REASONS TO BUY
Adjustable torso
Great pockets
Lots of lash points
Comes with an extra stuff sack
REASONS TO AVOID
Doesn't transfer load to hips well
Small hip belt pockets
Big Agnes Parkview 63 Review
This high-volume pack has a great set of features but couldn't carry heavy loads as well as some backpacks
Credit: Big Agnes
RELATED: Best Backpacking Backpacks
Our Verdict
The Big Agnes Parkview 63 is a high-volume backpacking pack with tons of useful features. It has all the pockets you'll need to stay organized on the trail, plenty of options for lashing gear to the outside, and an injection molded frame sheet to make the suspension system fit snugly onto your back. You can easily dial in this pack to make the frame fit your torso, as long as you can fit in a men's medium or large pack. And, the back panel is built with breathable mesh and foam, which helps on hot days. We did find this pack to be less comfortable than some other packs when carrying a heavy load, though. If you're looking for a relatively lightweight pack with lots of pockets and lashing options, check this pack out.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Big Agnes Parkview 63 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  |  | | |
| Price | $300 List $299.95 at REI | $224.95 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $280 List | $199 List $199.00 at REI | $313.74 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Adjustable torso, great pockets, lots of lash points, comes with an extra stuff sack | Light-weight, comfortable with heavy loads, perfect pocket combination | Light-weight, comfortable, supportive, functional feature set | Light-weight, comfortable, easily personalized, inexpensive | Durable, lots of features, plenty of adjustments to dial in the perfect fit, supportive |
| Cons | Doesn't transfer load to hips well, small hip belt pockets | Tiny buckles hard to operate with gloves | No lid, back-panel lacks ventilation | lacks durabillity, not made for heavy loads | Heavy, attached hipbelt, water bottle pocket can be inconvenient |
| Bottom Line | This high-volume pack has a great set of features but couldn't carry heavy loads as well as some backpacks | A lightweight load hauler that is both comfortable and full of features | This pack blends excellent carrying comfort with arguably the best-executed set of features, all in a light-weight package | It may not be a heavy load hauler, but for moderate loads, this pack is comfortable and has an amazing set of features, all at a great price | This highly adjustable pack may be one of the heaviest in the review but carries large loads in comfort |
| Rating Categories | Big Agnes Parkview 63 | Granite Gear Blaze 60 | Ultralight Adventur... | REI Co-op Flash 55 | Osprey Aether 65 |
| Suspension and Comfort (45%) | |||||
| Weight (20%) | |||||
| Features and Ease of Use (20%) | |||||
| Adjustability (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Big Agnes Parkview 63 | Granite Gear Blaze 60 | Ultralight Adventur... | REI Co-op Flash 55 | Osprey Aether 65 |
| Measured Weight | 3.6 lbs | 3.0 lbs | 2.8 lbs | 2.6 lbs | 5.0 lbs |
| Volume | 63 L + 10 L | 60 L | 75 L | 55 L | 65 L |
| Access | Top | Top | Top | Top | Top, front, sleeping bag compartment |
| Hydration Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Materials | Recycled high-tenacity Mipan regen robic nylon | 100D robic nylon w/ DWR coating | 400 Robic fabric | Main Body: 100D ripstop nylon Bottom: 420D nylon |
420HD nylon, DWR treatment |
| Sleeping bag Compartment | No | No | No | No | Yes |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Big Agnes Parkview 63 is a new offering from Big Agnes, a big name in the backpacking world mostly known for their tents. Their first backpacking pack offering is high-volume, at 73 total liters (63 + 10), and has tons of useful features for long backcountry endeavors. It weighs 3.6 pounds, has 8 exterior pockets, and daisy chained webbing along the outside with useful webbing loops to attach gear to the outside of the pack. The water bottle pockets are big and stretchy so you can stash multiple bottles in each pocket. The pack also comes with a washable "trash can" stuff sack, so you always have a place to put your trash from camp.
Performance Comparison
Rock scrambling with a view while wearing the Parkview.
Credit: Sam Schild
Suspension and Comfort
The Parkview has a compression molded back panel and frame that's anatomically curved with foam on the points where it will rest on your back. There is also a mesh channel along where your spine goes for breathability. It has a padded hip belt with dual tension adjusters to cinch the frame tighter at the base. This suspension design is quite comfortable when carrying a relatively lightweight load.
The Parkview's suspension and back panel features dense foam and mesh for breathability.
Credit: Sam Schild
The suspension system breathes very well, and it is adjustable in all the ways you need. However, we found the load lifters had a tendency to loosen over time as we walked. This caused the pack to get less and less comfortable as it bounced while we made our way down the trail. We also did not find the suspension to be as comfortable with a heavy load as some other packs. The frame does not seem to transfer weight to the hips as well as some packs.
Features and Ease of Use
The Parkview has tons of great features. There is a zippered exterior pocket for your keys and other valuables. There's also a front stretch pocket, two stretchy water bottle pockets, removable hip belt pockets, and a brain with two zippered pockets.
The front of the pack has daisy-chained webbing running vertically up the pack and uses shock cord loops for attaching an ice axe or other gear. It has side compression straps that zig-zag up from the bottom of the pack along the sides to the top. And like most packs, it has an internal sleeve for a water bladder.
We thought the water bottle pockets were great since they were made of stretchy material. However, if you don't have flexible shoulders, you might have a hard time reaching your bottle with the pack on. Some of our most flexible testers still had a hard time reaching a bottle while wearing the pack, especially if the bottle isn't very tall.
The side water bottle pockets are big and stretchy, but are a little hard to reach while wearing the pack.
Credit: Sam Schild
Weight
The Parkview weighs much less than the heaviest backpacking packs out there. However, it's also much heavier than the lightest packs. It has a removable top lid and hip belt pockets. If you removed those, the pack would certainly be lighter. But, the top lid and hip belt pockets are some of the most useful features of the pack. If it had less zippered pockets, the pack would certainly be lighter, too. But again, that would significantly reduce the functionality.
Attach the included trash can stuff sack, or anything else, to the outside of the Parkview on the daisy chain webbing.
Credit: Sam Schild
Adjustability
The Parkview is a highly adjustable pack. Each size is adjustable to fit a 3-inch range of torso lengths. The hip belt has 10 inches of adjustability per side as well, for a total of 20 inches of adjustability.
This pack does only come in two sizes, medium and large, however. If your torso length is not at least 18 inches, this pack will not fit you. Our main tester is a fairly average-sized male, and this pack barelyfits him.
The front stretch mesh pocket has another zippered pocket inside for stashing your valuables.
Credit: Sam Schild
Should You Buy the Big Agnes Parkview 63?
If you're looking for a relatively lightweight backpacking backpack with tons of pockets and storage options, the Parkview is worth checking out. Big Agnes's first backpacking backpack places it among some of the best in the game. It's relatively affordable but not the least expensive pack out there, either. For the price, we think this pack is a pretty good deal if the pack fits you.
What Other Backpacking Packs Should You Consider?
The Parkview a full-featured backpacking pack with tons of storage options. This pack works well for those who need a lot of places to stash their gear and stay organized. If you're looking for a full-featured pack that can handle heavier loads with a breathable back panel, the Osprey Aether 65 is worth a look. If you're looking for a slimmed-down pack with fewer features, the Granite Gear Blaze is a good choice.
Walking all day in the woods with the Parkview.
Credit: Sam Schild
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Sam Schild
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