backpacking... shopping for backpack in 320 dollar range

[Einstein]

i like the ergonomically design of this victorinox: http://tinyurl.com/22fjuw

but according to the user comments the handle and wheels lack some of the necessary rigidity.

I've never backpacked through Europe, so if any of y'all totsians have any recommendations on backpacks or other tips let me know!

thanks totse,

Einstein

[This message has been edited by Einstein (edited 03-25-2007).]

[inuteroteen]

Thats not exactly a "backpacking" backpack. Also the price is insane on that backpack. If I were you I would shop around on the camping and backpacking websites like campmor.com I would suggest a low alpine internal frame pack. An external frame pack probably wouldn't be as suited for traveling.

Also the weight is almost double that of my $70 Jansport external frame pack that has the same capacity. I am planning on using my pack when traveling. Instead of a sleeping bag at the bottom, Im considering using a stuff sack for laundry.

[This message has been edited by inuteroteen (edited 03-25-2007).]

[Einstein]

quote:Originally posted by inuteroteen:

Thats not exactly a "backpacking" backpack. Also the price is insane on that backpack. If I were you I would shop around on the camping and backpacking websites like campmor.com I would suggest a low alpine internal frame pack. An external frame pack probably wouldn't be as suited for traveling.

Also the weight is almost double that of my $70 Jansport external frame pack that has the same capacity. I am planning on using my pack when traveling. Instead of a sleeping bag at the bottom, Im considering using a stuff sack for laundry.



ah ok, thanks for the input... it is a little heavy but i think its because the one i mentioned has a track and wheels attached.

i never considered that a necessity until recently when a flight attendant told me when she traveled to Europe she wished her bag had wheels so in her off time she could just pull it rather than the continuous back strain.

Maybe this girl was just a sissy? lol

What's y'alls input on that?

[sybil]

you'll want to get something more in the style of this.

http://www.vaude.de/hps/client/vaude/public/hxfront/index.hbs/outdoor/en

preferably something with side bags and a waterproof cover.

[inuteroteen]

I hauled a 40 pound pack around New Mexico in August for 40 miles. I was hiking up 9,000 foot peaks. So I see no reason as to why you would need wheels. Because if the terrain is tame enough to use wheels, you don't need them.

www.campmor.com (http://www.campmor.com)

They have really good prices here. You could get a pack for a third of that one. http://tinyurl.com/2d3t3z http://tinyurl.com/2atutw

I swear by my Jansport. Its an amazing pack.

[This message has been edited by inuteroteen (edited 03-25-2007).]

[Nagasaki911]

quote:Originally posted by inuteroteen:

I hauled a 40 pound pack around New Mexico in August for 40 miles. I was hiking up 9,000 foot peaks. So I see no reason as to why you would need wheels. Because if the terrain is tame enough to use wheels, you don't need them.

www.campmor.com (http://www.campmor.com)

They have really good prices here. You could get a pack for a third of that one. http://tinyurl.com/2d3t3z http://tinyurl.com/2atutw

I swear by my Jansport. Its an amazing pack.



philmont?

[Gtterdmmerung]

quote:Originally posted by Nagasaki911:

philmont?

Exactly what I was thinking. Awesome trip that.

[gtvwill]

I have an Osprey pack, i used it for 3 weeks backpacking through new zealand, its definately not the longest time, but the pack served me very well and its really comfy.

http://tinyurl.com/3x49nt

Thats the pack i have, it cost around 350-400 AUD off memory.

[Sentinel]

I hiked through the grand canyon and Zion national park with an old external frame pack I got at a garage sale. It held up incredibly well. Personally I prefer external frame to internal. Packs with wheels are for tossers, btw.

[mustache rider]

Kelty http://www.kelty.com

[Soda_Can_Sniper]

It might not be exactly what you want, but look at military surplus packs.

Seriously, while they may not have the best ergonomics, you can get a used ALICE for like $40. Unless you're carrying more than 60 pounds all day long, you'll be fine.

[inuteroteen]

quote:Originally posted by Nagasaki911:

philmont?

Yeah, Philmont

[senorfrog]

Check out lafuma bags. I have the pro4810 40. Its awesome once you figure out where to put all your stuff. The bag is a bit small (3100 ci i think) and doesn't have many pockets or clips. However the thing that made me fall in love with this pack were the straps. They are so comfortable they can't be legal. Seriously, they are. I end the day with no neck/shoulder issues when everyone else is dying. Also the inside is mostly waterproofed along with the zippers.

Overall its an awesome pack once you do your own modifications to it. Though take into mind I don't use a tent and my bag is really small.

[darkwonders]

I guess it depends on what you want in a pack (durability vs. price vs. capacity vs. 'suspension' vs. weight)

Seriously, wheels on a backpack...especially one denoted to be "a trek pack" is laughable at best. Wheels are for huge ass vacation luggage and weak old people with bad backs.

In general, stay away from all north face products. Any seasoned adventurer will tell you that the north face is shit, and it is.

Kelty packs are decent for the price, but I have my reservations about their durability and quality. YOu don't seem to be on an extremely tight budget so might as well step up a notch or too...

Gregory is my personal choice of packs, they're a bit pricier (still well within your budget). They're not ultralight, but they're made to withstand just about anything and they have superb suspension. I've had a palisade for a couple years now and still can't find much wrong with it.

Arc`teryx are some of the nicest packs out there. Most of them are waterproof, they're very light and made of the utmost quality, but they're also very pricey.

[wolfy_9005]

Get an ex-army pack, mainly a special forces because their generally bigger and have more pockets. Personally i have a pack with about 6 external pouches, 3 water bottles(canteens) and 2 seperate internal pouches. Brand new it would cost about $600, but you could get it all second hand for about $300. Gonna take it hiking soon and see how she goes(weighs ~30kg atm with 10days food)

[This message has been edited by wolfy_9005 (edited 03-29-2007).]

[DerDrache]

quote:Originally posted by Einstein:

ah ok, thanks for the input... it is a little heavy but i think its because the one i mentioned has a track and wheels attached.

i never considered that a necessity until recently when a flight attendant told me when she traveled to Europe she wished her bag had wheels so in her off time she could just pull it rather than the continuous back strain.

Maybe this girl was just a sissy? lol

What's y'alls input on that?

Are you a chick? If not, men carry their fucking bags. If you don't, you're not a man.

[Einstein]

Are you a chick? If not, men carry their fucking bags. If you don't, you're not a man.

yeah thats more or less what i was thinking... i've just heard from a few ppl about getting wheels for your off time i suppose...

this one looks alright:
http://tinyurl.com/32hvgf

[another pint]

^ yep, looks like mine. Except I bought mine in Australia and it has a day-pack, which kicks arse.

It depends on how long you plan to use it for. I got a good quality Katmandu pack for and $200AUD and as I said, it has a day-pack. The Day-pack is good if you want to leave most of your shit somewhere and only need a few bits of clothing for a few days.

Don't buy one straight off the net. Go to some shops and try them on. You want it to have good straps that are comfortable and enough space for your stuff. And don't fucking overpack. Or you'll be sending shit home. Make sure you get it adjusted properly so the weight is on your hips.

And wheels? Fuck off. Unless you're going for a 'vacation' and want to be a tourist, otherwise, you're a traveler, and travelers carry packs, on their backs.

[Black Stabbeth]

I've a Kelty RedCloud 5600 (http://www.kelty.com/kelty/products.php?type=4&cat=66&id=29).... it's made it through about 200 miles at Philmont (2 treks with about 45-50 pounds each), and a couple hundred miles in training (also under load) and not a single thing has snapped/broken/failed etc. It's been subjected to a week or so of rain on each trek, though with the cover I used on it, you'd never know. Plenty of places to hook things on, and really quite a lot of room. I believe I bought mine for around $125 at Bass Pro Shops, but my father bought the same thing about a year ago for $80-90, new (I think at the same place...).

Another important thing you should really consider:
Boots. Tied in importance, if not more important than, your pack, you'd probably do best to get a pair at least 6 months before you go, and start breaking them in immediately. I've a pair of Columbia boots (Hilltop Ridge type, I think) that ran me around $70, and they've seen quite a few more miles than my pack has, and even more snow and rain. Along with boots goes liners, wool socks, and then you've a myriad of other non-shoe-or-pack things to consider, too. Anyways, sorry to stray off-topic, and best of luck!

EDIT: Also, consider if you want an internal- or external-frame pack. This ties in to what pint said about going to an actual shop to at least try some different models out and see what is most comfortable.

[inuteroteen]

I've a Kelty RedCloud 5600 (http://www.kelty.com/kelty/products.php?type=4&cat=66&id=29).... it's made it through about 200 miles at Philmont (2 treks with about 45-50 pounds each), and a couple hundred miles in training (also under load) and not a single thing has snapped/broken/failed etc. It's been subjected to a week or so of rain on each trek, though with the cover I used on it, you'd never know. Plenty of places to hook things on, and really quite a lot of room. I believe I bought mine for around $125 at Bass Pro Shops, but my father bought the same thing about a year ago for $80-90, new (I think at the same place...).

Another important thing you should really consider:
Boots. Tied in importance, if not more important than, your pack, you'd probably do best to get a pair at least 6 months before you go, and start breaking them in immediately. I've a pair of Columbia boots (Hilltop Ridge type, I think) that ran me around $70, and they've seen quite a few more miles than my pack has, and even more snow and rain. Along with boots goes liners, wool socks, and then you've a myriad of other non-shoe-or-pack things to consider, too. Anyways, sorry to stray off-topic, and best of luck!

EDIT: Also, consider if you want an internal- or external-frame pack. This ties in to what pint said about going to an actual shop to at least try some different models out and see what is most comfortable.

I personally prefer the ability to add stuff to the exterior of an external frame pack. I actually have a pic of me and my pack at philmont. If you look closely, there is multiple places to put things on the pack. I had my bed pad under the lid, my rain gear on the back between the lateral straps.
http://tinyurl.com/2pb8p5

For Black Sabbeth I have some pics from when I was out west in the "Most Beautiful Places Thread" here in TT