Perfect beginners pack: Teton Sports Scout 3400 Review (Oct '18 Update)

Teton Sports Scout 3400 is an internal frame, unisex, hydration compatible backpack with 55 liters of volume. Adjustable harness provides seamless fit for anyone between 5' - 6'4". Shoulder straps, lumbar support and hip belt provide decent comfort with their thick and well padded structure. A raincover is attached to the backpack inside a velcro pocket at the bottom.

#A sidenote here: REI's backpack capacity chart is GOLD. Highly recommend you to check it out before you read any further.

Overall, it's a legit pack we recommend especially to beginners regardless of gender.

Overview

	Teton Sports Scout 3400
Overall Score	74/100
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Pros	Very comfortable because (1) it fits perfectly with adjustable harness, (2) generous padding and (3) thick straps and hip belt, Integrated raincover, Durable, External hydration
Cons	Heavy, Zippers are a bit unwieldy due to solid durable structure
Best for	Beginner backpackers
	Teton Sports Scout 3400
Comfort Versatility Organization Weight	7/10 6/10 6/10 6/10
Compartments	Main compartment and sleeping bag compartment with a removable divider
Access	Top
Pockets	4 zippered 3 unenclosed pockets
Compression straps	2 at bottom front
	PRODUCT SPECS
	Teton Sports Scout 3400
One size	Dimensions: 30H X 17W X 12D IN Weight: 4.5 lbs Volume: 55L

Related Review: The 7 Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2018

	Osprey Atmos AG 65	Gregory Baltoro 65	Osprey Aether AG 70	Deuter Act Lite 65+10	Osprey Kestrel 48	Kelty Redwing 50	Teton Sports Scout 3400
	No products found.	No products found.	No products found.	No products found.	No products found.	No products found.	No products found.
Overall Score	92/100	85/100	84/100	80/100	78/100	76/100	74/100
Overall Score	This product is a Crunch Top Pick! Best Backpacking Backpack
	Osprey Atmos AG 65	Gregory Baltoro 65	Osprey Aether AG 70	Deuter Act Lite 65+10	Osprey Kestrel 48	Kelty Redwing 50	Teton Sports Scout 3400
Best for	Those who are looking for the best overall backpacking backpack	Those who will be packing heavy and don't need as many features as Osprey Aether 70	Those who are looking for a very cool, feature rich pack specifically designed for carrying heavy loads	Those who prefer more room and won't be backpacking in too hot/cold weather	Those who are looking for a very comfortable medium capacity trail backpack with a lean towards traveling	Those who are looking for a do it all backpack	Beginner backpackers who don't need a premium pack and would do equally fine with a more balanced item
	Osprey Atmos AG 65	Gregory Baltoro 65	Osprey Aether AG 70	Deuter Act Lite 65+10	Osprey Kestrel 48	Kelty Redwing 50	Teton Sports Scout 3400
Comfort Versatility Organization Suspension Weight	10/10 10/10 8/10 10/10 8/10	9/10 9/10 10/10 9/10 7/10	9/10 9/10 9/10 8/10 7/10	9/10 8/10 7/10 8/10 8/10	10/10 8/10 6/10 6/10 9/10	9/10 8/10 6/10 6/10 9/10	7/10 7/10 8/10 7/10 8/10
	Osprey Atmos AG 65	Gregory Baltoro 65	Osprey Aether AG 70	Deuter Act Lite 65+10	Osprey Kestrel 48	Kelty Redwing 50	Teton Sports Scout 3400
User manual	Osprey Atmos/Aura Series Manual	N/A	Osprey Aether/Ariel Series Manual	N/A	Osprey Kestrel/Kyte Series Manual	N/A	N/A
Women's counterpart	Osprey Aura AG 65 \| No products found.	Gregory Deva 60 \| No products found.	Osprey Ariel AG 65 \| No products found.	Deuter ACT Lite 60+10 \| No products found.	Osprey Kyte 46 \| No products found.	Kelty Women's Redwing 50 \| No products found.	N/A

Table of Contents

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Harness

Harness is fully adjustable.

Detach the velcro between the straps to move the harness upwards for larger and downwards for smaller sizes.

I've seen people taller than 6'4" (1.93 m) or shorter than 5' (1.52 m) gripe about poor fit. Teton also states[1] that the pack is adjustable for torso lengths between 15" - 19.5". You might want to consider packs with multiple size options if you're very tall.

Shoulder Straps

High density foam straps are very thick at around half inch and well padded.

Going from the top to the bottom load lifters, webbings and plastic D rings are present in each strap with a sternum strap connecting them.

Hip Belt

Pockets: There aren't any hip belt pockets

Very thick and well padded lumbar support and hip belt provide decent comfort. It's also molded to your body quickly.

TETON-Sports-Scout-3400-Internal-Frame-Backpack-Orange-0

Teton states[1] that hip belt is adjustable for waist sizes between 26" - 60".

Load adjusters located on external surface of hip belt can be utilized to pull the weight to your body with increased comfort at heavier loads.

Storage

Compartments

Main compartment

Pockets: 1 water bladder pocket

Teton Sports Scout 3400 is a traditional top loading design, so main compartment is accessed from top. The entrance is extendable to correspond different load volumes.

There isn't a front access to the main compartment.

Sleeping bag compartment

Sleeping bag compartment is extandable, but I wasn't able to fit my regular size sleeping bag inside. To me, it seems like it's meant to store ultralight or very thin sleeping bags. Still, you can fit a regular size sleeping bag if it has compression straps.

However, it can always be utilized for other uses. You can carry your sleeping bag with shock cords and store other items inside sleeping bag compartment without any problems.

Or, the removable sleeping bag compartment divider can be unzipped to merge main and sleeping bag compartments and ultimately use them as one larger compartment.

Top lid

Pockets: 1 external, 1 internal pocket

There is one external zippered pocket at the top of the lid accessed from backside. It's spread as a layer over the lid roof. Right below this pocket, there is another zippered layer pocket that is accessed from the interior lid surface when the lid is lifted.

Both pockets offer medium space.

Top lid is fastened to the pack with two buckles.

Also it isn't a floating type, meaning that it can't be detached and it can't be slid upwards to accept overloading.

Front surface

Pockets: 1 mesh pouch

A mesh pouch is attached to the front surface with a velcro in the middle and is perfect for storing wet, smelly and dirty items, but it's too small for anything larger especially when the pack is full and bloated.

One of the biggest gripes I have about this pack is the lack of any zippered front pockets or hip belt pockets. If you're planning to carry lots of frequently used items, you might not be able to squeeze them all inside the side and top lid pockets.

Side

Pockets: 2 mesh water bottle holders, 2 side pockets

Identical side pockets at both sides are large enough to fit a water bottle inside.

TETON-Sports-Scout-3400-Internal-Frame-Backpack-Orange-0-0

Since they are structured externally, they don't get tighten when the main compartment is filled to the brim unlike some packs, which is great.

At the bottom of each side, stretchable mesh water bottle holders provide vertical installment and not horizontal installment. Typically, horizontal installment is useful during the walk since you don't bother taking off the pack.

I've found them a little bit small - even smaller when the pack is full and bloated.

That said, if you own a water bladder (the pack doesn't come with one) you don't have to take off the pack of course.

Shock Cords

Location: Top of top lid and front surface

Even though shock cords can't truly compensate the absence of any zippered front pockets, they help with the carrying capacity tremendously.

You can basically stuff anything lightweight behind these versatile cords regardless of item volume like compression straps, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent, jackets etc.

TETON-Sports-Scout-3400-Internal-Frame-Backpack-0-1

What's more, there are additional shock cords above the top lid.

That said, I don't recommend carrying anything heavy with these cords since the load applied to your body increases as you place more heavy items further from your body (1) and cords may not be able to endure the heavy weight (2).

Compression Straps

Compression straps are only available down at the bottom front, above sleeping bag compartment.

Vertical buckles used between top lid and front surface can be utilized for at least some comression but they won't replace genuine compression straps.

Size, Volume, Weight and Dimensions

Size: One size fits all

Volume: 3400 cubic inches (55 Liters)

Weight: 4.5 lbs

Dimensions: 30" (H) x 17" (W) x 12" (D)

Teton Sports Scout 3400 don't offer any size options like I said in the beginning, which means it may not fit you if your torso height is outside 15" - 19.5" interval - in other words, if you're roughly taller than 6'4" or shorter than 5'.

You can evaluate your torso length at home with the help of REI's "How to Size and Fit a Backpack" article [2].

Durability

Material of Teton Sports Scout 3400 is 600D Diamond Ripstop, which is very durable and even fairly waterproof.

Other

Even though I wouldn't regard Teton Sports Scout 3400 as a "feature rich" product, there are versatile features worth mentioning.

Raincover

This truly amazing raincover is contained in a velcro pocket under the pack and able to cover the whole pack. It can be used due to bad weather or when you're checking your pack in to your flight, definitely great to have.

It's bright yellow as you see. I know it's not very "stylish", but that's just the way it is with all the backpacks since it's meant to operate as a signal if the backpacker gets lost.

Teton-Sports-Scout-3400-Internal-Frame-Backpack-Hunter-Green-3

Hydration

There is a hydration pouch inside the main compartment connected to the rear surface. It's large enough to fit a 3L water bladder though the bladder isn't included.

Hydration tube slot is located at right behind the top of harness.

Bungee webbings located on straps help holding your tube securely.

Ventilation

Unlike these packs, a cutting-edge air ventilation system isn't used in Teton Sports Scout 3400 - so I can't say the ventilation is outstanding. If the pack doesn't fit you properly (see Size, Weight, Volume and Dimensions section), you'll probably experience poorer ventilation.

Except that, we think the pack offers average ventilation.

Tool Attachments

Gear Loops

Loops: 2 on the straps, 2 on each side and 2 at the bottom

Fully adjustable trekking pole and ice axe loops are at the front, near mesh pouch.

Another two gear loops designed for trekking poles are located at the bottom.

In addition, dual loops for carrying trekking pole or fishing pole are at both sides.

Overall, tool attachment loops are very basic.

Sleeping pad straps

Compression straps mentioned earlier can perfectly serve as sleeping pad straps.

Colors

3 color options are Mecca Orange, Hunter Green and Coyote Tan.

Conclusion

Teton Sports Scout 3400 is a decent backpack with adjustable harness, decent comfort and lots of useful features. The only drawback is that it's a little bit on the heavy side and there isn't front or hip belt pockets.

In summary, I'd recommend it to anyone between 5' - 6'4" especially if they're a beginner.

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