Poll: Best backpack?

“I've been shouldering the Dana Designs Archlight Glacier for the past 6 years and I think I need something a bit bigger (6000+ cu in) and was wondering what ya'll thought.

What is you backpack of choice?”

“Wenahaha”

“Bigger than 6000ci??? Eeeeeks”

“I'll let you know when I finally get to try out my new VauDe Grand Canyon. Has all the earmarks of being great. If it fits comfortably, carries comfortably, and you can afford it, won't that make it the best for you (but only you)?”

“For winter and Sherpa duty I love my Gregory Denali Pro. I'm looking for something smaller and lighter for other times though.

Didn't someone suggest a hand truck on an earlier thread?”

“Hey O.J., what sort of knife do tou reccommend?”

“The one that fits you best and carries the gear you want to carry.”

“Mine!”

“6000 is a big pack. What are you carrying?”

“6,000 ci? That's a bivie bag with straps! The Gregory Reality is a good pack I've used the last two trips.”

“gregory is my best.”

“I've yet to find that perfect pack.Now I'm using a Peak 1 Rush and I'm about 80% pleased with it. I think I'll try a Gregory when the Peak 1 wears out.”

“I like Lowe Alpine. They are well built and are affordable. My only gripes are that they a tad heavy,usually 6-7.5 lbs (for a 90+20 liter),and that for some d@mn reason they have not included(actually removed) external pockets on the side and back. Almost all of their older packs had these external pockets. Very durable and comfy,they ride well heavy or light.”

“Arcteryx.

Osprey.”

“Go lighter not Bigger. 6000 = 50lbs+ who needs all that stuff.”

“I've got a Kelty Flight 60 with a range of 3000cu3 base bag only to 5000 with all the pockets attached. This pack is modular to fit your needs, it weighs from 3 to 4 lbs.”

“ditto to didjfan.”

“Dana Designs Alpine is the best pack I've tried, though I saw the new works that was in backpacker, SSSSWWWWEEEEEEEETTTTTT!!!! $600, I dunno, 4 packs in one”

“Arcteryx”

“I believe Gregory makes one called The Whitney which is just huge. It could fit me in it. I saw it at EMS, and though I would never carry that much, I was pretty much in awe ... it's friggin' huge.”

“Osprey, if it fits you.”

“wyrd, not only is it huge, but it's got so many damn bells and whistles that it'll kill ya just luggin it around by itself. Granted, Greogry makes some pretty good sh!t. I've had my Day and a Half pack for 5 years now and I'm just now starting to see slight evidence of the abuse that I've subjected it to.

I don't mind big volume packs at all, personally. I end up being pisgahsherpa most of the time anyway, so a big, cushy, well riding pack is fine with me. And Gregory makes that kinda pack really well. I just wish they'd make more packs with cleaner lines, like their Makalu Pro.

Dana is an over-rated company in my book. Yes, they make great packs. They should be counted as one of the best of many, many companies out there. However, they fall short of the top by a good ways. Arc'Teryx is about the best if it fits yer back, but sometimes that's kinda finicky. I am also extremely impressed with Osprey's new line. Those packs are cheaper than some of the comparable (sp?) stuff - ie Arc'Teryx, Gregory, Dana. Dana is WAY too expensive, especially now that their sh!t is made in Mexico now. Arc'Teryx packs are pricey too, but I think you get more bang for the buck there. Like I said before, Gregory makes very nice, cushy packs, but often are too strap-heavy for me.”

“Vortex”

“Dana, baby, Dana. But I gotta say that I am enjoying my NF Exocet as a lightweight pack.”

“Just for the sake of being different, for the money i give good old kelty the nod.!!”

“I like my Kelty too.”

“8D”

“The pack I like best for "sherpa" duty is a McHale Alpineer. The pack is huge, but with a suspension that can handle the load.”

“MEC Brio 70
kewl green color
and cheap”

“I have four packs now. I have no idea how many I've had over the years, 10? It took me a while before I tried one, but Dana Designs is by far the best pack I've ever owned. The Terraplane won the first Backpacker Gold award for good reason. 6100ci of pure comfort and durability. Try loading different packs at a local store. Everyone's a little different. If you find a pack that feels better than the Terraplane, then you've found one hell of a pack.”

“Like my D/D Alpine Overkill. 7,000+, but you've gotta have a prodigious torso to fit it. I was fitted for it at a local retailer.

BTW, check out the thread for D/D "Killer Deals" at this website. Led to order coupls D/D externals. Real cheap!”

“Gregory Wind river,LG.
carries great! However I am now lookin at the kelty cloud series!Yo bear!”