I actually have no idea what this pack is I got, although it was advertised as a Kelty Expedition pack. It was cheap on eBay and I wanted to get my hands on a Kelty metal cam buckle for the hip belt. It's a really interesting pack though, much more voluminous than my Super Tioga. In addition to having a very large sleeping bag compartment on the bottom, it has a middle compartment between that and the main upper compartment, plus the side pockets and front pocket like the Tioga does.
The frame is rather different from the Tioga - in addition to being taller, it also has a curve to it such that at the top it comes more over your head, I imagine to center the weight better over you. I like that design aspect. The shoulder belts on the Tioga can be adjusted to have the tops at different heights, whereas they are fixed on this pack, although they can be moved inward or outward. There is no sternum strap, but the design is such that it doesn't really feel like it needs it.
The padding in the hip and shoulder belts has hardened up to a rock-like consistency, and in fact broke apart in several places when I tried bending it. So it's not the most comfortable. Even so, I loaded it up with 40lbs of gear and it fit well enough and comfortably enough aside from the broken rocks digging into my hips. The shoulder belts attach to the frame a few inches above my shoulders, but since there are no "load lifter" (though they do the opposite on external frame packs) straps, I think that this isn't a problem - the shoulder belts basically just keep the frame against your back and the weight sits on the hips. I think with new padding it would be comfortable.
Anyways, I'm curious if anybody knows more about these.
IMG_0782.jpg