Searching for a sturdy pack

reconseed

reconseed

Joined
Sep 23, 2006
Messages
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I am looking for a good pack that will endure rough weather and be able to carry a sturdy load and hold up. I have a few packs that I have been given over the years and the one that I have taken with me thus far is the North Face Yavapai, if thats the correct way to spell it.. And it has been great. However, it is more of a urban pack or made for carrying books on a campus I believe from the construction of the pack.

I was wondering if North Face products are as tough as any other hiking pack you can get. Forgive me if this sounds naive but I am not well-versed with hiking packs as well as I would like to be. I am also looking at an Osprey pack. It carries 35 pounds of gear and was very comfortable. I tried one out at a loca outdoor shop and i believe the price tag was $149.99. A little steep but I loved it. Are north face packs as good as the osprey line? or could someone link me to another company that I should look into? Thanks.
 
Thanks bill_G. I will look into those. I think the local outdoor store i shop at carries kelty.
 
I took a Kelty on a 2-week tour of the United Kingdom this summer. It held up quite well with 30-35 lb. loads. Kelty Moraine in large. I think I got it on clearance at Campmor, but it's been a while.

Also recommended are backpacks by Gregory. Very comfortable and a full line geared toward just about every need--from ultralight to expedition.
 
Everything is pretty much inferior to kifaru packs, but you will pay for them. I have 7 packs from them, 3 shelters, and learned about Busse from a guy on the kifaru boards. Now I have 6 of them!

Anyway, it depends on the weight you are carrying for adequate suspension, then adequate volume. Their spike camp pack is good for an overnighter in fair weather, a perfect day pack, and can carry up to around 40-60lbs in comfort all day, and weighs under 3lbs! Amazing stuff.
 
In general you get what you pay for. Gregory and Osprey seem to be where the good values are in retail packs that give you 90% of what's available at a fraction of the cost of the 99% solution.

Matchgrade's comments about suspension and stuff are dead on. If you are new to hiking packs, pay retail at a specialist shop and get one that fits you. A pack at 70% off retail that isn't adjusted properly or the right size for your body is a waste of money.

If you have a local hiking club, talk to the people there as well and ask them about good and bad experiences. Finally, it is better to spend $300 once then $150 every two years unless this is a one time experience.
 
Sid Post said:
In general you get what you pay for. Gregory and Osprey seem to be where the good values are in retail packs that give you 90% of what's available at a fraction of the cost of the 99% solution.

Matchgrade's comments about suspension and stuff are dead on. If you are new to hiking packs, pay retail at a specialist shop and get one that fits you. A pack at 70% off retail that isn't adjusted properly or the right size for your body is a waste of money.

If you have a local hiking club, talk to the people there as well and ask them about good and bad experiences. Finally, it is better to spend $300 once then $150 every two years unless this is a one time experience.
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Very true. I might just get the $149.99 Osprey pack. It only holds comfortbaly up to 35 pounds though. That should be enough for the hiking I am planning to do
 
Check out this REI link on choosing a backpack.

A very important measurement is your torso length. You can measure this length yourself, or you can go into an outfitter (like REI) and get measured.

Also a good idea to go in and try on backpacks. Most quality stores will have sand bags you can load into the backpack, so that you can feel how they wear with a load inside. You can choose to buy from the store, or you can go online and try to get a deal on the same model/size. Still, shop wisely before you buy. I tried on the above-mentioned Kelty at an REI and made sure of fit before I bought online.

Edited to add: Backpackers are nuts about their gear. Gear and food are the top topics of conversation among hikers. So there naturally are a lot of gear review sites online. Here's one: http://www.trailspace.com/gear/ There are lots more. If you are thinking about a pack, just type its name in Google and add the keyword "review."
 
What are the Lowe Alpine packs like? The Sting and Strike have both caught my eye, particularly as i am looking for a pack compatible with PLCE side pouches. Is the quality of these good? Is there a better 35-50 litre pack that can take PLCE side pouches?
 
Lowe Alpine makes quality gear, from everything I've read and heard.
 
Another decent packmaker is Dana Design. I've had my Dana for more than ten years, and I nearly overstuff it every time I use it. I haven't had even a buckle fail thus far. Ultra solid, but I did pay for the quality. It is about a 2700 ci pack. it wasn't in Dana's flagship line in 1995, yet I paid around $280 for it. So far it has been worth every penny.

I have a smaller, simpler Oprey pack that I have designated as mostly a ropes/climbing pack. It isn't as beefy as the Dana, but it has certainly held up well. Ropes and hardware aren't light, either.

You don't necessarily need to spend a gazillion dollars to get a good, quality pack these days. My recommenddation would be to try as many as you can, loaded, and see which one(s) are the most comfortable. Most pack stores have sandbags and stuff to simulate a loaded pack. If you don't try before you buy, you may end up with something that you just can't fit right. If you mail/Internet order something, make sure you know the return policy.

And The North Face does still make high quality gear. TNF has outfitted many expeditions to the tallest peaks in the world. I have a bunch of TNF gear from an old Hot Shot daypack to numerous tents and sleeping bags, and it's all top notch stuff. I'd say TNF would also be a brand worth looking at.

I've read good things about Kifaru, but I wouldn't go as far as saying EVERYTHING else is inferior to Kifaru.
 
+1 on the Dana Designs. Never owned one, but they consistently review well in the articles I've read.
 
i've done extensive hiking/backpacking with a dana pack. It held up excellently. I didnt' see in your first post... what are you planning on using the pack for?
 
Good info here! Have owned most of the brands stated - Settled on an Osprey as my soft-frame mountaineering pack. DANA just didn't suit me, and I didn't like the North Face stuff at the time...
Also have a Kelty MAP 3500 for a great day bag (found it at tacticalassaultgear.com) , sturdy enough and comfortable enough to strap on extra gear like a lite-weight sleeping bag or small shelter...
Also you may want to look for Mountainsmith gear... they make a lot of good bags and if you have access to used mountain gear shops, you can usually find one in really good shape at a good price...
 
Thanks guys, I went back to the outdoor shop I shop at and tried on the Osprey Atmos 35 ( i think that is the model) and I am going to end up getting in probably, on Friday. Its $149.99 and an incredible pack. Fills like its a part of my body when I have it on. I cant imagine there being a more comfortbale pack that this one. It has the mesh backing with openspace between the mesh webbing and the back of the backpack and steel inserts making the frame.

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Oh yea, this Osprey pack also has 2 slings for me to carry my 2 VTAC's I have on the way!!!! :)
 
"Also you may want to look for Mountainsmith gear... they make a lot of good bags and if you have access to used mountain gear shops, you can usually find one in really good shape at a good price..."

Here here. Patrick Smith sold mountainsmith to the corporations catering to the REI crowd. He got tired of sacrificing design efficiency for the sake of new marketing fads in gear. He then started Kifaru, and you can only get it from their website. Mountainsmith has lots of Patricks good work in that some are light and have suspension better than most.
 
Nice pack reconseed! Yep, my Osprey feels like it is part of me when I use it, too. I think Osprey does a great job with getting pack loads to ride close to your body.

Not to be a wet blanket, but did you try on other packs in the same price/size range at that store? If you have the opportunity to do so, try on other packs. Not so much to talk yourself out of the Osprey, but more so to see how different packs feel. Every manufacturer has different little fitment issues and quirks. You may find that there are other packs that are just as comfortable, or you may realize that Osprey is the way to go if you ever want a larger or smaller pack. My Osprey fits me very well, as does my Dana, but they both have completely different suspension setups, as they are completely two different types of packs.

Then again, if the Osprey feels great for you, and it fits your budget and capacity requirements, by all means, go for it. I'm just trying to help you make the best, most informed decision so you can get the best bang for your buck. Good luck, and have fun!
 
I have that exact pack. The shoulder straps and hip pockets are the most comfortable I've ever used--like it was made to conform to my body. There aren't any hot spots that rub, all parts of the suspension system contact my body with equal pressure. In summer you'll really appreciate the waffled-nature of the straps and the ventilation holes in them. It also carries the load nice and tight against your back.

Good choice, enjoy!
 
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