Hiker’s Way 75 Review: Significantly Cheaper

Hiker’s Way 75 is a budget-friendly bundle perfect for occasional backpackers, offering an affordable way to delve into exploration without breaking the bank.

Manufacturer: Hiker’s Way
Price: 3,400/- MRP

Our Verdict

Related: TRAWOC HK 80 Review: Exceptionally Perfect

Our experience with this pack on multiple overnight trips revealed some drawbacks, yet its functionality remains intact. While its construction mirrors its economical price point, it serves as a competent overnight pack equipped with essential features.

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Related: TriPole Walker Pro 80 Review: Comfort Without Compromise

Hiker's Way 75: Our Analysis and Test Results

The standout feature of the Hiker's Way 75 is its exceptional price point. However, throughout our testing phase, we observed that this affordability comes at the expense of comfort and user-friendliness compared to the other packs we evaluated.

It incorporates rougher materials, lacks supportive suspension, and includes some pockets challenging to open, culminating in a slightly subpar overall performance.

Nevertheless, it managed to sufficiently assist us on shorter overnight trips, highlighting its remarkable affordability despite these limitations.

Comfort

The suspension system in this pack is rather basic, employing foam padding around the upper and lower back, hips, and shoulders.

However, we found the lower back foam less comfortable compared to other packs, and the waist belt felt rigid and straight.

Consequently, the pack didn't mold well to our hips, leading to uneven weight distribution and discomfort during longer treks, particularly with heavier loads.

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While the shoulder straps were reasonably comfy, they were covered in abrasive fabric. Donning and doffing the pack caused the fabric to scrape against our skin, significantly reducing comfort.

Unlike other packs with smoother fabric, this one necessitated wearing at least a T-shirt. We wouldn't recommend it for those intending to hike in a tank top or sleeveless shirt due to this discomfort.

Ease of Use

The Hiker's Way 75 pack embodies essential features without going above and beyond. Some features posed usability challenges, while others didn't significantly enhance the pack's functionality. Its design exudes familiarity with a touch of retro aesthetics.

The primary compartment, accessed from the top, fell short due to a poorly executed bottom zipper. Hindered by an elastic flap, opening this zipper became cumbersome, and the narrow aperture made gear access a hassle.

Similarly, the non-removable and unadjustable top lid, sewn onto the pack, tended to rest unevenly on an overstuffed pack, with a pocket sporting a narrow opening that hindered access to its contents.

Each side of the pack features two pockets: an elastic bottom pocket and a top zippered pocket, both barely accommodating a 1-liter Nalgene bottle. Yet, inserting the bottle was tricky, and the coarse fabric often scraped our fingers.

Despite the lack of waist belt pockets, the upper pockets proved handy for quick-access items. External gear attachment was relatively easy, utilizing lower straps for securing a sleeping pad or tent, alongside ice axe loops.

While the pack showcased a mesh back pocket, smaller compared to other models tested, it couldn't even house a rain jacket. Nevertheless, it served well for storing items like a compass and map.

Elastic drawstrings adorn the pack's rear and lid top. The larger back drawstring facilitated fleece or jacket storage, but the lid's elastic was less practical, adding difficulty to accessing it without substantially enhancing the pack's utility.

Overall, while the Hiker's Way 75 performance remained unaffected, certain design aspects like the top attachment seemed redundant, contributing little to its overall value.

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Weight-to-Volume Ratio

Among the backpacks within our budget review, this particular one stands out as one of the heaviest. At 4.5 pounds, its weight seems notably high, especially considering its relatively compact size.

While the Hiker's Way 75 does come equipped with a rain cover, it only adds a little to the overall weight.

Advertised with a 55-liter capacity, this aligns well with other packs we assessed. However, when assessing its weight-to-volume ratio, it becomes evident that the Hiker's Way 75 presents a relatively high ratio (higher ratios are less favorable).

Given its lower price point, this elevated weight-to-size ratio is understandable. Yet, if your priority is finding the lightest budget backpack available, this might not be the ideal choice for you.

Adjustability

This pack offers some adjustability features. Utilizing a Velcro release mechanism, the shoulder straps can be maneuvered along the torso, catering to sizes ranging from 15 to 19.5 inches.

While we value this adaptability, the disappointment arises from its relatively limited maximum torso length compared to numerous other packs evaluated.

Regarding the hip belt, it accommodates an extensive range of hip circumferences, spanning from 26 to 60 inches. However, achieving a snug fit proves challenging due to the absence of a reverse pull-tightening system, unlike all the other packs in our assessment.

Additionally, many of the straps exhibit stiffness, making them harder to tighten, particularly in colder conditions, which diminished the overall user experience.

Is the Hiker's Way 75 Worth Purchasing?

In the realm of budget backpacks, this pack stands out as a cost-effective choice, albeit with some compromises in quality. While other brands offer superior options within the same price range, if your budget is extremely constrained or if backpacking isn't a regular pursuit for you, this lower-cost alternative could serve adequately for occasional ventures without breaking the bank.

Which Alternative Backpacking Backpacks Deserve Your Consideration?

If you're eyeing a backpacking pack that offers top-tier performance akin to premium ones without a significant price hike, we'd suggest exploring the TriPole Walker Pro 80. However, if your priority lies in an affordable pack boasting exceptional adjustability catering to diverse body types, consider checking out the TRAWOC HK 80.

In essence, if backpacking is set to become a regular pursuit, it's advisable to invest a bit more for enhanced comfort and usability in your pack. Yet, if this endeavor occurs only sporadically every few years, the budget-friendly Hiker's Way 75 might fit your needs.

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