Seek Outside Kenai 5400

Seek Outside Kenai 5400

The Seek Outside Kenai 5400 is a well-designed, spacious, and durable waterproof hiking backpack from the American manufacturer Seek Outside. The Kenai is well-suited for long expeditions, winter trips, hunting trips, or simply as a large and durable hiking backpack. The American company Seek Outside manufactures backpacks of extremely high quality, which is why they also offer a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. If you are going to get a backpack and keep it for the rest of your life, this is the one.

Seek Outside has become known for manufacturing lightweight hiking backpacks that can handle heavy or extremely heavy loads, thanks to their advanced carrying system and external frame. The carrying system works best with weights between 10 and 23 kilos but can handle weights well over 50 kilos if needed. The backpacks from Seek Outside are therefore not only very well suited for hiking but also for packrafting, hunting, photography, and other activities where you often have to carry around a lot of gear.

The advantage of a backpack made of waterproof material is that the material itself does not absorb water, which means that the backpack does not increase in weight in wet conditions. Note that despite its waterproof material, the backpack is not 100% waterproof, as water can penetrate through the backpack's seams. Therefore, we always recommend packing in waterproof bags even in these backpacks.

Please note that the hip belt is sold separately!

“All of our gear uses the best fabrics and materials we can source, is made in-house by experts at their craft, and is backed by our outstanding warranty” – Seek Outside, Handmade in Grand Junction, Colorado, USA.

Design

Seek Outside Kenai is based on the same proven carrying system as Seek Outside Gila, Divide, and Unaweep. The pack is mounted on the external frame, together with the adjustable carrying system. The carrying system is adjustable and can be used by anyone with a torso length over 38 cm.

The Kenai has a water-resistant zipper that runs along the entire side. The zipper makes it possible to access your equipment without opening the roll-top closure. The zipper also makes it possible to access the packing at the bottom of the pack without having to tear out everything that is higher up in the pack.

The frame is 24″ long upon delivery but can be adjusted with frame extenders to 26″ (2″ extender) or 28″ (4″ extender). Extenders are advantageously used if you are going to carry very heavy loads, but also if you have a long upper body. See the table below for information on whether you need to add extenders to your order.

For more information on how to measure your torso length, see Seek Outside's article “Which Frame Height is Right for me?“.

Example: If you have a torso length of 45 cm and plan to carry 15 kilos in the backpack, you should extend the frame with a 2″ extender so you get a 26” frame.

The Kenai offers a large main storage of 89 liters, two spacious side pockets (one of which is significantly larger than the other) and a rear mesh pocket. The rear mesh pocket is equipped with two zippered smaller storage compartments for, for example, snacks, keys or other small items. The roll closure is also equipped with a small rear pocket, where, for example, a map or toilet paper can be stored.

One side pocket easily holds 2 Nalgene bottles, while the other is huge and swallows, for example, a large Hilleberg tent or similar.

All Seek Outside's bags can be equipped with different types of accessories. See links further down. Seek Outside Kenai has a total of 9 compression straps, all of which are movable and removable. The compression straps can also be connected to create a longer compression strap.

The hip belt closure is based on a so-called "4-Way forward pull" system, which means that the hip belt can be tightened in several different ways to fit different body shapes.

The external patented frame is very robust and is manufactured in 6061 T6 Aluminum.

A removable "horizon cross stay" is included in the purchase. It is mounted in the back and has the function of holding the packing away from the back for significantly improved ventilation and comfort. The gram hunters leave it at home!

Material

Seek Outside's backpacks are manufactured in the material UltraPE 400, which is a very light, durable and waterproof (down to 200+ PSI) material. UltraPE 400 is a UHMWPE laminate with recycled polyester. The material is extremely abrasion resistant (7600 cycles Taber) and has a high tear strength (114.5 lb Warp, 117.6 lb Fill). The color tends towards black.

Certain details in the backpack, for example the carrying system, are manufactured in a mixture of the materials Spectra and 500D Cordura. Spectra is a nylon/UHMWPE laminate that is slightly lighter and more resistant to moisture (1500 mm water column) than Cordura 500D. Cordura 500D is slightly more durable and is therefore used in, for example, side pockets where high wear occurs.

Weight, volume, max load

• Minimum weight 1644 grams
•  Volume
  • • Large storage space holds 89 liters (does not include side pockets)
    • The large rear mesh pocket holds approximately 16 liters.
    • One side pocket holds two Nalgene bottles and the other holds a large two-man tent type Hilleberg.
• Maximum load 50 kilos + (it is you who decides how much you want to carry, not the bag).

Bear canisters: 

• All bear canisters fit horizontally in the upper part of the pack.
• Bear canisters can be carried under the top Y-strap.

Rain cover / Seam sealing: 

• The Seek Outside Kenai is made of UltraPE 400, which is a waterproof material. The pack also has a waterproof roll-top closure. During heavy rain, water can enter in small amounts through the pack's seams and zippers, so we recommend sealing the seams for an even more rainproof pack in extremely wet environments.
• Waterproof bags, "drybags", are recommended despite the pack's waterproof material when staying in extremely wet environments or if you know there is a chance that the pack will end up under the water surface.
• The storage pockets on the outside of the pack are not waterproof (they are not fully resealable).

Instructions

Please watch the film “Seek Outside Backpack Fit” on how to adjust your pack.

Seek Outside's instruction text is also very readable.

What is included?

• Eight removable compression straps
• An "over the top" compression strap
• Field repair kit
• Cargo panel

Recommended accessories

Seek Outside Hip Belt
Seek Outside Hip Belt Pocket

Warranty

Seek Outside offers a lifetime warranty against manufacturing and material defects during the product's practical lifespan. Damage due to wear and tear or improper use is not covered, but can be repaired for a reasonable fee.