Need help picking a pack

“I was looking at a new internel pack and I can't decide between the Shasta or the Forester. I was just wondering what some of your thoughts on it.”

“I don't have any thoughts, but thanks for keeping your post short and to the point.

It is Friday, afterall”

“Dare: Shasta is a fine pack... and it has lightened up over the past few years, but its still kind of heavy. Unless you need all that weight bearing structure, go with the Forester its 11 oz lighter and has more loading options at almost the same capacity.

I am assuming, of course, that they both fit you well and that you aren't interested in going lighter than a Forester.”

“Ped, I already tried to sell him on my Gregory Reality, but no go..."too leetle"

Personally, I don't think he deserves a new pack yet...heheheh”

“pickapeckapickledpacks”

“LOL Amy! Well, when he has earned his new backpack... try to sell him on a Mountainsmith Specter (bigger and lighter than either of the Gregorys) or an Osprey Aethyr 75 or 90.

BTW: The difference in weight for those Gregorys is 11 oz for the smalls (the difference is greater for medium and large).

(I'm hopin' you, Dare and the other Critters are happy and havin fun)”

“Get a Osprey!

8)”

“Osprey Motherload anybody? 7lbs, 7000ci. Backpack or duffel. Your choice.”

“Osprey!? What are you, nuts? I'm trying to talk him out of a Gregory, fer dawg's sake.

C'mon guys, tell Dare that KMart makes an excellent pack!

"Northwest Territory" all the way, Dare!

heeeeee
>:D”

“How about McHale? Not anything like Northwest Territory, but worth it.”

“K Mart? Now thats a pack that screams I love you.”

“I own a Forrester and I just love it. I'm really only doing 3 to 5 day trips now in nicer weather so 5000 ci is plenty for me. The Forrester is very comfortable and carried well, plenty of room for all my "stuff".

The Shasta is a bit roomier, so if you are heading out for a week or two, or have a lot of bulky gear (cold weather, lots-o-fleece) it may be a better choice.

Either one is a winner.”

“I wish I could find this monster pack that used to be advertised online. It was like 7000 c.i. There was a thread on here about it; we were making jokes like, at least you didn't need a tent anymore, you could just climb inside it and sleep.”

“Dave- I have tried on just about every pack out there. I highly recommend the Lowe Alpine packs. The shoulder straps and the hip belt has lots of padding. Also it has a air-cooled back system that has lots of padding as well. I would definately check those lines of packs before you make your decision..Good luck.”

“I have a 7000 ci+ Dana Astralplane. You can bivy in it if you need to. I'll be happy to have it when my life is everything I can carry on my back for a year in June...”

“If you want to stick in the Gregory family, the Denali Pro is 7000+ ci.

No argument with bbinkley though, Lowe makes some great packs too. If you have a chance to load them up and try them on, do it. Depending on how you are built one may be more comfortable on you than the other. Both excellent brands though.”

“I would get the Reality. The sleeping bag compartment is no bonus. Once you take out the sleeping bag your pack sits like a wounded duck.”

“Amy, don't you want to rename Dare the Nor'eastern Packmule? Get him a Gregory Shasta or Forrester, something with a good suspension and lots of cubic inches!”

“Why am I suddenly feeling back pains?....lol”

“I'm happy with the Forester that I use but I would be happier with a lighter pack too. For me the Forester rides very well.”

“Go with an Osprey, a Crescent model if you're thinking about volumes 4500 and above. I'm sure Dare can come up with some way to make up the expense.”

“Let's provide a little more background on darlin' Dare. The poor guy is a military mule...
you know the army's motto on backpacks is "if it's comfortable, ya ain't carryin' enuff!"
Naturally, Dare enjoys feeling the burn, which is why I am generous enough to let him carry both his and my gear. :)

My point is here somewhere...
We don't want anything bigger than the Shasta. (I'm rooting for the Reality or at most, the Forester)

Come on people, work with me!

It took me almost a YEAR to get him to buy real boots and leave those 8 lb army boots at home. I now have him duly convinced that "cotton kills" and "nothing says lovin' like gear presents" - yeah, that one's sorta backfiring on me now. :/”

“Well since its a present, he should have a McHale. For a guy like Dare, nothin but the best.”

“he he, I think AmyG should get me a pack soon before I start looking at bigger and better.”

“hmmm....McHale you say? I'll have to check that one out...j/k AmyG”

“he he, I think DareG should get home from work soon before I start looking at bigger and better.

;p
;b
;d
;)”

“Dare, Tell her you want this pack and see how what the reaction is.”

“Forgot to remove the "how".”

“Dare, the McHale packs are the best, and you know that you want the best.”

“Dare: You deserve the McHale.

Amy should be careful not to spend any more money on your pack than you did on that ring.”

“Believe me, it would take quite a few McHales to even come close. I did look at them though, thanks for the link richb. You know if someone got me the Gregory I want, it would probably make me forget seeing the Mchale website.

You know easily I'm distracted.
hint, hint”

“testing”

“wow, html is case sensitive

you learn something new everyday”