<p>Anyone know anything about these?</p>
<p>Well, S1 had one and trekked all over New Zealand with it. I’ll find out the brand, the size, etc. I klnow size is very important; it needs to fit your body or else you’re horribly uncomfortable.</p>
<p>Oldest D has one and used it treking around India. We went to a local backpacking store and had her fitted. Due to her height and size she ended up with the one and only pack that fit her.
REI has a section where they give you advice on different subjects. One of them is finding the right backpack to meet your needs.
If you have an REI nearby it is worth a visit. At least in the past when they were smaller the help was very helpful and actually had experience in the outdoors. I haven’t been to REI in a few years so don’t know if that is still the case.</p>
<p>Absolutely important to be fitted properly. What brand, specific type will also depend on the kind of travel you will be doing. There are also particular models that are better for women than men. My D has either an Osprey or Gregory (can’t remember) and I think my S’s pack is a North Face…but it’s really personal opinion. You have to try them on, with something in them. How they sit on the shoulders and hips will vary depending on the weight and distribution of the contents.</p>
<p>According to son who trekked through New Zealand:</p>
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<p>Thanks all. And special thanks to VeryHappy’s trekking son:).</p>
<p>I’ll tell him you said so. (But not that you’re on CC. He thinks my addiction is weird. ;))</p>
<p>You may also want to take a look at Alps Mountaineering. They have quality packs at reasonable prices. I’ve got their ‘Red Tail’ pack and one of their backpacking tents. I know several people who have these backpacks and have only heard one problem which was corrected by the company promptly.</p>
<p>[ALPS</a> Mountaineering Home Page](<a href=“http://www.alpsmountaineering.com%5DALPS”>http://www.alpsmountaineering.com)</p>
<p>My pack is an LL Bean, and they fitted me properly for it. I have had no issues at all, and I love that if I do I can take it back to them for a refit or a new pack no questions asked for the rest of my life. My dad has a pack from EMS, and they are also very helpful and have a similar guarantee, he has also not had problems.</p>
<p>A majority of packs sold these days are “internal frame packs”. They are a vast improvement over the old fashion external aluminum frame packs. As many folks have stated it is important to have one sized for you and learn how to pack it and adjust it. What often makes this style pack uncomfortable is over-packing (think light) and placing heavy items in the wrong place. Our family spends most summer weekends backpacking and I’m a big fan of Golite.com products.</p>
<p>My advice is to go to a high quality outdoor store with knowledgeable staff and plan to spend some time and some money and you’ll come home with a pack that will last for decades.</p>
<p>S got a North Face internal frame backpack for a 3 week trek through Europe with his German teacher and classmates 9 years ago. He will be using it again this summer for a 2 week adventure prior to starting professional school. I thought it was expensive at the time, but now know it was a good investment.</p>
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Is this really true? Much of the improvement is due to better construction/materials/padding, which all could be applied to external frame pack design. And the latter have (had) the virtue of elevating the load higher on one’s back. I wonder if the external frame packs have disappeared mainly because they look so geeky.</p>
<p>Also recommend going through a good quality outdoor store…ie REI. The pack size, fit and WEIGHT are all extremely important. The great thing is that once you invest in a good one, you’ll have it forever. It’s worth it to do right the first time.</p>