- Joined
- Sep 2, 2008
- Messages
- 7,702
Hey Plainsman,
If you want a bombproof, panel-loading, hydration-compatible pack at a reasonable cost, the Maxped Falcon-II is a great pack. I did a review of it here. It is durable and well constructed, though a bit on the heavier side. More importantly, it doesn’t carry weight as well for longer trips relative to other more comfortable packs. But if you want incredible durability at reasonable cost, it’s a good choice.
Camelbak makes a decent pack as well, I’ve used a Hawg and an Alpine Explorer on hikes. I’d go with the Alpine Explorer, especially if you planning on sticking a full 3L bladder in the bladder pocket. The Alpine explorer also had an internal frame of sorts, some sort of plastic sheet if I recall correctly. But I found the waist-belt to be useless. Both packs were great for short trips/hikes, but neither pack was great for longer hiking treks.
I am still on the search for THE hiking daypack and have just purchased an Osprey Kestrel 38. So far, based on initial impressions, THIS PACK IS AWESOME! It’s a little over your size limit (mine will double as an overnighter pack), but they have 28 and 32 liter versions available as well (the 28 is a top loader, the 32 a panel loader). It is hydration compatible, very roomy, well-designed, and well-constructed. It has lots of great features without being over the top, and most importantly, it carries weight very well. As far as I can tell anyway; I got fitted, loaded it up, and walked around the REI store with it, 20-30 lbs felt like nothing. The internal frame and waist-belt function very well, and I really like the length of the pack as it keeps the weight close to your spine. It really helps with balance and keeping weight off the shoulder via hip-belt. I’ll do a review of it in a couple of months when I’m able to do longer hikes with it (for those interested).
I used to be a modular type gear person, but I’ve learned that for longer treks, I’d be more comfortable with a simple non-modular pack that keeps the weight close to your spine and on your hips, rather than having the weight farther from your body and not supported by your hips. Haven’t taken the Osprey on a hike yet, so take this rec with a grain of salt, but definitely look into well-supported (waist-belt and framed) packs like the Ospreys if you plan on doing longer dayhikes or tend to carry more gear :thumbup:
If you want a bombproof, panel-loading, hydration-compatible pack at a reasonable cost, the Maxped Falcon-II is a great pack. I did a review of it here. It is durable and well constructed, though a bit on the heavier side. More importantly, it doesn’t carry weight as well for longer trips relative to other more comfortable packs. But if you want incredible durability at reasonable cost, it’s a good choice.
Camelbak makes a decent pack as well, I’ve used a Hawg and an Alpine Explorer on hikes. I’d go with the Alpine Explorer, especially if you planning on sticking a full 3L bladder in the bladder pocket. The Alpine explorer also had an internal frame of sorts, some sort of plastic sheet if I recall correctly. But I found the waist-belt to be useless. Both packs were great for short trips/hikes, but neither pack was great for longer hiking treks.
I am still on the search for THE hiking daypack and have just purchased an Osprey Kestrel 38. So far, based on initial impressions, THIS PACK IS AWESOME! It’s a little over your size limit (mine will double as an overnighter pack), but they have 28 and 32 liter versions available as well (the 28 is a top loader, the 32 a panel loader). It is hydration compatible, very roomy, well-designed, and well-constructed. It has lots of great features without being over the top, and most importantly, it carries weight very well. As far as I can tell anyway; I got fitted, loaded it up, and walked around the REI store with it, 20-30 lbs felt like nothing. The internal frame and waist-belt function very well, and I really like the length of the pack as it keeps the weight close to your spine. It really helps with balance and keeping weight off the shoulder via hip-belt. I’ll do a review of it in a couple of months when I’m able to do longer hikes with it (for those interested).
I used to be a modular type gear person, but I’ve learned that for longer treks, I’d be more comfortable with a simple non-modular pack that keeps the weight close to your spine and on your hips, rather than having the weight farther from your body and not supported by your hips. Haven’t taken the Osprey on a hike yet, so take this rec with a grain of salt, but definitely look into well-supported (waist-belt and framed) packs like the Ospreys if you plan on doing longer dayhikes or tend to carry more gear :thumbup:
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It is greatly appreciated and I saw some great looking packs that I'll be considering!