Backpack recommendation

[G]

I'm thinking about picking up a new pack.

what do you recommend?

It will be used for medium duration summer hiking & camping (5-7 days) and short winter trips (1-3 days)

any favorites?

[dipstik]

I have a North Face Hotshot. It's just right for a daypack and maybe a single overnight, but I wouldn't reccomend it for what your looking for.

But what I will say is that it has help up amazingly well to the crap I put it through. The zippers and straps and the pack itself is in near perfect shape and I've had it for a good 3 years.

So check out the North Face. It's quality gear.

[seldon]

arc'teryx bora 75. never been happier with a piece of backpacking equipment than with that. and to add to that, all of arc'terxys stuff is bomber.

just my 2 cents

[G]

what is it about the pack that you like so much?

does it carry skis well?

thanks

[CantDog]

Arcteryx stuff is absolutely killer, they build 'em right. Check out osprey too, they are out of Colorado, I just picked up the Switch 25+5. They moved their operations to Vietnam I heard, but the head of the company moved to Vietnam also to make sure everything is good. I'd call that dedication to your product.

[dipstik]

Originally posted by CantDog
Arcteryx stuff is absolutely killer, they build 'em right. Check out osprey too, they are out of Colorado, I just picked up the Switch 25+5. They moved their operations to Vietnam I heard, but the head of the company moved to Vietnam also to make sure everything is good. I'd call that dedication to your product.


vietnam!? but I ski in the northeast! can anyone reccomend anything else? /gapicski

[seldon]

i thought arc'teryx was in vancouver. or im taking you too seriously :D.

you learn something everyday

[CantDog]

Sorry if I was confusing, or missing the internet sarcasm..Arcertyx in Vancouver, Osprey in Colorado now vietnam. Mike Pfotenhauer and Diane Wren, owners of Osprey moved with the company to Ho Chi Minh City.

I was reading some articles about the switch, and it looks like there are a crap load of Gore-Tex approved shops over there. Sounds like we need to send a mang over to load up on gear cheap.

[BanditXXX]

I like The North Face North Rim pack. Carries skis really good. Plenty of room for all your gear. It's about four years old so it might be hard to find. :cool:

[Dr. Crash]

Originally posted by CantDog
I was reading some articles about the switch, and it looks like there are a crap load of Gore-Tex approved shops over there. Sounds like we need to send a mang over to load up on gear cheap.

Isn't that what pmgear is doing? As long as the stuff that comes back from wherever (ISPO or China or ...) is good, and they buy from people with sensible workforce policies (no children etc.) cool.

drC

[snorkeldeep]

i have the arcteryx borea - just got it this year - its awesome. Best A-frame straps ive seen, balance is great.. just enough volume in the large to realistically do a multi day trip as well - though i use it as a daypack as well. Highly recommended! I've used a couple of REI packs and a north face patrol pack as well, none were anywhere close to this one.

[Innominatus]

Wookey, North Face, et al., all have WAY too many straps and whistled bells for my tastes. Most of the superfluous straps they have just end up getting in the way.

Couple nominations for simple, bulletproof packs that might meet your size/budget requirements:

Chernobyl by Cold Cold World (http://www.coldcoldworldpacks.com/homepage.htm)
Ice Sac (http://www.wildthingsgear.com/icesac.html) by Wild Things

Both are little-guy companies run by mountain dudes who know what works.

Personally, I have a Chernobyl for all-round mountain stuff and fartin' about. Perfect size for day and overnight trips, but for 3+ day trips, I would go a bit larger, to, perhaps, say, if I may employ yet another comma-ed clause, the Chaos (4000 or so cubic inches).

[G]

What's good around 5000 ci or so - or maybe a little bit larger, even?

and carries skis, & boots well?
(and shovel, and tent and sleeping bag and big stove and.....)

[CantDog]

Arcteryx stuff is well designed and bomber, I'd start there and try one on. Its the Bora something or other.

Why not cut down on some gear and get a bivy sack and smaller stove?

[raddam]

check out Indigo packs
they are newbies but have a great top loading design for skiers/by skiers