The Vortex 4500 Series Backpack
By Steve Mann

Ratings: Comfort: A Durability: A+ Packability: B+ Stability: B+ Value: B+ Overall: A-

Vortex is a lesser-known backpack manufacturer located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Vortex makes a full line of packs-each model named after its cubic inch capacity-from the mammoth expedition 7000 pack, to the 2200 and 3500 ci models for alpinists, snowboarders, and climbers. Our review focuses on the 4500 series, a pack targeted squarely in the backpacking's sweet spot, the two to five day trip so common for today's weekend warriors.

Vortex makes two principal claims for their packs. First, comfort above all; second, terrific durability. Vortex states that once you see how their packs are built, you'll instantly have confidence in the pack's durability. So in addition to strapping on the 4500 in the field, our team had the chance to visit Vortex's manufacturing facility to see first hand what makes the Vortex pack unique.

Comfort

Vortex uses polycarbonate material for the pack frame, which has two advantages. First, polycarbonate is lighter weight than aluminum, stronger, and has much greater torsional (side to side) flexibility for greater stability. When you're bushwacking or navigating those slippery stream crossings that extra control will quickly be appreciated.

Second, polycarbonate conribute to comfort. Since they do not bend as easily as their aluminum counterparts. As you adjust your load lifters, aluminum stays tend to bend over your shoulders, transferring weight forward. Polycarbonate remains more linear, pulling the entire pack closer to your body, but keeping the weight over the hips.

The hip belt and back padding consist of three layers of foam. The inner layer against your body features "slow memory", i.e. it slowly molds to your body's unique shape. When I first strapped on the pack I noticed a slightly uncomfortable bump at the base on my spine. After about one hour with the pack, the slow memory did its magic (the foam had adjusted to my shape), and I never noticed the bump again.

The pack itself comes in small, meduim and large sizes. To fine tune the fit, both the shoulder harness and hip belt each offer the same range of sizes. You can combine a small pack with a medium hip belt, for example.

The fit is further customizable by ratcheting the webbing where the shoulder straps connect to the harness. This gives up to 3 inches of adjustment, although if you are at either extreme of this range you should consider the next size pack up or down.

Durability

The 4500 uses kevlar on all bar-tack stitching throughout the pack. (Bulletproof vests are made of kevlar.) Bar-tacking in the industry is commonly accomplished by running webbing (straps) one inch past the seam then tacking the strap with a stitch bar across the strap. On the Vortex, all webbing runs through two seams, i.e. the webbing runs through a first seam, then is extended to pass through a second seam for additional strength, and is bar tacked at both ends. This double seaming greatly increases the durability of the seams-the most common point of failure in backpacks.

The pack material is 500 denier nylon, except for the pack's bottom which is 1600 denier nylon, comparable to other manufacturers "ballistic" pack models.

The Vortex warranty also bears mention. This is an unconditional guarantee, that as long as the pack is repairable, they'll fix it for free, no matter whose at fault for the damage. If your dog chews it, or the car runs over it, just send it to Vortex and they'll take care of it.

Field Notes

Our testers appreciated the pack's voluminous back pocket, which carries two 1 liter water bottles, maps, and more. It attaches to the pack via two buckles and compression straps on each side of the pack. The straps are long enough to easily go around a sleeping pad or tent poles lashed to the sides of the pack. Inside, the pocket also contains a convenient small mesh pocket and keyclip. The gap between the pack and the pocket makes a great place to stow a shovel, snowshoes, or tarp.

A simple, but useful, extra on the Vortex are its "glove grippers" which make finding and using the zippers a cinch-even with cold fingers or while wearing gloves. The zipper pulls are embedded in impregnated rubber that grips even when wet.

The stability of the pack's top lid was universally praised in the field. The lid's rear strap buckles are positioned slightly to the side of the pack producing a better fit of the top lid over the pack. The lid stayed put even over rough terrain, unlike most of the other pack's lids we've field tested.

Another noteworthy feature is the placement of the hydration pouch in a thin pocket directly beneath the pack's top lid. You unzip the pouch, slide in the bag, feed the tube through an opening in the seam, and rezip the pocket. This placement evenly distributes the weight of the water over the pack, makes good use of gravity to produce water pressure, and helps to keep items (food) cool in the top lid.

Most of our field testers loved the 4500's full back-panel access. A large horseshoe zipper exposes much of the packs midsection without the need to unload the entire pack. One tester even choose to load her pack from the back access by laying the pack flat to load. A detachable shelf creates a sleeping bag compartment at the base of the pack for those who prefer a panel loading pack, or who plan to remove the sleeping bag but want to keep the rest of the load in place. The detachable shelf folds down along the front (side toward your body) when not in use. When attached, the three buckles double as part of the pack's front to back compression system. A second strap higher up inside the pack also compresses your load front to back, and improves stability.

The back pocket features two vertical daisy chains with kevlar bar-tacking. Ropes, shoelaces, and carabiners make these daisy chains great lash points for extra gear.

Summary:
Vortex's emphasis on comfort and durabilty is evident in the 4500. We experienced no problems with fit or comfort-unusual with our picky test crew.

Testers did note, sometimes with surprise, the comfortable feel of the hip belt and back padding.

Durability is without question superior. Once you buy a Vortex, you'll be confident your won't be returning the pack with blown out seams. In the rare case where a problem does develop (usually through abuse), the unconditional warranty will ensure your customers satisfaction with the Vortex.

We rate the Vortex 4500 an A- value, coming just short of a perfect A rating because of the $375 price tag. Don't misunderstand-its worth the price-but not everyone is ready to plunk down that kind of money for a pack. Remember that with the Vortex it's a one-time purchase, since it will last a lifetime.

Specs:
Weight: 6 lbs 2 ozs
Capacity: 4500 cubic inches, expands to 4950 ci
Price (MSRP): $375

Steve Mann, one of the GearReview.com's field testers and contributing editor of GearReview.com. Steve tested the Vortex in Southern Utah's canyon country. The Vortex 4500 cozied up to the red sand of Zion's National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument, and the new Escalante Grand Staircase National Monument.

For more information, contact:
Vortex
1414 South 700 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84104
(800)386-7839