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 Amazon phenomenon with tens of thousands of reviews averaging 4.4+ under the old name. That gives it arguably the largest verified user base 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 $90 the downside is trivial, and the 15-19.5 inch adjustable torso fits teens through 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

~$90

TETON Sports

TETON Sports Scout 55

Name: TETON Sports Scout 55
Brand: TETON Sports
Price: 90 USD
Availability: InStock

The Scout is the Amazon phenomenon of backpacking — a sub-$100 internal-frame pack with tens of thousands of reviews and a cult 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

~$90

Capacity

55 L

Weight

4.5 lbs

Best For

First-trip beginners and occasional backpackers on a strict budget

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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 15-19.5 in

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

Features

Adjustable TorsoRaincover IncludedHydration Sleeve

Pros

✓The default 'is backpacking for me?' pack on Reddit — nearly everyone agrees it's the best sub-$100 way to try the sport.
✓An integrated, sewn-in raincover at $90 embarrasses packs costing four times as much.
✓The adjustable torso and multi-position sternum strap fit teens through adults, making it a family hand-me-down staple.
✓Tens of thousands of Amazon reviews (under its long-running Scout 3400 name) averaging 4.4+ give it arguably the largest verified user base 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.
✗Most 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

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