Can someone help me choose a good hiking backpack?
March 12th, 2010 | by admin |I need a good hiking backpack for med-long distance hikes. At first I liked the cammelbak trailblazer http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=camelbak+trailblazer&btnG=Google+Search, but this got some bad reviews from people who traveled short distances carrying only 20 lbs. I need to carry 50 lbs. When I went online I found the Jansport Big Bear, it appears to be a good backpack but looks can be deceiving. http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___66999
Please try to attach a link to your answers.
Ditto Jim D. You have to try them on with weight to see what fits you. I’ve carried 35-60lbs with Gregory packs, but only after trying them on in a reputable outdoor store and walking around the store for a bit with weight. You can’t do that over the internet. Be sure to check the recommended weights suitable for the pack. Gregory, Deuter, Osprey and others publish recommended weight limits for particular packs. Jansport makes excellent packs as well, but again, if it doesn’t fit you will be miserable.
7 Responses to “Can someone help me choose a good hiking backpack?”
By Eric on Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
I have a kelty coyote which I really like, but the most i have ever carried in it is ~35 lbs.
Maybe a Kelty Red Cloud, one step larger than mine? I have always had good experience with all my kelty bags.
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___88033
btw: don’t you love campmor? The store is near my house, and I go there whenever I am about to go on a hike.
edit: If you like the idea of the bladder in the camelback backpack, try getting a camelback unbottle and putting it in your pack. Or, get a camelback "better bottle" (the bottle with the bite valve) and a hose attachment. I just tried this second approach after a couple years of the unbottle, and I liked it better.
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By bdec22 on Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
I use a kelty tornado, it has the extra zipper along the side for easy access plus the sleeping bag compartment is great, the top expands to hold alot but i’ve never needed it even in winter 4-5 day hikes. The water bladder comes with it and has a pocket inside which is nice, my pack wieght is about 50 lbs with everything including pack poles bag tent food water etc…
Also I think it has good balance with the lower end of the pack a bit wider with the sleeping bag it supports wieght evenly and never shifts.
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By Jim D on Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
I’m a big fan of the Lowe Alpine brand of backpacks, I’ve often carried 50-60# in my packs without any trouble.
But what’s important is finding a pack that fits you. Go to a good outfitters store that will help you try on the packs with 50# of weight and adjust the strap system for you properly.
Again, I can’t emphasize the importance of finding a pack that fits you —- just like a pair of boots.
References :
http://www.campmor.com
http://www.rei.com
http://www.sierratradingpost.com
By wise ass on Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
if i were you i would definitely go for an osprey pack. Keltys are pieces of junk. CHECK THIS SITE http://www.ospreypacks.com
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By HeadTater on Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
I agree with Eric and bdec22, Kelty is a good brand.I have a Kelty Santa Fe and it’s good for what I use it. I haven’t had a chance to go very long distances, but it is an over all good bag and all the Keltys I looked at were good.
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By explore4corners on Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
Ditto Jim D. You have to try them on with weight to see what fits you. I’ve carried 35-60lbs with Gregory packs, but only after trying them on in a reputable outdoor store and walking around the store for a bit with weight. You can’t do that over the internet. Be sure to check the recommended weights suitable for the pack. Gregory, Deuter, Osprey and others publish recommended weight limits for particular packs. Jansport makes excellent packs as well, but again, if it doesn’t fit you will be miserable.
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By sid23 on Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
If you are going to be serious about it you need to get one that fits you personally. They are made for all different heights and girths of people. I would not just buy one on line unless you try it in a store somewhere first.
I bought an Alpine Lowe Soracco and the outfitter would not even let me buy it until I took it home stuffed with a big bag of dog food for a few days to try out. I did actually get a different one than the one I went in wanting, it just was not as comfortable as the one I ended up with.
A good outfitter will also help you adjust the pack to fit you best and teach you how to load it best (where the heavy stuff should go vs. the light stuff hard stuff/soft stuff etc.)
Good luck and happy hiking!
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