Packs

[Euda]

I've never had a quality pack before; I've always begged or borrowed a friends when I needed one.

Does anybody have any recommendations or tips on how, or where, to find a good one?

What do you look for in a pack?

[TrueTolker]

uhh. a pack of what?

[Sybil]

I'm guessing he means backpacks? In that case, I just look for good support and good shoulder padding. On long trips you really don't want your shoulders hurting throughout the entire trip. Also ofcourse sufficient space to put everything away. If you have to bother with hanging something on the outside, your balance will be disturbed, you really don't want that either on long trips :/

[InspiredByMe]

I have a nice one from REI I got free from my cousins who don't do much hiking any more. Its got great back support and a huge area space. The only downside is it closes up like a sleeping bag sort of you have to pull a string to tighten it and theres a pocket you can fold over the top and hook it on the back but it doesn't truly prevent things from falling out so you still have to using the string to close it up.

[Sybil]

We actually do kind of have a similar thread going on page two...

[PirateJoe]

Like a backpacking backpack or just for day hikes? If the former, the waist strap is exponentially more important than the shoulder straps. Ideally, you shouldn't be bearing any weight on your shoulders.

Then you gotta choose between internal or external frame packs. External frames are more open, allowing better airflow to cool you down, and there's lots of contact points for strapping things like sleeping bags and pads and such to the outside ("hanging" stuff off your pack isn't bad, but overall pack balance is VERY important and you're going to have to take this into account for the stuff you put inside the pack anyway. Things that hang and swing freely are generally bad though). Then the internal frame which I find to be more comfortable. Another plus is that everything is more or less self contained. The only thing that goes on the outside of my internal frame pack is a couple of water bottles and a sleeping pad strapped vertically to the back.

After that personal fit is the most important thing, and the only way to find that is just go to a store and try a bunch.

[Euda]

I've got a good day-hike pack. I picked it up from a Coast Mountain Sports a handful of years ago. It works excellent. I'm referring to a backpacking pack to possibly replace or add to my current luggage. I'll probably end up picking it up from MEC. http://www.mec.ca/

Thanks for the thoughts so far.

[kelsokid18]

Do it old school and carry a military duffel over one shoulder.

[Sybil]

Check out this thread too Euda, it has a couple of packs in it as well.

http://bbs.zoklet.net/showthread.php?t=4075

[Nagasaki911]

I suggest bringing some of your gear with you when you purchase a packto see how it fits in. Like a guy above me said you gotta make the decision on internal vs. external. After backpacking all that I have I prefer the internal frame packs because they are typically more comfortable. They are also easier to lug around because the center of gravity is lower around your waist (which by the way, is where all the weight should be carried. The shoulder straps are to keep it on your back not carry it). See if you can find a place with a return policy so you can try it out and return it if it doesn't seem to fit you.