Pack recommendation? Camping/BOB

wildmanh said:
Sounds to me as though your looking for a 2-3 day backpacking and 72 hour emergency pack. Something to use when out in the bush for 2-3 days and in case of emergencies. My backpacking pack is kept loaded and ready for emergencies because most of what I use for a 3 day trip is what I'd use for an emergency. I switch out gear depending on the seasons.

I've been partial to External frame packs for the last few years. Alps Mountaineering and Kelty both offer External frame packs in your price range. The Outdoor Products Dragonfly is another external frame pack to consider. If you're into External frame packs, those are the ones I'd consider.

There are lots of good Internal frame packs also. My 3 day pack is ~70liters. Sometimes I wish it was bigger, then again my sleeping bag is rather large and I carry lots of food. 50l to 75l will do most people for a 2-3 day backpacking/Emergency pack. Kelty and Alps have packs in your price range, so does REI. You might be able to find Vuade, Deuter and Osprey packs for sale in that price range.
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You've pointed out another area I lack experience with. Internal vs. external frames. All I know is that external frames are bigger (though usually better at distributing weight). Is there anything else to consider with that?
 
Another vote for the Kelty Redwing 50. About the right size for what you need, reasonable price and durability.
Comes in muted colors without looking like a military bag.
External packs seem a little antiquated to me.
 
Good internal frame packs hug your body and assuming you packed the weight right that makes you more agile.

External frames are generally less fiddly to pack. You have a bit more stand off between your back and the pack. That gives better back ventilation and protection against pokey things at the expense of less agility on tricky terrain. If you need to overpack you can lash more stuff onto the external frame.

Internal frames get more development dollars and are more widely used.
 
JWheel said:
You've pointed out another area I lack experience with. Internal vs. external frames. All I know is that external frames are bigger (though usually better at distributing weight). Is there anything else to consider with that?
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sideways said:
Good internal frame packs hug your body and assuming you packed the weight right that makes you more agile.

External frames are generally less fiddly to pack. You have a bit more stand off between your back and the pack. That gives better back ventilation and protection against pokey things at the expense of less agility on tricky terrain. If you need to overpack you can lash more stuff onto the external frame.

Internal frames get more development dollars and are more widely used.
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I think sideways pretty much covered it. :)
 
I say go big, or go home. The weights not too bad, until you place the filled 5 gallon jugs on each side. Good thing they made pockets big enough for them:

huge-backpack.jpg
 
There are not many external frame packs still on the market, but old ones can be found. The disadvantage of the old ones is that if you are not careful, you do put yourself at higher risk for brachial paralysis. internal frame packs can be better, but of course, the poor designs can still burn you. The old rule was external frames for open country, internals for close, but that was from when internals were new. Now there isn't much difference at the high end.
 
External frames for bulk equipment or technical gear in safety boxes like photography
 
your BOB and your camping bag both need to accommodate food, water, shelter, comfort and security. They really are much the same needs, and a decent bag should work for either. Only you can determine what is required to satisfy those demands though.
 
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