Best back packs?

H

Hotrod

Joined
Mar 19, 2003
Messages
978
Hey guys...

Need some opinions as to what kind of back packs to look at/weed out.

Internal frame, external, panel loaders... top loaders, doesnt matter. If you've got an opinion, please share it! :D
 
As with knife suggestions, tell us more about what you intend to do with it or hope to get out of it and we can help narrow it down better. Are you looking for something to do half-day hikes with or 10 day long self-supported backcountry expeditions? Minimalist gear or all the comforts of home plus the kitchen sink? etc etc ;)
 
Some brand names are what I'm looking for, your expierences etc...

My thinking is something that will work as a carry on for airplanes, something to do some back packing around the globe. 10-15 miles a day, 10-20lbs.

Not quite sure how large or small you can go with that as criteria... but I'm also looking for one that I can use for camping instead of going between cities and hostels/cheap hotels and camp sites.

:D

Started the thread with the "What do you carry, what do you like about it/dont like about it."
 
When perambulating, I preferr a small mountain smith frameless pack. The bigger the load the less fun carrying it is.
When camping for a week or more I carry about 500 lbs worth of luxuries in the jeep.
Enjoy!
 
Hotrod said:
My thinking is something that will work as a carry on for airplanes, something to do some back packing around the globe. 10-15 miles a day, 10-20lbs.

Not quite sure how large or small you can go with that as criteria... but I'm also looking for one that I can use for camping instead of going between cities and hostels/cheap hotels and camp sites.
:."
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I don't believe your cross use requirements are possible as carry on luggage is very small these days.

that being said I travelled Europe and Asia with a 40 liter pack for 6 months and wouldn't go much beyond that for comfort and carry on size limits.

The Spec Ops pack is nice, so is the smaller packs from Kiffaru. Whatever the pack spend good money and get a good one, you do get what you pay for.

Skam
 
Maxpedition builds one heck of a product. I don't own one yet, but everything I've found on them is very possitive. The 3 day pack seems to hold lots of gear as well as having ties for a sleeping bag underneath.
 
the maxpedition packs look promising, heavy... but promising!

This is one of the links I've come across on the topic...
http://www.onebag.com/

Its definetly more city slicker than it is survival... I'd just like to hit that fine medium of "just right" for most everything. But I can definetly see how close that line is to "Jack of all trades and master of none!"

:D

Any of you guys carried an Alice pack for a bunch of miles? Rough... definetly screams military... but cheap.
 
Hotrod said:
Does "The Pack" have the stuff to strap a sleeping bag to the underside?

:D
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There are Grid Lock lash down loops all over this thing also on the bottom side, one could very easy strap a sleeping bag under it.
I attach my canteens to the back of the bag so they are not weighing down my waist.
It has the chest strap and belt to fit snug to the body when running, so its not bouncing all over the place.

I have carried the Alice pack and it doesnt come close to "The Pack".
 
Whoops almost forgot, there is a section in the main compartment where you can add a bladder if you dont want to carry canteens etc. :D
 
Hotrod said:
Any of you guys carried an Alice pack for a bunch of miles? Rough... definetly screams military... but cheap.
Click to expand...

Alice packs are an exercise in fustration and pain. Maybe they are cheap but "YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!". The 2 key items for comfort on any foot travel trip is footwear and backpack. Skimp elswhere but not in those areas.

Skam
 
I have recently been using a north face external frame pack, but just bought a mystery ranch pack that will hopefully be my life long companion. Judging by the quality the mystery ranch pack is a million times better in every way. I would get an internal 5500 cu inch pack that is a hybrid loader (both top loading and side). Hydration compatible is also a plus.
 
Dunno if they make it anymore, good 60 ltr capacity, plenty of external straps, compression straps, internal frame & I had a pal who worked for a mountainwear company but a very extended snowlock on mine, it actually functions as an emergengy sleeping bag/bivi (but I do have to take all the kit out of it!)
 
I've decided I want to find a bag that has hip straps... and a capacity around 3000 cubic inches. Sounds like a large enough volume to do some short camping trips, but still barely carryon size. :cool:

Any tips on materials? What works/what doesnt? I'd like to buy the lightest longest lasting one I can find... at a cheap price, but thats an impossible find! So, what materials are decent for lots of miles/years of wear and tear?

:D
 
I have a Gregory Palisade and it is an excellent pack however, lately i've really been considering size and weight. I've really been looking into getting a small pack with many attachment options should I need to carry more gear. If i had the money, i'd be buying a Kifaru Marauder. http://kifaru.net/
I also think some of Camelbaks military bags might be a good option. I'm wanting to wear a Maxpedition Proteus so I need a smaller pack that won't get in the way. If any of you guys out there have a set-up like i'm talking about I'd love to know what you have and how you like it.

Soup
 
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