First Ascent’s Big Tahoma Pack Rises to the Top

When put to the test, the First Ascent Big Tahoma pack delivers. Backpacker magazine’s gear testers subjected the Big Tahoma to treacherous rain, sleet and snow through the rugged, steep mountain terrain of Wyoming, Colorado and Utah.

In its October issue, Backpacker rated the Big Tahoma five out of five possible boots, praising the pack’s durability: “You’d need a belt sander to damage the 1,000-denier Cordura.”

According to their verdict, “This versatile pack is supportive and comfortable enough for a week-long trek, but simple and light enough for tackling big alpine peaks…The (removable) hipbelt never interfered with high-stepping, and two aluminum stays transfer loads up to 40 pounds directly to the hips. And the double ripstop nylon used in the packbag is not only superdurable, it’s highly waterproof.”