Backpacks

revolverman357 said:
For an internal framed pack, I use an Osprey Aether. It can carry 5 days of gear with food easily. With a pack like that, you really need to go somewhere and be fitted. I went to an REI store. I was two hours from my home, but worth the trip just to be fitted, as they also heat mold the waist band to your body. I had excellent service. They put about 35 pounds in it and let me walk around the store for an hour before I decided to buy. Good luck with whatever you decide to get.
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Maybe I should go to your REI. The one I went to I was in for over an hour and I could not have lit myself on fire and got an employees attention.
 
If you're not sure how much you'll need it; maybe a surplus duffel, or tie up a blanket pack?

I carry a foam pad for sleeping and use it inside the pack = no need for internal frame.IME GoLite Jam. I like the design which is very similar to my old Dana Glacier but the GL is like 5 lbs lighter(and a little smaller)
 
Liveitloud said:
Thanks to everyone. I will check out the ones you all listed. Just got back from REI and all I can say is that they sure are proud of their stuff. I looked at Kelty, Osprey and Gregory Baltoro. They were in the price range of 150.00-300.00. They had absolutely nothing that was reasonably priced so it's back to researching.
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Keep looking... you'll find one you like. But with your budget constraints, you might very well have to make it an Internet or mail-order purchase. That's not the best way to buy a pack, but it can work.

A buddy once bought a Kelty Redwing at a very deep discount (a last year's model; the newest one had a new style and color scheme) from Sierra Trading Post for way under $100. It's a great pack.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
Ill recomend the kelty redwing. Very durable and backed up by the company. Ive never seen anyone say anything bad but that there not ultralight.
 
desmobob said:
Keep looking... you'll find one you like. But with your budget constraints, you might very well have to make it an Internet or mail-order purchase. That's not the best way to buy a pack, but it can work.

A buddy once bought a Kelty Redwing at a very deep discount (a last year's model; the newest one had a new style and color scheme) from Sierra Trading Post for way under $100. It's a great pack.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
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I have been looking at Sierra today. They have a 40% off on select packs. I have been looking at the High Sierra 55 pack but I am afraid that it is too big. It does look like a pretty good pack and they list it at 200.00, on sale for 89.95 and with the discount it comes to 53.97. Here is a shot of it.
 

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Liveitloud said:
I have been looking at Sierra today. They have a 40% off on select packs. I have been looking at the High Sierra 55 pack but I am afraid that it is too big. It does look like a pretty good pack and they list it at 200.00, on sale for 89.95 and with the discount it comes to 53.97. Here is a shot of it.
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I'm not familiar with that pack, but it sure seems like a good deal.

Better too big than too small. On the other hand, the bigger your pack, the more you'll tend to pack in it! :rolleyes:
I'd need a pack that size just for three days worth of food....


Have a great time on your camping trip. There is nothing like sleeping out in the woods for a while.


Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
You can't go wrong with either Osprey or Gregory. I have both, but I'm currently using the Osprey Atmo 65. Very smart pack. I also have smaller hydration packs from Osprey and love them.
 
Maybe I missed it (assuming it was already posted) but I believe you can still rent gear from REI, A16 or EMS.
I have in the past and it's a great way to find out what you do and don't want in a pack.
My Osprey is absolutely deluxe, but I got a nicer expedition one.
Looooove the Osprey's.
 
Liveitloud said:
I noticed that several people have mentioned torso length. I have also noticed on line that a lot of these packs are adjustable from xx-xx. Is that a solid assessment to follow that they will adjust to the frame?
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Yes. Not all packs are made this way. Some brands make their packs to fit a specific torso range, small, medium and large. My MAX65L has multiple attachment points for the shoulder harness system and you can set it to fit yourself. It is easy to change if you get it wrong or you loan the pack to a friend or sell it.

Modern packs have a lot of details included or omitted that we haven't mentioned, but can increase a pack's utility or make it heavy and overly complicated.

Floating top compartment: This means that you can remove the top compartment altogether and leave it at home for a smaller pack and weight savings, or remove it in camp and use it as a daypack. Top compartments usually have one or two small zip closures and fit maps, thin raingear, pack rain cover and small tarp.

Packs with this type top compartment usually have a spindrift collar on the top of the bottom compartment for closure when not using the floating top compartment. The spindrift collar is like the top six to eight inches of a nylon drawstring bag with a cordlock on it. Extended, it can add six to eight inches of height/capacity to the pack. Cinched tight, it helps to seal out weather, blown sand, rain or snow (spindrift).

Compression straps: Many packs have side, top and bottom compression straps. They help to tighten the loaded pack to prevent shifting of contents, and can be used to reduce the pack volume.

Daisy Chain: These are a series of loops down the back of the pack that give you attachment points to strap on gear externally, such as a coat or foam sleeping pad.

Hip belt pockets: These are small zip closure pockets on one side or both of the hip belt, usually easier to reach than any of the main pack pockets while the pack is still on. Great for small lightweight items such as snacks, compass or camera.

Internal Shelf: Some packs have an interior divider between the bottom of the pack and the main compartment. The bottom compartment is usually accessed from the lower rear panel via an external zipper. This lets you remove whatever is there (coat, sleeping bag, shelter) without unloading the contents in the upper pack. Many of these dividers will zip open internally to give you the option of not using the divider, or accessing the lower compartment from the top when the upper compartment is empty.

Hydration Compatable: Many newer packs are designed with an internal pocket next to the internal or external frame to fit and suspend a two liter water bladder. Most do not include the bladder itself, but they do have either one or two weather-resistant ports at the top of thepack to route the hydration hose down a shoulder strap so that you can drink on the go.

Side Pockets: Some packs have two or even four zip closure side pockets. I like them personally. They hold a lot of small odds and ends that would be hard to sort and find in the larger main pack compartment. I keep firestarting, lighting, first aid and such on one side, snacks, TP, maps, notebook and pen, and other small items on the other side. Mesh side pockets are good for holding water bottles, particularly if they include a cinch strap to keep the bottle from falling out on the trail.

Ice Ax Loops: These are loops on the rear bottom of the pack that are meant to hold an ice ax on the back of the pack. They work equally well to hold trekking poles, a photography tripod, fishing rod or other bulky gear.

Rain Cover: Not all manufacturers include a rain cover, however they can be purchases as an accessory item at extra cost. Some people prefer to use a waterproof pack liner, or individual waterproof stuff bags for their gear.

Frames: Internal frames vary widely in how they are made. The best, IMHO, are HDPE sheets with twin aluminum stays. The stays can be bent to fit your back, and help transfer the weight of the bpack to the hip belt.

I've never tried a frameles pack such as the GOlites, but it seems like they would work well with a load of 20# or less.

External frames come in a wide variety also. This is what I used in the late '60's and early '70's. They were all we had then and they were sometimes torture devices. They also squeeked when they flexed. Designs have come a long way since then though. One of their best plus's is that they hold the pack away from your back for better air circulation.

Weighing it all: I tried various scales and what I wound up with was a hanging digital fish scale for about $20. It is accurate and will weigh up to 50#.

On pack sizing: Remember that you make a bigger pack smaller by cinching it down, but you can't make a small pack bigger without hanging crap off of it until you look like a walking yard sale. There is always the temptation to fill a pack to it's capacity, regardless of size, but with some experience comes self control.

My 36# pack just went on a 16 mile (round trip) overnighter to shakedown it's contents, and I will be adding a few ounces of gear, and deleting a few pounds. Next time my goal is 25# or less including food and water.
 
Can't go wrong with any Kelty packs! Have carried them for years and have never had one fail to do its job properly! Pretty good for a fairly cheap (compared to other pack companies!) foreign-made product!
 
Look into the Camp trails wilderness, it comes in both internal and external versions, make sure you get it with the "Kitchen Sink" It is a great beginers pack, has been around forever, and is probably in your price range, although I have not looked it up recently. The kitchen sink is an organizer. It has changed over the years, but seems like it might fit your needs. and yes, Fit is crucial.
 
Try Deuter... A lot cheaper than Osprey. Reasonable weight and usually ships with a raincover as standard.
 
Well went to get the one on Sierra and it would not take the coupon. Back to the drawing board. I am liking the Kelty, High Sierra and Osprey. Might go back to REI today and see if I can find an employee to help me out. I really appreciate all the advice you guys have given me. It has really helped a lot!
 
So, ended up getting a High Sierra 45 backpack...


http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2667659&cid=CSE:GoogleProductSearch


Landed it on Sierra Outpost for 47 bucks. Might end up being smaller than I need. Will have to wait til it gets here. Did finally get someones attention at REI (Thanks Laura) who was very helpful. Just don't think I need too much of an investment since it's hard to get my girlfriend to walk to the corner, let alone, go camping. We'll see how that ends up. Thanks to everyone that posted. I appreciate all of the advice and links. If it turns out okay I may just give her this pack and snag a better one later on.
 
if its not to late, Get a kelty redwing .. can't go wrong and they've been making the same model for a gazillion years............

it has two flo thru pockets for your large knives, fishing pole, tent poles whatever..

alot of bang for your buck...

EDIT:: just read your post, good pack let us know how it works out for you..
 
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TheLastDaze said:
if its not to late, Get a kelty redwing .. can't go wrong and they've been making the same model for a gazillion years............

it has two flo thru pockets for your large knives, fishing pole, tent poles whatever..

alot of bang for your buck...

EDIT:: just read your post, good pack let us know how it works out for you..
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That was the first one I looked at when I went to REI. You're right, it is an awesome pack. I ended up not getting it because it was too wide for my back loaded. It just didn't fit me well. I was really hoping it would since I had read so much good about it.

I am probably taking a risk on the one I got since I was unable to try it on but I figured for the price I can also just gift it if it doesn't work. It does seem to be highly adjustable so we'll see.
 
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