Backpack opinions

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DirtyPhill

Joined
Nov 13, 2007
Messages
1,410
I am looking at buy a more aggressive day pack and I was wondering if anyone has used any of my final choices and what they thought about them.
1. The North Face Solaris 35
http://www.rei.com/product/763917
2. REI Venturi 30 pack
http://www.rei.com/product/762506
3. REI Tracerse Pack
http://www.rei.com/product/747525
4. Osprey Kestrel 32
http://www.rei.com/product/764216
I am down to these four or pack or if anyone has a better suggestion for a bag. I am looking for a waist belt should system and around 1600-2100 cubic inches of storage. And the bag either need to be able to have a hydration bladder or pockets on the side for water bottles or ideally both. And a nice place to put my skinny ASH.
Thanks for the help with my choice.
 
check the maxpedition line, they have some good though stuff there
i have an octa versipack and a pygmy falcon, very strong ones
 
Dirty, are there any specific reasons you've settled on those packs (asthetics, comfort, reputation, etc.)?
 
another vote for osprey packs...:thumbup: they make some great products... i have had a kestral for about 10 years or so and it's still going strong... i also have a full size pack made by them...:D
 
I have an Osprey pack that I've used for 4 years and its been great. I can recommend the brand as well.
 
If you can get to a store that carries the packs you want, load them up and walk around for a while to get the feel of them. Chose what works best for you. I've tried highly regarded packs that fit great and some that didn't. Try to check them at the same trip to the store so you don't forget how one feels vs another. Again I tried on pack that I thought felt really good, until I tried the next pack. The first would have worked fine, but the second felt much better.
 
Halcon said:
Dirty, are there any specific reasons you've settled on those packs (asthetics, comfort, reputation, etc.)?
Click to expand...

It is a matter of fit and feel. I was able to pick through all the packs REI had to offer and these bags seemed to be the most promising.
 
Since you like REI, I'd suggest that you have them fit you and ask thier opinion since they deal with that stuff on a daily basis. Also, check out Backpacker and ask around in the forum there also.

Good luck with your purchase!
 
I have a bunch of military packs (Arc'Teyrx, Kifaru, Lowe) but recently I picked an Osprey Aura 35 (women's) for my wife and she loves it! I like it so much I picked up a Kestral 38. They have great suspension, good waist belts with two small pockets (perfect for snacks and digital camera); two side pockets for water bottles, hydration bladder compatible and my wife's is panel loading, which she prefers. There's a men's version available:

Osprey Atmos 35

These are our day hiking/weekend packs that we take rock climbing and bouldering. So far, they've been very robust and comfortable with excellent features...the ones I look for in a pack. I can't speak highly enough of Osprey and that's coming from a Kifaru guru:D

ROCK6
 
I guess I'll join the Osprey choir. :thumbup: I have an older Eclipse 32 that I love.

I'd probably step up to the Kestrel 38 myself, I find it's always nice to have a bit more room than you think you need.
 
BlackHills said:
I guess I'll join the Osprey choir. :thumbup: I have an older Eclipse 32 that I love.

I'd probably step up to the Kestrel 38 myself, I find it's always nice to have a bit more room than you think you need.
Click to expand...


BlackHills...I've really fallen in love with the Kestral 38. It's a little large for a day pack, but for carrying your climbing harness, shoes, lunch...it's great. I've been able to even pack it for a 1-2 nighter. It's narrow, carries well and covers all my basis...

ROCK6
 
I've had lots of Osprey packs over the past 11 years. The make some good stuff. I was disapointed when they started making most of their stuff out of the country....but it had to happen for the company to survive.

I'd say the Kestrel just because they fit very well. I used to have one of the original Kestrels, which was more of a top loading day pack for alpine trips. :thumbup:

I'd pass on anything without a hipbelt. I took mt Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon out last weekend and my shoulders were killing me. I like the pack for it's organization, but anything over ten pounds and it digs your shoulders.:grumpy:

Ya know that REI Venturi doesn't look bad either. Packs with those mesh back panels are really nice. My Gregory has that feature and I used to have an old Vaude with it. Keeps yer back nice and cool.
 
I've seen some packs which hang off to the side along the hip. I found the site on bladeforums but can't seem to find it now. They looked like they more for day trips but very durable looking. Does anyone know where to find them? And would they be comfortable? I'm wondering with the weight on one side? Thanks.
 
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