![]() |
Rules | Membership | Donations and Online Store | Adkhighpeaks Foundation | ADKhighpeaks Forums | ADKhighpeaks Wiki | Disclaimer |
|
View Poll Results: What brand backpack do you carry? | |||
Gregory |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
51 | 12.41% |
Lowe Alpine |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
33 | 8.03% |
Dana Design |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
9 | 2.19% |
Kelty |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
71 | 17.27% |
North Face |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
24 | 5.84% |
Other |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
223 | 54.26% |
Voters: 411. You may not vote on this poll |
![]() |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread | Display Modes |
![]() |
#1 |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Albany, N.Y.
Posts: 353
|
![]() I'm in the market for a new backpack and am wondering which is the most commonly used pack out there on the trails. If you could tell me the brand you use and "WHY" you chose that one it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
![]() Last edited by Jeff; 01-22-2004 at 02:16 AM.. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: On the PA-NY Border
Posts: 24
|
I use a North Face Stamina backpack. I like the fact that it has a bulit in hydration pouch. I just take the reservoir out of my camelback and put it in. I also liked the price it retails for just under $300, but found a good deal on ebay for under $150. If you know what model and size you want look for deals there. Just check the feedback to make sure you don't get burnt on the deal
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: new york
Posts: 7
|
I just recently bought a Gregory Whitney at Campmor. I had used external frames for years, Kelty and then Camp Trails. I had been wanting to try an internal frame pack and saw this one on sale. It has access to the main compartment from both side pockets and the back (front?) compartment as well. Capacity is 5500cu.in but cinches down nicely for smaller loads. I've used it on a few overnighters so far Summer and Winter, no complaints.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
**BANNED**
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: West Sand Lake, NY
Posts: 5,857
|
I've added North face (shame on you Jeff!
![]() I have a Kelty 5400ic and a cheap walmart day pack. Bought the Kelty because it was the best one Dick's had in that size and the price was right (about $150). |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Camp Cook
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 33
|
Internal
I currently use an internal frame pack that I got from LL Bean. Their name is on it, I'm not sure who manufactured it. I've been starting to look for a second one as well and I now have some criteria that I didn't have before doing any extensive backpacking such as:
Separated sleeping bag compartment, currently my main compartmnent is all one deal. I've noticed a few new packs now have ergonomically friendly side water pockets, they are angled toward the front of the pack. I think I will go that way when I buy. A detachable fanny pack as a top compartment, my top section does not detach currently. A bladder ready pack, I can use a bladder now but it is not built specifically for that. An easy way to attch things vertically, such as sleeping pads. I've had trouble in tight spots when my pads are mounted horizontally. Other than that, I've been happy with my Bean! |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Senior Resident Curmudgeon
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: In My Memories
Posts: 10,933
|
I have an EMS Summit 5500 for my backpacking. I also purchased a set of side pockets for it.
For Dayhikes I have a "Quest" that I got at Dick's Sporting Goods. It's about 3500 I also have a Mad River Lumbar Pack that I use for dayhikes also if I am not concerened about carrying a lot of extra gear. I prefer Internal to external, better center of gravity especially if climbing and also less noise.
__________________
"If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them more than the miracles of technology. We must leave them a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we got through with it." Lyndon B. Johnson |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Albany, N.Y.
Posts: 353
|
specialk,
What do you think of the shoulder straps and the waist belt of you Gregory?. I definately want something comfortable for the heavy loads I endure every time I go out into the woods. I want the cadillac of backpacks. Roomy "AND" comfy!!! ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: new york
Posts: 7
|
Jeff, I'm very happy with the waist belt, it sits comfortably is well padded,( also has that canted water bottle holder). The shoulder straps are also comfortable and easily adjustable. I tend to get some pain between the shoulders at the base of my neck but that used to happen with my external frame as well, posture and age I guess. This pack is a little heavy, 6.5 lbs or so but I gave up on going ultralight a long time ago. It lists somewhere around $325 but Campmor was selling them for $199 a while ago.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: cincinnatus,NY
Posts: 151
|
I have 3 that I use for different purposes/ times of year. I just got a Eureka Pipe Dream 48 and it is great for winter stuff. It has about 3500 ci capacity and is designed to carry snowshoes, snowboards and skis. It also has a huge shove-it type pocket on the back where a shell or extra mittens can be easily reached. It has a built in pack cover to keep out snow and is hydration ready. I have a EMS 7000 that I use for winter overnights and multi-day summer trips. It tends to get a little heavy when you start filling the 7000 ci of space
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Disqualified from the rat race
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: East Aurora, NY
Posts: 62
|
I use a LL Bean White Mountain Expedition pack and love it. It's got everything that Charlie was hoping for in his Bean pack and then some.
For the price, you won't find many better.
__________________
"Everyday I encounter shining examples of how easy it is to follow the party line and advocate unoriginal, thoughtless sentiments, which in turn motivates me all the more to provoke." |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 118
|
Granite Gear Vapor Trail:
http://www.granitegear.com/products/...ail/index.html Reviews: http://www.backpackgeartest.org/revi...Vapor%20Trail/ Pretty solid bag so far, wanted a new bag last year and after some research I bought this one from REI. 3600cu, 2lbs. Sizable enough for a small guy like me.(5'8" 165lbs) At this point in life I have become completely anal about doing research before I buy gear(outdoors or electronic toys hehe)....this stuff comes with a hefty price tag, so it pays to do research. Strangely enough as a new overnighter(been doing day hikes since a kid), I wanted to start out light...Most of my overnighters have been/will be 1-3 nighters at most. If it was any longer i'd probably need a bigger pack.
__________________
mike Last edited by mike; 10-18-2007 at 03:51 PM.. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Albany, N.Y.
Posts: 353
|
Do any of you choose price over size and/or weight, vice/versa, yadda, yadda, yadda, blah,blah, blah, etc., etc...
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 | |
Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 11
|
Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 | |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Gary at Low's lake/Bog river flow
Posts: 1,768
|
EMS
Quote:
I've seen a lot of good packs in my day. I've settled on EMS packs primarily because of the guarantee. "If your not satisfied, they will refund, repair, or replace" I've got 9 of them from 2000-7000 cubic inch. I've had some problems over the years, and they always fixed it without a question. The only time they wanted to charge me for a repair was when I had a cut in the material that wasn't a failure of the pack, but damage from wear-and-tare. I've had new shoulder straps, zippers, buckles, and seams repaired or replaced on different packs, at no charge. They have been very good with me. I've saved a lot of money by investing in their equipment. I highly recommend them. ![]() -Gary-
__________________
The Wilderness Photography of Gary F. Dean facebook photography of Gary F. Dean It's Not A Map...It's a "To-Do" List! ![]() ![]() Last edited by Wildernessphoto; 02-23-2004 at 10:30 PM.. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
Senior Resident Curmudgeon
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: In My Memories
Posts: 10,933
|
Ditto on the EMS backpacks. I have several also and have always been happy with the quality, durability, comfort, convenience.
__________________
"If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them more than the miracles of technology. We must leave them a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we got through with it." Lyndon B. Johnson |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 | |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Walworth, NY
Posts: 440
|
Quote:
Check out Mountainsmith. It's the most comfortable pack I've had for heavy loads, with great padding and lots of room. It has about 10 different adjustments you can make, which is kind of a pain until you get it "dialed-in", after which it's a pleasure to wear. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: near Utica NY
Posts: 37
|
Internal
Jeff
I have a Rokk Flat iron 3360 cu in. I've used this pack for 3/4 of the NP trail and spent 10 days on the trail in New Mexico with said pack. The fit is great and with the compression straps I can tie my tent and bed roll to the sides of the pack. This still keeps a good balance. The top can be removed and used a fanny pack. Most of the time I carry a 50 to 60 lb. pack ![]() Jim |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#18 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Russell, NY
Posts: 2
|
I have a Lowe Alpine that my son picked out at EMS. It is my first internal frame pack and I love it. Lot's of room , very adjustable for my 5" 5' frame, and comfortable. I spent 25 years with a red Kelty D4, and thought I would miss it. Uh-uh. I've never worn anything else so I don't know how the Lowe compares to others, but I like it.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#19 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Brick, NJ
Posts: 6
|
I have a couple of Mountainsmith Mountainlight series packs, and a GoLite pack. I chose these packs because they were the lightest ones I could find that still felt good when I tested them out in-store (Brought 25 pounds of gear in a stuff sack and walked around for a half hour). My loads rarely exceed 40 pounds, so I don't own any monster-sized packs.
The GoLite pack is interesting, because the material seems like it would tear easily, but after getting lost in George Washington National Forest, and bushwacking for about 4 miles through some thick s#!t, it didn't have a scratch on it. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#20 |
Bad Seed
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Glacial Erratic along Finger Lakes Trail 2005
Posts: 349
|
Having sold many backpacks in the past and having had the wonderful opportunity to work at EMS and another store in the past 15 years, I would like to make one very clear statement -
Never will You get more than what you pay for. You might get more than what you thought you would pay for, but that goes into rational expectations and such, which I will avoid. With that said, I have been happy with my 10 year old Lowe Alpine Contour IV and ecstsatic with my 4 year old Dana Astralplane - Moreso than I have ever been with my 12-30 year old eureka packs (they vary in age) or my 8-12 year old EMS packs (they all vary in age as well). Things that you won't notice in your first 1 or 2 packs - especially cheaper stuff like Bean, Rokk or Eureka (Though Eureka has gotten better, as has Kelty) Open cell foam paired to closed cell foam in the shoulder harness and waist belt systems. Cheaper padding breaks down quicker - within 3-4 years of fairly constant use. Poorer polyurethane lamination to the cordura or nylon body of the pack. Fewer stitches per inch, looser harness to pack connections, Nylon straps that do not slide easily on the nylon buckles or tri-glides, fewer fit options. Zippers that don't glide well. The list goes on........ By the way, do you really think that a pack that will fit someone from 4'10" to 6'2" has anything even remotely close to a pack that is made specifically within inches of your torso length? For those on their first 1 or 2 cheaper packs that have never had a $3-400 dollar pack on and had the pleasure of carrying 65-75 lbs and not feel worse for the wear, I caution, it is a wonderful thing. I am not trying to start a war here, but just point out what might not be obvious to all. I went through it all as well. I bought what I could afford for many years - all cheaper packs and thought I was comfortable. I didn;' know comfort until I bought my Dana. I wish I had spent a few hundred on my first pro-deal and bought the highest quality possible, rather than buying a $125 pack for $65 and thinking I got the deal of a lifetime.. Think about it. If you are buying something to wear on your back for miles and miles and miles per year for the next decade, isn't it worth perhaps, $40/year to have something comfortable - Do the amortization - 10 trips/year for 10 years = $10/trip. Well worth it. I agree EMS and Bean both stand behind their gear - I have had to send packs back to EMS and clothes back to Bean, but I have never had to return my Lowe or my Dana due to wear, breakage or problematic workmanship. Cheers
__________________
Rick The measure of your ignorance is your belief in tragedy. What the caterpillar calls the end of the universe, the master calls the butterfly... ...unknown... |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
DISCLAIMER: Use of these forums, and information found herein, is at your own risk. Use of this site by members and non-members alike is only granted by the adkhighpeak.com administration provided the terms and conditions found in the FULL DISCLAIMER have been read. Continued use of this site implies that you have read, understood and agree to the terms and conditions of this site. Any questions can be directed to the Administrator of this site. |