Cheap, Light Packs

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engle's-wilder

Joined
Nov 18, 2010
Messages
82
Does anyone have a inexpensive alternative to the Kifaru Packs. Something in the ballpark of 30 to 50 smacks? I like the design, but not the price on those things. Are there any similarly designed packs out there? (I'd actually prefer a single compartment pack over multiple compartments)

[I would just make an ontario pack, but I want something that is already made and won't have to keep being remade and reconverted from shelter to pack as I go.]

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks all!:D
 
Eddie Bauer has some OK packs, as does Camelback. (especially when they go on sale at end of season)
 
I picked up a Kelty Redstart (~25 liters) for under $30- a lot of pack for the money, it's pretty light too (24 oz)

would easily hold a day+ worth of gear and is water bladder compatible
 
I have the BCB army issue 25 and 35 ltr. Packs. Basic but I like them very much. I use the 25L for dayhikes , the 35L for overnighters. Both way under $100 each.
 
May look through sportsman guide or cheaper than dirt catalogs or on line. I got a version of a maxped kiss for $20 that seems to work great for me. Only been out 3 times as I picked it up after xmas.
 
REI has goos stuff and the return policy if something goes bad is excellent..
Kelty makes some good packs.
The Redwing is pretty tough.
Jansport makes good stuff also.
I can't speak highly enough of REI. Buy from them and you won't be sorry, no matter what brand.
 
At Target I saw that they had the Kelty Goshawk for about $50 bucks. It is about a 30 liter capacity, top-loading rucksack with a detachable top that can be a belt pack. It looks like a decent pack for day trips, light overnights, or travel. I would have bought it, but it felt just a bit too short on me.


I ended up going over to Dick's and getting a Marmot Aspen 35 for $80. The Marmot fit better and had more generous padding and suspension, but I would have been satisfied with the cheaper Kelty if it had fit my torso length.
 
I just picked up a kelty roam for $40 at target. I went to dicks sporting goods and looked at some north face packs , but their straps don't fit big guys, The kelty pack was half the price. I was redoing my walk around pack and was looking to stay away from camo/commando looking
 
There are reasons why some packs are more expencive and some are not. The quality of the Stitching, strength, design, implementation, load carrying capacity and so on. The Condor packs aren't bad for their price, but you do sometimes have to watch the stitching. I have some of their stuff but like to hand pick it when ever possible.

A medium Alice pack w/frame can be had in your price range if you shop around. I have one with a Blackhawk Frame, straps and pad. That thing is so nice to carry compared to my other medium sized packs. There is also the Molle Pack, which I believe replaced the Alice pack, but I'm not sure of the average price on those.

Woops, I missed the part about light weight. The Alice pack and Molle Packs aren't as light as Kelty and other backpacking type packs. But they are strong and at a good price.
 
is a High Sierra Guide 3200 a good option? Is it even a good brand? It's just about the size I want and the price is decent... Is the Condor pack a better buy? Is the Assault Pack from Condor larger?

Thanks for all the responses by the way! I've at the very least looked each of them up and feel more informed now as to what's out there.
 
Almost all military looking packs will be heavier than your backpacking type packs.

Almost any backpack from a common outdoor company will be fine.

I wouldn't worry too much.

You can often find good backpacks that are used on EBAY or discounted ones at Sierra Trading Post. 2 of my 4 backpacking backpacks came from there.

I started backpacking in 1984 and I still have the original pack I started with, but the newer ones are much lighter.

What I'm getting at is most packs are probably constructed well enough and it's mainly do they fit your body and do you have enough capacity, pockets etc.

If you don't want to pay any more than 50 though you are probably going to have to go used for a backpacking type pack. The lower end on even a discounted one is probably going to run 80-100.

PS: The pack you mention is only 1900cu in so not a backpacking pack.
 
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LL BEAN Continental rucksack ... these have been around forever and are no-frills, rugged workhorses. They are updated to have sternum straps & padded hipbelts now. The lashing points behind the pockets are great for toting you .22 rifle and or axe/chopper. At 49.95 they are a real bargain; and at 2lbs 4oz they are lightweight for their capacity.

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/54123?pi=909369&qs=3012739_g_shopping&subrnd=0
 
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woodsman102 said:
Kelty Redwings can be had for 60 smacks. Solid packs.
Click to expand...

This makes about my 3rd shameless plug for the Kelty Redwing today. They are an awesome value, esp. when you can find them on sale, which is often. I recently saw them on Amazon for $50.
 
Black Diamond has some really nice packs around the $50-80 range. I wouldn't worry about construction quality too much- every pack produced by every outdoor manufacturer is made in one of two factories in Taiwan, so stitching and such will be pretty much the same on all of them.
 
Truth is, in life you really do get what you pay for !

That said, Kifaru is overpriced !

I would rather see a guy spend a little extra and get a good mid range pack that fits (Fitting is the most important part!) vs. a el cheapo that you replace and spend twice as much as you should have.

If you doubled down to $100 I doubt you will be disapointed. I understand being on a budget, but these are mistakes I have made first hand.
 
Here is a pic of the one I mentioned above. I like it for day hikes. At around $20 its a great pack
IMG-20110317-00183.jpg
 
I use the LL Bean Continental Daypack as the platform for our car kits. Great value. For a carry around/hiking bag, of roughly the same capacity, also look at the North Face Recon and other North Face bags of approximately the same size. These have served my family well as outing packs on traveling vacations.
 
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