What’s In My Pack? The North Face Terra 50
For the inaugural edition of “What’s In My Pack” I thought I would start with the most obvious piece of gear; the pack itself.
My pack of choice is the North Face Terra 50.
I’ve used it on several day hikes, as well as my 2-day Mount Washington attempt. So far I’m very impressed with it. It’s got a great mix of storage options, it’s hydration compatible, and comfortable on long hikes.
Quick Facts:
- Weight: 4 lbs 9 oz
- Volume: 3050 cubic inches (50 liters)
- Dimensions: 31in. x 15in. x 9in.
- Fit Range: 16in. 19in. (41 cm 48 cm)
- Hydration Compatible
First Impressions
Initially, I thought this pack would be a decent ‘first big pack’ to get me started and bought it on sale at my local North Face shop; something to tide me over until I could (or had reason to) spend a few hundred dollars on an expedition quality pack. I have to say, however, that I’ve been pleasantly surprised with this one.
The first time I strapped it on for a day hike in the Gatineau Park I didn’t really need any equipment, so I packed it with a few books, and some extra clothes, to simulate a decent load. It did very well and stayed comfortable for the whole of the excursion.
The Real Test
The real test came when I decided to use this pack on my attempt to climb Mount Washington.
I needed the pack to be spacious enough for 2 days worth of equipment and supplies, rugged enough to stand up to alternating periods of extreme heat and heavy rain, and be comfortable enough to stay on my back for periods ranging from 4-6 hours at a time.
I’m happy to report that it performed like a champ.
It stayed relatively dry in the rain, the North Face TNT suspension system kept it comfortable on my back, and it was big enough to store all the gear I needed for the weekend.
Storage Options
The bag comes with many options for storing your gear. There’s a decent sized top compartment with zippered division, and roomy side pockets that span the entire height of the bag.
The main compartment is comprised of a pouch for a hydration bag, as well as a divider to create a separate bottom compartment for sleeping bag, or anything else. It also features side pockets, as well as various gear loops, straps, and tie downs on the exterior.
I found the size, and variety, of the different storage compartments perfect for all my gear. The one exception being the hydration pocket. It seems very small to me. I’m only able to shove about half of my 3L CamelBak into it.
Bottom Line
Pro’s
- It was affordable,
- It’s comfortable,
- Hydration Compatible,
- Roomy, with decent storage options.
Con’s
- It’s tough, but I don’t think I would trust it to survive extreme conditions (snow/rain storms, very heavy loads, etc),
- The hydration compartment is very small.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for an affordable, flexible, new pack for those long day hikes or the occasional overnighter, give the Terra 50 a try.
Tags: Gear, What's in my pack?