Cheap backpacks?

“I need a new backpack, but i don't feel like spending a ton of money. When i went shopping at target the other day they have eddie bauer backpacks that seem okay. Should I go cheap? Anyone ever own one?”

“Depends on how long you're going. Two days at a crack, you can get by cheap. For a week or more, you want to finish with the same pack on your back you started off with, so spend some bucks.”

“I bought one last year its been a good pack so far, seems to carry the load very well and has good features to it. There was a link on it also, I'll see if I can revive it for you.”

“Eddie Bauer Internal Frame Pack - Large
$99.99

When you head off to explore the country, let the Eddie Bauer® Expedition Internal Frame Backpack be your companion. Side and vertical elastic compression system lets you squeeze an amazing amount of stuff in. Use the internal divider for organizing, or unzip and remove it for one huge pack. Two vertical front pockets keep frequently used items within reach. Padded wraparound waist suspension and adjustable sternum strap ensure comfortable, proper placement on back. Features an internal frame with aluminum stays to help distribute the load comfortably. The nonslip lining on cobra-cut shoulder straps keeps pack in place. Includes padded, mesh-covered back panel, built-in pocket for hydration bladder, mesh bottle pockets, 2 ice-axe holders, a raincover and a daisy chain gear organizer. Zip off the top pocket for use as a waist pack during day trips. High-density 420 denier diamond ripstop nylon body with 1000 denier Kodra nylon bottom. 5,500 cubic inches. 5.5 lbs. Lifetime limited manufacturer's warranty. Imported.
34Hx16Wx8D"”

“You get what you pay for”

“See my notes under the Eddie Bauer and Target thread!”

“"You get what you pay for"
Gear Slut

Now there is a man with a lot of faith in manufacturers and the retail system.”

“a href="http://www.campcircle.com/254/1229.htm?954">GREAT PACK”

“I have that pack.Its a ok pack for winter backpacking.

As for cheap backpacks the Coleman ones are very good backpacks and they are very cheap.

8)”

“i found a camp trail pack today that looks good for my boy. they are cheap.”

“I'm sure your backs will appreciate the cheap packs.”

“Cheap sounds so...cheap.

"Inexpensive" sounds like you're getting a good deal on the price.”

“Everybody seems to think high price means high quality, without looking at the GEAR first,, my kids cringe when I "check out" stuff,, I inspect everything and tug at the seams,, if they seem weak, forget it! I haven't found an internal frame system yet that I can really say I like,, I know they're popular, but I still would rather have backbands for ventilation any day. I still use a Camp Trails frame and Boy Scout Camper model canvas pack, 30 years old, and it's still lighter and more comfortable than my Lowe. The only pack I've seen that comes close is the Kelty Tioga as well as the newer Camp Trails models, but everybody has to find their own way. Check out yard and church sales for bargains, that's how I got my Lowe for $5!”

“If you can find a good quality pack on sale, that's great. Not all quality packs need to cost a lot but most do for a reason. Some homemade or ultralite packs are quite reasonable. However, some of you can try and convince yourselves that the bargain brand pack you picked up at the local department store is a gem but in the end you can dress up the pig in your best church clothing but it's still a swine. You have my sympathy if you can't afford better and I suppose being able to get outdoors with any pack is better than staying at home.”

“My wife has the Eddie Bauer Backpack. She doesn't go backpacking that often, maybe once or twice a year. She likes it. A couple of friends of mine have used it since they don't have packs of their own. Nobody has any complaints. I think it's just as good as mine and I have a $160 Jansport.”

“External packs are a lot cheaper than internals so if that fits you you can check those out. I just bought a Camp trails external Spirit II for $65 and souped it up with a Gregory hipbelt a homemade lumbar pad and a totally custom fit by tweaking the suspension myself. I have under $100 invested in this pack and the bottom line is that the only pack that feels better to me is my McHale Critical Mass pack. This pack blows away any other internal I tried. The stability is good to since the fit is so good it doesn't sway all over my back. Out of the box, I didn't like the lower suspension of the Camp Trails and junked it, but with the modifications I made only my McHale feels better and that is saying a lot.”

“ROKK. I bought one and it only cost me$79.00. it is a VERY good pack.”

“I just got a 50 dollar raise in my budget for a pack, that means I can spend about 120-130 on a pack. I looked at REI they seem like they have some nice ones. Any suggestions with my lovely new budget?”

“Mountain Gear has the Dana Designs Shortbed on sale for $99. I've had the larger Longbed for about 5 years now and absolutely love it.

Good luck & happy hiking!”

“Wal-Mart has the Coleman Peak One Lunar internal frame and about 4000 cubic inches for 80 dollars. I have this pack and use it alot. Keep in mind that a long trip for myself is 5 days, and most often I only get out one or two nights at a time. I use it about two weekends in a month, and this is the first year that I have had it. It is a comfortable pack, and well worth the 80 bucks to get it. Use the money you save pay for your trip!!”

““I suppose being able to get outdoors with any pack is better than staying at home."

- Gear Slut
09:09:42 PM
06/16/02

I disagree. I’m all for raising the entry level price to backpacking. The more expensive the gear - the less crowded the trails. It has the added benefit of keeping the more common elements out. I’d be all in favor of an expensive backpacking license, at least for the nicer areas.”

“Ok, i went to Target today and tried on one of those EB packs. It felt extremely cheap but reasonably comfortable empty. I doubt it would last for more than a year. However, I admit it might make an ok beginner pack or a pack for an infrequent hiker.”

“Its all a matter of looking around!!!

8)”

“G Slut, I don't appreciate you calling my pig a swine. She dresses up purty dern good. ;-)”

“LMFAO!!!!!

8)”

“'... I’m all for raising the entry level price to backpacking. The more expensive the gear - the less crowded the trails. It has the added benefit of keeping the more common elements out. I’d be all in favor of an expensive backpacking license, at least for the nicer areas.'
Violin

I agree. In fact, let's make it illegal and keep eveyone out. Then there will be no trash, no accidental starting of forest fires, no trail deterioration, and no trail maintenance required. And I will be freed from all trail talk forums. BTW, I'm probably a sub-common element.”

“I ventutred into rei today on a trip to austin. Well, i caught sight of a nice pack, the salseman helped out, he was very helpful, it fit great. Sigh* I spent too much, no more allowance for the rest of the summer. *sigh
http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=11386102&prmenbr=8000&cgrfnbr=4500572
check it out if you want tell me what you think.”

“Well I dont know. Everone says that the name brands are so much better than the rest but I hike light at around as heavey as 25 lbs and I bought a k-mart 10 dollar special with a good hip susspension and nice padding that weighs in at 2.5 lbs and its lasted 2 years and its lasted pretty well.

Just check out the way the seams are sewn and determine if it will fit your needs. I just wouldnt buy a brand name 300 dollar pack just because the hype.

Nelson”

“I don't know about that!

....And not all kick @ss packs cost that much!

8)”

“I bought a Jack Wolfskin pack...paid a Pretty penny for it too. Then Walkindude had a Rokk, I thought it was a great pack...bought it too. Now I wish I could take back the wolfskin. the Rokk is an equal in every way, and only cost $79.00 vs 200.00. Wish I would a known then, what I know now.”

“Gee I have many packs that cheap. And you get a good name like Jansport, Jack Wolfskin, and the new Pound plus pack for you lightweighters...its just $110.00 and weighs under two pounds! So give me a call and I'll fix ya up.
1-866-300-0649 Zoe's
Barb”

“Expensive doesn't automatically mean it's all hype. Inexpensive doesn't automatically mean crap either.”

“Good name = Jansport and Jack Wolfskin????? LMAO!

I must have taken the wrong turn and ended up lost on the hobo board.”

“It shouldn't really surprise me that there is a hobo message board linked to from this site for hobos.”

“Your internet researching skills are totally amazing for a guy with only one foot.”

“You can get a 'GVP4' for half that price and carry a 5 lb sleeping bag to accomplish the same weight as the 'NS'.Only consider the 'GVP4'if you commit yourself to loads under 30lb.”

“If you can get the Dana frampack for under a buck, do it; in fact, I got a Dana "Terraframe" from northernmountain.com last year for the same price. You're getting a quality pack, not a cheap pack: You're just paying a cheap price.

Another recommendation is to check out Campmor to see what they have on sale from Camp Trails. Camp Trail packs are inexpensive, but industrial. Their durability is the reason one finds them often in the equipment rooms of college outing clubs. In fact, some years back I got a Camp Trails "Wilderness" internal-frame job at about 5200 c.u. for $69. It's a great pack and, although I've used mostly as a loaner pack for friends, it'll probably still be around long after I'm gone. Check 'em out!”

“My experience with my Camp Trails pack was less rewarding.”

“I'll sell you my $160 Jansport for $1,000 if it'll make you feel better.”

“im done looking, i have found a pack, paid 200. Don't say more good things about cheap packs, please, your hurting my ears.”

“What did you get?

By the way, my friend just ordered the Dana Design Shortbed after his 20 year old Jansport broke on our recent trip.

Good luck with the new pack!”

“I've got a Rokk Front Range (internal) that I paid $74 for ... good for winter but too hot in summer. I use a $99 external for warm months.

Oh, I carry 30lbs or less.

Works for me!”

“Violin
Well I think that the licence will keep out the white trash kind of people but you still have the rich people that buy thousands of dollars of gear for a singal trip. Rich people just look for things to spend money on.

Mabe a instructional class or a licencce test would be a more practical idea.

Then again if you had a licence the money could go toward the trail up keep which is always good.

Nelson”

“Heres you a cheap backpack..

My used Kelty Klondike ( $50 ) and a Lowe Alpine Netherworld
( $100 )..

Great condition...Your pick =)”

“Well gee I guess gear slut thinks you need big names for good stuff
WRONG!!!!!!!
Everyone doesn't want to pay for someones name on their gear.
You should purchase what you like and feels good on you.....
So that is way I like Jack Wolfskin its fits me great and doesn't hurt after 18 mile days.
So go ahead and LYAO!!!!!!!
Barbara”

“If most of the cheapo companies mentioned in this topic, made great fitting quality packs they would cost more because of the materials and labor put into them. In my experience, most cheap packs feel bad because they are poorly designed, use cheap materials, or skimp on the quality of workmanship. Once you have tried a few quality packs out, you'll never go back. Money is no option where my comfort is concerned...what a thing to go cheap on!!! It's all about comfort and enjoyment on the trail, don't rip yourselves off.”

“Gear Slut has a good point!

8)”

“Well I have tried the more expensive like Osprey which is a GREAT pack and we do sell that one also. But the fit was not good for me. So I think whatever feels good and performs to your expectations is great.
To each his own.
Barbara”

“I agree with gear slut..I tried out an Osprey and it fit like a glove..Id gladly give up the $$$ for comfort and durability..

Plus them being from Colorado is a big bonus.. =)”