Anyone know a good backpacking backpack?

californiapyroboy said:
When April Where Bay area California
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I have a gregory shasta I must have bought back in '03. 5000 CI; pretty large pack as far as I'm concerned. Had much cause to drool over the packs shown here, but no excuse to buy any because it keeps ticking. Taken it all around the continental USA; may be going on an extended trip abroad in 2011; it will follow me there too. I may take up ultra-light, and get a pack for that, but the Gregory will be my go-to, heavy but indestructible bag.

Zero
 
maverick3981 said:
Is Northface any good when it comes to backpacks?
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northface- makes a very wide array of packs, some are pretty good, some not so good- they do have a good warranty however

unless a guy (or gal :)) finds one at a significant discount, there are generally better choices imo
 
Like others have said go to an outdoor store, ie. REI and try on packs, don't worry about brands/prices first, the most important feature is comfort; it doesn't matter what features the pack has or how much it can carry, if you aren't comfortable you aren't going use it. Then look at what kind of backpacking you want to do: overnight/2-day/multiday/winter/climbing and assess the pack size & profile(narrow internal for climbing, wide external/internal for general backpacking) you need, then look at features like: does it have daisy chains/mount points to attach stuff, does it have easy access to the lower portion of the pack, does it have external pockets, water bottle holders that are easily accessible, lower & upper-side cinch straps, is the pack material durable, does it come with a rain cover, does it allow you to attach a tent & sleeping pad(s) for correct weight distribution? If you don't have much experience backpacking, even getting properly sized at the store and the pack feels comfortable, it may feel different once it's loaded up and you're on the trail, what I'm trying to say is that you may end up going through a couple of packs before you find the "right" one. Anyhoo, good luck!
 
I have two Gregory packs (Baltoro and Palisade) as well as Kifaru and Mystery Ranch packs. For a 3 day backpack trip like you describe I would go with something like the Gregory Baltoro.

As has been mentioned already I suggest you go to a store and get fitted for a pack but be aware that pack manufacturers have different design philosophies and therefore have different methods for properly fitting their packs. Most manufactures have videos showing how to fit their packs (at least Kifaru, Mystery Ranch and Gregory do). I suggest you become familiar with how to fit the different brand of packs your interested in trying so you can make sure the person fitting you at the store is using the correct method.
 
futuresp60 said:
I have two Gregory packs (Baltoro and Palisade) as well as Kifaru and Mystery Ranch packs. For a 3 day backpack trip like you describe I would go with something like the Gregory Baltoro.
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Can you compare the Baltoro with the Kifaru and MR? Which do you utilize for a given use case?
 
If you like an external frame pack, I like my Jansport Carson.

If you like an internal frame pack, I really like my Osprey Atmos 65.

I usually go for a week at a time, so I need the larger pack. You may not need as much room. If you live in the Bay Area, there are several REI stores where you can go to try different packs. That is by far the best thing to do.

The basic gear list is shelter (tent/tarp), sleeping gear (bag and pad), and cooking equipment (stove, pot, bowl, utensils), and water container. Add to that a few things like water filter/purificatin, first aid kit, firestarter, a change of clothes, windbreaker/jacket/raingear, toiletries (TP, toothbrush/toothpaste), sunscreen, bug spray, sunglasses, map & compass, headlamp/flashlight. A camera is nice. Anything more is a luxury. Your first time you will probably carry far more than you need, "just in case". When you get home, evaluate what you used and what you didn't. If you go on a couple trips and don't use something, don't bother carrying it any more. If there is something that you wish you had taken, bring it along the next time. Over time you will get to the point where you will take just what you need and nothing more.

If you lived around here, I could show you what I usually take.

A knife or two goes without saying on these forums.
 
Eberstock, Kifaru, Triple Aught Design, Maxpedition.

I got a maxpedition Falcon II that I love, it works good for EDC and overnights...

I would love to get my hands on a TAD Fast Pack EDC or TAD fast Litespeed..

Here is my Falcon II

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Flexxx said:
Eberstock, Kifaru, Triple Aught Design, Maxpedition.

I got a maxpedition Falcon II that I love, it works good for EDC and overnights...

I would love to get my hands on a TAD Fast Pack EDC or TAD fast Litespeed..

Here is my Falcon II
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They have both been back in stock on Tad's website for a while. All colors.
I grabbed a couple after kicking myself for selling the first two. IMO, still the best day packs I've had thru here. You could do a light weekender with the EDCv5.
The side zip pockets double as bottle pockets. They will each hold up to a 64oz Kleen Kanteen by using the pockets as slip pockets (just like bottle netting on other packs).

TADFastPackEDCv5andTADFASTLitespeed001.jpg


TADFastPackEDCv5andTADFASTLitespeed003.jpg


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TGEDCv42.jpg


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the more I see them the more I want.

I seen them on there site, I just can't drop that amount of cash on one right now.
They are damn sweet packs and I been wanting one for a while now.....:grumpy:
 
I used my friend's Alpine Lowe on the West Coast Trail. It was in total 75L, I think. Few months after I purchased a Mountain Equipment Co-op (mec) Ibex 65 (65L). Great affordable pack!

Alpine Lowe
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MEC Ibex 65
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