable. the pack worked for what i needed it, but for the price, i think there is better out there.