MedicineMan
02-13-2003, 01:12
Reviewer Name: Simva2020
Age: 44
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 189pounds
Experience: 30 years AT section hiking, longest backpack 6 days Isle Royale, many 2-4days section hikes on AT, currently at 520 contiguous AT miles
Similar Products Used: Jansport D-2 20years,Golite Gust/Breeze 2years, GVP-4 1.5 yr
Locations/conditions tested: Unicoi Gap-Neals Gap AT, cold, snowy,icy, very windy, temps
between 20-37 degrees
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weight (advertised): no weight was given for the options I chose for this pack.
Weight (as tested):24.5 ounces with added hip belt pockets, elongated side pockets, zippered map pocket, and bottom straps
Price: Total with all additions: $270.00
Manufacturer web address: http://www.kiskiloutdoors.com/
Phone Number:
E-mail address:laughingman@kiskiloutdoors.com
Any other statistical information such as capacity:4300 to 4500 c.i. total storate capacity including pockets and storage under top flap
material:woven Spectra cloth and flat nylon webbing
style: internal frame via sleeping pad
The above per the Kiskil site.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Construction, Design, or Initial Impression:
You can read much about the Mithril at Kiskil Outdoors and Backpackgeartest.org.
I will only mention here that the initial impression is outstanding but it should be since Moonbow gear is the production facility. Also realize that this pack is custom made to fit you and you alone, you go through a procedure delineated at the Kiskil website to produce a template that is used to make your pack...the Mithril pack you recieve is unlike all the cookie cutter packs out there in that it is fitted per your measurements!
I chose the Mithril because I simply wanted a stronger GVP-4...but in the end I believe I have recieved a better pack with more useable options.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial Tests:
This is what you did in the "back yard" before you hit the trail. Well the only thing I did in the 'back yard' was pack the thing and figure out where each component would go, besides that I did go over the stitching to see if I could find a flaw....as usual per Moonbowgears work no flaws were found, and put it on my scales to get a dry weight.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trail Test:
The Mithril did as expected and as claimed by the designer George Cole-I actually forgot it was on my back on many occasions on its first hike (see Birthday hike Unicoi Gap to Neals Gap)....
Conclusions/Recommendations:
Cole has been hiking/trail running for many years, there is little if nothing to change about the Mithril. Do study his design philosophy considering the 'compressed tube' and its ability to transfer the load to the hips, also the 'd-shape' after compression via the hip belt into the small of your back. On this initial hike I carried between 28-30 pounds and felt very comfortable the entire trip with this pack. Also realize that in this pack configuration the sleeping bag is compressed only enough to accomodate the other gear that you will place in the main compartment....my Versalite fluffed almost immediately after setting up camp because if was minimally compressed during the hike...other than the sleeping bag, the main compartment held my thermarest, other clothing, and bearbag...all things needed for the day were in the side compartments.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anything else worth mentioning:
If you get a Mithril please consider the additional/remoable hip belt pockets. These were so useful for camera, lip balm, snacks, etc. They also did not interfere with my cadence or pole swing. Also consider the elongated side pockets, you will be quite surprised with the sheer amount of gear they can hold almost negating the need to enter the main compartment until after reaching camp/shelter.
You will also love the mesh pocket on the back...it is sizeable and easily accomodate my Camelbak 100oz. bladder, the Lowe Alpine Hydrenaline Anorak and Pants, and a Smartwool pullover...it could easily handle a wet tent or tarp and several extras.
Other things to consider: this pack is white, you can get it for extra money in grey,,,,white is OK but in deer hunting season I strongly suggest an orange pack cover out of sil-nyl, available via the ATC.....
Also, you will have to wait for this pack, no instant gear fix here since it is custom made by a company (Moonbow) that is apparently always busy.
NOT ALL REVIEWS MUST BE POSITIVE!
Well I dont care about the money I spend on gear and gear justification! This is my hobby, my passion, my obsession. If the pack sucked I would tell you so but it didn't, then again after reading other reviews at other sites I felt that the Mithril would be at least suitable, but in the end it was truly comfortable, light, and what I wanted most strong-I love the idea of ultralightweight but if I have to gently lower my pack to the ground for fear of busting a seam then I dont want it...that is why I wanted the mithril-strength.
Try to avoid a comparison review.
Well I did compare it with the GVP-4, which is the pack I have used for the past 200+ AT miles and the Mithril is in my mind a better product-but it should be simply because it cost more, but the reality is that the GVP-4's concept of z-rest pad being the pack frame is not as good as the 'compressed' tube concept, the Mithril was simply more rigid in its feel....the way the hip belt works to fully compress the pack into the small of your back pays benefits in stability via center of gravity...the only down side of this might be heavy sweat build up there in the warmer months.
Don't fake it. If you like a product and want to give it a good review don't exaggerate the review. Tell it like it is.
OK, I have many many packs to choose from and if going on a hike tomorow I would choose the Mithril, it easily accomodate all the winter gear I needed and then some.
How I packed it:
left side pocket: kitchen: SnowPeak Solo set, spork, Brasslite Due, Fuel bottle, lighter,pot gripper, alcohol gel, mitten shells, pile liners,leatherman Micra, first aid kit
right side pocket: Aqua-mira filter bottle, tomahark, Golite Umbrella with much room to spare in this pocket
middle mesh pocket: rain/wind gear, hydration bladder and a flashover shirt (smartwool pullover)
main compartment: Wanderlust sleeping bag VBL/pack liner, WM Versalite, WM Flight, Smartwool Aerotights, LLBean Tights, spare mitts, OR Mukluks and pile liners (winter camp shoes), bearbag/food, extra balaclava to sleep in
hip belt pocket left:Minolta Vectis, nip cheese crackers
hip belt pocket right: M&M's, cashews, BlackDiamond Moonbeam, Suunto Advizor, Thermometer
Since this was a winter hike I did carry an extra sleep pad a closed cell Bevalite pad that I rolled up and placed under the top flap and nothing against the pack the foam pad would occasionally hit tree limbs due to its 24inch width....
Under the Kiskil name tag on the top flap I attached my instep crampons.
bottom of the pack: via optional straps Hilleberg Akto
Conclusion: I think the Mithril will develope a cult following, especially among Tolkien hikers! The use of Spectra (generic kevlar so-to-speak) should give many years of use, the weight is in line with an ultralightweight backpack, and the design/useability/function is keen.
Age: 44
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 189pounds
Experience: 30 years AT section hiking, longest backpack 6 days Isle Royale, many 2-4days section hikes on AT, currently at 520 contiguous AT miles
Similar Products Used: Jansport D-2 20years,Golite Gust/Breeze 2years, GVP-4 1.5 yr
Locations/conditions tested: Unicoi Gap-Neals Gap AT, cold, snowy,icy, very windy, temps
between 20-37 degrees
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weight (advertised): no weight was given for the options I chose for this pack.
Weight (as tested):24.5 ounces with added hip belt pockets, elongated side pockets, zippered map pocket, and bottom straps
Price: Total with all additions: $270.00
Manufacturer web address: http://www.kiskiloutdoors.com/
Phone Number:
E-mail address:laughingman@kiskiloutdoors.com
Any other statistical information such as capacity:4300 to 4500 c.i. total storate capacity including pockets and storage under top flap
material:woven Spectra cloth and flat nylon webbing
style: internal frame via sleeping pad
The above per the Kiskil site.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Construction, Design, or Initial Impression:
You can read much about the Mithril at Kiskil Outdoors and Backpackgeartest.org.
I will only mention here that the initial impression is outstanding but it should be since Moonbow gear is the production facility. Also realize that this pack is custom made to fit you and you alone, you go through a procedure delineated at the Kiskil website to produce a template that is used to make your pack...the Mithril pack you recieve is unlike all the cookie cutter packs out there in that it is fitted per your measurements!
I chose the Mithril because I simply wanted a stronger GVP-4...but in the end I believe I have recieved a better pack with more useable options.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial Tests:
This is what you did in the "back yard" before you hit the trail. Well the only thing I did in the 'back yard' was pack the thing and figure out where each component would go, besides that I did go over the stitching to see if I could find a flaw....as usual per Moonbowgears work no flaws were found, and put it on my scales to get a dry weight.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trail Test:
The Mithril did as expected and as claimed by the designer George Cole-I actually forgot it was on my back on many occasions on its first hike (see Birthday hike Unicoi Gap to Neals Gap)....
Conclusions/Recommendations:
Cole has been hiking/trail running for many years, there is little if nothing to change about the Mithril. Do study his design philosophy considering the 'compressed tube' and its ability to transfer the load to the hips, also the 'd-shape' after compression via the hip belt into the small of your back. On this initial hike I carried between 28-30 pounds and felt very comfortable the entire trip with this pack. Also realize that in this pack configuration the sleeping bag is compressed only enough to accomodate the other gear that you will place in the main compartment....my Versalite fluffed almost immediately after setting up camp because if was minimally compressed during the hike...other than the sleeping bag, the main compartment held my thermarest, other clothing, and bearbag...all things needed for the day were in the side compartments.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anything else worth mentioning:
If you get a Mithril please consider the additional/remoable hip belt pockets. These were so useful for camera, lip balm, snacks, etc. They also did not interfere with my cadence or pole swing. Also consider the elongated side pockets, you will be quite surprised with the sheer amount of gear they can hold almost negating the need to enter the main compartment until after reaching camp/shelter.
You will also love the mesh pocket on the back...it is sizeable and easily accomodate my Camelbak 100oz. bladder, the Lowe Alpine Hydrenaline Anorak and Pants, and a Smartwool pullover...it could easily handle a wet tent or tarp and several extras.
Other things to consider: this pack is white, you can get it for extra money in grey,,,,white is OK but in deer hunting season I strongly suggest an orange pack cover out of sil-nyl, available via the ATC.....
Also, you will have to wait for this pack, no instant gear fix here since it is custom made by a company (Moonbow) that is apparently always busy.
NOT ALL REVIEWS MUST BE POSITIVE!
Well I dont care about the money I spend on gear and gear justification! This is my hobby, my passion, my obsession. If the pack sucked I would tell you so but it didn't, then again after reading other reviews at other sites I felt that the Mithril would be at least suitable, but in the end it was truly comfortable, light, and what I wanted most strong-I love the idea of ultralightweight but if I have to gently lower my pack to the ground for fear of busting a seam then I dont want it...that is why I wanted the mithril-strength.
Try to avoid a comparison review.
Well I did compare it with the GVP-4, which is the pack I have used for the past 200+ AT miles and the Mithril is in my mind a better product-but it should be simply because it cost more, but the reality is that the GVP-4's concept of z-rest pad being the pack frame is not as good as the 'compressed' tube concept, the Mithril was simply more rigid in its feel....the way the hip belt works to fully compress the pack into the small of your back pays benefits in stability via center of gravity...the only down side of this might be heavy sweat build up there in the warmer months.
Don't fake it. If you like a product and want to give it a good review don't exaggerate the review. Tell it like it is.
OK, I have many many packs to choose from and if going on a hike tomorow I would choose the Mithril, it easily accomodate all the winter gear I needed and then some.
How I packed it:
left side pocket: kitchen: SnowPeak Solo set, spork, Brasslite Due, Fuel bottle, lighter,pot gripper, alcohol gel, mitten shells, pile liners,leatherman Micra, first aid kit
right side pocket: Aqua-mira filter bottle, tomahark, Golite Umbrella with much room to spare in this pocket
middle mesh pocket: rain/wind gear, hydration bladder and a flashover shirt (smartwool pullover)
main compartment: Wanderlust sleeping bag VBL/pack liner, WM Versalite, WM Flight, Smartwool Aerotights, LLBean Tights, spare mitts, OR Mukluks and pile liners (winter camp shoes), bearbag/food, extra balaclava to sleep in
hip belt pocket left:Minolta Vectis, nip cheese crackers
hip belt pocket right: M&M's, cashews, BlackDiamond Moonbeam, Suunto Advizor, Thermometer
Since this was a winter hike I did carry an extra sleep pad a closed cell Bevalite pad that I rolled up and placed under the top flap and nothing against the pack the foam pad would occasionally hit tree limbs due to its 24inch width....
Under the Kiskil name tag on the top flap I attached my instep crampons.
bottom of the pack: via optional straps Hilleberg Akto
Conclusion: I think the Mithril will develope a cult following, especially among Tolkien hikers! The use of Spectra (generic kevlar so-to-speak) should give many years of use, the weight is in line with an ultralightweight backpack, and the design/useability/function is keen.