Kelty Coyote 65 vs TETON Sports Scout 55
Quick take: The TETON Sports Scout 55 costs $70 less; the Kelty Coyote 65 carries more (65 vs 55 liters); the TETON Sports Scout 55 is lighter (4.5 vs 4.9 lbs).
| Spec | Kelty Coyote 65 | TETON Sports Scout 55 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $160 | $90 |
| Rating | 4.5★ (1,200) | 4.4★ (14,000) |
| Type | Traditional Pack | Traditional Pack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Internal Frame |
| Capacity | 65 L | 55 L |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs | 4.5 lbs |
| Max Load | 50 lbs | 35 lbs |
| Torso Fit | Adjustable 15.5-21 in | Adjustable 15-19.5 in |
| Material | 420D polyester | 600D ripstop polyester |
| Back Panel | AirMesh foam with PerfectFIT adjustment | Open-cell foam lumbar with channeled airflow |
| Adjustable torso | Yes | Yes |
| Ventilated back | No | No |
| Raincover included | No | Yes |
| Hipbelt pockets | Yes | No |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | Yes | Yes |
| Fits BV500 bear can | Yes | No |
| Warranty | Kelty lifetime warranty on defects | TETON limited lifetime warranty |
Pros & cons
Kelty Coyote 65
- ✓A decade-plus track record as the budget hauler — used-gear forums are full of Coyotes with thousands of miles still going.
- ✓The PerfectFIT system adjusts torso length while wearing the pack, which beginners find far easier than rethreading ladders.
- ✓The 420D polyester build survives scout troops, airline belts, and desert scrambles with a near-legendary abuse tolerance.
- ✓Thick, wide hipbelt padding carries 45 lb loads better than anything else near $200, per repeated budget-pack showdowns.
- ✓Huge organizational spread: front shove-it pocket, dual side pockets, hipbelt pockets, and a sleeping bag compartment.
- ✓Hydration sleeve plus dual exit ports work with any bladder brand.
- ✓Frequent sales put it near $150, where reviewers say nothing else competes.
- ✓Kelty's warranty service has a reputation for being fast and generous with replacement parts.
- ✗At 4.9 lbs it is ultralight-forum shorthand for 'boat anchor' — you pay for the price in carried weight.
- ✗The dense foam back panel gets swampy on humid climbs; ventilation is minimal.
- ✗No raincover included, and the PU coating wets through in sustained rain.
- ✗The suspension tops out around 50 lbs with noticeable barrel-flex beyond that.
- ✗Zippers are the most commonly reported failure point after years of overstuffing.
- ✗It packs bulky even when compressed, making it awkward as carry-on or in small tents.
- ✗The fixed lid design limits weight-stripping options.
- ✗Kelty has discontinued the Coyote line, so stock is limited to closeouts, some colorways are gone, and long-term parts support is less certain.
TETON Sports Scout 55
- ✓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.
- ✗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.