backpacks for gals

“I presently have an external frame pack, generally carry about 30 lbs.,usually lots of that is food and water. Want to get input on switching to an internal pack..pros, cons, comments, etc. Usually have to improvise some makeshift shoulder pads for comfort...can I get some advice on more comfortable hiking? Thanks!”

“An internal frame makes your back sweat more, has fewer packing method options and can more easily crush items packed inside. I wouldn?t use anything else. Internals also make the load more a part of you. It is closer to your back and moves with you better. This is important when negotiating difficult terrain. If you ski, snowshoe, scramble, bushwack, climb or run on the trail, internal is the way to go. It is more like an article of clothing. Get the fit right. Test and fit the pack with a load in it.”

“I need a pack for my 15 yr old daughter. Since I am confident she will only go hiking once or twice has anyone got a used one for sale, cheap?”

“bacpac,

I have a Camp Trails triad. It was used once. They're not expensive to begin with so I can sell it to you real cheap. My e-mail is molson@mtu.edu.”

“Utahiker, did you get a new pack? What did you find worked good for you?”

“Osprey Luna 60.
http://ospreypacks.com/2001packs.html”

“60 is kinda small for longer trips.”

“Gregory Forester and the Arc'teryx (sp?) Khasmin 70 are the packs we are using now. Both are extremely comfortable! Wide padded shoulder straps and great comfy hip belts. I don't think I'd ever go back to an external frame pack.”

“Another little nugget of backpack buying info brought back to the top.”

“Thanks Lyndy.. info that I need help on.

Any ideas on this pack? Talus 35
I've been looking at it on REI. Is it big enough for a weekend trip?”

“In the spring and summer, it's probably big enough. My Aether 60 is big enough for a weekend any season. You might want to think just a tad bigger.”

“I have the Trek Pack from Golite on its way .I hear it's a pretty cool and light pack.”

“I've got my eye on one of those P2 packs from ULA, same one that Birch and Sass have.”

“But that's definately NOT a woman's pack. The shoulder straps aren't curved, or set narrower or anything.

Miss Opie, see if you can find a Lowe Alpine Netherworld ND 70 anywhere. It's an inexpensive womens' pack, built like a brick you-know-what house (mine is 6 and none the worse for the wear) with many very nice features. Tarabull found the newer model for $139 last year and loves it as much as I do. It's definately constructed with a woman's endowments in mind. It's roughly 3700 cu, with cinch down straps all over so it can go smaller. If you go to RRG you can check out Tbull's.”

“I really want a new pack but unfortunally my monitor just burned out on my computer. I was planning on buying a pack with this paycheck but it looks like my money is going towards a new computer. Does anyone have a used women's backpack that they might consider selling? Or know anywhere that I can buy a decent low price women's pack?”

“miss opie--

do you need to buy a whole new computer?? i have an old monitor just sitting in my room that you can have. email me if you're interested.”

“tigerdirect.com has some decent barebones and component prices.”

“I don't have to buy a whole new computer, but mine is out of date. I barely have any room left on my hard-drive, my processor is only 450 mhz, I just feel like its time to get a new computer. I appreciate the offer on the monitor, I'm actually using my uncle's monitor right now. But I think I'm just going to go with a whole new PC.”

“Sounds kind of small.”

“That's a pretty small pack. But if you're just carrying your bag, clothing and food, it would probably be enough, especially in the summer.

Make OPIE carry all that other stuff next time.”

“Yeah, the key is you just carry a 2000ci pack, and make Opie carry the 7000ci pack and all the gear!”

“shhh.. thats what i'm trying to do”

“Is this a good deal?

does anybody know anything about this pack?”

“Nope, but the price is right! Just got a Kelty Satori 4700 (womens) and I love it- so far. Going to try to take it on 7-9 day trip in Sierras in July for the real test.”

“I've been searching online and the '03 models for this pack price around $170-180. If I can't find anywhere around Huntsville to try on this pack I'm going to go to REI in Nashville over the weekend. I don't think I can beat the price.”

“Good Luck- hope it works out for you”

“http://www.rei.com/product/47783870.htm?vcat=REI_SSHP_CAMPING_TOC

Do any of you have this pack? I need to buy a pack with a capacity of more than 4000 cu and a good suspension system for carrying up to about 50 pounds. (I am going to Philmont with my son in June.) I tried it on at the outfitter today and it felt good. I plan to go back tomorrow with my gear and see how it feels with my stuff.

Anyway, I would love to hear some feedback.”

“I don't have the pack you mentioned, but I have the following (from REI at about the same price on their clearance racks last summer). It's a Haiku 4250. It is my first "real" backpack (i.e. not a daypack) and I really liked it. It was light and comfortable! I think it's been discontinued and replaced by the Haiku 4350 or something like that-- but It was a good price and worked well for me!

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=16440723&memberId=1250022

my hubby, Thinkbubelz has a pack with the zippable bottom, but since we line our packs with a heavy-duty garbage bag, it doesn't really help us.... The Haiku 4250 doesn't have many side zip pockets, but I think it's still pretty good, because that means less zippers to break in the long run!
last edited: 2/19/05 9:14:23 PM”

“Oh, and I think I carried about 50-60 lbs.... on my trip to Alaska with my pack.”

“Thanks pinkbubelz! The capacity is 3500 - 4250. Is there an extra sleeve or something for the additional capacity? I am wondering were the difference comes in.

The price is good! I just hope I can find one in my area to try on.”

“The one I have is a 4250...I am guessing that it's because on the top of the main body of the backpack there are 2 tying cinches to give some extra room. (you can either cinch the bottom one only, or if you have more stuff, you elongate the main body and use the top cinch.) (Hopefully, that makes some sense to you).


I bought mine because it was on clearance at REI (about the same price as Campmor has it listed now.) Seemed like a steal at the time, considering its "regular price". The purple color was cool, too.. ;-D It was about 1/2 off, as I recall. I'm pretty sure it's been discontinued, because I haven't seen any on REI's online or in-store sites, and Kelty doesn't have info online about it either. It's nice and light compared to some of the other packs I've tried, AND It adjusts well (at least for me). I'm only 5'4" and some packs seem to be too long for me.

It's got 2 small mesh "bottle holders" on the side (only elastic on top, they don't zip out or anything. but you can cram little stuff in there.

The only drawback is that if you want the zippered sleeves on the sides, this one doesn't have any. I usually just line my bag with a heavy duty garbage bag, so I don't mind it not having the side sleeves.

It does, however have a nice little pouch for your hydration pack. :-) and I like how you can put your tube to either side of the bag.

I hope you can find one locally, but it might be kind of hard.... Good luck!”

“Yes, Pinkbubelz has explained the range in capacity on that pack. The top closure has a 'collar' that extends upward to expand the capacity of the pack. The top can still be cinched closed once it's stuffed to the max and the lid will still somewhat fit over the top.

I've sent you an email to the addy in your profile, Creek Dancer.”

“Back at ya cow patty!”

“I am just day hiking right now, so I would like to know what kind of day packs are you ladies using that you are happy with and roughly how much did they cost you? Or what features do you wish yours had?”