Kelty Redwing 50 – 50 Liter Internal Frame Backpack for Hiking, Backpacking, Travel, Hip Belt, Tailored Fit, 2023 (Blackout)

One of my all time favorite backpacks.
I purchased the newer model cause I wanted something more subtle and to see if they’d improved on anything. I gotta say all around it’s improved in every aspect. It’s got a ton of storage capacity if you include the outside attachment points. You can easily fit 70L+ of gear. And this bag is built strong enough to handle that. It’s not too heavy, the adjustable torso velcro is a little difficult to manipulate at first but most people won’t even need to. And for the price? You can’t beat it. I paid $100 for this on sale and nothing else is even close in quality. Great value for the money. The cushioning for the hipbelt is top notch too. One of the most comfortable, easy to use and functionaly superior packs I own. Makes some of my Osprey’s that cost triple look like its equal.The only downside is that the main compartment is very wide open with little-to-no way to organize or store anything unless you’ve already got all your gear partitioned out in stuff sacks/compression sacks/dry bags/packing cubes. It can be done without it, but I’d 100% recommend one of the above.

Great purchase
Excellent quality. I stuff it pretty full and don’t have any issues with the fabric or zipper. Great padding on the back and super comfortable. I’ve taken it on three trips and have had zero issues. Great 3 day 2 night bag.

Still decent but not the Kelty of days gone by
This was intended to replace a Redwing that I originally purchased 20+ years ago. The only reason I wanted to replace it, was the material frayed at the edges and began to impeded the zippers. I without hesitation ordered the latest iteration, thinking it would be updated, but nearly similar. My mistake for not researching prior to purchase. The new Redwing is a far cry from the tank I purchased years ago. Materials are thinner, and not Ripstop buckles are way smaller and seem less robust in the hand. The removable aluminum back supports are now a metal wire frame that pushes rather aggressively on the top of the pack. It seems with regular use it will wear through. I did like that the yoke is adjustable, but it still doesn’t orient the weight well on my back. The waist/hip belt is now smaller, which is a plus, but is still a little cumbersome when not on your back. All in all its still a decent pack. Reasonably thoughtful pockets and layout. Just not the apples to apples to the quality that Kelty once had.

Not the Kelty I knew
I have had Kelty Redwing packs for 20 years. They were sturdy, had removable internal frames, and embroidered Kelty Logos. The Redwing I received had thin material, a permanent internal frame, and iron on logos. The internal frame makes the pack too long to allow carry on to a passenger jet. I will repair my reliable old Redwing, never another Kelty pack.