Gear Review - High Sierra Explorer 55

September 29th, 2008 Wade

Backpacking is probably my number one favorite sport. Paddling is up there too, but if I had a trailhead at my back door I’d probably be out every weekend if not more.

Affordable AND Durable
I had the chance to test the new High Sierra Explorer 55 internal frame pack and I really liked it. You may remember High Sierra as being a school backpack or daypack maker. They had a huge marketshare on that for years. Now they’ve moved into backpacks as well as luggage. The Explorer 55 is a top loading 55 liter pack (3,356 cubic inches). This size is great for overnight backpacking trips up to several days. I’d say 5 days or so are probably the top end for a pack like this, but as we know everyone is different. An extremely ultra-light backpacker might be able to get much more. This pack would also be well suited for backcountry skiing or for hauling climbing gear to a climb.

High Sierra has done a good job improving their workmanship since the early days. I remember using a High Sierra daypack back about 10 years ago and it wasn’t my favorite. But the quality has improved so much that I’d put them up against a Kelty, Jansport, North Face, or other major reliable brand. The hip belt padding was generous, and it had an Ergo-Fit adjustment at the top of the back pad that allowed the straps to adjust up or down to fit different torso lengths. The sleeping bag room proved plenty enough for my Sierra Designs 30 degree bag, along with a backpacking pillow. The model I tested fits 13-18″ torsos, and is a “slim fit” design. It is not a wide pack by any means, and if you’re the type to bring the kitchen sink, this may not be for you.

The pack has several nice bells and whistles that go beyond what you’d expect from this price range.

• Rain Cover built into bottom pocket
• Ice Axe Loops to hold your axe or trekking poles
• Airflow Style Back for ventilation
• Webbing Daisy Chain for easy gear clipping
• Media Pocket for an ipod or cell phone that fits on the shoulder strap
• Hydration Sleeve on the Interior which includes a port for the tube to come out near the shoulder strap (does not include bladder)
• Large Mesh pockets (large enough to swallow a Nalgene)
• A patch with the ten essentials for survival sewn into the interior underside of the lid.

High Sierra also manufactures packs in several fit ranges including; Universal Fit, Slim Fit, Standard Fit, and Large Fit, for different body types. All of this is wrapped up with a nice lifetime guarantee on workmanship. The color displayed above is Chipotle (orange), but it also comes in Pacific (blue), as well as a red and black version.

I have to say I was quite impressed with this pack. When I did some research online I found out you can pick it up for $79.93 online at REI. That’s an incredible deal for a backpack of this quality. If you’re in need of a new pack, have a new backpacker you’re trying to get into the sport comfortably, or just WANT a new pack, consider the Explorer 55 if its in your size range.

Check out more specs here.

Entry Filed under: Adventure Travel, Backpacking, Camping, Climbing, Gear, Mountaineering, Review, Snow Sports