Another Rookie Question

“I still need to find a good INEXPENSIVE 3 day pack.

Any favorites for under $125”

“A good way to select a pack as a beginner is to go to REI or a good backpacking store. Check out the packs, try them on, see what features you like don't like. Hands on. You will also get an idea of price range. Once you know what you might want, shop the net or buy local. People here find some good bargains on ebay or discount places like Sierra Trading Post.”

“check out binks store

he's got an awesome deal on the granite gear virga.

i have one and i like it alot.

3200 cu. in. and only weighs 1 lb 4 oz. - perfect for a 3 season weekend pack.

bink's selling them for 85 bucks right now (15% off) with free shipping.”

“Kelty Trekker, external frame, about $120


You can always lash a stuff sack to the frame and make it into a multiday pack.”

“Thanks Ill try that. There aren't to many good store in the Toledo area.”

“go to REI right now because they are having a big sale. 20% off, you can get a decent REI pack for $69 right now. It would be plenty for 3 days.”

“REI.com

save it in your favorates”

“right now I'm thinking minute rice gravy, & dehydrated chicken. And other "Just Add Water" type of foods”

“violin has one but i heard it's sh1tty......”

“Three days???


WTF? Dayhiker packs in steaks; pizza; and fresh fruit on his three day hikes.”

“I think several folks here use Rokk for an inexpensive pack. The worlds the limit if you're doing a weekend pack and light loads. With light loads about anything will work. My first two years hiking I used a 2800 ci daypack and it was fine. Granted, I had to strap lots of stuff to the outside, but it worked.”

“compare the weight of the pack to the volume it'll carry.

i don't think you can do much better than the GG virga (including a hipbelt)

especially for the price.

golite's got some decent light packs too.”

“chili, I did that in the daypack I referenced too.

check out Enertia meals for food. Light, fast, easy, cheap, and it tastes pretty good. I think it's enertia.com or something similiar. The gear store mentnioned above (backpackigndeals) also carries them.”

“PS, chili, that was a 4 day hike, thank you very much.”

“ya, binks also got a deal going on with enertia food.
free shipping this month.

last week i ordered a case for the 10 day i'm doing next month.”

“I might servive the trip to Zaleski after all.

I gues I'm spending my lunch hour shopping online”

“I'm in the minority on this opinion, but I use an old Kelty external frame. I would go on ebay, or go to a used sporting goods store, and get an old green nylon Kelty external frame. They were built to last forever, and would be great for 2-9 days. Mine is the Kelty Tioga, circa 1973. It carries heavy loads, is comfortable, and still works just fine. You should be able to find one for $50-$70, or less.”

“If you go the old Kelty route, look for a green one, made in their Glendale factory, with four pockets on the sides, two on each side, and a large external pocket on the back, a lower and upper compartment, the upper compartment undivided, and a load bar on the top. If it has the old strap type waist belt, buy it anyway, but then buy a high quality hip belt.”

“backpack food = Liptons "cooks in 7 minutes" rice and noodles. repack into snack size baggies, plus 3 oz can or pack of chicken.

oatmeal for breakfast, make your own with snack size baggies

bag of bagles with cheeze and some dry salami for lunch



Damn, this is making me excited, when do we leave?”

“Just found a Kelty Sierra Crest $89 @ REI. Hopefully it gets here in time.”

“I saw some nice Lowe Alpine packs on sale for 99 on www.sierratradingpost.com”