The North Face just set a new standard with its 2019 line of hiking backpacks. While pack makers have done plenty to make carrying loads of gear through the woods and mountains a tolerable experience with advancements in lightness, durability and comfort, these new bags focus on ease of use.
The four new backpacks — Griffin, Banchee, Hydra and Chimera — use a system The North Face calls DynoCarry to facilitate unmatched and uncomplicated adjustability. Example: tug on one piece of webbing and both shoulder straps to adjust and equalize the full load. The fully-featured Griffin exhibits DynoCarry most thoroughly. In addition to shoulder strap adjustment, the pack has a hipbelt that pivots separately from the bag’s main body to create a more natural walking experience and it can be adjusted while wearing the pack, a task that typically requires pulling apart layers of Velcro and plastic. The combination of these features produces a bag so wearable that we gave the Griffin our Editor’s Choice Award at last summer’s Outdoor Retailer.
It’s simple tech executed in a way that makes hiking more comfortable and less technical. But even without DynoCarry, the new backpacks stand on their own with all the traits you’d want and expect in a trekking bag. Lots of lash points, detachable top lids, quick-access pocket sleeves and various points of entry to main compartments are just a few examples.
Gear Patrol also recommends:
Evergoods Mountain Quick Draw 24L ($199)
Osprey Atmos AG 50L Backpack ($240)
Arc’teryx Bora AR 63L Backpack ($549)
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