Need a backpacking backpack....something in the 75L range

S

Spic-N-SpaN

Active member
I did some research last year but never ended up picking one up. What should I get? I'm thinking like weekend trips, then maybe a few longer ones a year. I also want to go travel/backpack Europe or Australia after college so if I can use it for that as well that would be awesome.

Also looking for a tent. 3 season 1-2 person

Cheap is good as long as its a quality product, and if its from Backcountry even better (have some credit there)
 
My dad might still be trying to sell his 90L expedition pack, but that's probably more heft than you want.

I'm no pack expert, but my Osprey is the shit. Inner frame, heat molded hip belt (random but awesome). If I was at home, I'd go check the full specs for you. Got it on clearance at REI. REI garage sale can be an awesome place to find deals on stuff like this that's still in good condition.
 
I've got an 80L pack from REI, and I actually really like it. in the store I tried on a whole bunch of packs from Gregory, Osprey, TNF, and a couple others, but the REI one was definitely the most comfortable. Its a bit heavier than some of the other ones, and doesn't have all the bells and whistles, But I don't take myself too seriously so that's fine with me. The difference in weight / kit wasn't enough to make up for the difference in comfort. That being said, it still as a sleeve for my Camelpak, well organized pockets, and lots of well placed straps. I did tear it after about 2 years of pretty frequent use both camping and as luggage, but REI shipped a replacement to my doorstep in about 2 weeks. In the past I've usually looked past store brand equipment, but this time I'm really impressed.
 
I've found a lot of really quality packs don't fit me very well so it's definitely smth I'd recommend trying on first. Things like the length of your back and width of your frame obviously matter but I find some hip belts work for me and some don't and I can never guess which ahead of time. If you do try them on make sure to stick some weight in.

Look for a fairly simple pack without tons of dangly bits - it'll be lighter and won't get caught on shit traveling. If you are taking it traveling look for a bit of a tougher material rather so you don't need to worry about it getting tossed on top of a bus or into the dirt. This'll be a bit heavier but worth it in my mind.

75L sounds like a lot for primarily weekend trips and definitely could be a struggle traveling as far as fitting it places (eg riding a schoolbus with three people and their packs to a bench) I know there were times I wish I had less than my 50L. That said if you think there will be a number of longer trips I guess it's worth the inconvenience.

Packs I've used a lot and liked were a MEC Spirit (the most comfortable and the cheapest of the ones I tried back when I got it) and a Deuter pack from 15ish years ago. I'd also look at Osprey (which I'm eyeing for a lighter pack) and Gregory.
 
Go with Osprey, nothing on the market can compete with them, they make hands down the best packs. With that being said, it is good to go to an outdoor store and have your back measured so you know what size to get, and try on a few different brands to see what feels best.

Osprey makes the Xenith in 105L, 88L and 75L. Great pack, with amazing features.
 
I missed the "mostly weekend trips" part. So yeah I would have to agree with everyone else. I have plenty of room un my 70L on 10 day trips with all of my fishing gear so you probably won't need that much (if you know how to pack, which I'm sure you'll figure out). I'd say right around 60 MAX for mainly weekend trips. Also, just a thought maybe think about hammock camping? I use my hammock 98% of the time if I'm by myself on trips. Don't need level ground, more comfortable (imo), all you need is two trees (or some ingenuity) and you're good to go.
 
Mountainsmith is a highly underrated company that makes grade A bags that last forever. I recently inherited my dad's he bought in 1995 and it's still in amazing shape. Granted that's not too old, but she has many miles on her yet.
 
This. REI is the SHIT. The will fucking set you up. And they have crazy guarantees and stuff.

Osprey tends to make larger bags. I have a Deuter 65L + 10 (meaning I have an option to add ten L to the pack by pulling out the top of the pack). That bag kicks ass so I recommend that as well.

Have fun on your trip bro
 
i will NEVER buy anything BUT OSPREY ever again. I have an 85, just got a 38. and an older 20ishL osprey bag. I used the 85 for a few 2 week trips and had plenty of space. I can fit everything for a weekend in my kestrel no problem. As far as a tent, when im soloing i bring my big agnes fly creek ul2. 2 person tent, just short of 3 pounds with footprint and stakes. love it. I have a mountain hardware solo tent that i like alot as well.
 
I bought a long trail EMS 70l pack a while back and its pretty damn good. Not the lighest thing out there but I like it just as much as my friend 65l ospry. And for under 150$ it's tough to beat. Check out the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 2 person 3 season tent. It's expensive but only weighs 2.2 pounds. About half the weight of some one person tents.
 
Thanks for all the recommendations I've always been attracted to Osprey packs and the Big Anges Seed House, I guess it's somewhat similar to the Fly Creek. The one down side is there very expensive. I had been looking at a Mountain Hardware Light Wedge 2 or something that was on sale for half that price. M H sells an other called the Drifter that's only $136 on sale but I guess it weighs almost 5 lbs.

I guess I'm wrong about pack size, I'm thinking I'll get all my other stuff, put it in stuff sacks bring it all into REI and get one that fits from there.

I'm on mobile but I'll screen shot my Backcountry shopping cart when I get on a computer, let me know if anything is missing/could be replaced with something else.
 
Just throwing this out there but I'm a medium in both Gregory and Ospery packs, and now I'm thinking 70L for a do-it-all pack
 
Getting suggestions online for a backpack is just the first step. They all fit differently, and everyone has a different body. You want one that fits your body. Go to REI and try on every backpack they have. Make sure to put some weight in them (stores usually have sandbags for this purpose). Get measured as to whether you are a S, M, or L frame. This doesn't have as much to do with height as it does with your specific build.

Also, 75L is way too big for backpacking. The pack itself will weigh a lot, and somehow no matter how big the backpack is, it gets filled. Go with a 55L. My personal preference is a Gregory Z55. I've backpacked in the neighborhood of 3,000 miles and have a decent idea what I am talking about.
 
Yep its better to get a smaller backpack and go with less than get a larger backpack and fill it with shit you don't need because trust me if you have the space you will fill it.

However I think a lot of experienced backpackers forget that most people don't have a lot of lightweight and compressible gear so it can be difficult to fit everything you need into a smaller backpack. In this case I don't think 75L is unreasonable but take you're basic gear if possible (stove and cook set, fuel, tent if you get it, sleeping bag, cloths, water filter, other small items, ect) and see if you can fit them into a smaller backpack.

As far as brands whatever fits you best. Osprey, arcteryx, gregor, mountain hardware, and a lot of other brands make excellent backpacks. I'd recommend avoding the North Face.

As far as tents if a megamid or tarp style tent fits your needs they have a lot of advantages for backpacking but are more limited than freestanding tents.
 
I lived out of a Altra 75 for 3 months in India and it was a amazing pack. I got a killer deal on the pack, which made it affordable for a 19 year old, but if you can drop the cash I would highly recommend it. But 75 is quite large, I often wish I had gone smaller.
 
I have a Gregory Whitney 95 and haven't had a problem yet. It's cheaper but less durable than osprey

Go to REI and try on a bunch of packs, have someone help you, the choice should be pretty clear as to what fits once you try a few on
 
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