It's a pack-a-palooza! Sierra Designs, absent from the pack market lo these many years, storms back onto the scene with two of the most livable general purpose packs we've humped. Humped as in hiked with, not... you know.
The men's Revival and women's Jubilee have identical features for both the men's and women's 65 and 50 liter models: floating top lid with two compartments; spacious main compartment with six inch drawstring collar and hydration pouch and dual hook hangers; front pocket with two mesh open pockets; shove-it pocket; dual water bottle pockets (quart bottle sized on the 65 and slightly smaller on the 50) and dual waist belt pockets suitable for camera, snacks, or a gerbil.
There are more lashing points than you can shake a forked stick at, including dual trekking pole and ice axe loops. The shoulder straps have a clip high on the right strap for a radio, GPS or whatever, and on the left is a bottle opener which is more useful as a carabiner clip-in for additional gear like bear spray or an LSD pez dispenser. Why don't they sell those anymore?
The organization overall is outstanding. From the inner zipped security pocket with key clip in the top lid, to having pouches on BOTH sides of the waist belt instead of just one (pet peeve here at GF), to the really cool secret stash feature: the inside of the front pocket has a hole at the top to reach into the main compartment, and the entire piece of fabric separating the two compartments zips open top to bottom to allow easy access almost to the bottom of the main compartment. You have to see it to realize how insanely useful it is.
Fit is very comfortable on both models, with a plastic framesheet and single aluminum stay providing plenty of backbone for loads up to 50 pounds in the Revival and 40 pounds in the Jubilee. The hip belt is a pull from both sides design - love it! - and there are load lifters, snuggers and two compression straps per side on the main compartment to really dial it in. The shoulder straps on the women's model are curved in all the right places, and the massive shoulder and hip pads make absorb trail shocks nicely. Bottom line: highly recommended.
Men's Revival 65, $239.95 at Altrec
Women's Jubilee 50 $199.95 at Altrec
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