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Good Cheap Backpack

If she's an avid hiker, you may not want to skimp too much on a pack. I've gone that route and wound up with a pack that was so uncomfortable that I ended up carrying it by the top strap instead of on my shoulders. I can't give you any personal insight on the packs you posted but comfort is something to keep in mind when bargain shopping for someone who does a lot of hiking. The LL Bean does look like the best you posted and seems to get really good reviews. The waxed cotton version is pretty classy looking but more pricey.
 
Ive been looking at the Kelty 8100. Im willing to shell out more for a better pack if I really think its worth it. The kelty has outstanding feedback.
 
Kelty is awesome and they make a damn comfortable pack. I carried a buddy's Kelty frame pack for a trip, don't recall the model, and it was a dream.
 
If you are looking for a hiking pack and not a backpacking pack i would say stay with something that is very comfortable but not as large. You better off paying the extra for the comfort then the size of the pack. Also check out craigslist you can find some great deals on there. For day hikes you dont realy need anything more then 30liter i would even go for the 20liter pack. Right now i found my self using a camelpak mule 80% of the time. Got it at a yard sale at REI for $20.

Sasha
 
Unless it's for someone really into military-style stuff, I would recommend something much lighter. I'm a big fan of Gregory and Osprey packs -- once you wear something like this, the heavy military-style stuff seems like punishment (gear like that is very tough, though).

Here's a few on closeout at REI:

Tiny, but good for a fast hike or run:
http://www.rei.com/outlet/product/784846

Still small, but suited for a long day hike:
http://www.rei.com/outlet/product/783429

midsize bag for an overnight or winter gear:
http://www.rei.com/outlet/product/789304
 
I have two of the L L Bean Continental rucksacks and I am pretty happy with them. I keep one in the trunk of my car packed with my get out of town gear. I would have about a 40 mile hike to get home if things got bad here in So Calif, earthquake ect.

Size and comfort are OK as well as the quality, although mine are older 5 to 10 yrs.
I think this model has been around for a while and probably been made by different venders over the years. No telling where they are made now. If possible I would try to get a hands on look at one.

One of the things that drew me to to the L L Bean parks are thier traditional/retro looks but then I am 50+ and like old school.

Another reason I picked them a were the color choices. one is dark grey and the other dark green. For my BOB I didn't want something flashy that would draw attention to me and I didn't want camo for the same reason.

The other packs you mention I have no experience with. I did notice in the description that they used all the key words, German Flectarn, ACU digital, Mil spec compliant, intended to suck you into thinking they are Mil. Surplus and never mention where they are made. That always make me wonder about quality.

That being said I have seen some genuine third world Mil Surp packs that I wouldn't give to my kid to use as a book bag.
 
craigslist and ebay, be conscious of the size of the frame as well. I got my Mountainsmith Maverick for 75 dollars with a free pair of 60 dollar poles, and it is more comfortable and better organized than most of my 200 dollar packs.
 
That bag looks like cheap crap no offense. I've been around a fair number of soldiers from germany and none of them have carried that pack, probably for a reason. Military stuff is notoriously uncomfortable i wouldnt ever carry a military issued pack if i didnt have to (and luckily for me i rarely do :) ) \

When you consider buying apack for yourself there is alot of stuff that goes into it. mainly how it fits your anatomy and how it distributes weight. You are gonne want a fair amount of padding on your shoulders and even distribution or your really going to feel it after a few miles. after about 5 miles with an improperly fittedf ruck loaded with 50 lbs of gear your friend would hate her life. Also good assault or military packs are made of 1000 denier cordura which is abrasion resistant not nylon which can tear easier

i think the best deal on military style packs right now is the tactical tailor enhanced day pack. i love tactical tailor products i think they are very well thought out and very well executed. They are also hand made right here in america.

The TT enhanced day pack is rugged enough to survive any situation and is just large enough to carry the right amount of gear for a few days in the woods. on the other hand its also designed to be useful for a college student or working professional on the go with a padded laptop pouch to a water holder that collapses from nalgene size to water bottle size. all that for a hair under a hundred bucks. may still be more than you want to spend but hey you get what you pay for.

http://www.tacticaltailor.com/enhanceddaypack.aspx

when you realize that the super high end places charge more than three times that amount such as TAD gear and kifaru you start to appreciate how it could be a bargain, hope you find what your looking for but please dont get a friend a pack like that. and one more thing please get her a solid color the german pattern is for europe and everyone hates army ACU. solid colors like black and tan are great and dont look to militant also if for some reason you are concerned about camo plain brown actually works quite well in many places.
 
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you know, if she is an avid hiker and your budget is 50, I would go with something other than a pack.
Maybe a gift card to your local outdoor store, or something like smartwool baselayer or socks(smartwools socks really do make a grat gift)

I just don't see you being able to get a decent pack for 50 unless you get uber lucky

My LL Bean Bigelow is the closest I could think of and it was 70 or so
 
gruntinhusaybah said:
you know, if she is an avid hiker and your budget is 50, I would go with something other than a pack.
Maybe a gift card to your local outdoor store, or something like smartwool baselayer or socks(smartwools socks really do make a grat gift)

I just don't see you being able to get a decent pack for 50 unless you get uber lucky

My LL Bean Bigelow is the closest I could think of and it was 70 or so
Click to expand...

I second the Smartwool socks. Get her 3 pair of PHD socks. I would trade any piece of gear I have for the equivalent in Smartwood PHD socks.
 
gruntinhusaybah said:
you know, if she is an avid hiker and your budget is 50, I would go with something other than a pack.
Maybe a gift card to your local outdoor store, or something like smartwool baselayer or socks(smartwools socks really do make a grat gift)

I just don't see you being able to get a decent pack for 50 unless you get uber lucky
Click to expand...
I agree. Socks and base layer are great ideas. Since you're looking at L.L. Bean, you could also check out their "fitness fleece", if there's anything left to pick over right now.
 
there are SO MANY backpack styles available out there, at ALL price points...you don't need a specific suggestion here; you just need to go out to walmart/rei/big 5/sports authority/dick's sporting goods, etc., check them out, and buy one...

online; i would look at campmor and sierra trading post...

...and you can get a decent pack for $50 if you shop for sales and look for markdowns...you just probably can't get a really great one @ 50...
 
zhangmaster12 said:
I need a good backpack for around 50 usd.
So far, im looking at these, recommended this surplus seller by BushcraftUSA:
http://www.shop.hassayampasurplus.com/product.sc?categoryId=5&productId=665
http://www.shop.hassayampasurplus.com/product.sc?categoryId=5&productId=616
LL Bean Continental.

The bags will be a gift to someone dear to me. She is an avid hiker.

Any better suggestions? I dont really know much about backpacks.
Click to expand...

If she is an avid hiker then weight, size, fit and features are important - all a personal choice. Some brands even have women specific models.
Best to find out what she wants before buying.
 
I saw that some suggested Smartwool socks - good brand. But even there; do you buy their light, med, heavy - hiking; backpacking or trekking type?

A gift card is a good idea.
 
Wow! Lots of good advice here! IMHO, you won't get much more than a decent daypack for fifty dollars or so (new anyway). I did buy a usable daypack at Wal-Mart, an Outdoor Products Vortex for about $20. But then I don't give hiking gear a really rough workout either. I also bought a Coleman Max 65L backpack (internal frame, hydration compatable w/ rain cover) there for about $70. It was heavier than I wanted, so I returned it after one trip. But it did have a lot of good features, was of the capacity I needed and was well made, IMHO. I am looking at packs by Golite now. But they cost between $100 and $175.

These guys may be right in suggesting a gift certificate. Campmor and REI have good selections of equipment. And she might want something else more than a new pack. Have you asked her?

Codger
 
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