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Post by wperrott92 on Jun 26, 2016 17:42:04 GMT -8
I currently use a HMG 2400 southwest on all my hikes but would like a pack that can handle a bit more weight and/or volume for colder weather or when I don't feel like spending a day dropping off resupply caches before a long hike. I don't plan on using this pack near as much as my HMG so I would like to not drop near as much money as I did on that pack. Any suggestions for a mid size pack that could handle a bit more than my HMG 2400 which tops out at about 30-35? I'm not necessarily looking for another "lightweight" pack and am open to conventional major retailer packs or cottage gear. I've been eyeing a couple designs by osprey as well as the six moon designs 2014 version of their 50 liter pack which is on sale for 100$.
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Post by trinity on Jun 28, 2016 5:44:26 GMT -8
I've been eyeing a couple designs by osprey as well as the six moon designs 2014 version of their 50 liter pack which is on sale for 100$. I've been eyeing the SMD pack as well, very tempting at $100. There are any number of packs that would fit the bill for you, it all depends on personal fit. REI offers some pretty nice packs for the money, but don't feel as comfortable for me as others. I have spent many hours loading up packs and walking around the store with them. Generally, Deuters fit me the best, but that's a very personal thing. I also have a Gregory Z55 that I like fairly well. Ospreys are very popular, but I've never yet tried one on that I liked. |
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tigger
Trail Wise!
Posts: 2,547 
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Post by tigger on Jun 28, 2016 6:35:22 GMT -8
As Trinity alluded to - You should ignore brands/styles and just try on packs in person. It's like trying on shoes. Every pack feels different and is shaped for a specific body type/back shape/waist. Unless you are going with a custom manufacturer (like a Mchale), forcing a specific pack to fit is a bad idea.
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Post by wperrott92 on Jun 28, 2016 8:37:21 GMT -8
I tried the osprey volt and the AG and like the less complicated/seemingly more durable design of the volt even if it is less supportive. For some reason those curved airframe designs used by lots of osprey packs do not fit me well, a compliant I've heard echoed by other 6'2 ish guys with large frames. I'm also looking into the north face banchee 50 because for a bit more money it claims to be much more supportive than the volt. This pack would be used for trips where I still utilize my lightweight/ultralight gear but need/want to go a week or more without resupplying. I just can't justify dropping 300 dollars again for the larger version of the HMG southwest as I will not use this pack enough to warrant buying an ultralight pack for extended trips.
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almostthere
Trail Wise!
putting on my hiking shoes....
Posts: 696 
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Post by almostthere on Jun 28, 2016 8:55:07 GMT -8
Those osprey external/internal frames don't make my back happy at all, and there are plenty of women wearing Gregory packs instead that have found the same to be true. I wear a loaded Osprey Aura/Volt/whatever for a mile and I may as well have let someone kick me in the kidneys.
Best to try on a pack with weight and hike a mile or so before you decide it's "the one" - instead of taking it on a trip of 16+ miles and suffering the way I did with my first pack, an Osprey....
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Post by wperrott92 on Jun 28, 2016 8:57:16 GMT -8
I've never had any fit issues with packs that have a "flat" frame like a Gregory or the HMG southwest 2400. I run into issues with curved frames like the osprey exos etc...find myself constantly fiddling with the load lifters.
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pollock
Trail Ready!
www.alltheadventures.com
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Post by pollock on Aug 13, 2016 7:30:47 GMT -8
For the price, I find the Atmos 65 from Osprey to be a good choice for multiday/winter trips. I just used it for the Trans Zion trek and it held up well under a decent amount of weight (50+lbs). I'm 5'11/205lb so fit may vary.
If you want a bombproof workhorse the Mystery Ranch Terraplane isn't bad. Dana Gleason does good work if you are going to beat on a pack, but it doesn't take advantage of modern evolution of materials and design (example - not bladder compatible and weighs nearly 8lbs empty.)
I won't shill for my blog here, but I did write a quick review of the Atmos and Terraplane if you care to check it out.
good luck.
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