ftroop94
2011-03-01 02:51:19 UTC
Mike,
Following in my LTR for the Sentinel. Thanks for taking a look at it and telling me what needs fixed!
Steve
LONG-TERM REPORT
LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
19 - 20, February 2011: South Cumberland State Recreation Area, Middle Tennessee; Grundy Falls Area, a solo trip covering a several mile stretch averaging 1585 ft (483 m) elevation. High temperatures were around 59 F (15 C) and lows were 48 F (9 C).
PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
During the final test phase I was able to make one more overnight trip to the South Cumberland area. I traveled a trail I wasn't familiar with near an old 1930's Civilian Conservation Corps site. Maps and Ranger Station information stated that water was only available at the trail head, so I carried 4.5 L (4.76 qt) in the pack. The water was distributed as follows: 3 L (3.17 qt) in a hydration bladder, 1 L (1.06 qt) in a Nalgene bottle and 0.5 L (0.53 qt) in a disposable water bottle. I mention this because it caused my packed weight to be the heaviest by far since testing the Sentinel. I weighed in at over 35 lb (16 kg) for this overnight venture, but the pack weight was very evenly distributed and rode like a jewel. Coincidentally I did find water near the campsite, but hey...Be Pre
pared and safety first!
The most interesting thing that I noticed during this trip was how well the shoulder harnesses supported the weight. My key concern with the pack during the field trial was how often I had to readjust my shoulder harness due to the straps slipping. The terrain was relatively level for most of the hike, but I had noticed this issue on similar trails earlier in the trial. My assumption was that additional pack weight would only worsen the issue. I was surprised to find this was not an issue on this trip until I hiked out with considerably less weight. It was then noticed the issue again.
<<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "IMAGE 1">> <<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "IMAGE 2">>
Carrying a pack that was 25% heavier did not make the ride any less comfortable. As I mentioned after first receiving the Sentinel, it is beefy in my opinion. It took a load that is much heavier than I generally carry and it was pleasure while doing so. The pack itself looks practically unused. I try to take relatively good care of my gear, but packs are known to be set on the dirty ground, hung on a tree or simply dropped from my back after reaching camp. The Sentinel is no worse for the wear. I have noticed no abrasions in the material, any dirt has been removed with a damp sponge after returning from the wilderness and all buckles, hook and loop and other closures look practically new to me.
One of the most impressive things I will continue to reiterate about the pack is how well the ventilation works. I never had any extremely sweaty experiences with it. Granted most of my trips were in cooler temperatures, but I can easily perspire when it is freezing outside. A true test of that measure for me would be a midsummer outing. Another benefit I noticed from the recent trip was that when the pack is filled closer to capacity the top lid easily stayed in place without cinching it down as tight as possible.
Overall, I've been satisfied with the High Sierra Sentinel and believe it is a sturdy well built pack.
SUMMARY
In final retrospect my opinion of the pack remains quite similar to how I felt at the end of the second portion of the test phase. It is well built, in general it rides remarkably well on me and it gives me superior ventilation.
My concerns continue to concentrate on the potential for shoulder harness slippage, the way the top lid attaches to the pack and the rain cover. I could find a way to live with the lid, but continued use of the pack would require me to find a way to ensure the shoulder straps don't repeatedly slip while on the trail. Adding 8 lb (3.6 kg) of packed weight is certainly not my personal suggestion for overcoming that issue. Although I haven't had to put the rain cover to the true test, I don't find it adequate to properly cover the backpack. Continued use would require me to use a different cover.
In my opinion, if these nuances were addressed by High Sierra they would take the Sentinel from a good product to a great one. I don't expect to personally use it regularly in the future as I prefer a lighter weight pack. I do, however, believe it is a great product to have in my gear closet to lend out to friends that I want to invite on the trail with me. I find it is easily adjustable for multiple body types, and though the shoulder slippage is not ideal I believe that could be overcome with some minor tweaks, that we do not do when testing a product. I will be happy to loan it to someone that doesn't own a pack if they want to hit the trails and find out about the great outdoors.
This report was created with the BGT Report Generator.
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.
------------------------------------
Following in my LTR for the Sentinel. Thanks for taking a look at it and telling me what needs fixed!
Steve
LONG-TERM REPORT
LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
19 - 20, February 2011: South Cumberland State Recreation Area, Middle Tennessee; Grundy Falls Area, a solo trip covering a several mile stretch averaging 1585 ft (483 m) elevation. High temperatures were around 59 F (15 C) and lows were 48 F (9 C).
PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
During the final test phase I was able to make one more overnight trip to the South Cumberland area. I traveled a trail I wasn't familiar with near an old 1930's Civilian Conservation Corps site. Maps and Ranger Station information stated that water was only available at the trail head, so I carried 4.5 L (4.76 qt) in the pack. The water was distributed as follows: 3 L (3.17 qt) in a hydration bladder, 1 L (1.06 qt) in a Nalgene bottle and 0.5 L (0.53 qt) in a disposable water bottle. I mention this because it caused my packed weight to be the heaviest by far since testing the Sentinel. I weighed in at over 35 lb (16 kg) for this overnight venture, but the pack weight was very evenly distributed and rode like a jewel. Coincidentally I did find water near the campsite, but hey...Be Pre
pared and safety first!
The most interesting thing that I noticed during this trip was how well the shoulder harnesses supported the weight. My key concern with the pack during the field trial was how often I had to readjust my shoulder harness due to the straps slipping. The terrain was relatively level for most of the hike, but I had noticed this issue on similar trails earlier in the trial. My assumption was that additional pack weight would only worsen the issue. I was surprised to find this was not an issue on this trip until I hiked out with considerably less weight. It was then noticed the issue again.
<<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "IMAGE 1">> <<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "IMAGE 2">>
Carrying a pack that was 25% heavier did not make the ride any less comfortable. As I mentioned after first receiving the Sentinel, it is beefy in my opinion. It took a load that is much heavier than I generally carry and it was pleasure while doing so. The pack itself looks practically unused. I try to take relatively good care of my gear, but packs are known to be set on the dirty ground, hung on a tree or simply dropped from my back after reaching camp. The Sentinel is no worse for the wear. I have noticed no abrasions in the material, any dirt has been removed with a damp sponge after returning from the wilderness and all buckles, hook and loop and other closures look practically new to me.
One of the most impressive things I will continue to reiterate about the pack is how well the ventilation works. I never had any extremely sweaty experiences with it. Granted most of my trips were in cooler temperatures, but I can easily perspire when it is freezing outside. A true test of that measure for me would be a midsummer outing. Another benefit I noticed from the recent trip was that when the pack is filled closer to capacity the top lid easily stayed in place without cinching it down as tight as possible.
Overall, I've been satisfied with the High Sierra Sentinel and believe it is a sturdy well built pack.
SUMMARY
In final retrospect my opinion of the pack remains quite similar to how I felt at the end of the second portion of the test phase. It is well built, in general it rides remarkably well on me and it gives me superior ventilation.
My concerns continue to concentrate on the potential for shoulder harness slippage, the way the top lid attaches to the pack and the rain cover. I could find a way to live with the lid, but continued use of the pack would require me to find a way to ensure the shoulder straps don't repeatedly slip while on the trail. Adding 8 lb (3.6 kg) of packed weight is certainly not my personal suggestion for overcoming that issue. Although I haven't had to put the rain cover to the true test, I don't find it adequate to properly cover the backpack. Continued use would require me to use a different cover.
In my opinion, if these nuances were addressed by High Sierra they would take the Sentinel from a good product to a great one. I don't expect to personally use it regularly in the future as I prefer a lighter weight pack. I do, however, believe it is a great product to have in my gear closet to lend out to friends that I want to invite on the trail with me. I find it is easily adjustable for multiple body types, and though the shoulder slippage is not ideal I believe that could be overcome with some minor tweaks, that we do not do when testing a product. I will be happy to loan it to someone that doesn't own a pack if they want to hit the trails and find out about the great outdoors.
This report was created with the BGT Report Generator.
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.
------------------------------------