images/Kelty

The Kelty Radii 27 backpack meets the needs of even the most discernable day tripper. Short trails or a full day of hiking, the Radii 27 is a pack that foots the bill. 

I put the pack through the paces on the Robb Hollow Trail in the Mt. Lebanon suburb of Pittsburgh. The pack is spacious, so I packed it to the gills – filled hydration reservoir, water bottles, camera, snacks, binoculars, first aid kit, rain jacket, and extra clothing layers. It even has some ingenious places to pack small items such as the zippered pockets in the waist belt. The contents in the pack were over twenty pounds.

The Radii 27 comes with the following features:

• Hydration compatible
• Front-panel access
• Large front pocket
• Reservoir sleeve
• Mesh water bottle pockets
• Side compression straps
• Ice-axe loop
• Key fob

What sets the Radii 27 backpack apart from other daypacks is Kelty's AeroFlyTM suspension system. This includes shoulder straps that are anatomically shaped to provide the best fit. Another feature of the AeroflyTM suspension system is the waist belt which is designed to help transfer and control the load of the pack. The sternum strap also provides support and assists in stabilizing the pack's weight.

The waist belt, back panel, and shoulder straps are breathable and allows for perspiration to be wicked away quickly. The zipper design used in the Radii 27 is water resistant which will help when caught in a downpour.

The Kelty Radii 27 is a high performing daypack and easily meets the needs no matter the length of the hike. It comes in the color Orange Crush for the men's model and Red Head for the women's model. The MSRP for the Radii 27 is $120, and it comes with Kelty's limited lifetime warranty.