Help me find a backapck

“Looking for something bigger than a daypack, and smaller than a backpack.

Internal frame.

Specifically for hut to hut hiking in the White Mountains. Will not need to hold a tent, sleeping bag, or stove. Will have to hold full supply of all weather gear, lunches, water, sheet type sleep sack etc.

I would like it big enough to stretch into a 2 day backpack (cram in a sleeping back, strap on a tent).

I would love some makers, and specific models. If you have cheap resources for purchase, so much the better (although I can do a web/campmor/rei/ems search with the supply of names).


Thanks in advance for your thoughful response.

OH, a special PS: to Radagast. YES, I am sure that this has been addressed before. NO, I did not do a search for it. YES, I would none-the-less appreciate your input!!!!”

“REI half dome.

i use it for 1 to 4 days.

it rocks, yo!”

“"backpack"

hee hee”

“lee, are you talking a summer-weight sleeping bag or a 3-season? I can fit an "overnight" or 2-day warm weather trip (40F bag, hammock, Pocket Rocket/canister, 1-pt cup, Precip jacket) in a couple of my "day" packs if needed, my Jansport Dart Frog or my Lowe Walkabout. Depends on the compactness of your rain gear, stove, tent, etc., to determine how much different the two loads (hut-to-hut vs. camping) are. Check to see how it will carry if really crammed or with items strapped on the outside. Consider a slightly larger pack that has compression straps that allow tightening up the bag on a small load if you want one bag to do two things, or a smaller top-loader that has a spin-drift collar and a floating lid so it can be overpacked.”

“Uhm - - --Rad thanks for answering . .. .uhm . . I did a search for the Half Dome and it comes up with a model of TENT.

Am I confused . . . ?

Still appreciating your assistance.

Don't you carry a Kelty of some sort???”

“Pekka --

From your post:

"Consider a slightly larger pack that has compression straps that allow tightening up the bag on a small load if you want one bag to do two things, or a smaller top-loader that has a spin-drift collar and a floating lid so it can be overpacked"

This is the exact type of pack for which I am looking for a reccommendation.

I wrote down your jansport and lowe . . any other ideas?”

“Are you looking for a pack with a waist belt? Both Osprey and Mountainsmith make very nice smaller capacity packs. If you need a frame size over 20 inches, the Osprey packs have better sizing options, I think. But I got a good deal on a Boundary pack (about 2600 C.I. capacity)from Mountainsmith, so that's what I ended up with.”

“ack!

kelty?!?!?

NEVER!!!”

“REI item #640637”

“Dag, has anyone tried out that mountainsmith ghost 3000 (or any of the other mountainsmith light products)? I doesn't weigh much at all. I'm looking for a light weekender as well, but raddy's half dome might be a little smaller than what I'm looking for (no hidden meanings here, folks).”

“Ccheck the paclite site and the paclite thread.”

“excuse that last statement...IT doesn't weigh much at all. I cannot say the same for myself.

Does anyone have any of the lighter REI weekenders? Good prices.”

“lee, I think you need to find a Backpacker Gear Guide for this year. There are so many to discuss. That's why I mentioned my two, the new Dart Frog, $99, is semi panel-loading with side compression and a framesheet, organizer pockets, and a reservoir pocket; the Lowe Walkabout (mine is a decade-old version) is a top loader with two side pockets and a web waistbelt, padded back and straps, no frame. Basically a rucksack.

One issue you'll face in the 2,100-2,400 ci packs is whether it will have a padded waistbelt or just webbing.

If you move up to around 3,000 ci, there are packs like Mountainsmith's new Ghost Pack. 3,100 ci, hoop internal frame, panel loading with compression and bungees, a reservoir pocket, and only 2 lb 6 oz. About $150. Got a BP editor's choice award this year.

You've got a lot of shopping to do.”

“Just a thought..I was shopping in Target last night and just "happened" to end up in the camping section. What I found there blew me away..

Eddie Bauer has a "daypack" that is 3400 cu in, has a built in platapus hydration system (complete with byte valve) that can be taken off and used by itself or it can fit in a pocket inside the pack. Also, it has 2 compartments (top and bottom) that can be zipped into one big one.

Sirpete showed me a pack of his that he could strap on a tent and sleeping bag and make do for a few days..I believe this pack could do the same.

I wasn't crazy about the color, but the zip out, attached, pack cover sorta nulified that problem.

Best part..was on sale for $40.80 down from $48. It had a padded back, padded waistbelt, sternum strap and contoured/padded shoulder straps.

Naturally, I bought it..heck the hydration sysytem alone is worth at least $25.

Just one of my "finds"..good luck.”

“Tx et al --
Thanks for input.

Speaking of 3400 cubic inches . . .

I did a lot of online poking around last night. I found some neat technical climbing packs that migt serve my purpose, but 2000-2,500 seems a tad small. My current pack is 5000+.

3000 cubic inch would probably cover my hut to hut scenario. What about a weekend backapck?
I gotta go actually look at and handle some of the packs. Can't get good frame of reference off a picture.”

“Have found two packs that may be appropriate on CAMPMOR.

Next question . . .how has people's experience been with CAmpmor?

Return policy etc. I may order both on spec. and then return at least one if not both.”

“lee, a look at the ultralight thread should give you some idea of how much you can get into a 2,100 -2,400 ci pack. Certainly a 3,000 ci pack will do much more than hut-to-hut. My first internal frame, a Wilderness Experience, from back in the late 70s, is about 3,400 and I used it for weeklong Isle Royale trips (visible in my pics on Phil's photo page). I could overstuff it because it has an extension/spindrift collar. But with today's even smaller stoves and tents, and high tech clothes/rainwear, etc., I could have gone lighter and more compactly than the 35 lbs. I carried.

I'm leaving for Madison in a couple minutes. I'll keep my eyes open in the gear stores for anything interesting while I'm down there.”

“You need help finding your backpack????

How the hell do you loose a BP on the trail??”

“I did a search of the Granite Gear packs for you. The link below is the best match I could come up with. They specialize in specific use packs, i.e. ice climbing, backcountry skiing/snowboarding, etc. The packs are high quality and made here in the USA (Minnesota).
Granite Gear packs”

“I theenk the Wenahaha is the perty good pakpak. I got one and it does reel good. But you prolly not better bite the strips cuz they will brake and the pakpak will not stay on yer bak good and everbuddy will yell at you and you will hafta get it fixed.”

“AS I mentioned on another thread, the Serratus packs made by MEC in CAN look pretty friggin' cool.”

“L.L. Bean Guide series Summit pack

2600 ci
4.5 lbs
$145”

“I saw a Japanese tourist with the Osprey Aetheral on a train in Switzerland. It looked like a great mid range, light pack. I didn't try it on. He seemed taken aback that I even wanted to ask him about it. He like it, though.”

“THANKS TO ALL!! I have done a ton of online looking (following your leads) and tomorrow night will go to my local EMS.

The fantastic responses to this thread certainly redeem/refute even the most cynical Trail Talk critic's complaint that most of the forum is dedicated to soap opera topics.

Great information. Thanks again!!!!”

“Lee if you find something you like at Campmor I highly recommend buying from them. I have had nothing but good experiences and their return policy is very good AAAA+”

“Got a Arcteryx and a Osprey. Awesome backs!
Look at the Osprey in a store and get fit. Then watch the web.They redesigned this year, and the old styles are super cheap!”

“I would have to recommend the heavy-duty garbage bag over the shoulder method. It is cheap and water proof. This pack will never fail on the trail, and is very comfortable. The green garbage bag will hold up to 30 gallons of gear and won't rip at all. I know many experienced hikers who use this method, I personally would recommend it to every one I know.”

“Ever notice that some mountaineering guides tend to use technical climbing packs (<3000 cu in.) for several day outings? A model to live by.”

“Okay folks.

Went to EMS last night. Not a great selection. They do have a pack in the store that is not online.

3000 cub inch. FIt well, right features. Seemed plenty big enough. $119.

Online at Campmor there is a $200 mountainsmith on sale for $129.

So I figured for only $10 more (plus shipping, call it $20)it would be worth trying the mountainsmith

here is the copy and paste link:

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=10383541&prmenbr=226

my new baby . . . .”

“..........a backapck?

I think you need to quit using Ice Tea's spell checker.
LOL! Sorry man, couldn't help it.”

“If you can find the same pack somewhere else before hand, be sure to try it on. It's hard to guage whether a pack will work for yas without trying it on first. Just my $.02”

“Rosey --

Dat's why I asked if people had luck with Cmpmor's return policy . . the plan is to get the Mountainsmith, and then choose between it and the EMS on the basis of comfort. Having it in the house will give me the chance to stuff it full of my actual trail gear (as opposed to the sack of sand at the EMS store).

Again . .. ya'll been great!”

“Holy SH!T its HERE (well, there, at home)!!

My wife called and said the UPS guy just dropped it off. I did standard delivery and ordered it a 9:00pm Wednesday night! Hoily Cow!


Can't wait to get home and see my new baby!”

“Someone will be leaving work early today!

I love the truck!”

“unfortunatley no. Today is my last before vacation. Got a confernece call in 10 mintues and then leave for a 3:00 pm client mtg followed by a 4:30 mtg. Its been quiet all week, but I knew I had these stacked up.

It'll be there when I roll in!

Bacpac ... "I love the truck" ??????????? (is that a UPS reference?)”

“Campmor's return policy is OK. I have used it three times because of wrong sizes. They include a return shipping label with you invoice just in case. Generally I would reorder the correct size as a new order and they would just credit my account when they received the returned item.”

“I've had no problem returning stuff to Campmor. Just keep all appropriate paperwork. Good luck!”