Take a load off with the smaller and lighter Jansport Salish backpack.
By Dan Sanchez Photos by Dan Sanchez and Rick ShandleyFor those of us who venture out on a full-day hike that may include some scrambling or light climbing, the Jansport Salish backpack may offer some advantages over a standard day pack and a bulkier overnight backpack. The Salish has 2098 cubic inches (34.4 liter) capacity, and weights 3 lbs. 9 oz. This makes it perfect for carrying lots of gear while remaining sleek and light.
The Salish features the company’s Biovent shoulder straps that allows air to pass through, keeping you cooler, while also incorporating a system for your hydration tube. A hydration bladder compartment is behind the pack’s nicely padded back panel which features a quick-dying vented mesh.
If you need to carry an additional water bottle or if you just want quick access to other gear, you’ll appreciate the pack’s Versa Wing system. This incorporates large mesh gear pockets that are attached from the sides of the pack to the hip belt, and can be divided into two smaller compartments with an integrated clip. The front of the pack also has two vertical zippered pockets that can expand. The top hood also holds plenty of gear like a traditional backpack and can also be removed if you don’t need it, and want to shed even more weight.
The Salish can cary a bit more than a standard day pack. When it’s full, the side compression straps work well to keep your gear from moving around inside. This feature also allows the pack remain steady for fast-paced hiking, and especially when you’re scrambling over rocks.
The wide padded hip belt is comfortable, features a Z-pattern cinch, and integrates small zippered compartments that are perfect for quick access to lip balm, sun screen or energy bars. The clip and strap can sometimes ride up on your stomach, however, and when you cinch it down tightly for climbing or scrambling it can dig in to your gut and be a little uncomfortable. We would have liked to have seen a larger front clip, like the one Jansport uses on the Catalyst, with wider webbing or an extended hip belt.
We also appreciated the finger pull zipper loops that make it easy to access your gear. The integrated web haul handle is sturdy enough to pull the pack up by hand or with a carabiner. For climbers, a pair of hypalon lash attachments make it easy to carry rope and other gear on the front of the pack, and there’s also some bottom lashing for any additional items you may need to strap to the Salish.
If you want to test your survival skills, or at least lighten up your backpacking excursions, the Salish can also serve as an ultralight overnight backpack. Although it’s about half the size of a traditional weekend excursion backpack, it was large enough to carry a lightweight bivvy, food, stove and clothing for an overnight trek, and would have even provided plenty of room for an ultra-light tent and poles. Just make sure not to only pack the essentials as the shoulder straps and hip belt aren’t made to handle a heavy load.
The Salish is perfect size for an 8-12 mile round-trip day hike and won’t feel cumbersome after a few hours. It’s available in retro-orange/red-brown and bonsai-blue/margarita-green, and retails around $100.
Specifications: Fabric: Double Ripstop / 420 Denier Weight: 3 lbs. 9 oz / 1.64 kg Dimensions: 26.5-in height x 10-in width x 11-in diameter Capacity: 2099.8 cu in / 34.41L Retail Price: Around $100
