Backpack suggestions.

[melonhead]

Been looking online and on here trying to find a suitable backpack and not sure what to go with.
Im looking to do mainly 3 day trips give or take, and will be carrying a 2 person walmart tent along with a sleeping bag.
And hoping to keep its price under $100. There seems to be so many options, so i figured I could ask the pros. Thanks

[melonhead]

So far, this one's in the lead.

Teton Sports Internal Frame

http://www.amazon.com/gp/...F34ZJO/ref=cm_cd_asin_lnk

[wirerat123]

Personally, I can understand the budget thing no doubt.  But even despite the solid reviews, I don't think that this pack will be very comfy carrying a load, it's already heavier than my Hennessy Hammock, and Sleeping bag combined.

The Wally World packs will serve you likely just as well as that one will.

I offer the advice, but the bottom line is this, I have had wonderful weekends carrying 60 lbs, I have had wonderful weekends carrying 17lbs.  Your comforts, needs, budget and desires will dictate where you go over time.  Most average people are going to start out with inexpensive heavy gear, and upgrade as they can.

The pack is one of the places that will suffer you the most if you make a wrong choice.  Boots/Shoes will get you the worst, the packs are second on the list of careful what you get or you can suffer.

I'll tell you what, I have a big Kelty pack, it's pretty large, but Kelty makes good gear.  It's a little heavy, but I'd be willing to bet that it's 3 times more comfy.

I have an old Kelty Tornado, an old Peak1 Cobra, and a sub 2lb sleeping bag I'd be willing to barter on.  The pack needs a couple of repairs on the webbing, but I can likely get that done in short order if you want it.  The Peak1 Cobra needs a tiny patch on the fly, but I can patch that when I pull it out, the sleeping bag is in excellent clean condition.

I bet it'll save you a couple pounds as well.  I'll hook you up with all of that for less than the cost of that pack.  PM me if you want to come look at it all.

[squidbilly]

 What wirerat said!  With packs you usually get what you pay for.  You will be much more comfortable with an old pack thats a good quality brand than you will with a new cheap one. 

Wirerat's offer sounds like a good deal to me.  My kid uses a Kelty pack. He has used it for backpacking and as a crag pack hauling climbing gear. It's been a great buy.

If you don't like that, I've got an old North Face pack in great shape you can look at.

[wirerat123]

My bad, it's a Kelty Slickrock 5500:  It turns out it's just a single hip belt strap that has cuts on it.  But I can cut the bad spot out and you'll still have plenty of adjustment room unless you are like 450lbs lol.  This pack is heavy duty.  Hence the used for around 12 years and still looks in excellent shape.

Backpack suggestions.

Here is a tent pic: (I got it patched just a couple minutes ago, it'll be good to go now.

Backpack suggestions.

I'll get the sleeping bag pic shortly.  It's a Duraflex 30*, comes with a compression sack, and weights just over 2lbs.

[wirerat123]

Backpack suggestions.

Backpack suggestions.

Backpack suggestions.

Backpack suggestions.

Backpack suggestions.

Backpack suggestions.

[melonhead]

Im definitely on board. Much appreciation.

[Tacky Hiker]

I love my Gregory Z55 Pack. I had a JanSport Big Bear, North Face Terra60, and then found the Gregory !!

[squidbilly]

I love my Gregory Z55 Pack. I had a JanSport Big Bear, North Face Terra60, and then found the Gregory !!

Me too.  I have a Z55 and a Z65.   I could change hammocks, tarps, clothes, build another cookset, whatever.  Do without my Gregory?     

Heck no!

[wirerat123]

Gregory makes great packs!  But $199+ is rough on a budget hiker.  I just recently purchased a 2010 GoLite Jam.  $80, less than 2lbs, but after trimming the straps and extras I don't need it'll likely be a decent amount less than 2 lbs.  It's going to replace my 3lb Marmot Alpinist.

It's a very comfy pack if your load is under 30lbs, I don't think I have ever seen a pack that transfers load to the hips better.

If you can shave your load to below 30lbs, a lighter pack is worth it.  My summer 3 day load is 17lbs, and it's sooo freeing to walk with that little weight lol.  But my summer pack is also only 11oz.  Crazy sounding huh?

My favorite fitting packs so far though are indeed Gregory packs, Granite gear, and Lowe Alpine Airzone packs.

The Lowe Alpine Airzone Centro 45+10 is a freaking dream on the back.  I just can't justify sticking my lightweight setup in a 3lb+ pack!  It's a sickness I tell ya!

Anyone seen the 13oz hammock setup on Hammock forums?  Add in the 2oz bug net and it's a 15oz shelter!
Imagine one day carrying this. (Summer load)
Hammock setup including tarp, suspension, and such - 15oz
(go with no cook foods and shave stove and fuel weights)
Pack - 11oz
My 12oz Alpine Designs Down throw

total = 2lbs 6oz!!

Ok, now do the math and see that a sub 8lb weekend rig is very possible and still be comfy!  No cook foods are no big deal to me for a weekend.  Now if I was hiking long distances everything on that list changes.  My typical weekend load is between 17 to 25lbs depending on water and colder weather needs.

A SICKNESS!!

[squidbilly]

Gregory makes great packs!  But $199+ is rough on a budget hiker.

That's why I didn't mention it to Melonhead. 


A SICKNESS!!    Gotta disagree with you here.  Obsessing over the gear that gets you out there camping, climbing,boating ,biking, whatever: not sick. Staying home on the weekends or whenever you're off work. --  NOW THAT"S SICK

[trailtigger]

Not to beat a dead horse but; take wirerat's deal! I have not been hiking that long (since 99) and I found out the hard way that when it comes to backpacking gear you get what you pay for and there is a reason why name brand cost. I started off with a pack similar to the one you mentioned, got from some discount outdoor place online, the material seperated the first time that I loaded it and picked it up and it sagged just under 30lbs of weight. The sleeping bag was so bad that it wasnt even close to funny and the clothes that I wore were not made for hiking. I learned in one trip with temps in the teens that what I had was poor gear and wasted money. Take the time to shop around and get the best that you can, like it or not name brand is going to be the best bet. I have 2 North Face packs but my main one is my Gregory Reality. I have MSR Mutha Hubba tent and a Sierra Desings two man tent, couple that with my NF, Patagonia, and MSR gear, and I wouldnt trade the stuff for anything. 

[Tacky Hiker]

I think it is way cheaper to spend a little more up front on slightly better gear. You are going to upgrade sooner than later if you buy cheap gear. I know I did. I know it is tough buying it all at once, but you can find some great deals online.




My complete Warbonnet winter hammock setup (Blackbird DL 1.1, Tarp, Under Quilt, and Top Quilt) = ~ 80oz. That is the most comfortable 5lbs to carry. I love that thing. Coming from a Marmot Limelight 2, Sierra Designs Arrow Rock 15* Long, and ThermaRest Prolite4 ~ 143oz with I use hiking with the wifey !!

[dogwood]

Melonhead, Walmart carries a Coleman internal frame pack for around $60+.  Cheaper, a little heavier, but definately serviceable.  Depends on how many trips a year you plan to take.  If you're like me, you'll just about always want to upgrade in the future, so the Coleman pack might be fine for now.  I have been using a Deuter ACT Lite 60+ that i've had for a few years.  It's not very light, but it's adjustable, carries bigger or smaller loads, and has room for most items. 

[jamfan]

I have a Kelty Tornado too.  With this pack, I wish I had gone bigger and maybe gotten the Red Cloud.  I'm a big guy so a bigger pack would be handy for long trips.  I consider the pack to be a little on the heavy side though.   I think I got it from Campmor for less than 100$.  The thing is pretty tough, I've been using it for about 4 years now.

After buying my wife a lightweight Osprey, I'll probably look to them for my next pack.  They run a bit high but you can usually get a good deal when REI does their clearance.

[wirerat123]

Sierra Trading Post, SunnySports, moosejaw, and campmor

Those 4 companies can save you a ton of money on outdoors gear.  Also an REI membership can hook you up as well if you actually use it.

[stargazer]

Hey guys! Have any of you heard of or own a CUSCUS backpack?  We just bought one online.  It looks like a very sturdy and well made pack.  We are using it on an overnight trip in two weeks. 

[wirerat123]

Likely a good low use pack.  Last time I bought a cheap pack it worked out ok, I sacrificed comfort for price, it lasted about 3 weekend trips before the seams started popping, and once they did, they started popping every where.

Sometimes there is a diamond in the rough though.  You never know until you try.  Use it to get out there, don't over pack it or tighten the straps to firmly, once you can upgrade, you'll be glad you did.  You will be surprised at the difference in carry and load handling of a cheap pack in comparison to a more expensive pack.  Plus keep an eye on closeout companies like Steepandcheap, Campmor, sierratradingpos t, sunnysports, backcountry.com and moosejaw for some really good deals.

Go to Sierratradingpos t and sign up for the deal flyer, and request a catalog, they will often send you 20 to 40% off your entire order coupons that will save you HUGE amounts on gear.  When you get your first catalog it will have a 20% off coupon attached to it.

I got my entire whitewater dry gear setup for less than $250.  Most people end up spending at least $600+.  I got one of the 40% off flyers in my email, and bought setups for both me and my girlfriend.  I saved around $800 total between the two of us on those alone.

Marmot Titan tent $150 with 20% coupon $110 40% = $60 (Used to be a $250+ tent)
Mountainsmith crosscountry pack $135 with 20% coupon $105 40% = $81 (Typically around $170)
Marmot Sorcerer sleeping bag $63 with 20% coupon $50 40% = $38  (Used to be a $160+ bag)
Lafuma 40°F Warm N’ Light DOWN Sleeping Bag $75 with 20% coupon $60 40% = $45 (typically $150+ in price)

$275 for the Lafuma bag, the Mountainsmith pack, and the Marmot Titan tent.  And you are out in the backcountry with gear you know you can trust.  Wait for a 40% coupon in your email, and the whole kit costs $186.  That's less than a really good quality tent alone.

Just some examples of money savings.  I do my best to help budget folks get out their with the best possible gear selections.  I'm a tight budget person myself.  Also more often than not it is best to budget enough to order everything from one store as shipping costs from seperate stores will often offset the savings if you order a pack from one, a bag from another, etc.

I've had nothing but top notch service from Sierra Trading post, sunnysports, and campmor.

[stargazer]

Thanks Wirerat!  We do receive emails and catalogs from Sierra.  I'll watch for those coupons though .  That could save some major bucks.  I just discovered Sunny Sports the other day.  They have some very reasonable prices. I guess we'll just have to see how our CUSCUS pack is going to hold up.  We are just getting into the over night hikes.  We are very excited and can't wait to get out there.