The North Face
The North Face Banchee 65
The Banchee is The North Face's lightweight backpacking pack, at 3 lb 9 oz for 65 L. It sits well under the Terra in weight while carrying more, and reviewers put its comfortable ceiling around 45 lb with performance falling off past 50.
Specifications
Features
Pros
- ✓3 lb 9 oz for 65 L is light for a mainstream framed pack at this capacity.
- ✓Around five inches of vertical harness adjustment across two frame sizes.
- ✓Carries roughly 45 lb comfortably, well above what its weight suggests.
- ✓$250 undercuts the Osprey Aether 65 and Gregory Baltoro 65 by $120.
- ✓65 L handles a bear canister and a long food carry.
- ✓The North Face's retail presence makes it easy to try on and return.
- ✓Over a pound lighter than the brand's own Terra 65 while holding the same volume.
- ✓Hipbelt pockets included.
Cons
- ✗OutdoorGearLab does not publish the fabric specification, so durability is hard to judge.
- ✗Performance is reported to get dicey above 50 lb.
- ✗The max-load figure is inferred from testing, not stated by The North Face.
- ✗No rain cover included.
- ✗Only one volume is offered.
- ✗No ventilated back panel.
- ✗The North Face's backpacking packs get less design attention than its apparel.
- ✗Bear-canister fit is not stated.
Compare the The North Face Banchee 65
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