I need a good backpack
May 6, 2010 5:56 PM Subscribe
I'm looking to get back into backpacking in a serious way, and right now I'm working on getting my gear together. I have reached the point where I want/need advice on a good backpack and have whittled the field down to three choices. So I need to choose wisely.
This summer I will be going on 3-5 day hikes, so that is what this pack will be for.
Who among the Hive has had positive or negative experience with any of the following:
Osprey Aether, Gregory Whitney 95, or the Arc'teryx Bora.
I have worn each with weight, and I like them all for slightly different reasons, so it's going to be a touch choice.
This summer I will be going on 3-5 day hikes, so that is what this pack will be for.
Who among the Hive has had positive or negative experience with any of the following:
Osprey Aether, Gregory Whitney 95, or the Arc'teryx Bora.
I have worn each with weight, and I like them all for slightly different reasons, so it's going to be a touch choice.
Response by poster: Well it's some help to say you don't like the Gregory
posted by zombieApoc at 6:07 PM on May 6, 2010
posted by zombieApoc at 6:07 PM on May 6, 2010
there really is no best pack -- have you tried these on in a store with weight? if you cant do that, id suggest buying the one that looks coolest to you from rei, taking it on a trip, and then returning it later if you don't like it. you need to know if you can make the pack fit your body, and, just like with a pair of jeans, it really helps to try it on. you can be a serious backpacker with just about any piece of gear, so it really comes down to fit and preference.
posted by cubby at 6:18 PM on May 6, 2010
posted by cubby at 6:18 PM on May 6, 2010
Hmm, I have a Gregory and like it a lot. I guess what it comes down to is what you like in each pack, and which features are going to be most important in the field. For me, it's a matter of easy access. I would take a pack whose water-bottle holsters are easy to get at, and preferably one with some side access in addition to the top opening. But maybe you prefer better water-proofing, or lighter weight, or whatever.
posted by vytae at 6:22 PM on May 6, 2010
posted by vytae at 6:22 PM on May 6, 2010
Just make sure whatever you get you get fit properly. Most "customer service reps" at REI stores don't actually know how to fit packs (this is just my experience, ymmv. I had to take the stays out of my arcteryx bora 90 to bend them a little. HUGE HELP (for me). I really appreciate the outside waterproof pocket on the back of the bora series.
Not to make it even tougher on you, but black diamond makes fantastic packs.
posted by TheBones at 6:37 PM on May 6, 2010
Not to make it even tougher on you, but black diamond makes fantastic packs.
posted by TheBones at 6:37 PM on May 6, 2010
I have the Gregory Whitney, and I like it a lot. I think that you need to do what cubby suggested -- set aside plenty of time, try to go when the store is not super-busy (e.g. in the middle of a weekday) and try on each pack weighted down and simulate accessing and packing gear in it. I would plan on spending a while at it. If you can borrow or rent a backpack, load it up, and go hiking with it for a day, you could also get an idea of what works for you and what doesn't.
For my money, having comfortable foot gear is the most important part of backpacking -- there are a lot more ways to adjust a backpack than to adjust a pair of boots...
posted by elmay at 6:40 PM on May 6, 2010
For my money, having comfortable foot gear is the most important part of backpacking -- there are a lot more ways to adjust a backpack than to adjust a pair of boots...
posted by elmay at 6:40 PM on May 6, 2010
Response by poster: I live near Midwest Mountaineering, and they are far better than REI in their knowledge on the backpacks and how to fit them. Though I love REI, and always have, they don't always have the most skilled people working there.
As for trying them on: I have had each fitted to me with weight, so I do know how they all feel. I'm just looking for some opinions on personal experience.
posted by zombieApoc at 7:18 PM on May 6, 2010
As for trying them on: I have had each fitted to me with weight, so I do know how they all feel. I'm just looking for some opinions on personal experience.
posted by zombieApoc at 7:18 PM on May 6, 2010
I have a similarly-sized Gregory (the Forrester) and I love it. When I was buying it, it came down to Gregory, Arc'teryx, and Osprey for me as well. They're all excellent, excellent packs, so I think it's really about personal choice.
The employees at Whole Earth Provision Company gave me a bunch of weighted stuff sacks (some with plastic bags in them, some with dry beans, some with scrapped climbing gear) so I could simulate as best as possible how the pack organizes all the crap in it, how it rides, if it's best for putting the heavy stuff at the top, in the middle, the bottom, how easy it is to pull everything out of the pack, how easy it is to find just that one stuffsack and pull that out, etc.
I did this maniacally with every pack. Like twice. And then I wore it around the store for a while.
I finally settled on the Gregory because it felt more like it was hugging me and less like it was moving around, floating. Some people said they didn't like the huggy feeling. It seems totally personal. They stayed with me about an hour after closing time helping me pick out the pack, and they never pressured me to hurry up and make a decision. They were totally committed to Finding The Right Pack.
So if they're willing to stay late to help a customer do that, I tend to think it's an important decision. So take your time in the store with it, and load it up with real weight. If your store doesn't have crap for you to stuff in the pack, bring your own crap, and make sure you consider not just how the pack feels, but how easy it is to get everything in, out, and organized. I do not regret being completely anal about all the details.
something i overlooked: my Gregory has a billion annoying straps. i really like the simple, minimalist exterior of the Ospreys.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 8:06 PM on May 6, 2010 [1 favorite]
The employees at Whole Earth Provision Company gave me a bunch of weighted stuff sacks (some with plastic bags in them, some with dry beans, some with scrapped climbing gear) so I could simulate as best as possible how the pack organizes all the crap in it, how it rides, if it's best for putting the heavy stuff at the top, in the middle, the bottom, how easy it is to pull everything out of the pack, how easy it is to find just that one stuffsack and pull that out, etc.
I did this maniacally with every pack. Like twice. And then I wore it around the store for a while.
I finally settled on the Gregory because it felt more like it was hugging me and less like it was moving around, floating. Some people said they didn't like the huggy feeling. It seems totally personal. They stayed with me about an hour after closing time helping me pick out the pack, and they never pressured me to hurry up and make a decision. They were totally committed to Finding The Right Pack.
So if they're willing to stay late to help a customer do that, I tend to think it's an important decision. So take your time in the store with it, and load it up with real weight. If your store doesn't have crap for you to stuff in the pack, bring your own crap, and make sure you consider not just how the pack feels, but how easy it is to get everything in, out, and organized. I do not regret being completely anal about all the details.
something i overlooked: my Gregory has a billion annoying straps. i really like the simple, minimalist exterior of the Ospreys.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 8:06 PM on May 6, 2010 [1 favorite]
And I think that Arc'teryx is way overkill for a 3-5 day hike. Not that it wouldn't work, I just think something in the 50-60L range would be more appropriate.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 8:08 PM on May 6, 2010
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 8:08 PM on May 6, 2010
i mean that Whitney is pretty freaking huge too
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 8:09 PM on May 6, 2010
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 8:09 PM on May 6, 2010
I'll second the advice to try them on with an experienced salesperson. I had had my mind set on a pack, tried it on, and the REI sales person immediately detected that the shoulder straps would cut into my neck, and helped me find and fit a pack with the right dimensions.
Also think about your particular gear and where it will live in the pack and how accessible it will be. All packs are different in this regard.
posted by jimfl at 8:49 PM on May 6, 2010
Also think about your particular gear and where it will live in the pack and how accessible it will be. All packs are different in this regard.
posted by jimfl at 8:49 PM on May 6, 2010
My wife and I have Gregory packs, and we settled on them after several different experiments with other backpacking packs (REI store brand, Mountainsmith). We've had them now for 5 years and many trips and are really very happy with them.
We don't really have a local store anymore with really knowledgeable salespeople, so REI is as good as it gets. Ultimately, we've just figured out on our own what works for us through trial and error.
posted by M.C. Lo-Carb! at 8:54 PM on May 6, 2010
We don't really have a local store anymore with really knowledgeable salespeople, so REI is as good as it gets. Ultimately, we've just figured out on our own what works for us through trial and error.
posted by M.C. Lo-Carb! at 8:54 PM on May 6, 2010
I'd vote for the Osprey. I like their packs. If you're in Minneapolis, I'd skip REI and go Midwest or Hoigaard's.
posted by bucko at 9:26 PM on May 6, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by bucko at 9:26 PM on May 6, 2010 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Sounds like Osprey or Gregory then.
I do love Osprey's Warranty (it break we fix. Period. Your dog eat it? yeah we fix that too.)
that is all good info. Prior to this my investigating has basically drawn me to Osprey, but I'll do some more trials and see what works best.
PCT next year!!!! [different pack]
posted by zombieApoc at 10:05 PM on May 6, 2010
I do love Osprey's Warranty (it break we fix. Period. Your dog eat it? yeah we fix that too.)
that is all good info. Prior to this my investigating has basically drawn me to Osprey, but I'll do some more trials and see what works best.
PCT next year!!!! [different pack]
posted by zombieApoc at 10:05 PM on May 6, 2010
My Gregory is about 12 years old and has stood up to ridiculous amounts of abuse and for many years comfortably hauled 60lb loads all over creation, which is pretty insane for an internal frame pack on a person of my size (Photography gear. And youth.). For me the key to fit is swivel shoulder straps that allow the straps to lay on an angle (not sewn in ones that require flat shoulders), interchangeable hip belts and bendable sways as noted above. For other people it is cutout hip belts or a mesh back. For everyone it is load lifters that sit right when the pack is loaded. It will be hard to tell what you really need with little to no backpacking experience so if at all humanly possible borrow or rent a few packs before you buy anything.
Backpackers tend to be total gear freaks, and the hobby attracts people who like to obsess over stuff and buy things based on features and spec sheets so a lot of retail outlets focus on these details instead of the basics of fit. It's easy to fall in love with a piece of gear in the store and hate it once you hit the outdoors (I'm looking at you Lowe Alpine rain jacket, you cold, clammy thing you).
posted by fshgrl at 12:39 AM on May 7, 2010
Backpackers tend to be total gear freaks, and the hobby attracts people who like to obsess over stuff and buy things based on features and spec sheets so a lot of retail outlets focus on these details instead of the basics of fit. It's easy to fall in love with a piece of gear in the store and hate it once you hit the outdoors (I'm looking at you Lowe Alpine rain jacket, you cold, clammy thing you).
posted by fshgrl at 12:39 AM on May 7, 2010
I have an Aether 60 and absolutely love it. I've used it for up to a week (with bear canisters), and imagine it would work for a longer trip with re-supply.
The best advice I can give you, though, is to get the smallest pack that will fit the things you absolutely need. And you need a lot less than you think. A bigger pack (like the Gregory) will encourage you to bring things that "might come in handy," but are actually just excess weight. You don't have to cut the handle off your toothbrush or drill holes in your titanium spork, but carrying extra weight makes backpacking A LOT less fun.
That having been said, Gregory does make good packs. I just really like the shape (and light weight) of the Aether, and I've been quite happy with it.
posted by JMOZ at 5:23 AM on May 7, 2010
The best advice I can give you, though, is to get the smallest pack that will fit the things you absolutely need. And you need a lot less than you think. A bigger pack (like the Gregory) will encourage you to bring things that "might come in handy," but are actually just excess weight. You don't have to cut the handle off your toothbrush or drill holes in your titanium spork, but carrying extra weight makes backpacking A LOT less fun.
That having been said, Gregory does make good packs. I just really like the shape (and light weight) of the Aether, and I've been quite happy with it.
posted by JMOZ at 5:23 AM on May 7, 2010
I would go with an Osprey due to the warranty.
I just got my bag back from their repair center (I checked it and it got shredded by the baggage carousel) and it looks as good as new.
posted by mmmbacon at 5:38 AM on May 7, 2010 [1 favorite]
I just got my bag back from their repair center (I checked it and it got shredded by the baggage carousel) and it looks as good as new.
posted by mmmbacon at 5:38 AM on May 7, 2010 [1 favorite]
My strategy when confronting decisions of this sort is to remember that once you've narrowed it down to a handful, none of which have any obvious advantages over the others, the decision is almost arbitrary; and then I pick whichever one looks prettiest.
posted by Mars Saxman at 12:34 PM on May 7, 2010
posted by Mars Saxman at 12:34 PM on May 7, 2010
I haven't tried the other packs, but I have a Gregory Whitney and have zero complaints. Fits (me) great, easy to organize and get to any gear in the pack, and the top can be detached to use as a fanny pack if you are staying in the same place for more than a day and want to go on a dayhike, climb, etc. without carrying around a giant bag. Love it.
posted by Thoughtcrime at 4:23 PM on May 7, 2010
posted by Thoughtcrime at 4:23 PM on May 7, 2010
Response by poster: I ended up going with the Osprey Aether 70. I look forward to tiring myself out.
posted by zombieApoc at 5:37 AM on June 7, 2010
posted by zombieApoc at 5:37 AM on June 7, 2010
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posted by TheBones at 6:05 PM on May 6, 2010