What's a good pack?

“I'm looking to buy a pack that can carry a lot of camping gear. What brand is good?”

“Osprey... I'll say it a million times.

best pack brand out there IMHO”

“The best!”

“Two days or less??
Kelty Redwing!!!

5 days or less??? Cableas XPG 4000!!
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal-pod.jsp?id=0031777

See ya later.
Randall
last edited: 6/28/07 7:47:58 PM”

“TERRAQUEST, mtnsteve nailed it.
None better.”

“A good pack is any one of them that you can afford and use. Go light or go heavy, just have a safe time.”

“Osprey packs rule.”

“The green ones are usually pretty nice.”

“Osprey is THE Best. I have a ULA, and I love it, fits better then any other pack I ever had, BUT it's not really very durable. Mine tore after one trip. [still usable, but still]”

“Buy a brand name; heck most are made in the same factory anyways.

Get one that fits and can carry all of your newbie stuff.

It would be better to ask instead of what is a good pack; ask what do I need to carry?”

“I've tried others and I also end up back at my Osprey. It was custom fitted for me and I haven't found anything I like better. the key is to get one that fits you well.”

“I love my Dana Designs, Long Bed. I need to save weight so I may get the TerraQuest when I can walk again!”

“Someone here recommended the Gregory Reality.

It is much better than my Kelty and military packs. It molds to my body and rides like a shirt.”

“lovin' my new Arc'teryx pack!!!”

““lovin' my new Arc'teryx pack!!!”
honeybunches
5:50:58 AM
6/29/07



: p”

“Osprey rules. All they make is packs and great stuff. Oprey Atmos 50 is an outstanding pack. Like Gemini I have used ULA but I much prefer the Osprey as it is much more comfy. Although it is heavier than ULA.”

“I just tried out my Osprey Ariel 60 LOVED IT!!! Very comfy!”

“Ospry's are great - but the best pack is the one that fits you best.”

“Roam hit it on the head!

Packs are a little like finding a partner...what suits one person doesn't necessarily suit another.

Also, I recommend you fit the body, not the gender. I have put women into "mens" Gregory packs because they had an extremely long torso and the "womens" pack wasn't quite long enough. I added the womens shoulder straps and waist belt and had an extremely happy customer.

Same thing goes for boots. If you have small, narrow/low volume feet, you may want to look into a womens boot.
last edited: 7/08/07 12:38:51 AM”

“I'm an Osprey girl myself!”

“After 25 years, I am finally considering switching to an internal frame pack.

While I will still use my Kelty external frame in warmer weather/climate, I am thinking of internal frame on winter and distance hikes.

Comments on what to look for other than weight/price/torso lenght (I have to have one 23 inches).”

“Chili:

Some people are really into compartments on their pack and you may be too since most of the external frames I have ever used had a lot. Just something to keep in mind. At a minimum, a toplid to grab quick stuff and a couple of mesh exterior pockets help (actually the mesh is sorta rip prone so watch it with that stuff). So, if you get one without a lot of external compartments, you'll need some sorta org system for inside the pack. I use a lot of different little nylon/sil bags to hold stuff.

Along these lines, the more zippers you have, the more weight. I don't really need all the zippers and just do the topload thing. Less to break and you end up going in through the top a lot of the time anyway.

I really like the "shove-it" type pockets on the front of packs for throwing stuff into (jackets, layers, snacks, etc.).

Anyway, just a couple of thoughts...”

“Thanks. Just the kind of info I was looking for.”

“After years of looking and trying (meanwhile outfitting the scouts in my troop who could not afford gear) I was directed to Gregory by the imminently qualified Sir Nigal. I love my pack.”

“How may nickels and dimes do you want to spend on this pack?

If it's a lot, check out McHale backpacks.”

“It's not a lot.”

“If the pack works for you and makes hiking fun....its worth it.”

“McHales are great for hauling BIG loads. I have two external pockets on either side, plus the lid and that's it. I find it plenty adequate. My big hauler has no outside pockets BUT it does have a netting stuff area that i use for snacks, rain cover adn the like. It also has the water bottle 'holsers' on the sides.

New feature i've seen on this years versions.... a small zipper pocket on the hip belt - just right for candy bars, small camera, etc.

Looks really nice and convenient.”