Kelty Glendale 65 W vs Kelty Glendale 65
Which one to buy
One inch of torso range at the short end is the only spec that differs. The women's Glendale 65 W adjusts from 14 to 21 in; the unisex Glendale 65 starts at 15. Everything else on the spec sheet matches: $280, 4.75 lb, the same perimeter frame and aluminum anti-barreling stay, the same 30-60 lb rating, two zippered hipbelt pockets, a hydration sleeve, a sleeping-bag compartment, and a lifetime defect warranty. Both leave the rain cover to you, and both use a contact back panel rather than a ventilated one.
So choose by body, not features. If your torso measures under 15 in, only the W fits. If you are a woman in the 15-21 in range, the W's women's-specific harness is the natural first try, since Fit-Plus adjusts both torso and hipbelt length on both packs. The unisex pack's one extra is size range: the same suspension also comes in 85 and 105 L versions, so someone who fits the unisex harness and expects to need more volume later has room to grow.
Kelty Glendale 65 W
For women, and essential for any torso under 15 in, at no price or weight penalty over the unisex pack.
Kelty Glendale 65
Best if the unisex harness fits you and you want the option of the same suspension in 85 or 105 L later.
| Spec | Kelty Glendale 65 W | Kelty Glendale 65 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $280 | $280 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Traditional Pack | Traditional Pack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Internal Frame |
| Capacity | 65 L | 65 L |
| Weight | 4.75 lbs | 4.75 lbs |
| Max Load | 30-60 lbs (13.5-27 kg) | 30-60 lbs (13.5-27 kg) |
| Torso Fit | Fit-Plus adjustable, 14-21 in (35.5-53.5 cm) | Fit-Plus adjustable, 15-21 in (38-53.5 cm) |
| Material | 300D Velocity and 600D polyester oxford | 300D Velocity with 600D polyester oxford |
| Back Panel | Contact back panel shaped around the scapula, on a perimeter frame with an aluminium anti-barreling stay | Scapula-focused contact panel over a perimeter frame with an aluminium anti-barreling stay |
| Adjustable torso | Yes | Yes |
| Ventilated back | No | No |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | Yes | Yes |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | Yes | Yes |
| Fits BV500 bear can | No | No |
| Warranty | Kelty lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects | Kelty lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects |
Pros & cons
Kelty Glendale 65 W
- ✓Torso adjustment starts at 14 in, an inch shorter than the unisex Glendale.
- ✓Same 60 lb carry rating and frame as the men's pack, with no price premium.
- ✓Two zippered hipbelt pockets rather than the mesh pockets on Kelty's budget packs.
- ✓Hydration sleeve and a separate sleeping-bag compartment.
- ✗Only the 65 L size is offered in the women's fit; the 85 and 105 are unisex only.
- ✗At 4.75 lb it gives up more than a pound to the Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10 SL.
- ✗No rain cover is included.
- ✗Kelty does not call the back panel ventilated.
Kelty Glendale 65
- ✓A 60 lb upper carry rating, which few packs under $300 state.
- ✓Fit-Plus adjusts hipbelt length as well as torso, covering 15-21 in.
- ✓Two hipbelt pockets, a hydration sleeve and a sleeping-bag compartment.
- ✓300D Velocity primary fabric is lighter than the 600D oxford on Kelty's Asher line.
- ✓Three capacities from 65 to 105 L for $280 to $300.
- ✓Lifetime warranty on manufacturing defects.
- ✗4.75 lb is heavier than the Osprey Atmos AG 65 (4.61 lb) and well over the Deuter Aircontact Lite 50+10 (3.62 lb).
- ✗No rain cover listed.
- ✗The back panel is a contact design; Kelty does not describe it as ventilated.
Kelty Glendale 65 W vs Kelty Glendale 65: common questions
Is the Glendale 65 W any lighter or cheaper than the unisex Glendale 65?▾
No. Both are $280 and 4.75 lb, with the same 30-60 lb rating and frame. The differences are the women's-specific fit and a torso range that starts at 14 in instead of 15.
Can a woman with a 16 in torso use the unisex Glendale 65?▾
Yes, the unisex Fit-Plus range covers 15-21 in. Whether it fits well comes down to the harness and hipbelt shape, so a woman in that range should try the W first and the unisex if the W does not sit right.