Best Backpacking BackPack

[newbie76]

I am in the market for a backpack that would be good for about 3 night backpacking trips. Do any of you backpack and if so what do you recommend?

[JLS]

The size of your backpack will be dictated by the gear you own.  I.e. how small and lightweight is it?  Go to your local REI store and have them help fit you so you get the right torso size, and a hip belt that fits and is comfortable.

I have an older Dana Design that I really like.  Ospreys are nice packs, and I the REI house brand seems good.  I bought a Flash model last year for my wife/daughters and it seems like a quality pack.

What kind of gear do you have thus far?  Type of pad, bag, stove etc?

[swanny]

Definately head into a store such as REI and get fitted. Every brand they carry will fit different and different people. For the best bang for the buck packs, look at REI or Deuter.  Many of the Deuter packs are very feature full packs for very little price. They are high quality stuff too! Osprey and Gregory will probably be lighter weight and more flashy, and maybe even more comfortable in the long run. Deuter does tend to be a little on the heavier side, but they are comfortable to carry, pack gear well, and they will only cost you an arm.

Be sure to look at your other gear though. Do you have a tent, sleeping bag, and pad already? These 3 items take up the most space in any pack. For a 3 night trip with non lightweight or super compact gear, you are probably looking about 55-70 liters. A lot of it will come down to how disciplined you are with your clothing and food selection after you pack the big 3.

I'm happy to answer any other questions you have.

[Big Horn]

Osprey makes a great product, Just my 

[Helix]

The backpack for you is the one that fits you. Nobody can pick it for you. Go to a store that let's you load them up.  Pack your prospective pack with the aproximate weight you will carry then shop for an hour. If you don't love the pack at tat point don't buy it it won't get better on te trail. Having a person who impeachment what they are doing fit the pack to you will mal a big difference too.

[timberghost72]

Go and try all of them on with weight in them. Everyone's body is different and so are the packs. I have a short torso length and am 5'8" and it was hard to find the perfect fit. I spent an hour at REI last week and found a few that worked good but the Deuter packs fit me awesome and are quality packs. I just bought the ACT Trail 32 for day hikes and will buy the multi day size pack later for 3+days. The multi day packs have fully adjustable torso lengths.

[high country]

I would use a hot pink pack that fit well over a camo one that did not.....regardless of brand. If you want the Cadillac of packs, have a peek at mystery ranch....but hold on to your hat, they are not cheap.

[swanny]

Go and try all of them on with weight in them. Everyone's body is different and so are the packs. I have a short torso length and am 5'8" and it was hard to find the perfect fit. I spent an hour at REI last week and found a few that worked good but the Deuter packs fit me awesome and are quality packs. I just bought the ACT Trail 32 for day hikes and will buy the multi day size pack later for 3+days. The multi day packs have fully adjustable torso lengths.

I have taken the ACT Trail 32 pack out on a couple of test trips and am very impressed by it's ability. It worked for me as a wonderful carry on bag to Mexico and is comfortable for any day hike, capable of carrying a heavier load and still being comfortable.

[hillbillyhunting]

I highly suggest getting the pack from REI.  If you are not a member it is worth paying the fee because of their satisfaction guarantee!  If you are a member you do not have to save any recepts and you get 10% back at the end of the year.  They will let you return anything for any reason.  I have been using gregory packs for the past 6 years.  I am not affraid to "use" my gear and I have gone through 4 packs in the past 6 years.  Seems give out, zippers break, etc.  It seems that no pack is designed for the abuse that off-trail hunting adventures expose them to.  I would stick to these brands that are designed for serious backpackers and stay away from hunting packs for backpacking.  My hunting partner bought a "nice" badlands pack two years ago and while packing the first deer out with it the frame broke.  He had to hike out with almost 100lbs and no waist strap     

[timberghost72]

Go and try all of them on with weight in them. Everyone's body is different and so are the packs. I have a short torso length and am 5'8" and it was hard to find the perfect fit. I spent an hour at REI last week and found a few that worked good but the Deuter packs fit me awesome and are quality packs. I just bought the ACT Trail 32 for day hikes and will buy the multi day size pack later for 3+days. The multi day packs have fully adjustable torso lengths.

I have taken the ACT Trail 32 pack out on a couple of test trips and am very impressed by it's ability. It worked for me as a wonderful carry on bag to Mexico and is comfortable for any day hike, capable of carrying a heavier load and still being comfortable.

Thats good to hear. I'm giving mine a test drive this weekend over by Lake Quinault/Hoh Rain Forest.

[briancorneal]

Mystery ranch is the best pack you can invest in, hands down. 

[JPhelps]

You put the word "best" in the title.

I don't know about the mystery ranch being the best hands down, but it is considered a top notch pack.

The Kifaru is a load monster and it also weighs less than the MR.  Kifaru has a huge following.

These two packs with an occasional barneys thrown in are mentioned as the best packs out there.

[newbie76]

Thank you all for advice. I am a member at REI so I will head there. So far I have a water filter (can't remember the brand but was told it was one or the lightest and was recommended by the REI salesperson. I have the north face cats meow womens sleeping bag. The tent I got for Christmas and I am not too happy with but it will make do for now. I am shopping for a pack for now and then get the pad. I am really excited to head out overnight for the first time. I hope I don't get too scared!!!