Folks,
Follow-up review of the Seek Outside Peregrine, after some real use. Here's my first impressions post: https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/seek-outside-peregrine-first-impressions.97688/
The backpack has since accompanied me on a three big game hunts, some multi-day backpacking trips, and many day hikes. I packed out a (small) mule deer buck with it, and half a cow elk (in two trips; my buddy carried the other half) - in both cases <2 miles and fairly easy terrain. It handled those weights superbly, though the loads were not exceptionally heavy.
On the whole, I am quite happy. The fit is great and comfortable, though I had to use the lumbar pad to get it just right; I like the waterproof bag; light weight; just enough organizational features to get the job done. It's my first "premium" backpack, so I can't compare its quality to the usual competitors. The only pack I can compare it to is my old North Face Terra 60 liter. The SO is a lot better: much stronger materials and frame for about the same weight (maybe less?), much better load-lifting support, much more adjustable, water proof. I thought I'd miss a lid, but I haven't even noticed. I did buy a hip belt pocket.
That being said, there were two durability problems that I should share:
1. The hip belt attaches to the frame via two straps that are bolted onto the frame, threaded through a set of grommets (probably aluminum?). One night when I was doing a stairs workout with a load of about 60 lbs, one of those straps broke at that connection point - basically, the threading around the grommet frayed and the strap separated from it. I emailed SO about this and within a few days a new hip belt arrived at my door at no charge. Great customer service, but it did concern me about durability. I did fiddle with those attachment points quite a bit when I was dialing in my fit, and it looked like I over-torqued it with my socket wrench and bent the grommet, which was probably the cause. SO said they had never seen that issue before. Still, wish it hadn't happened to me. This was prior to all my longer backpacking trips and hunting trips, and there has been no issue since. Long story short: don't over-torque those connections.
2. A strap goes over the top of the roll-up bag and connects to a loop on the back pocket. It's not essential to close the bag, but it compresses the top down a bit and makes everything snug. On one of my backpacking trips, the stitching on the loop broke when I was tightening down the straps. Fortunately there are multiple loops back there, so it was no problem. But it didn't inspire confidence. I used a needle and strong thread to sew the loop closed when I got home; no problem since.
So, with regard to durability, it seems that the potential weak points of the pack are at the connections. That's probably true for most bags, though perhaps some are more stout than others.
If you're wondering about frame strength, so far I've had no issues at all. Due to the U-shaped aluminum construction with cross bars attached by velcro, there is some flex if you push the bars *inward* at the top of the frame. Personally that doesn't concern me: not sure what real-world scenario would do that, and flex isn't necessarily a bad thing anyway.
With regard to feature design and organization, the pack is great. I have only one minor complaint. There is a water bladder attachment loop and hole at the top of the bag. This connection point is basically free floating - not near any frame attachment - so if there is nothing around the bladder to support it in the bag, it pulls down on the top of the bag a few inches. It's not really a problem, but it would have been nice to see that attachment point better thought-out. If you prefer not to use bladders, or to attach it to the outside, you'll have no problem.
On the whole, a great pack with a few early hiccups. I'll let the forum know if my assessment ever changes.
***2021 UPDATE***
Two years later and I have not had any problems. I still use the peregrine exclusively when hunting and backpacking. I’m happy with it and have no intention to replace it any time soon. It’s nice not to have to think about backpacks anymore
Follow-up review of the Seek Outside Peregrine, after some real use. Here's my first impressions post: https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/seek-outside-peregrine-first-impressions.97688/
The backpack has since accompanied me on a three big game hunts, some multi-day backpacking trips, and many day hikes. I packed out a (small) mule deer buck with it, and half a cow elk (in two trips; my buddy carried the other half) - in both cases <2 miles and fairly easy terrain. It handled those weights superbly, though the loads were not exceptionally heavy.
On the whole, I am quite happy. The fit is great and comfortable, though I had to use the lumbar pad to get it just right; I like the waterproof bag; light weight; just enough organizational features to get the job done. It's my first "premium" backpack, so I can't compare its quality to the usual competitors. The only pack I can compare it to is my old North Face Terra 60 liter. The SO is a lot better: much stronger materials and frame for about the same weight (maybe less?), much better load-lifting support, much more adjustable, water proof. I thought I'd miss a lid, but I haven't even noticed. I did buy a hip belt pocket.
That being said, there were two durability problems that I should share:
1. The hip belt attaches to the frame via two straps that are bolted onto the frame, threaded through a set of grommets (probably aluminum?). One night when I was doing a stairs workout with a load of about 60 lbs, one of those straps broke at that connection point - basically, the threading around the grommet frayed and the strap separated from it. I emailed SO about this and within a few days a new hip belt arrived at my door at no charge. Great customer service, but it did concern me about durability. I did fiddle with those attachment points quite a bit when I was dialing in my fit, and it looked like I over-torqued it with my socket wrench and bent the grommet, which was probably the cause. SO said they had never seen that issue before. Still, wish it hadn't happened to me. This was prior to all my longer backpacking trips and hunting trips, and there has been no issue since. Long story short: don't over-torque those connections.
2. A strap goes over the top of the roll-up bag and connects to a loop on the back pocket. It's not essential to close the bag, but it compresses the top down a bit and makes everything snug. On one of my backpacking trips, the stitching on the loop broke when I was tightening down the straps. Fortunately there are multiple loops back there, so it was no problem. But it didn't inspire confidence. I used a needle and strong thread to sew the loop closed when I got home; no problem since.
So, with regard to durability, it seems that the potential weak points of the pack are at the connections. That's probably true for most bags, though perhaps some are more stout than others.
If you're wondering about frame strength, so far I've had no issues at all. Due to the U-shaped aluminum construction with cross bars attached by velcro, there is some flex if you push the bars *inward* at the top of the frame. Personally that doesn't concern me: not sure what real-world scenario would do that, and flex isn't necessarily a bad thing anyway.
With regard to feature design and organization, the pack is great. I have only one minor complaint. There is a water bladder attachment loop and hole at the top of the bag. This connection point is basically free floating - not near any frame attachment - so if there is nothing around the bladder to support it in the bag, it pulls down on the top of the bag a few inches. It's not really a problem, but it would have been nice to see that attachment point better thought-out. If you prefer not to use bladders, or to attach it to the outside, you'll have no problem.
On the whole, a great pack with a few early hiccups. I'll let the forum know if my assessment ever changes.
***2021 UPDATE***
Two years later and I have not had any problems. I still use the peregrine exclusively when hunting and backpacking. I’m happy with it and have no intention to replace it any time soon. It’s nice not to have to think about backpacks anymore
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