Teton Sports Scout 3400 Internal Frame Backpack
- Compact internal frame backpack with a capacity of 3,400 cubic inches or 55 liters
- Dual aluminum stays with contoured shoulder, lumbar, and waist pads
- Height-adjustable shoulder straps accommodate wide range of torso lengths
- Top-loading main compartment, sleeping bag compartment, and pair of side zippered pockets
- Attached rain fly; compatible with most hydration systems; weighs 4.5 pounds empty
Previously sold as the Wilderness55, the Scout 3400 is perfectly sized for youth and the light backpacker. Complete with adjustable height shoulder straps, a rainfly compartment and rainfly, the Scout 3400 also features a padded water bladder pocket. Two side zippered pockets, side and front mesh pockets, and a top zippered pocket provide plenty of room for smaller accessories. A top-loading main compartment and a sleeping bag compartment complete the pack. Includes attached rain fly and is hydration system ready. Note that some product may say Scout 3400 while others will say Wilderness55, these are otherwise identical bags.Boasting a compact main compartment that measures a mere 3,696 cubic inches, the Teton Wilderness 55 internal frame backpack is ideally sized for the light backpacker or young camper. Comfort-wise, the Wilderness 55 is outfitted with dual aluminum stays that adjust to the shape of your back, along with contoured shoulder, lumbar, and waist pads. In addition, the height of the shoulder straps is adjustable, helping the pack accommodate a wide range of torso lengths. The upshot is a well-fitting, lightweight pack (4.5 pounds without gear) that won’t put undue stress on your back and shoulders even after a full day of hiking.
On the interior, the pack holds a modest amount of gear in its top-loading main compartment and distinct sleeping bag compartment. Also present are several smaller pouches–a pair of side zippered pockets, side and mesh front pockets, and a top zippered pocket, to be precise–for storing such items as Swiss Army knives, snacks, and mini flashlights. And as with any good hiking pack, the Wilderness 55 includes a padded water bladder pocket for trail hydration. The design concludes with a rain fly that keeps your gear dry in wet conditions.
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Finding the Right Backpack
For extended trips into the backcountry, there’s no getting around the fact that you’ll have to carry life-sustaining supplies on your back. Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping for a backpack:
Internal vs. External
Up until late 1970’s, external frame packs–which consist of an exposed, lightweight metal frame attached to a fabric pack-bag–were the only thing going. In recent years, though, packs that place the support structure of the pack inside the pack, known as internal frame packs, have boomed in popularity.
The good news about internal frame packs is that they hold the weight of your load close to your body, making it easier to maintain your balance on uneven terrain. Meanwhile, internals provide stiffness and support, but they are not completely rigid, which makes them more flexible when you’re doing active sports. With the added flexibility comes a high degree of compressibility, meaning you can use the pack’s compression straps to cinch down your load and keep items from shifting and throwing you off balance. Internals also sport slimmer shapes that allow for more arm movement in all directions–another big plus for off-trail bushwhackers, skiers and climbers. Last but not least, internal frame packs offer a greater range of adjustability in the shoulder harness and hip-belt than external frame packs.
There are some negatives for internals. First, once packed, it can be difficult to grab needed items out of them quickly. And because internal frame packs consolidate the load into a single, body-hugging unit, proper packing is very important. To distribute the weight properly, you should pack your heaviest items close to your back and in the middle portion of the pack-bag. Plan on getting a sweaty back with an internal, too, given the fact that they are pressed right against you. Finally, internal frame packs are priced higher than external models.
External frame packs are very good at focusing the weight of a load directly to the right place: your load-loving hips. While internals, when properly packed, do this effectively, too, you can always rest assured that an external will distribute the load evenly, no matter how unevenly packed it may be. Externals also offer easy access to your gear via multiple, easily-accessible compartments. Plus, because externals don’t situate the load directly against your back, you’ll enjoy far more air flow. Finally, if you’re on a budget, or you’re buying for a growing child, externals are more affordable.
If you plan on hiking on easy to moderate trails and you don’t need a lot of body movement, you’ll probably be fine with an external. But because externals are so rigid and inflexible, challenging trails or any kind of off-trail pursuit can become painful and frustrating. Also know that your balance is far more compromised with an external frame pack during activities like stream crossings and hops through talus fields.
Packs for Shorter Trips
In addition to backpacks designed for overnight trips, rucksacks are great for day-trips, warm-weather one-nighters, single-day ski trips, or fast alpine assaults. Some rucksacks blur the line between backpack and rucksack with integrated internal supports and sophisticated hip belts and shoulder harnesses. Choose a pack in this category based on your intended use. Short day hikers don’t need an internal frame, while climbers and skiers with heavier loads likely do.
Sizes and Capacities
Packs in the 3,000 cubic inches and lower category are good for day hikes or overnighters in warm weather with minimal gear. Packs in the 3,000 to 4,000 cubic inch range are good for one- or two-night trips in colder weather. If you’re going to be out for up to three days, look for a pack in the sub-4,000 cubic inch range. Choose a pack with 5,000-6,000 cubic inches for week-long outings. And finally, for trips lasting a week or more, you’ll need something in the 6,000-plus cubic inch category. Keep in mind, though, that bigger packs weigh more, and since every ounce counts, you’ll want to choose a pack that offers just enough space for your outings and no more.
Rating: 
(out of 49 reviews)
List Price: $ 99.99
Price: $ 69.00
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{ 5 comments }
Review by Rowe Rowe for Teton Sports Scout 3400 Internal Frame Backpack
Rating:
this pack is overall a good quality pack. It has tons of pockets and loops to hook many things on. I have walkies, knives, shoes and much more dangling from mine.
It’s lightweight and the pack has lots of customization options. If you are a large person (6′ 0″ and up) this pack can conform to you!
I like the options, including the sleeping bag pouch. My sleeping bag barely fit though…It was a challenge to stuff my bag and get it zipped, let me tell you! Afterwards, I was able to place a tent, 4 days of food and clothes, a stove, lantern, pillow, pad, cups, walkies and so much more. Fully loaded for a summer hike kept me
Review by D. Heuer for Teton Sports Scout 3400 Internal Frame Backpack
Rating:
I will qualify this review by saying that I am not an expert backpacker. I got this pack for a three-day trip in the Smoky Mountains. We started out the trip on a rainy day. The built in rain cover worked really well, although it was not big enough to cover the pack AND a sleeping pad I had attached to the outside of the pack. As a result, my sleeping bag, which was at the bottom of my pack, the region left partially exposed, did get a little damp. It actually didn’t get as wet as I’d expected, though … it was pouring that first day. Had I been a bit more experienced a backpacker, I would have put my sleeping bag in a waterproof bag. All this to say that the rain cover works well for the bag, but won’t necessarily accommodate extra things attached to the outside.
The bag has a compartment in the lower section for a sleeping bag. I was eager to try this out (to avoid unpacking my entire bag every night), however, my sleeping bag did not fit through the opening. It is not a super-compact sleeping bag, but it’s also not bulky. The compartment was able to be opened to the rest of the pack, though and I simply put the sleeping bag in from the top (as it turned out, I had to unpack almost my entire pack each night anyway to get food and a change of clothes).
The bag is set up to be used with a hydration bladder (although it doesn’t come with one). I was able to get one before my trip and was really pleased with the way it worked. The pouch for the bladder is inside the pack, so does require unpacking (or rearranging) to remove or replace the bladder, but as I said above, I was doing that each night anyway. It easily accommodated the 3-liter bladder I got, and it was nice to have water so easily accessible while hiking.
The only other thing I have to comment on are the external pockets. It has two mesh pockets on either side, and one on the lower back side of the pack. It also has two enclosed pockets on either side and one on the top of the pack. The mesh side pockets were too small to hold a Nalgene bottle (that would have been nice). I also think a couple extra pockets (or larger pockets) higher up on the sides would have been nice for more quick access options.
Overall, I thought this pack was great, especially for the price. It did very well for me on my trip of 3 days / 2 nights. I would definitely recommend it for someone like me who wants an affordable, reliable pack for occasional trips.
Review by D. Kent for Teton Sports Scout 3400 Internal Frame Backpack
Rating:
I bought this backpack last minute for a weekend in the columbia gorge area, It worked great. The backpack doesn’t strain my back at all, the load felt very even. And the attached rainfly came in handy once as well. It comes with a bunch of extra attached straps to secure all the extras (tent rods, sleeping pad, rope, etc…) I am thoroughly impressed to have found a good pack for such a bargain price
Review by R. Micallef for Teton Sports Scout 3400 Internal Frame Backpack
Rating:
I bought this backpack for my son. We used it last weekend on a 3 day scout backpacking trip. In general, I was very pleased with the pack. My only complaint is the holder for the water bottles are not quite large enough, and do not fit a standardized naglene water bottle. Other than that the pack is great.
Review by C. Oquendo for Teton Sports Scout 3400 Internal Frame Backpack
Rating:
I am female, 5′6″, and bought this as a replacement for my last pack. For the price, this was a better purchase than my 200-some-odd-dollar old pack. I travel for long periods at a time and needed something that could carry all my gear. The quality of the pack amazed me and it has all the buckles and pockets I could ask for. I easily fit my sleeping bag, tent, camera, tools, and a week’s worth of clothes into the pack. *Please note* – I pack very light by male and female standards.
The sleeping bag pocket is definitely made for a legit ‘backpacking’ bag. You probably won’t be about to fit something that you pick up at Target for $20. With the my backpacking sleeping bag, I was also able to squeeze a mallet and tent stakes in with it. If you do have a standard 30-40 degree bag, try putting it in from the top. There is a zipper at the very bottom of the pack that I almost missed while exploring my new toy.
Actually, the only reason this pack warrants the half star is that this pack is not made for girls. Sorry ladies. The adjustable torso is a great feature and gives great back support for me at my height, but no matter what I did, the little chest buckle would not fit comfortably across my female chest. I just have to leave is off and this does cause a shift in the weight of the bag. It is something that I can deal with, but it is defiantly something to think about before purchasing – especially if you are just starting out and not used to carrying a loaded pack.