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SEEK OUTSIDE DIVIDE 4500 – REVIEW
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Home › Forums › Gear Forums › Gear (General) › SEEK OUTSIDE DIVIDE 4500 – REVIEW
- This topic has 18 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 7 months ago by chuck f.
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Aug 14, 2017 at 3:49 pm #3484944Aug 15, 2017 at 11:27 am #3485113
Hi Nick,
I’ll be very honest, the lumbar price was a calculation error. Â We dropped it $10 down to $35 and refunded the difference to all customers who ordered one.
The hipbelt numbing concerns me. Â What kind of weight were you carrying? Â The numbing is weird…I’ve had it before, but only rarely and for seemingly no reason. Â Depending on your body type the pad might help?
We get a lot of requests for bladder ports. Â Our thinking is that you have a packbag that with seam sealing can be completely waterproof. Â Hang a 3L bladder inside and you’ve introduced a potential source of wet gear. Â It’s also not the easiest to create a port that can be waterproofed enough for packrafting, etc.
Aug 15, 2017 at 3:49 pm #3485170Hey Nathan,
I’ve never had the hip numbing from a pack before. I suspect there’s a pressure point somewhere on the front of the belt that does doesn’t agree with the blood flow in my hips. The problem was most noticeable at about 40lbs. I’ve never hiked with a heavier load than that. I considered the lumbar pad, but I just can’t get myself to drop more $.
Nick
Aug 16, 2017 at 6:25 am #3485284Aug 16, 2017 at 10:30 am #3485360Thanks for the review!
Aug 16, 2017 at 11:12 am #3485382Aug 16, 2017 at 12:24 pm #3485417Nick Thanks for your video. I just got a divide myself with the new changes and will put up a review soon as well. I want to get a couple more trips in before I do. I did however echo some of your thoughts already and enjoyed your tips. Its a lot of pack (not cheap though) but it should come with at least one waistbelt pocket for the price imo.
Aug 19, 2017 at 11:30 pm #3486080How well does back actually vent? I’ve got an osprey exos and it’s one of my favorite features but often wish there was a bit less space. I aslo run a bladder and wish there was a better solution
Aug 20, 2017 at 7:20 pm #3486217The back does vent really well IMO. There’s only one section of padding across the mid-lower back that collects sweat. There’s less material to ‘rub’ and you can pop the load lifters to let the bag drift way off your back for a few minutes to get extra airflow and the hipbelt design works like a pivot. There’s actually less contact points than my traditional packs, but once the fit is dialed in, the ergos are really quite good. Quite a feat for a bag that isn’t resting directly on your back.
Aug 21, 2017 at 2:14 am #3486250How does it compare with Katabatic Artemis (which I believe you had used earlier) in terms of comfort and load carrying capacity?
Aug 21, 2017 at 10:31 am #3486279“How does it compare with Katabatic Artemis (which I believe you had used earlier) in terms of comfort and load carrying capacity?”
Indeed, finding that grail pack is an addiction. :)
The Artemis is a fine pack and I LOVE Katabatic products (my Alsek quilt is still probably my favorite piece of gear) but I’d choose the Divide – no question. You’re taking a decent weight penalty, but there’s absolutely no comparison in load carry or capacity. Without looking at the specs, I’d say the Divide can hold 30% more. For a bag that isn’t directly touching your back, the Divide feels absolutely locked onto your torso and distributes the load really, really well. The ride is darn buttery too, working with you, no against you. Per the video, I did feel a little hip numbing >40lbs, but I’m hoping that can be fixed with the plethora of adjustments (almost too many!). Besides, 40lbs was absolutely a giant load for me and I’ll probably never need to go that heavy again.
As for the Artemis, I wanted to love that pack but ended up returning it in favor or the ULA Circuit (I still have and love the Circuit and OHM2.0). I didn’t feel it transferred weight overly well to the hips and the belt began to sag >25lbs. Also felt like there was too much side-to-side swing weight with that bag… something just didn’t jive for me.
If you’re going to carry a big load, or just want to carry 20-25lbs in blissful comfort, the Divide is your bag.
Aug 21, 2017 at 6:30 pm #3486360I was also super curious about the katabatic packs. Can’t wait to hear some feedback on the 2017 updates. We seem to have similar taste in gear, if you get a chance I’d love to hear about the rest of your kit, shelters ect and what sort of trips you’ve been up to recently. What was the 40lbs trip?
Aug 21, 2017 at 10:10 pm #3486407We seem to have similar taste in gear, if you get a chance I’d love to hear about the rest of your kit, shelters ect and what sort of trips you’ve been up to recently. What was the 40lbs trip?
Ha! I love talking gear, but don’t judge me, I have an addiction. :)
Shelters – Six Moons Lunar Solo, MLD Trailstar, Dutchwear Hammock +Â Warbonnet Tarp
Packs – Seek Outside Divide, ULA Circuit, ULA OHM2.0, Granite Gear Crown2 (loaner pack)
Insulation – Katabatic Alsek 10d, Enlightened Equipment Revelation 40d, Hammock Gear Incubator (UQ) 20d
Pads – Big Agnes QCore SLX, Exped SynMat UL7
Most trips are here in the Los Padres National Forest (California). The 40lb load consisted of extra gear, camp chair, fly rod, excess water, and plenty of wine + proteins.
Aug 21, 2017 at 10:48 pm #3486412<p style=”padding-left: 30px;”>So no more hmg?</p>
Aug 22, 2017 at 12:25 pm #3486485The HMG is long gone. The hip belt, side and front pockets on that pack are all terrible in my opinion. My fascination for cuban fiber packs (and tents) is gone now too. :)
Aug 22, 2017 at 12:42 pm #3486490Thanks for the detailed reply.
Aug 23, 2017 at 4:53 am #3486602I just ordered one of these last night. Looking forward to trying it out.
Aug 23, 2017 at 10:27 am #3486632I’m waiting for SO’s 3,500 ci Gila: Â https://www.instagram.com/p/BYGPhA5gzCs/?taken-by=seekoutside
Aug 27, 2017 at 3:23 pm #3487320I have the first gen of this pack. I really like the way the back pocket closes. In cold weather I will stuff the pocket full to overflowing and use the compression to hold it all in. Getting the shoulder harness dialed in is not for the faint of heart. I use a water bottle holder on the belt and I love it. The pack is so big my normal loads fit inside the pack without stuffing. The ventilation is awesome.
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