Best back packs?

E__WOK said:
How much are you willing to pay?
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AS MUCH AS I CAN WITHOUT MY WIFE FINDING OUT! :D :eek:

I was actually just checking out the Camelbak Talon. This might just be exactly what i'm looking for and the price isn't that bad either. Now I just need to know if there would still be room to wear a maxpedition proteus with it.

Soup
 
Maxpedition packs, besides being a very well made pack that's poorly designed, is deceptively small. In the previously linked brochure, the guy must be pretty small to make the packs look so damn big. However, they're just as big as the average pack by eagle or blackhawk.
 
E__WOK said:
How much are you willing to pay?
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If its the last one I ever need... a hundred to two... if its a cheapie that will wear out, zippers rip out, I'll go find a jansport on sale somewhere. :D

It just has to look plain, be light... and last forever!
 
I have an Osprey Aether 75 (medium) in the pion green and it works great for all kinds of camping/hiking/backpacking. It can compress really small and expand really large. The 4500 cu in is great for longer trips and short dayhikes, because of the strightjacket suspension system. You can also and several differnt daypacks called excessories to the back of your pack. I really like the big mesh pouch, its good for storing odd gear. The lid does convert into a fanny, but you have the take you hipbelt off, or slip in another belt for it to be a fanny pack. I have loaded it down to around 40-45 lbs, and it flet like a happy monkey on my back. Only problem is the price $238.00. If you want something smaller, go with the Aether 60, its the same as the 75 just smaller.

I would also recomend the Gregory Shasta. It is very similar to the Aether.
If you want something with more pockets, look a the Kelty Moraine 3600 and Redcloud 5000. The 2 are a good organized pack. Along the same lines are the Gregory models Whitney and Keeler. The have many pockets and sizes. There are a number of packs. The above are good hiking and backpacking packs.

Final word is that anything Osprey or Gregory is great along with Kelty. Check out REI or other outfitters to do a proper sizing and fit. I wouldn't buy a pack online due to the fact you dont know how it will feel until its too late.
 
As a dedicated hiker, I would recommend proven names that have stood the test of time...Dana Designs, Kelty , Osprey, Mountainsmith, North Face. My current day/weekend pack is a Kelty Redwing, plenty big enough for a weekend, but light enough for a dayhike.
 
i carry a eagle 3 day pack and haven't got too much bad to say about it other that it is probably bigger than i personally need. they only cost $100, have straps underneath for sleeping bags and straps on top, waist and chest belts, internal water bladder carrier, and eagle quality.

for the size you are looking for you might want to check out the eagle becker patrol pack.

hope this helps
 
Ghost93 said:
I would also recomend the Gregory Shasta. It is very similar to the Aether.
If you want something with more pockets, look a the Kelty Moraine 3600 and Redcloud 5000. The 2 are a good organized pack. Along the same lines are the Gregory models Whitney and Keeler. The have many pockets and sizes. There are a number of packs. The above are good hiking and backpacking packs.

Final word is that anything Osprey or Gregory is great along with Kelty. Check out REI or other outfitters to do a proper sizing and fit. I wouldn't buy a pack online due to the fact you dont know how it will feel until its too late.
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I have a Gregory Shasta also, and I think it is great. I got last season's model for @$200. I was looking at an Arcterax but those were a lot heavier and cost a lot more. Probably going to pick up a Gregory Electra for my wife soon. For just an overnight pack, I use a REI brand pack that I picked up a few years ago. Deep, hip and chest belts, side pockets for nalgene bottles, all for under $50. They still have them from time to time.
 
Badlands is the best backpack company I know of. They have an unconditional lifetime warranty, no reciept required, regardless of if you are the first owner. I have used backpacks fom Camelback, Hydrastorm, and North Face, and I can honestly say I believe these backpacks are of the highest quality anywhere. Both the warranty and quality out perform all competitors. Unfortunately there are very few dealers for these packs as they are high priced and targeted mainly for huters. I highly reccomend that anyone who is looking for a new backpack of any kind get one from www.badlandspacks.com, because if you do, you won't ever need another one.
 
A snowlock (I think theyre called snowlocks!?!) is a kinda extended collar around the opening of the bergen, I guess its orginally to allow you tou put longer, taller loads in your pack, but I usually use it to make everything super waterproof by pulling the drawcord tight & twisting the top closed. Mines an extended one that, if my feet are in the bottom of my bergen, the top reaches up to my chest.
 
How you want to spend and how long you intend to have it last are factors you have to consider. If you only want to go for a few such trips, don't go buy the top of the line Dana Designs bag.

Carry on sizes are different for almost every airliner. Generally, it's in the neighbourhood of 20"x18"x12"...they change all the time and overseas/international airlines usually have the bigger sizes. Weight of the carry on usually has a maximum of ~20lbs.

You'll most likely have problems if you have an internal frame for carry on. If you plan to only have this carry on bag and no checked in luggage to put the frame rods, you shouldn't get an internal frame. Without one, support can be a problem so you have to consider a hard backed pack with some kind of plastic sheet.

Comfort is the key to all bags. People don't have the same shape and bags don't always fit everyone(some bags have fully adjustable and detachable straps and supports). Be sure to feel the pack with at least 10lbs while test fitting.

As for brands that generally have quality goods without going too specialised(I don't think you'll need anything more...or not yet anyway).

Eureka, Vaude, others as well... Those have been pretty consistant to my knowledge. I've noticed Lowe going downhill in terms of quality over the last er..decade. Arcterryx varies...and the lower stuff is more a name reflecting their higher end products.

Anyways...each pack you have to inspect for yourself to judge quality. Top loading or full side zips and etc. Traditional top loading is only really good for ensuring everything is in on big bag. But if you don't pack well(or even if you do), you'll have problems getting things out quickly. Full zips make this easier but if you have heavy things on say an outside flap, you might have things falling out if you are the type not to close up straps and everything all the time.

Something with partial zips or a top loader with side access of around 40L would suit you I think. Consider a pack with attached rain flap.
 
I'm thinking 2 years of daily use, trails... cities, camping... back packing around this great world of hours. If it can handle that, then thats probably good enough. From rocky mountain trails to jungles to deserts...
 
I have a Marmot Talus that I bought about 3 years ago and use nearly everyday. It is the best backpack I have ever owned. I think it is about the size you are looking for. I have used it as a carry on, and it is about as big as you want to go for that. The one I have looks considerably different than the new one, but I own other things (tents, clothes, ect) from Marmot, and everything I have ever got from them has been top notch, I would recommend Marmot equipment to anyone.
 
i wouldnt use the same pack on 15 mile hicks and on a plane. i have a northface daypack, it kinda has an internal frame but not to the extent of backpacking packs. i also have a coleman internal frame i use for whenever i go camping, backpacking. i think is is in the area of what you want.

befor i go into that let me just tell you the ups and downs of internal and external frames. i think internal frames are way mor comfortable then external ones. if you are willing to sacrafice comfort then you have the ability to strap, lash and do whatever you want to the external metal frame of you pack. if you are using it in a dense forest where things can get stick in the frame i would go with the internal.

my pack has a compartment inside the pack (at the bottom) for a sleeping bag. i sometimes use this for clothes when i am just grabbing my stuff from the back of a car and breaking camp. and it has 2 straps on both sides of the pack were you can put thinks, these also can be used to reduce and increase the size of the pack. on the bottom it has 2 straps for a camp mat. and on the top it has a sort of top cover that you can put things in between it and the rest of the pack. -these are some of the things you want to look for in a camping/backpacking pack-

for a day pack i would go with any good brand name becasue less is pending on a day pack then a backpack you are with for a good 3 days. my favorite store to get stuff like this is EMS you could order online if you are not close to them they carry all the good brands such as: kelty, northface, ems, dakine, and camel back.

hope i helped and that you are happy with whatever you get.
 
i would sujest just going to an REI if there is one by you they have their blow out sale were i get lots of my camping things for like 75% off if not try sporting goods stores....
Internal ment for flatland hiking
External ment for hills/mountains
i prefer internal it gets the job done and seems more fitting for me i sujest going to the store and putting things in the bag and then walk around a bit sure you get them weird looks but you bag is more important then you dignity....
 
Sounds like internal framed is the way to go for my purposes...

I havent quite figured out between the top loader and panel loader which works best. One idea that makes good sense is to put like items in mesh bags so you can pull what you need out as a package, with 4-5 of them in there instead of hunting through EVERYTHING!

Do any of you guys have a down bag that you've got in a compression sack? I'm mildly allergic to feathers, but am going to investigate this route for the bag. Supposedly they pack down a lot tighter than the synthetic. :D
 
you are talking about down sleeping bags?

if so i would not get one they are not as warm for the bulk.
 
chazz said:
you are talking about down sleeping bags?

if so i would not get one they are not as warm for the bulk.
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Chazz,

If you are talking about down bags. Goose down is the warmest insulation on earth pound for pound by a large margin.

Down packs down very small but it also must be a lightweight designed bag and not just any old down bag as the design is just as important as the fill for weight and bulk.

If you are exposed to a lot of moisture when hiking I would consider a synthetic bag as it will keep you warm when wet unlike down otherwise down can't be beat.

Panel vs top loading is a matter of choice really. Top loading will fit more in it inch for inch but panel loading is easier to find things in. If you are into your pack often then go panel loading otherwise top loading is fine. There are great packs out there in either style.

Skam
 
i know that down is very warm however i do not own alot of down becasu of the fact that it is a horror when wet. the down that i have seen seems to be rather puffy, not really heavy. am i wrong on that? if not i learned something today :)
 
Real down is very fluffy as thats what traps warm air and keeps you warm. Down is very light as well. A great insulator unless wet like you said.

Skam
 
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