Macpac Esprit 55 Women's Internal Frame Backpack

Product Highlights

New for 2008! An innovative load-hauling suspension, gender-specific features, over 3300 cubic inches of capacity and durable weatherproof fabrics combine to equip the Macpac Esprit 55 Women's pack for weekend and multi-day backpacking adventures. Designed for extreme conditions, the Esprit 55 Women's pack was built to hold up to the temperamental weather of Macpac's New Zealand home.

Macpac understands that female users have fit needs that differ from their male counterparts. Because of this, Macpac backpacks employ a number of gender-specific design features. Shoulder straps are positioned closer together, hipbelts are contoured and longer, dual-density foam on the shoulder pads enhances cushioning in the chest and sternum straps sit higher and are placed more closely together.

The Liberator suspension system employed by the Esprit 55 Women's pack has a threefold goal; maintain the natural movement of your body even while carrying a heavy load, relieve pressure on a muscle group that normally suffers fatigue in the backcountry and lend overall support and stability. The key to the Liberator system is the fully-padded Liberator hipbelt and its unique Elevator pivot point. The pivot point is located higher than on more traditional packs, allowing the belt to sit above your gluteus muscle rather than pressing down hard against it. The belt tapers forward to provide a snug fit in front and allow unrestricted movement. Aluminum framing and a breathable, padded backpanel work in tandem with the hipbelt to provide flexible stability and haul heavy-loads efficiently and comfortably. The torso length can be adjusted internally to provide optimal fit in the Reg (14.5"-18") and Large (16.5"-20") sizes of the Esprit 55 Women's pack. This adjustment can be made easily and once it's where you need it, you won't need to mess with it again. An adjustable sternum strap and load-lifter straps further ensure a comfortable fit and aid in load stability.

Another stand-out feature on the Esprit 55 Women's pack is Macpac's external AzTec pack fabric. A unique blend of waxes and resins are impregnated into woven cotton and polyester fibers to offer weatherproof performance. The natural swelling of the cotton fibers fills any lingering air space and further ensures that the contents of the Esprit 55 Women's pack remain dry. Incredibly durable and abrasion resistant, AzTec fabric stands up to years of on-and-off trail wear and tear. Patented Rainshadow construction makes certain that moisture doesn't sneak through seams. A layer of 402D nylon fabric lines the interior of the packbag. An extendible integrated spindrift collar at the top of the packbag protects contents and tucks away beneath an internal webbed compression system.

The main compartment of the Esprit 55 Women's pack is accessed through the top of the packbag. A divider between the main compartment and a lower storage compartment allows for organization of wet and dry gear. When hauling longer items or in need of access between the two compartments, you can disconnect the divider and convert the Esprit 55 Women's pack to a single, large compartment. A zippered front pocket offers an additional option for stowing gear. The extendible lid with internal and external zippered pockets provides further storage. There is also a small, zippered valuables pocket on the pack's hipbelt.

Side and lower front compression straps help to stabilize your load and also double as gear attachment points. Tool attachment points and an elastic external storage system add to the gear-hauling functionality of the Esprit 55 Women's pack. Side pockets are designed for easy on-trail access to water bottles or smaller gear items. A built-in tube exit makes the Esprit 55 Women's pack hydration system compatible.

Available in your choice of Cardinal Red/Rata Red or Deep Marine/Moody Blue color offerings, the Macpac Esprit 55 Women's internal frame backpack comes in Reg (3360 cubic inches) and Large (3660 cubic inches) size options.