I need a Backpack!

[Pully]

I'm currently looking at a couple High Sierra packs and the Gregory G-Pack mainly due to the price and positive reviews. Are these good packs? Do you recommend any others that aren't too expensive?

High Sierra Sentinal 65 Pack - $99.93
High Sierra Long Trail 90 Frame Pack - $103.28
Gregory G Pack technical pack - $119.97 (free shipping + (?)Mountain Sports Club of North America Membership(?))

[Nalgene Ninja]

Thats a really wide range in sizes there. 48 liters, 65 liters and 90 liters. Do you know what size you really need? How much weight are you carrying and how long do you typically go out for? And for a 100-120 you can get a decent name brand pack if you are really patient and watch spadout.com for sales. I also reccomend their backpack finder that takes your critreia and matches it to an array of packs.
http://spadout.com/store....id=132&zcol_type_id=6

[Uncle Wayne]

Do you recommend any others that aren't too expensive?

I'd suggest going somewhere you can try on a few to see how they feel on the back. While they are more expensive, you'll not go wrong with any Osprey or Gregory backpack.  I have an Osprey Aether 90.  It is easy to carry and well constructed. Mine is 1o to 12 years old and still in excellent shape. It has been all I needed for week long trips on the AT and a 3 week trip in the San de Cristo mountains of New Mexico. It is more than adequate for weekend trips to the Bankhead.  Watch the web, you can catch them on sale now and then.  The site Nalgene Ninja suggested is a good one to help you there.

The Osprey Aether 90 is one size larger than I really need.  The 65 would be more the correct size for most of my packing needs.

[Cuffs]

Couple of questions and couple of thoughts...

do you have all your other gear yet?  (tent, bag, kitchen, water treatment?)

If not, I would get all that stuff first, then buy the pack last...  this allows you to get a pack that just fits your gear, nothing too small, nor too big. 

Of the packs you are looking at, have you looked at their base (empty) weight?  Some packs are rather heavy before you even put anything into them.

The Gregory G pack is a small pack.  You really need to have your gear dialed down to the least bit you need.  That pack is also only good at carrying loads under 25 pounds.  Anything more than that and it will not ride properly.

[Pully]

I found the Osprey Aether 60 on spadout for $170 and Osprey Atmos 65 for $190. That's a little more than I can afford right now but may end up purchasing one of them.  I'm still liking the High Sierra prices. They seem to be good packs and right now are highly discounted from over $200

I do have a tent (4lbs 11oz) and bag (5lbs). everything else is random.
I want a pack that I can throw a lot of stuff in so I won't be out in the woods and miss something. Weight right now isn't much of an issue (20 years old, great shape...jogged out of Walls of Jericho). Price is the issue.

The Gregory G pack is a small pack.  You really need to have your gear dialed down to the least bit you need.  That pack is also only good at carrying loads under 25 pounds.  Anything more than that and it will not ride properly.

Thanks for pointing that out.

[Cuffs]

Id reconsider that Osprey Atmos 65...

While it has a great amount of volume, it does not carry heavier loads well.  Its made for light weight, but bulky (fleece, down layers) gear.  I wouldnt carry more that 35 pounds in it.

[Uncle Wayne]

Weight right now isn't much of an issue (20 years old, great shape...jogged out of Walls of Jericho). Price is the issue.

Pully,

If we weren't good friends, I wouldn't say this but that statement, "weight right now isn't much of an issue" is the wrong attitude to have when planning a backpacking trip.  If you're car camping, I might go along with that but weight is an issue when you start backpacking, regardless of age.  And just because you're able to jog out of the Wall of Jericho doesn't mean you could carry 60 or 70  pounds up that 2.5 miles and enjoy doing it.

I understand price is important but think of it like this; if you buy a pack now that you can " throw a lot of stuff in " and later you do like most seasoned backpackers start to try to lighten your load, you'll have a pack that may not be the right size and have to buy another one anyway.  Shop around, save a little more money, bite the bullet, take Cuffs advice and by the time prime backpacking weather gets here, you can buy something you can live with now as well as down the road.

It'll save room in your closet also.  I wish someone had told me that when i first started shopping for a pack.  JMHO.

[Pully]

Thanks for that Wayne. I'll definitely take yours and Cuffs advice.

[Pully]

Well... I went to Werner's in Cullman today and tried on a North Face Primero 70. It was super comfortable and I couldn't walk out of the store without it. The pack just felt right. It's always good to buy locally also. It was under $200 so I think it was a good deal. I actually have it on right now. Thanks for the help.

[Nalgene Ninja]

That's a steal for under $200. Good catch. Defiantely a decent beginner pack, not that you're a newb, but you haven't seriously dialed in everything else.

[Pully]

Thanks.  I am a newbie in backpacking but not day hiking.

[jaybird]

Be careful there Pully when you identify yourself as a dayhiker.  Some around here are liable to pounce.

[Pully]

Why would they pounce?

[jaybird]

Good question!  War Eagle, by the way.

[Cuffs]

Why would they pounce?

Its called trolling...

[McDowra]

Its called trolling...

I still don't understand 

[Pully]

Ah yes, War Eagle 

[McDowra]

Roll Tide !!!!!!!!!!!

[Uncle Wayne]

Roll Tide !!!!!!!!!!!

I need a Backpack!

Amen brother!

[jaybird]

We have to let you guys have one once in a while, or else it just gets boring.