Backpack recommendations 35-50 liters

Just thought I'd toss you guys an update and thank you all for the great help you provided!

I made a trip out to the closest outdoorsy-type store just outside of town and tried some packs on. To my surprise they actually had Osprey(slightly less uncommon), Deuter(very uncommon in Sweland) and Gregory(super uncommon) packs! The Deuter's I tried on were simply too short in length, even larger volume packs, and unfortunately they didn't have a lot of packs from Gregory in the larger sizes. I did however absolutely fall in love with the carry system on the Osprey Kestrel, now I'm just debating whether to get the 38 or 48l pack. The price difference is ~$10 and it felt like the 48l was slightly more comfortable and fit my body type better, but I think for 70% of cases it will probably too much pack for my uses. Plenty of ways to cram gear onto the outside, though! Lots of straps, hoops for lashing and the stow-on-the-go system which I'm a fan of.

Decisions, decisions...
 
pialia said:
Just thought I'd toss you guys an update and thank you all for the great help you provided!

I made a trip out to the closest outdoorsy-type store just outside of town and tried some packs on. To my surprise they actually had Osprey(slightly less uncommon), Deuter(very uncommon in Sweland) and Gregory(super uncommon) packs! The Deuter's I tried on were simply too short in length, even larger volume packs, and unfortunately they didn't have a lot of packs from Gregory in the larger sizes. I did however absolutely fall in love with the carry system on the Osprey Kestrel, now I'm just debating whether to get the 38 or 48l pack. The price difference is ~$10 and it felt like the 48l was slightly more comfortable and fit my body type better, but I think for 70% of cases it will probably too much pack for my uses. Plenty of ways to cram gear onto the outside, though! Lots of straps, hoops for lashing and the stow-on-the-go system which I'm a fan of.

Decisions, decisions...
Click to expand...

The way I look at it is, you can get a "regular" sized backpack anywhere and for cheap and it will handle most day/overnight needs. For anything over a day you will want access to a bigger pack. So I say get the bigger pack if you ever think you need more or have alot of gear and you are covered, and then you can get a regular pack for the times you dont take or need all your stuff with you. All of the brands you list will hold up just fine and last you. I lean towards Gregory just because they are heavier but more comfortable for guys with wider shoulders, the Osprey are great tough packs, but are more slender in the shoulder straps. This is where its a personal touch on what you prefer.

I dont know what outdoor store you went to, but REI is one of the big ones in my area, and you can actually drag your gear to the store with you , they recommend this and you see it all the time, then you can cram all your gear in the pack/packs you are thinking about to see if it fits and adjust accordingly. Some figure out they actually need a bigger/smaller pack and you get exactly what you need.
 
RangerR47 said:
The way I look at it is, you can get a "regular" sized backpack anywhere and for cheap and it will handle most day/overnight needs. For anything over a day you will want access to a bigger pack. So I say get the bigger pack if you ever think you need more or have alot of gear and you are covered, and then you can get a regular pack for the times you dont take or need all your stuff with you. All of the brands you list will hold up just fine and last you. I lean towards Gregory just because they are heavier but more comfortable for guys with wider shoulders, the Osprey are great tough packs, but are more slender in the shoulder straps. This is where its a personal touch on what you prefer.

I dont know what outdoor store you went to, but REI is one of the big ones in my area, and you can actually drag your gear to the store with you , they recommend this and you see it all the time, then you can cram all your gear in the pack/packs you are thinking about to see if it fits and adjust accordingly. Some figure out they actually need a bigger/smaller pack and you get exactly what you need.
Click to expand...

We don't have REI in Sweden unfortunately. Dragging my gear to the store does sound like a great idea, though! That'll definitely put things in perspective.
 
I haven't owned an Osprey but have looked at them carefully in stores. They receive tons of praise from their owners and appear to be made very well from what I've seen.

I have several Gregory and Granite Gear packs and always choose them for anything over one night.

As for the size, go bigger unless the weight penalty is significant. In this case with the Osprey Kestral, it isn't. At least get the 48. Look for the 58.

I typically carry the same items whether it is three, five, seven, fourteen, or thirty days. The only changes are in the quantities of food, fuel, & sometimes clothes, the equipment for the trip's purpose (fishing, climbing, etc.), and the climate/season/weather requirements which might require more space.
 
I LOVE my Osprey Kesterl 32. I like panel loading pack but the other models in the Kestrel lines are top loaders if that is your thing. They are fully adjustable and tough as nails. I dont think you can go wrong with Osprey.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top