Dakine is one of the big mountain bike apparel companies that really keeps an eye on performance as well as style. Add in durability and a good fit and you have the recipe for the perfect mountain bike gear! I rocked Dakine for more than half the summer and now I’m ready to share my review of the Descent long sleeve jersey and shorts.

Descent LS Jersey

The Descent LS Jersey has a familiar DH cut with a high v-neck collar and a rather roomy fit. The Raglan-cut jersey naturally has a nice-fitting arm in the long sleeve version thanks to the tubular cut. If you’re planning on wearing full armor you need to buy one size larger than normal for a proper fit.

Made from a durable 220 gm/yd polyester, the Descent jersey takes abrasion fairly well. I have had a few close calls with trees and even a crash or two on the rocks, and with the exception of a small tear (I was using elbow guards at the time), everything has held up great. Sewn into the jersey’s left side seam is a protected chamois to clean up your lens when things get really down and dirty. And to prevent stinking like a trash can, the fabric has an anti-microbial treatment which manages the deluge of bacteria that can cultivate while riding (or leaving you jersey in the trunk of your car for a week after a big ride).

As far as style goes, the asymmetrical  graphics are a bit different but I think they’re pretty cool. What looks like simple stripes from afar is actually an intricately printed maze – the graphics are definitely eye-catching.

Descent Short

The Descent shorts are purpose-built: constructed from 400D plain-weave nylon, they feature a mesh-polyester liner. That makes for a durable and comfortable short.

As far as fit, Dakine has you covered with perforated panels for better air flow, a ribbed crotch gusset for comfort, and a bit of extra stretch to provide maximum range of motion. What makes this a truly downhill-specific short is the 16″ inseam legs: perfect for just covering the knees, even with armor. The ratchet-type waist adjustment and back lumbar pad add to the durability, fit, and comfort.

If you didn’t already pick up on this from the pics, the Descent shorts and jersey are designed to match. Running both together makes you almost feel like a sponsored rider! But critically speaking,  the jersey and shorts do fit together perfectly with approximately the same fit and a similar feel to the materials.

The Test

The Descent shorts and jersey found themselves used and abused on the slopes of Blue Mountain and Horseshoe Valley resorts. Coincidentally, the instructors at Blue also use the same gear. You can imagine the confusion that arose from time to time. I was informed that the guys at Whistler also use the Descent jersey and shorts. With that kind of street cred, I feel like I’m in good company!

During the late summer months and into the fall, the Descent gear held up superbly! Despite taking various spills on rock gardens and hard-packed berms, the jersey and shorts endured, with very little sign of wear. I personally loved the feel of the material and the roomy fit that the Dakine gear provides. In case you haven’t been on a downhill or freeride bike before, there is a lot of body movement going on, with the legs and arms really working it. The combination of roominess and cut keeps the clothing from snagging up. Nothing bugs me more than having my clothing snag and pinch while I’m trying to get my groove on.

Not only do the Descent jersey ($60 MSRP) and short ($100 MSRP) look good, but they measure up in the performance and comfort arena as well.

Thanks to Dakine for sending out the Descent short and long sleeve jersey for review.

Sentry Jersey

The Sentry Jersey from Dakine is a baggy t-shirt-style jersey designed for downhill mountain bikers. It features a very roomy design to accommodate bulky pads and body armor underneath. Special features include mesh panels that run down the side for excellent ventilation, an anti-bacterial fabric treatment, an eyewear chamois located on the left interior sideseam, and eye-catching sleeve graphics.

Wearing the Dakine Sentry jersey, Sentinel gloves, and Syncline shorts.

Based on my personal experience with the Sentry, this jersey breathes very well even with serious body armor on thanks to the mesh side panels and lightweight fabric. I was actually surprised at how light this jersey is, and yet somehow it still feels durable enough for shredding. It’s lightweight which makes it comfortable on a cross-country or all-mountain ride, but it does feel pretty baggy without body armor. No worries – this jersey is meant for the chairlift!

Downhilling at Crested Butte Mountain Resort in the Dakine Sentry, Sentinel, and Syncline.

I really like the subdued graphics on the Sentry – to me they’re understated but stylish, not bright and obnoxious like many DH jerseys I’ve seen. The Sentry is available in black, burgundy, and concrete (tested).

The Sentry offers an excellent blend of comfort, style, and performance. And for only $50, it’s hard to go wrong!

Sentinel Glove

Dakine’s Sentinel full-finger glove features padding on the knuckles for plenty of protection, an adjustable velcro closure, and a D30 flexible palm that features synthetic suede and a one-piece seamless construction. The two brake fingers on each hand feature silicon grip for maximum control.

The seamless palm construction completely eliminates any possible pressure points. However, the stiff d3o padding can definitely take its toll if your hands aren’t up to the challenge. The first several days I used these gloves I developed some serious blisters, but after a couple of months of use those blisters have transformed into durable callouses, and I can ride for hours without a problem. I have noticed that the uniform padding gives me more control on the trail – there’s nothing to dull the feedback from the front end, providing a very snappy, precise feel.

Despite being full-finger gloves, the Sentinels feature excellent venting and are comfortable even on cross-country rides in 80 degree heat. If the temps get much warmer than 80, though, I’ll probably be reaching for a fingerless glove.

The knuckle armor is respectably burly and has saved my knuckles from several trees that were way too close for comfort!

The only possible negative that I have to mention from my test is that the silicon grip at the ends of the index and middle fingers has started to peel away. At present, there is only about 50% of the original grip left.

The Sentinel is available in black (tested) and white.

MSRP: $40.

Many thanks to Dakine for sending out the Sentry and Sentinel for review!

You’re probably thinking – a pack and a jacket, in one review? Well, why not?

Dakine, in case you haven’t checked them out yet, is a big manufacturer of quality gear for mountain biking and other action sports. Not only do they produce great packs and luggage, but they also offer an extensive line of clothing for both men and women.

Sequence Pack

Having really stepped up my camera gear kit, I needed something just as serious to keep it all safe when I ride to take my pics. Now, seeing that most of my riding is on the slopes as of late (DH is just too much fun), and a fall could really ruin my day (not to mention my equipment), I needed something with a bit more padding than my old setup. The Sequence pack is just the ticket.

This mid-priced bag has enough room to carry all my camera gear, laptop, and more. The padded block allows you to carry your camera body and a barrage of lenses but you can also remove the padded camera block and configure it to exactly match the gear you’re hauling.

I set up my bag so that the camera body and other small parts sit in their own section, while each lens is cradled in its own padded cube. My flash, charger, and extra battery sit in another padded section which protects all the gear, keeping it from bouncing around. The great thing about the padded block is that it has full-length velcro so that you can set the bag up virtually any way you want.  The actual Sequence bag holds my laptop, mouse, power supply, pens, notepad, and technical manuals in the zip flap. The main flap also has room for a 15″ laptop and two small organization mesh zips to hold other stuff (ID, credentials, snacks, and the like).

Up top there is a zip pouch that holds the deploy-able rain cover. I also use this pouch to store my Blitz jacket. Two side pockets can hold water bottles or, when zipped open, a tripod. A big plus to the pack is the robust waist and shoulder straps which rivals the best hydration packs for comfort. In the waist strap there is even extra padding for the small of the back.

Using the Sequence for every bike trip and hiking situation I could muster, I have to say that I love this pack. I was a bit nervous when I first started carrying the big kit (what I call all my gear), but once I got used to the extra weight I was fine on all but the craziest of slopes. Not only does it keep my 15+ pounds of photo and computer gear safe (weight weenies are cringing right now), but when riding to spots on the slopes I appreciate the stability of the pack. Yes, the amount of gear I carry is a bit extreme, and most people may not take that much with them. My point in bringing this up is how much gear you can carry and still keep everything safe.

When things got a bit wet, all of my gear stayed nice and dry, thanks to the full construction of 420D Nylon and the easy-to-deploy rain cover (I still sprayed Scotchguard on the cover for added protection). On long trips, I doubled the space and packed my clothing in the main 33 liter compartment, while still carrying the padded camera gear along.

Blitz Jacket

The Blitz jacket is another super product from Dakine. Coming into the fall season, this is a must-have item here in Ontario and especially in BC, where we get a lot of rain during the fall. Packing water resistant gear is a must, and the Blitz is a great jacket. Constructed with a nylon outer shell and a polyester liner, this jacket is breathable too. It also stuffs in a pack easily.

The fit on the Blitz is roomy which is great if you’re wearing armor. If you usually ride without body protection, go one size smaller than you usually wear. This jacket holds up well to washing (I wash using cold water only).

The Blitz features two front zips with pockets and vents (all in one) and one left breast pocket. The full-length front zip is weatherproof, and there is a rear vent to help regulate body temperature. One of the Blitz’s coolest features is that the hood can easily accommodate a helmet or can be pulled closed (with the draw strings). The cuffs are adjustable with a very nice velcro arrangement which keeps the long sleeves from sliding up. The Blitz is not cut like a typical cycling jacket with the raised front and lowered rear waistline. Instead, this jacket features a regular cut, making it far more versatile since I can use it both on and off the bike. The waist does have a drawstring to allow you to tighten up if necessary.

The Blitz is rugged enough to be used as an outer layer even if you’re on a freeride rig and the durable shell can take abrasion from those close encounters with trees and bushes. The jacket also does a great job of keeping the wind out. This time of year when the weather can (and does) change quickly I keep the Blitz handy all the time. The jacket can get a bit too warm at times, especially if you’re in a high humidity situation. But seeing that fall is here with lower temps and humidity, the Blitz makes perfect sense.

The Sequence Pack runs $205 MSRP and the Blitz Jacket is offered at $170 MSRP. The Sequence pack comes only in black while the Blitz is available in Charcoal (pictured) or a style called “Phantom” which is a dark, textured color.

Thanks to Dakine for sending these items up for a review. Check out Dakine’s website for more great MTB gear.

The Dakine Syncline features an “all-mountain fit” with a 14.5″ inseam. It has a conveniently removable Italian-made Comp chamois, ventilated mesh lining, zippered hand pockets and leg vents, a heavyweight rib knit back stretch panel, side waist tab adjustments, polyester birdseye waistband, and a crotch gusset for an increased range of motion.

But what does all of that even mean? Nothing if it doesn’t translate into a comfortable ride out on the trail.

Out on the Trail in the Syncline

I first tested the Syncline shorts during a long day of shredding the Evolution Bike Park at Crested Butte Mountain Resort. The baggy fit easily accommodated some beefy knee pads without any catching or binding. Thanks to the removable chamois, I think you could easily wear a hip and tail bone protector under these shorts and still feel very comfortable (although I haven’t tried them with one yet). The exterior of the Syncline short is much heavier and tougher than a cross-country short (as you’d expect) since it’s built to survive a few tumbles off the bike now and again without getting shredded to pieces. I’ll admit I took a couple of spills, and the Syncline shorts thought nothing of them.

When is a pair of downhill shorts just another pair of shorts… and when is it something more?

Obviously, the Syncline is designed for the downhill aficionado, and with all of these DH-specific features and its durable build, it excels in this category.

I was surprised to discover that the Syncline performs well in a number of other applications, too.

Cross-country

Despite the fact that these shorts hit below the knee, they ride very well even on cross country rides. I guess the “all-mountain fit” lives up to its name, by keeping them from catching on the knee or saddle. There were several chilly, early-morning rides in Crested Butte when I threw the Syncline on for a little extra warmth, and they were both comfortable and toasty! Obviously, because of the heavy, durable exterior they wouldn’t be ideal for hot summertime rides, but as the temps continue to cool here in North Georgia I am looking forward to many fall rides in the Synclines,

Commuting

The cooler fall temperatures have also convinced me to start commuting to school again. As a result, my Syncline shorts have been seeing significant use as a pair of commuter shorts. They’re the perfect mix between bicycle comfort and classroom style. I don’t have to  destroy my taint on the uphill slog to campus, and I don’t have to pack an extra pair of shorts to change into before class. Dakine’s Phantom pattern (tested) is low-key enough to not draw any weird stares from my fellow English students. Want to sport a different style? The Synclines are available in 5 different colors.

Bottom Line

From the big hit bike to the carbon hardtail to the commuter, the Syncline shorts provide stellar performance and classy style!

MSRP: $135.

Many thanks to Dakine for providing the Syncline shorts for review.

If any one hydration pack can function as a jack-of-all-trades and still do every single job superbly, the Dakine Nomad is it.

Epic all-day trail ride in the backcountry? Check.

A day at the bike park? Check.

Sessioning a remote DH line? Check.

Short after work spin on the singletrack? Why not?

Dakine has thoughtfully engineered the Nomad to appeal to all sorts of riders from cross country to downhill. In order to appeal to all of those demographics, they incorporated a carrier for a full-face helmet that can also function as an XC helmet carrier with space for extra layers or even your shoes on the way to the trail. Armor carriers hang below the pack, but stay tucked out of sight if you don’t want to use them. A full 100 ounce bladder ensures you won’t get dehydrated on an epic trek and 1100 cubic inches of space guarantee you have plenty of room for those extra layers and emergency supplies. Finally, a mere 2 pound dry weight makes this pack perfectly fine for a quick after-work pedal, even if you don’t need all of the water and cargo space.

Out on the Trail

It’s so nice to use a pack that just plain works and doesn’t require any fiddling or excessive experimentation to figure out where to put everything. The internal organizer pockets are zippered to keep all of the little tools and parts that you need to carry separate, and specially-sized sleeves are already in place to hold both a mini pump and a spare tube. A fleece-lined sunglasses pouch is located safely on top of everything else for when the sun starts going down, and an mp3 holder sits just inside the top of the main storage compartment.

Dakine is serious about usability and design, and they naturally gave the reservoir a dedicated compartment separate from the main storage compartment. One of the greatest features that this pack offers is a stiff back panel with vented ridges that both eliminate barreling from the reservoir and promote airflow to keep your sweaty back as cool as possible. One added bonus that I noticed during a day in the bike park with the Nomad is that the stiff back panel and ridges seem to lock onto your back if you’re wearing a spine protector. The ridges are perfectly placed on either side of the spine protector, allowing the pack to stay firmly in place even if you’re busting through nasty rock gardens or launching booters!

For those epic cross country rides, the Nomad features the same swiss-cheese ventilation pattern on both the shoulder straps and the hip pads. While it’s difficult to quantify, I think this ventilation system significantly reduces perspiration.

But what if you don’t want to wear a waist belt? Well, the belt on the Nomad is removable, allowing it to ride much more comfortably when nearly empty.

Water Reservoir

I think I can safely say that out of every pack I’ve ever used, the Nomad is my favorite. Why does it stand out above the rest? Well, for all of the reasons listed above, for starters.

But in addition, the Nomad features the coolest and most intelligently designed reservoir on the market: Hydrapak’s Reversible Reservoir.

I’ve already blogged in detail about Hydrapak’s intelligent reservoir design, so I’ll just give you the Spark Notes this time around:

• Durable
• Quick disconnect hose
• Strong fold-top closure
• Completely reversible allowing it to dry quickly, be cleaned easily, and generally eliminate the build up of nast’.

Final Thoughts

All of these smart features allow this pack to function well for every type of rider, and with the best reservoir on the market, the Nomad is a winner. Despite the fact that it is on the large end of the hydration pack spectrum, the expertly designed back panel and straps help the Nomad ride almost as comfortably as a much, much smaller pack. Even though my test is done, I’m not sure I want to switch back to a smaller pack: the extra storage room is always appreciated!

All of my other packs are either gathering dust somewhere in the bottom of my closet or are being used as mere book bags for school. The Nomad is now my hydration pack of choice.

MSRP: $100.

Many thanks to Dakine for providing the Nomad for review!

As a professional trailbuilder, my trail backpack gets a lot of use and abuse. I need a comfortable pack with lots of space and functional pockets to hold tools plus it needs to be tough since trailbuilders like me tend to be hard on equipment. Enter the Dakine Builders Pack, a backpack designed to fulfill the needs of the most demanding trailbuilders.

Features

The expandable chainsaw pocket in the front is the main feature that sets the Dakine Builders Pack apart from other backpacks. This pocket is large enough to fit most any chainsaw and has a slit in the bottom for the chainsaw handle to stick out. The pack also features three straps to secure your saw and the two upper straps are lockable which helps you get to your destination without having to stop and adjust. Of course it’s always good practice to travel with the chainsaw bar cover on to prevent injuries (and yes, I am aware that I don’t have a cover on in the following picture).

Another unique feature of the Dakine Builders Pack is the lopper strap located on the front of the chainsaw pocket. This allows your loppers to slide between the big rubber strap and the chainsaw pocket, and gravity holds them in place. The pack also has a large front pocket, perfect for holding a drill with extra batteries, and a small nylon pocket inside, suitable for holding saw tuning and other small or fragile tools.

The two side pockets are intended to hold fuel or water bottles. Between the side pockets and main compartment are a slot and strap intended to hold a hammer, mattock, hatchet or other tool without a long handle. You can slide the tool in right side up or upside down, whichever you prefer.

The small top pocket is useful for storing safety glasses and the nylon pocket inside is suitable for storing a pen, paper and keys. The main top flap is great for access to the main compartment, making it quick and easy to add or remove items. You can also access the main compartment from the back via a full length zipper.

You’ll find another nylon zipper pocket in the main compartment which is ideal for keeping your cell phone, radio, camera or other valuables out of the rain. Just below that is a stretch pocket with a first aid bag (medical supplies not included).

There are two more small pockets on the waistband with waterproof zippers, perhaps useful for carrying easily accessed snacks. The Builders Pack has six utility loops on the front and four on the back. These can be used with bungees to carry bulky items like a tent, sleeping bag or tarp.

The Dakine Builders backpack has excellent padding, found in the back, lumbar, hip and shoulder areas which you’ll appreciate when this pack is fully loaded with tools and supplies. The padding has a comfortable, gel-like feel. The shoulder strap is adjustable on the top and bottom, the chest strap is adjustable in height and length, and the waist strap is adjustable in length.

The Builders Pack is made of Cordura Ballistic Nylon, an extremely tough fabric designed to resist tearing. The buckles are made of thick, strong plastic which is great because trailbuilders like me tend to break standard buckles quickly.

The nail storage bag has four compartments and two handles and is built tough. You can fit about 100 12-inch spikes in this bag which is a heavy load.

Aside from trailbuilding, the DaKine Builders Pack is very useful for riding days too. The chainsaw pocket works well as a full face helmet holder and there are multiple places to stash armor, lunch, goggle,s and valuables with room to spare.

This pack costs $140 MSRP, holds 1800 cubic inches or 29 litres of volume, measures 21”x11”x8”, and weighs 4 pounds empty.

Testing

While trailbuilding I fill this pack with a chainsaw, fuel, bar oil, saw tuning tools, lunch, hand clippers, a tape measure, a hammer, nails, spikes, a mattock, water, a cell phone, safety glasses, and earmuffs. The DaKine builders pack stores all this with room to spare. It sits nicely on your back and feels lighter than it actually is when loaded up. The best part is that I no longer have to use my hands or a wheelbarrow to carry the majority of my tools. This means my hands are free to carry larger tools that are too big to be carried on my back, or I can ride my bike into the building zone.

The Builders Pack is very useful for riding days too. I often pack it with my full face helmet, goggles, knee/shin pads, arm pads, tools, spare tube, water, and lunch and it holds all these items with ease. Some might argue that this pack is too big to use as a riding pack, but Freeriders/Downhillers who have to pedal or hike 4+ miles to the top of a hill will appreciate a place to store their armor.

The Verdict

As a professional trailbuilder, I wholeheartedly recommend this backpack. You can fit almost every tool you need on your back, freeing up your hands for other tasks. It’s built tough and should last for years plus it makes transporting tools to the work site really easy. For me the icing on the cake is it works equally as well for transporting DH and freeride gear. The DaKine builders pack is well thought out, durable, and very functional.

A big shout out to DaKine for providing the Builders Pack for review.

There are so many great things to say about the Dakine Drafter hydration pack I almost don’t know where to begin. I will start with the most obvious: it is plaid. A very nice plaid, similar to my ancestors’ tartan back in ye old country. Don’t worry, if your lineage comes from the other side of a different pond, or if “logger flannel” is just not your thing, Dakine makes this pack in Black, Black Box (dark gray graphics on black) and Olive. I like the plaid and now one of my ride buddies greats me with a hearty “if it ain’t Scottish it’s crap!”

Packing My Stuff

Like many riders, things tend to migrate into my hydration pack and stay there. So I unloaded my old pack, got rid of all the odd bits that I had no reason to keep in there, and then I started loading up the Drafter.  During this time of year my rides begin after dark, and frequently the temperature at the start point is in the mid to low 50′s. By the end of the ride, temps can be hovering near 30 degrees F. That means extra clothes and gloves, plus an extra base layer in case things go wrong and you have to walk out: wind vest, wool arm warmers, long sleeve jersey, balaclava, head sweat, and thicker insulated gloves. My year-round kit is more typical: a spare inner tube, 2 multi-tools, a chain tool, a small LED flashlight, Light & Motion li-ion battery for my ARC helmet light, spare flat pack battery for my Marwi handlebar mounted light, clear lens glasses, a couple of Clif bars, keys and of course, my cellphone. I frequently carry my Pentax 5si ultra compact digital camera too.

Lots of Pockets to Get Organized

The Drafter swallowed all the small stuff into the zippered pockets throughout the pack. Clif bars fit in the nifty plastic-lined pocket just inside the helmet carry flap (ever had a GU explode in your main pack? – it’s not pretty. I’ve been there). The external fleece lined zippered top pocket is perfect for my camera and cell phone where I can get at them quickly and I stuffed my keys into the uppermost internal pocket. My slightly-larger-than-mini-pump slid comfortably into its designated pocket. Inner tubes are a joy to carry– refolded sorta flat and banana shaped, you can easily pack two 29er tubes or maybe three 26ers. Batteries went into the fleece lined mp3 player pocket where light cords have a well placed and gusseted exit out the top of the pack. While my flashlight, wind vest and headsweat fit in with the inner tube, the long sleeve jersey ended up folded at the bottom of the main pocket. I was able to stuff the rest of the clothing (arm warmers, gloves and balaclava) into the external helmet carry flap, which worked out well because those are the things I usually have to scramble to put on at re-group points while the slower riders catch up. Dakine added a convenient set of straps under the helmet carry area for body armor; if the forecast is for the 20′s I may roll up a fleece or wind front jacket and strap it down there. When not in use, the straps stow away inside special pockets.

Straps and Suspension System

With a few quick adjustments the Dakine Drafter pack was very comfortable. The 2.5 inch wide shoulder straps are well padded and are lined with mesh for wicking. Both shoulder straps have drink tube guides on them so you can set up to drink lefty or righty. The back area is padded too – firm neoprene in the center, padded mesh over the rest. The waist strap is 1 inch wide and adjusts easily and, while the waist strap isn’t padded, it has a soft nylon webbing that stayed comfortable even on a 3 hour ride. The breast strap adjusts very well and is equipped with plastic slides for height adjustment. All of the materials and construction in the suspension system are high quality and should last a long, long time. While riding, the pack stayed in place and remained comfortable even when fully loaded at 13.5 pounds. With some other packs, I have had issues with the pack bouncing up and whacking the back of my helmet when I go over log piles, but this pack did not budge.

Nalgene Water Reservoir

This thing carries water, right? You bet. The Dakine Drafter pack features a Nalgene 100oz (3 liter) water bladder (specifically the Nalgene Encapsule Big Bore).  What does that mean? No plastic taste–none. I have some bladders from other major hydration pack companies that still taste strongly of  chemicals even after 3 years of regular use and cleaning. With Nalgene Encapsule, even the first time out it was like drinking out of a glass. Nalgene’s bladder material cleans very easily and it has their proprietary Aquaguard (TM) anti-microbial formula. The mouth of the bladder is slightly over-sized for ice cubes, closes with a star-shaped cap that you can easily grip and has a cap retainer that does not tangle. The Nalgene bladder is very simple to fill; there’s a handle near the star-shaped cap that keeps everything open, so the bladder can keep up with a high flow faucet or a water filter machine. Another feature that aids filling is the quick disconnect on the drink tube – you don’t have to unroute your drink tube to get the bladder out. The valve at the bottom of the bladder doesn’t leak and it didn’t freeze shut when I put the whole thing in the freezer. The drink tube length is the only thing I found not-quite-right. For this pack it needs to be about 2 inches longer. I am not a tall guy and I found myself craning my neck at a funky angle to drink. The bite valve gives a good amount of flow, doesn’t drip, and has a shut off if you straighten the valve. I like the Nalgene Encapsule Big Bore water resevoir so much I am considering getting the 1.5 liter for my smaller Camelback Lobo.

Final Thoughts

There are still a half dozen things I like about this pack that I have not talked about: the drink tube clip, the carry handle, the reservoir clip… the list goes on. The Dakine Drafter Pack is well made using 630D Nylon. It holds about 700 cu inches of stuff, measures 18 x 7.5 x 5 inches and weighs 975g with the bladder. The pockets are all well placed and their closures are effective. It rides well, the straps are comfortable and even loaded with nearly 14 pounds of stuff it is stable on your back. My only complaint  is that the drink tube length is a little short for me.

This pack is a good value at its MSRP of $75.00  Backcountry.com has an awesome sale for $44.97 right now – a smokin’ deal!