Backpacks

[benn]

Hi, I'm in the market for a new backpack/hicking pack for my wife and my self. We travelled and worked around U.K. and Europe for 2 years and had Black Wolf Travel packs. They did the trick but just held in there. We want to upgrade but their are too many brands out there. To list a few we have been researching Macpack, Wilderness Equipment, One Planet, Dueter, Tatonka, Berghaus. Are there any stand outs or any to stear clear of. Hoping to pay around the $350 range. Looking for one with a day pack around the 75 ltr and one without around the 60 ltr. Thanks for ya help

[peterh13]

I use a 75L Deuter, they are very robust and water proof,,they come with a built in rain cover and enough pockets and compartments to keep everybody happy.They are also fully adjustable as not everybody is the same height or width. There are also models for both males and females
This is about the 4th backpack Ive had and would have to be the best.
Deuter also puts out a smaller model which is an exact copy of the larger pack for use as a daypack.
You can get them both from Anaconda and you'll get a good deal when they have a 20% off weekend.

[Fluppy]

For full packs, our Carribee packs (75-80L + 85-90L) have held up well carrying around 20kg in plate weights + gear during our hikes and 3 day camping trips. My husband and I will be trekking Kokoda in October this year, so that is when the true test will come. The full packs came with their own little detatchable day-pack, but by the time we had filled our hydration pack and put that in, there was little room for anything else, so we bought separate day packs instead.

Speaking of the daypacks, I have to second Peter. After extensive research myself (do a search on this forum for backpacks), so far, I have found the Deuter 32L packs the best day packs. It is a shame that when we bought our full packs that the places we went to were out of stock at the time – otherwise we would've bought the Deuter brand for our full packs.

So instead, we settled for the Deuter day pack and also a Camelbak brand daypack (not the little hydration packs, but an actual backpack). Both of these serve as excellent day packs as they have built in support just about everywhere. The Deuter even has a back splint thing which keeps the pack from resting on your back allowing the air to flow right through so you don't sweat to death on your back. It feels very comfortable and as Peter said, there are plenty of pockets everywhere to keep even the fussiest of people satisfied. The built in rain cover works well and with the recent Brisbane flooding and constant rain, it has been a good test.

[benn]

Thanks very much for your advice and help, south america is our next trip. I will keep up the research and see how i go.

[phantom]

Hi Benn,
Consierations need to include;
Am I carrying it as a backpack only or do I need it as 'suitcase' with some limited backpacking.
Do I need a day pack.
Will I be carrying it all day or d I have someone else or some other means of tranportin the pack.

If you are carrying it yourself the answer is simply buy the best quality you can. That would be starting with Wilderness Equipment, One Planet and Macpac and then down from there. These packs are simply "The Best" you can buy regardless of those who want to save a few bucks and try to justify the savings by buying a cheap copy of one of these brands. Some of the European stuff like Deuter are good and comfortable but not as rugged and long lived at the othes.

I have had WE packs everywhere from Mount Everest to Kokoda and back again and I carried them the whole way myself. They are bombproof and superbly comfortable.I am 53 and always believe that quality gear is essential. If you don't use it alot yourself your porter will thank you anyway. Best of luck.

[peterh13]

I tried to get an older New Zealand made Macpac,,but could not buy one for love nor money.
I think the newer ones are chinese.

[Kidda]

Gday, I've been researching a few day packs, most based on the forums posts (thanks), for my Kokoda trek in March 2010 and have found a few I like,
Deuter Futura 32L
Macpac Torlesse 35L
Osprey Aura 35L

I'd most likely buy the same pack in a larger model for my porter.

Have any of you fellow trekkers had good/bad experiences with these pack?
Or are there any others worth considering?

Cheers

[peterh13]

I have an 75 litre Deuter as well as a smaller Deuter day pack.
They are both exactly the same shape and layout which Ive found handy.
I carried my own pack in PNG and found it very comfortable and water proof.
It was a fair bit cheaper than the macpac which was my original choice, but I went off them when I found out they werent made in New Zealand anymore.

Wait til annaconda has a 25% off sale to get your Deuter packs. 25% is a fair whack off full price.

[Author]

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