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Started By
Message
Backpacking Gear Recs?
Posted on 8/11/15 at 8:22 am
Posted on 8/11/15 at 8:22 am
My brother is traveling to South America for school and needs some backpacking gear. I'd like to buy him some stuff as a graduation present.
Specifically, the school recommends a backpack, at least 80 liters, internal frame, and preferable if it has a detachable day pack.
Wondering if y'all had recs on brands (if not the specific backpack) outside of the typical North Face and Patagonia stuff.
Thanks.
Specifically, the school recommends a backpack, at least 80 liters, internal frame, and preferable if it has a detachable day pack.
Wondering if y'all had recs on brands (if not the specific backpack) outside of the typical North Face and Patagonia stuff.
Thanks.
7
Posted on 8/11/15 at 8:32 am to northern
Marmot makes quality equipment and everything I have seen from REI brand is good, although I don't have experience with their packs. Same with Kelty. I have heard some good things about Osprey also.
Posted on 8/11/15 at 8:50 am to northern
GORUCK makes probably the best built day pack I've ever used. I've done a quite a bit of backpacking over the last couple of years and after I got the GR1 I don't think I would ever use another standard pack.
Posted on 8/11/15 at 9:23 am to northern
Anyone who knows anything about good backpacking equipment these days knows that Osprey makes the best packs and they warranty everything for life.
The detachable daypack I've always thought of as a gimmick feature on packs. If you need two different sized packs, buy two packs.
If he needs a tent, look into Big Agnes, or MSR.
The detachable daypack I've always thought of as a gimmick feature on packs. If you need two different sized packs, buy two packs.
If he needs a tent, look into Big Agnes, or MSR.
Posted on 8/11/15 at 9:45 am to northern
80L pack: Osprey, Gregory, Arcteryx, Kelty, Fjallraven, are some of the bigger brands.
Daypack: An ultralight pack that can be stuffed. I have a North Face that I REALLY like.
Since they are recommending a very large pack, you should go with him to get fitted for one at a reputable outfitter. He will be miserable if it is the wrong size.
Daypack: An ultralight pack that can be stuffed. I have a North Face that I REALLY like.
Since they are recommending a very large pack, you should go with him to get fitted for one at a reputable outfitter. He will be miserable if it is the wrong size.
Posted on 8/11/15 at 10:33 am to StripedSaint
Know anything about Mountainsmith? My buddy from Colorado recommended them or Osprey.
Posted on 8/11/15 at 10:45 am to northern
You can find deep discounts on Mountainsmith in my experience.
My packs are Osprey and Patagonia, but I do have an REI and Kelty around somewhere. All are fine and will work for most people. I probably wouldn't look much at Kelty as they tend not to be very competitive weight-wise, but they are a good budget option and quite durable.
Arc'teryx makes good packs and I may end up getting one before long. Granite Gear is supposedly good but I have no personal experience. I'm sure MH and TNF make some very solid packs as well.
Edit: Should have mentioned Gregory, as they're a huge player in packs. Never owned one, but they'd probably be in the top tier based on reputation and widespread use.
My packs are Osprey and Patagonia, but I do have an REI and Kelty around somewhere. All are fine and will work for most people. I probably wouldn't look much at Kelty as they tend not to be very competitive weight-wise, but they are a good budget option and quite durable.
Arc'teryx makes good packs and I may end up getting one before long. Granite Gear is supposedly good but I have no personal experience. I'm sure MH and TNF make some very solid packs as well.
Edit: Should have mentioned Gregory, as they're a huge player in packs. Never owned one, but they'd probably be in the top tier based on reputation and widespread use.
This post was edited on 8/11/15 at 10:49 am
Posted on 8/11/15 at 11:13 am to northern
Osprey
Posted on 8/11/15 at 11:44 am to northern
Personally, I'd buy him a gift certificate to a local area REI or an outdoors store that really knows their stuff. Nothing will ruin a trip faster than a bag that just doesn't fit the person correctly.
Posted on 8/11/15 at 12:10 pm to Jcorye1
Osprey.
Not a fan of Mountainsmith. The guy who developed them would literally go out into the woods with a rucksack and various attachment methods and material. And he'd sew on a pocket or subsidiary pack as his whim suited him. Then he'd bring the "prototype" back to his designers to have them work it up.
They've always just worn sort of sloppy, imo.
I'm still rocking my old Dana Design packs.
Not a fan of Mountainsmith. The guy who developed them would literally go out into the woods with a rucksack and various attachment methods and material. And he'd sew on a pocket or subsidiary pack as his whim suited him. Then he'd bring the "prototype" back to his designers to have them work it up.
They've always just worn sort of sloppy, imo.
I'm still rocking my old Dana Design packs.
Posted on 8/11/15 at 2:30 pm to northern
Osprey for sure.
I agree.
My Osprey has the detachable day pack. Not worth it. You have to detach it, clear it out, and repack it with the things you need for the day, then repack it again when you're ready to reattach it to the rest of the pack.
Would be easier to just have a separate lightweight pack.
quote:
The detachable daypack I've always thought of as a gimmick feature on packs. If you need two different sized packs, buy two packs.
I agree.
My Osprey has the detachable day pack. Not worth it. You have to detach it, clear it out, and repack it with the things you need for the day, then repack it again when you're ready to reattach it to the rest of the pack.
Would be easier to just have a separate lightweight pack.
Posted on 8/11/15 at 3:17 pm to nes2010
OF all my packs that are currently still in use, the marmot is probably my least favorite. its a day and a half/weekend size pack and i've never been in love with the suspension. Maybe the bigger ones are better. That said, it has held up to a ton of abuse and I still use it at the deer lease. shite after typing this I realized its 10 years old now.
my big pack was a lowe alpine for 15+ years before I finally decided to get some newer lighter technology. It could still do its job if it needed to though. I don't hear their name mentioned as much these days but that was a great pack
Picked up an osprey aether a couple years ago and no complaints so far.
my big pack was a lowe alpine for 15+ years before I finally decided to get some newer lighter technology. It could still do its job if it needed to though. I don't hear their name mentioned as much these days but that was a great pack
Picked up an osprey aether a couple years ago and no complaints so far.
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