Kelty Glendale 65 W vs Kelty Nena 60
Quick take: The Kelty Nena 60 costs $100 less; the Kelty Glendale 65 W carries more (65 vs 60 liters); the Kelty Nena 60 is lighter (3.31 vs 4.75 lbs).
Which one to buy
A $100 saving and 1.44 lb off your back make the Nena 60 hard to argue with. Both are Kelty women's packs rated to 60 lb, both adjust their torso length, both include a hydration sleeve, a sleeping-bag compartment and a lifetime defect warranty, and neither comes with a rain cover. The Nena adds a ventilated AMP-Flow back, where the Glendale 65 W uses a contact panel Kelty does not call ventilated.
The Glendale W earns its price in three places. Its torso range starts at 14 in, against the Nena's 15.5, so it is the one that fits a short torso. Its range starts at 30 lb rather than 40, which suggests the Nena's suspension is tuned for heavy loads and the Glendale's covers moderate ones too. And it has two zippered hipbelt pockets plus an aluminum anti-barreling stay, where the Nena has a single mesh hipbelt pocket.
For most women carrying heavy multi-day loads, the Nena gives nearly everything for less. What you trade is a suspension that may feel stiff on lighter trips, and a single mesh pocket where the Glendale gives you two that zip.
Kelty Glendale 65 W
Worth the extra $100 if your torso is under 15.5 in, or you want zippered hipbelt pockets and a suspension rated from 30 lb up.
Kelty Nena 60
The better value for most women: lighter, $100 cheaper, ventilated, and rated to the same 60 lb for heavy multi-day trips.
| Spec | Kelty Glendale 65 W | Kelty Nena 60 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $280 | $180 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Traditional Pack | Traditional Pack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Internal Frame |
| Capacity | 65 L | 60 L |
| Weight | 4.75 lbs | 3.31 lbs |
| Max Load | 30-60 lbs (13.5-27 kg) | 40-60 lbs (18-27 kg) |
| Torso Fit | Fit-Plus adjustable, 14-21 in (35.5-53.5 cm) | FIT-Plus adjustable, 15.5-21 in (39-53 cm) |
| Material | 300D Velocity and 600D polyester oxford | 600D polyester oxford |
| Back Panel | Contact back panel shaped around the scapula, on a perimeter frame with an aluminium anti-barreling stay | AMP-Flow ventilated panel over a perimeter frame |
| Adjustable torso | Yes | Yes |
| Ventilated back | No | Yes |
| 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 Nena 60
- ✓3.31 lb with a 60 lb rating is a better weight-to-load figure than any other Kelty pack.
- ✓Adjustable torso across 15.5-21 in at a price where many packs come in fixed sizes.
- ✓Ventilated AMP-Flow back, hydration sleeve and a hipbelt mesh pocket.
- ✓$100 cheaper than the women's Glendale 65 for the same load ceiling.
- ✓Lifetime defect warranty.
- ✗Kelty states that no rain cover is included.
- ✗Only a single mesh hipbelt pocket, against two zippered ones on the Glendale.
- ✗600D polyester oxford adds weight compared with the 210D nylon on lighter packs.
- ✗The 40 lb lower bound of the carry range suggests the suspension is tuned for heavy loads rather than light ones.
Kelty Glendale 65 W vs Kelty Nena 60: common questions
Is the Glendale 65 W worth $100 more than the Nena 60?▾
Only for specific needs. It fits torsos down to 14 in, has two zippered hipbelt pockets and adds an anti-barreling stay. Otherwise the Nena matches its 60 lb ceiling for $100 less and 1.44 lb lighter, with a ventilated back.
Which is better for lighter loads around 30 lb?▾
The Glendale 65 W, whose rating starts at 30 lb. The Nena 60's range starts at 40 lb, which suggests its suspension is tuned for heavier loads and may feel stiffer when carrying less.
Which one is better for a hot, humid trip?▾
The Nena 60, with its ventilated AMP-Flow back panel. Kelty describes the Glendale W's panel as a contact design shaped around the shoulder blades and does not call it ventilated.