Kelty Redwing 40 Internal Pack for Women

It works for photographers, too!

I bought several Kelty backpacks for a trip last year to New Zealand and this Redwing 40 for women is the one I used the most. My biggest problem traveling as a photographer is to find an actual camera bag that'll double for a good, solid backpack, but most camera backpacks are designed to carry camera gear and not much else. With the Kelty, I was able to stash my gear in the lower part of the pack using "baskets" or cushions from a different photo bag and the rest of my hiking supplies close...r to the top. But because the backpack zips down the front in a U shape, I can easily access my gear. I used my Camelbak reservoir in the hydration sleeve so my water supply is separate from my camera gear. And all the pockets on the outside are fantastic for my solar rechargers, battery packs, etc. One side I use for camera stuff, the other for snacks and hiking stuff. The pass through storage pockets and loops on the sides allowed me to bring both my trekking poles and tripod. The best part of this pack is the comfort. IT IS SO COMFORTABLE. Even carrying really heavy gear, the straps are like clouds.... I've tried many other name brand, high quality packs and in my experience Kelty has been the most comfortable. If you're going to carry 30 lbs. of gear, you don't want the pulling and digging into your hips and shoulders. This bag is SO comfortable! It actually made my expeditions a joy. Now at times the shoulder straps could hug my collarbone/neck area, but wearing the right kind of shirt that wasn't wide at the collar solved that issue, so it really wasn't much of an issue. If you have really wide shoulders, it might be worth your while to go to REI and try on the guy's version..... The hip pads really do offset the load and just make it a great hiking/exploring/photographing experience. I also use this when flying as my carry-on. I mean, it's hands-free, comfortable and I can still bring all my camera gear, sweater, passport, etc. Everything is very accessible, too. Side hip pockets actually fit my Samsung s8..... and I use the hydration sleeve for my laptop when flying. I use the Redwing 40 mainly for all day hauls but use the Women's Coyote 60 for overnight or multi-day hikes. The sleeping back fits comfortably in the bottom compartment of the Coyote 60 and the barrier supports my camera gear above the sleeping bag. It's just a perfect situation, especially since DSLR backpack designers have not yet developed a camera pack for the dual purpose of photography AND enjoying the outdoors (hiking, camping). Bottom line is that I personally love this bag and the three Kelty packs I have. Not to mention the colors which really pop in the wild and make for great photos! I mean, girls like color so..... this is a bag I could get excited about. Two thumbs up.

VERSATILE, COMFORTABLE, ADJUSTABLE and SPACIOUS

This pack is amazing! I’m 5’10” 175lbs (with a short torso and narrow shoulders), this pack is by far the most comfortable pack I’ve ever worn! It has an incredible amount of adjustments. No matter how full or empty my pack is, I never feel unbalanced. When going on week long backpacking trips, my boyfriend’s daughter wears this pack (as I need a bigger 60-70 liter pack)... she is 5’1” and 120 lbs, and I can adjust it perfectly for her! That’s a large range of adjustments! I have fibromyalgia... (and a congenital spinal fusion in my neck) and cannot tolerate hardly ANY pressure on my shoulders/neck (not even a standard halter bikini).... normally that means I have extreme difficulty wearing a backpack. If it doesn’t have hip straps, it’s not even an option for me. This pack puts the weight so fully on the hip straps that I’m not even in a rush to take my pack off after a LONG day of hiking!!! Half the time my boyfriend is reminding me to take it off, because I’m comfortable in it. EVEN FULLY LOADED! If you have difficulty wearing shoulder straps, then I highly recommend this pack! The hip straps are very comfortable and adjustable! Attempting to think of any feature I’d change or add: Pockets in the hip straps? That’d be cool, but it’s not absolutely necessary as I can easily reach a variety of pockets without taking my pack off.