Is the Scout 55 the same pack as the famous Scout 3400?

Yes — TETON renamed it from cubic inches (3400) to liters (55), but it is the same bestseller that built an enormous owner base under the old name. That gives it arguably the widest real-world sample of any backpacking pack.

What is its honest load limit?

About 30-35 lbs — past that the budget suspension collapses onto your shoulders quickly, and the thin foam hipbelt folds under pressure. Keep your kit light and it does the job; load it like a premium hauler and you will feel every dollar you saved.

Better than packs four times its price in one respect: an integrated raincover is sewn in and always with you. Deploy it early, since the 600D ripstop body is not meant to soak through repeated storms uncovered.

Can I take it on a bear-canister trip?

Not easily — a BV500 will not fit horizontally inside, so canister trips require strapping it on top or under the lid area, which gets creative fast. If canister country is the plan, buy a pack with confirmed fit instead.

Who is this pack actually for?

First-trip beginners answering the question of whether backpacking is for them — at about $100 the downside is trivial, and the adjustable torso on a 3/4 frame built for shorter torsos fits teens and smaller adults, making it a family hand-me-down staple. Most people who fall in love with the sport outgrow it within a season or two, by design.

Traditional Pack

~$100

TETON Sports

TETON Sports Scout 55

Name: TETON Sports Scout 55
Brand: TETON Sports
Price: 100 USD
Availability: InStock

The Scout is the usual first backpacking pack — a roughly $100 internal-frame pack with a big following among beginners testing whether they even like the sport. Long sold as the Scout 3400 (cubic inches), TETON now labels it the Scout 55 for its 55 liters. It includes an integrated raincover and an adjustable harness unheard of at this price.

Approx. price

~$100

Capacity

55 L

Weight

4.5 lbs

Best For

First-trip beginners and occasional backpackers on a strict budget

Check price on Amazon →

We may earn a commission.
Price and availability on Amazon’s site may differ.

Specifications

What do these specs mean? →

Type

Traditional Pack

Frame Type

Internal Frame

Capacity

55 L

Weight

4.5 lbs

Max Recommended Load

35 lbs

Torso Fit

Adjustable; 3/4 frame sized for shorter torsos (range not published)

Material

600D ripstop polyester

Back Panel

Open-cell foam lumbar with channeled airflow

Warranty

TETON limited lifetime warranty

Raincover Included

Yes

Fits BV500 Bear Canister

Sizes Available

Capacity	Price	Weight
45 L	$90	—
55 Lthis pack	$100	4.5 lbs
65 L	$110	—

Features

Adjustable TorsoRaincover IncludedHydration Sleeve

Pros

✓The default 'is backpacking for me?' pack in owner discussions — many owners call it the cheapest sensible way to try the sport.
✓An integrated, sewn-in raincover at about $100 embarrasses packs costing four times as much.
✓The adjustable torso and multi-position sternum strap fit teens and smaller adults, making it a family hand-me-down staple.
✓An enormous owner base built up under its long-running Scout 3400 name gives it arguably the widest real-world sample of any backpacking pack.
✓600D ripstop and double-stitched stress points hold up far better than the price implies.
✓The sleeping-bag compartment and compression straps teach beginners classic load organization.
✓TETON's warranty team has a surprisingly good reputation for free replacement parts.
✓Resale/hand-me-down loss is trivial — worst case you're out less than a nice dinner.

Cons

✗The suspension is honest about its price: loads past 30-35 lbs collapse onto the shoulders quickly.
✗At 4.5 lbs empty it weighs as much as premium 65L haulers while carrying much less comfortably.
✗The foam back panel soaks sweat on any sustained climb.
✗No hipbelt pockets, and the belt padding is thin foam that folds under heavier loads.
✗The 55L body is smaller than the old '3400 cubic inch' name suggested once the sleeping bag bay is in use.
✗Zippers and buckles are the known weak points — the classic failure stories involve overstuffing.
✗A BV500 bear canister does not fit inside horizontally; canister trips require creative strapping.
✗Many owners outgrow it within a season or two of regular use — it's a gateway pack by design.

Common Questions

Compare the TETON Sports Scout 55

vs TETON Sports Explorer 65

Related backpacks

TETON Sports Explorer 65

Sold in 65, 75 and 85 L at $110-130, the Explorer is TETON's full-size budget backpacking pack. It has an adjustable aluminium internal frame covering 19-23 in torsos, an integrated raincover, a sleeping-bag compartment and a bladder sleeve. The 65 L weighs 5 lb.

65-85 L5.0 lbsIntegrated raincover

Weight

5.0 lbs

Capacity

65 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Also in 75 L / 85 L

Best for: Budget-minded and first-time backpackers who need a big, adjustable pack

View details

~$170

Traditional Pack

Kelty

Kelty Asher 55

4.6(7)

The Asher is Kelty's value backpacking pack. At $170 and 3 lb 2 oz it undercuts everything with comparable capacity, and reviewers consistently place it as the budget pick.

55 L3.13 lbsFIT-Pro TorsoVentilated back

Weight

3.13 lbs

Capacity

55 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Also in 65 L / 85 L

Best for: Budget backpackers whose loads stay around 30 lb

View details Check price

~$180

Traditional Pack

Kelty

Kelty Nena 60

Kelty's women's-specific budget backpacking pack is the Nena 60: a perimeter frame, an AMP-Flow ventilated back and an adjustable 15.5-21 in torso for $180. Kelty rates it for 40-60 lb, the same ceiling as the $280 Glendale, at 3.31 lb. It is a top-loader with a sleeping-bag compartment and a centre hydration port.

60 L3.31 lbs40-60 lb Carry RangeVentilated back

Weight

3.31 lbs

Capacity

60 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Best for: Women on a budget carrying 40-60 lb on multi-day trips

View details

~$189

Traditional Pack

REI Co-op

REI Co-op Trailmade 60

4.3(13)

The Trailmade 60 is REI's entry-level backpacking pack, built around inclusive sizing and a fully adjustable fit at a beginner-friendly price. A huge U-shaped front opening makes it one of the easiest packs to load and unload on the market.

60 L$189Adjustable Fit

Weight

3.44 lbs

Capacity

60 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Best for: First-time backpackers who want the cheapest pack that fits properly

View details REI Co-op

~$200

Traditional Pack

Osprey

Osprey Kyte LT 45

The women's-fit Kestrel LT, described by Osprey as purposefully built for the female frame with narrower shoulders and contoured straps rather than a scaled-down men's pack. Same AirScape backpanel, five-inch sliding harness and included raincover, on the same 28 to 65 L ladder and at the same prices.

45 LWomen's FitRaincover Included

Weight

4.02 lbs

Capacity

45 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Also in 28 L / 35 L / 65 L

Best for: Women on overnights and short multi-day trips carrying 20-40 lb

View details Check price

~$205

Traditional Pack

Osprey

Osprey Rook 65

4.4(23)

The Rook 65 is Osprey's budget-line backpacking pack, delivering a suspended-mesh AirSpeed back panel, adjustable torso, and included raincover for barely half the price of an Atmos. The women's equivalent is the Renn 65.

65 LSuspended Mesh Under $210Raincover IncludedVentilated back

Weight

3.7 lbs

Capacity

65 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Also in 50 L

Best for: Budget-conscious beginners who still want real Osprey suspension

View details Check price

← Back to All Backpacks