Seek Outside Fortress/Goshawk

[mvmnts]

Who's got one? I'm hovering over the buy now button, just not sure if I want that vertical zip or not. How do you guys strap a bow to the back of this pack? Can you effectively carry a bow using the talon compression panel? Still trying to understand how exactly the fortress in particular works. It looks like it comes with side compression, but you can't actually get back compression using the talon, it just sort of hangs there. Is that right? Do I need to get extra straps and run them under/over the talon if I want to carry a bow back there?


Also, I heard there are some new revisions to the packs coming in a couple weeks, including a new pattern. I don't need to order yet, but the wait is going to kill me.

 

[Ridge Ghost]

I think your best bet is to call them directly and ask these questions. They have a reputation for having great customer service and should be able to walk you through things. The same goes for Kifaru, Stone Glacier and Exo.

I have tried on the Goshawk and it's pretty sweet. I'm pretty close to pulling the trigger on one as well, but I also like the design of the Brooks. I didn't try to strap my bow on and it didn't have a talon, so I can't help you there. I will say that it's a very simple pack design and a different direction from other packs that have tons of pockets and organization. The center zip makes it easy to access everything in the main bag though, so I would have no problem just dumping most of my gear in rather than organizing everything.

 

[Kevin_t]

I'll chime in.

Fortress - Best use is using the talon as a floating compression. A bow can go under the talon easily. Is essentially waterproof but not submersion without seam sealing.

Goshawk - Has it's own compression either side, or wearers away. When used with compression across the back you can easily strap a bow without a talon. Essentially waterproof for hiking, but will never be submersion proof. When paired with a lid, it could be considered very similar to a Metcalf (Side zip, Lid, Side or rear compression or both, bottle pockets).

Brooks - Much larger, super functional . more space than many may feel comfortable with (you can be the pack mule) . Super simple, Don't overcomplicate it.

 

[texag10]

I have an older fortress 4800 with a side zip. It doesn't go all the way to the top like the goshawk, which would be nice to have. I love having an extra option of getting into the main packbag for items that aren't used as frequently as what I have in the talon, but I still want on a regular basis.

 

[Rokwiia]

I recently got the Fortress 6,300. I considered the Goshawk but didn't feel the side zipper was that important for my use pattern and I wanted the extra space the 6,300 provided. Also, I want the contents of my packbag to be as removed as possible from moisture. The Fortress is waterproof. The Goshawk, as Kevin alluded to above, is waterproof while carrying upright but I didn't want to take any chance.

If I decide the zipper becomes critical, I'll simply buy a Goshawk or Peregrine bag separately.

 

[Lockster]

I really like the look of the Goshawk, I’m planning to wait until the new Revo Brooks is released to make a decision (unless I see a killer deal on a 2nd hand SO pack) to make a final decision.

I know that I’d probably be very happy with the Goshawk,it’s an ideal size to be able to be a “one and done” pack bag, to be honest, if the Goshawk had the higher length side sleeves like the Peregrine then I’d already have purchased one.

 

[mvmnts]

I think your best bet is to call them directly and ask these questions. They have a reputation for having great customer service and should be able to walk you through things. The same goes for Kifaru, Stone Glacier and Exo.

I have tried on the Goshawk and it's pretty sweet. I'm pretty close to pulling the trigger on one as well, but I also like the design of the Brooks. I didn't try to strap my bow on and it didn't have a talon, so I can't help you there. I will say that it's a very simple pack design and a different direction from other packs that have tons of pockets and organization. The center zip makes it easy to access everything in the main bag though, so I would have no problem just dumping most of my gear in rather than organizing everything.

I did call the other day and I talked to Dustin and he was extremely helpful. Just wanted to hear from some other folks who have used the bags to see what their experiences have been. I like how simple the pack design is, and having a bino harness, a hipbelt pocket or two, and the talon would be more than enough organization for me, especially considering you can stuff things in behind the talon too. I have been backpacking out of a very similar tube style bag for years. I'm half a day's drive from SO HQ, so I may just pay them a visit and see everything in person.

 

[Rokwiia]

There's also a top lid you can get which adds to the space for organization.