BootsnAll Travel Community

I'm shopping for a good internal frame pack for $400 and under. It's been a good number of years since I've been packing, and I'm looking for advice on what's out there these days.
The only other paramater is that this pack needs to be very versatile as it will be my only one for a while, and it will probably see a variety of different sized outings.

Thanks

Hey Pirate!

I'm in the middle phase about to make my first purchase of an internal frame pack. The best advice on the boards is go to your local shop and get fitted, try on several with some weight in them and walk around for 7-10 minutes. The guys that fitted me switched out my hip belt and shoulder belts to get a better fit--so I echo the sentiment of not buying over the internet unless you've tried the same model on in the store. I am leaning towards the Gregory product (women's medium) for $240 for a 60L pack. I am going to try to go light and have a day pack. Keep us posted!

Fun

It's a little rough, but I have an article on How to Choose a Backpack on my website. No specific brand/model recommendations, but more of a general primer on how to think about your next pack purchase.

I absolutley LOVE my Arc'Teryx (spelling?) backpack.

I've had it for about five years now, and it's still more comfortable than any other backpack I've ever tried on. I rock with a 65 liter model.

I'm taking it travelling around the world. It's been to numerous mountain peaks, and abused in the luggage compartment of about a dozen airplanes. I've held up to 30 kilos in it, and the thing is as durable as a rock.

That being said, it's also about the most expensive backpack brand around. But, after all, you do get what you pay for.

Other brands I respect:
Gregory
Dana Designs
Osprey

remember: you get what you pay for...