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looking for a hikers backpack.... (pg. 2)
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| kabelicious |
| quote: | Originally posted by nusty
I just bought my North Face Pivitol 75 from them a few months ago. :) mine is the bigger '75' version of this one below.
reviews |
Shun the North Face! HISS! HISS!
Especially the damn pivotals! The North Face used to be the shizzy but their quality has gone down lately - especially with most packs. We got back a e ton of these as returns for warranty when I worked at the Moose.
Personally, I hate wheeled packs - wheels break too easily and the packs they come with aren't that comfy. If you want something wheeled, you might as well buy a suitcase with wheels in all honesty.
Travel packs (non-wheeled variety) have so many good features now - better pading, usually a seperate secondary that attaches to the main one, better stash pockets, stashable shoulder and waist harnesses, organizer pockets, etc. They have ones with hydration pockets for a Camelbak reservoir and tube straps so you can have a hydration pack on the go! And ports for mp3 players, walkmans, cell phones, etc.
The best brands for these are definitely Osprey's series - I have one of their Travel Duffels and it's my carryon luggage for every trip I've taken in the past three years. It's comfy as heck, has compression straps, and is easy to manuver and pack. I really want to trade up for their Traveller series with the detachable daypack. *drool*
Yeah, I'm a gear nut - sue me! |
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| Irishaddict |
| I have a MEC one for school (it's not that big) and everyone makes fun of it because it's bright green. :clown: |
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| Abercrombie |
| cops blew mine up |
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| MaxTO |
got the long size...don't remember if it's the Brio 60 or 70 (62L/72L). |
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| 5hiftn6ears |
| quote: | Originally posted by spitty
i'll ideally like one i can wear and pull...b/c i'm little and lazy |
why do i see myself carrying two of them in the near future?:rolleyes: |
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| nusty |
| quote: | Originally posted by kabelicious
Shun the North Face! HISS! HISS!
Especially the damn pivotals! The North Face used to be the shizzy but their quality has gone down lately - especially with most packs. We got back a e ton of these as returns for warranty when I worked at the Moose.
Personally, I hate wheeled packs - wheels break too easily and the packs they come with aren't that comfy. If you want something wheeled, you might as well buy a suitcase with wheels in all honesty.
Travel packs (non-wheeled variety) have so many good features now - better pading, usually a seperate secondary that attaches to the main one, better stash pockets, stashable shoulder and waist harnesses, organizer pockets, etc. They have ones with hydration pockets for a Camelbak reservoir and tube straps so you can have a hydration pack on the go! And ports for mp3 players, walkmans, cell phones, etc.
The best brands for these are definitely Osprey's series - I have one of their Travel Duffels and it's my carryon luggage for every trip I've taken in the past three years. It's comfy as heck, has compression straps, and is easy to manuver and pack. I really want to trade up for their Traveller series with the detachable daypack. *drool*
Yeah, I'm a gear nut - sue me! |
My north face has all of the specs you just wrote about! plus I have slight hip stress issue from martial arts so it's nice to find a pack that actually carries the load evenly as I hike for long distances. It even zips open to expose the entire pack from the side so I don't have to poke my hand in the top and rummage around the bottom for something I have to find.
I love my N.F. pivotol 75. and am very glad I got it! :)
for the record I looked at the Osprey series as well and they came second in my picks. (mainly because I like the pivot system on the North Face pack). Btw: as far warrenty goes it's lifetime on my pack, I'm not worried at all about putting it through some abuse (I talked with 5 different dealers and they all said they have had no complaints from customers) but if I do have a problem I can take it anywhere and get it fixed hassel free. This thing is built pretty sturdy and I've had my share of throwing it around hiking and going through numerous international airports with no damage what so ever. |
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| spitty |
| quote: | Originally posted by 5hiftn6ears
why do i see myself carrying two of them in the near future?:rolleyes: |
don't worry. i'll get one with wheels, so it'll be easier on you :D
see, always thinking about you |
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| Jem_hadar |
| quote: | Originally posted by 5hiftn6ears
why do i see myself carrying two of them in the near future?:rolleyes: |
HAHAHAHAHAHA, thats golden! :D
| quote: | Originally posted by VERTiG0
Hahahah I spit grape juice everywhere when I read this |
And yea, I laughed out loud for real too when I read that from spiffy!! HAHAH so funny! ;) *love*
Jem |
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| 5hiftn6ears |
| quote: | Originally posted by spitty
don't worry. i'll get one with wheels, so it'll be easier on you :D
see, always thinking about you |
This is a picture of me during my future trip to europe....
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| kabelicious |
| quote: | Originally posted by nusty
My north face has all of the specs you just wrote about! plus I have slight hip stress issue from martial arts so it's nice to find a pack that actually carries the load evenly as I hike for long distances. It even zips open to expose the entire pack from the side so I don't have to poke my hand in the top and rummage around the bottom for something I have to find.
I love my N.F. pivotol 75. and am very glad I got it! :)
for the record I looked at the Osprey series as well and they came second in my picks. (mainly because I like the pivot system on the North Face pack). Btw: as far warrenty goes it's lifetime on my pack, I'm not worried at all about putting it through some abuse (I talked with 5 different dealers and they all said they have had no complaints from customers) but if I do have a problem I can take it anywhere and get it fixed hassel free. This thing is built pretty sturdy and I've had my share of throwing it around hiking and going through numerous international airports with no damage what so ever. |
The way they built the pivotal system to adjust the load on longer hikes is admirable but I know it had issues with a.) long term use and b.) customer satisfaction. We had to put these at clearance to get rid of them in the end - despite if a pack breaks and has lifetime warranty, the North Face's warranty turn around time is horrendous and who really wants to deal with that? If you ever have a warranty issue, go back to the dealer who sold it to you and see if they can work it out for you - you'll get quicker results and they might just trade you a new pack rather than having to wait on repairs.
Sorry to rant - I just hate the North Face. Majority of what we sold was North Face but it was mostly to the vast array of yuppies out there who wanted the name more than a quality product. The great Denali Fleece Jacket fiasco (at $165 US a pop yet it's not windproof and isn't really that warm) is a great example of this.
The Osprey packs I adore for comfort value - they fit like glove on me but everyone has their shape. The mother of all packs is Arc'Teryx but those are uber-gear at $500 for a pack or more. Gregory is another solid line for good backpacking packs. |
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| drgoodvibe |
not sure if anyone has mentioned this before as I haven't read the lengthy posts above, but one thing to make sure of.. is to DO NOT buy a top loading backpack. If you are travel backpacking it is much better to get a backpack that zips all the way down, almost like luggage does. This way you don't have to rummage through your bag from the top down looking for somthing at the bottom.
MEC Walkabout Travel Pack
| quote: |
This full-fledged backpack is comfortable to carry both on the trail or the tarmac. A zip-down flap covers the suspension system, converting the unit into a stylin’ suitcase / shoulder bag that reduces hang-ups with luggage conveyor belts or doubtful hotel desk clerks.
The daypack detaches to accompany you on sidetrips from the base camp or the hostel. It boasts tons of organizer pockets, including slots for your PDA, cellphone, and pens. Slots are trimmed with reflective Scotchlite® strips to help you locate things in low light situations.
* Fabric is rugged, non-abrasive ballistic nylon.
* Internal frame for efficient transfer of weight to hips.
* Padded precurved hipbelt and shoulder straps.
* Padded, detachable shoulder strap for carrying as a shoulder bag.
* Handle for carrying as a suitcase.
* Full-length zippered mesh pocket inside front flap.
* Compression straps inside the main pack compartment to hold clothes in place.
* Separate bottom sleeping bag compartment for optimum organization and pack balance.
* Two pairs of compression straps for lashing on extra items and keeping the load close to your back for better balance.
* Zip-off daypack with padded foam back and padded anatomically cut shoulder straps.
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I've used this backpack on three trips now, it doesn't fail. It's perfect. |
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| dEsidEL |
| quote: | Originally posted by drgoodvibe
not sure if anyone has mentioned this before as I haven't read the lengthy posts above, but one thing to make sure of.. is to DO NOT buy a top loading backpack. If you are travel backpacking it is much better to get a backpack that zips all the way down, almost like luggage does. This way you don't have to rummage through your bag from the top down looking for somthing at the bottom.
MEC Walkabout Travel Pack
I've used this backpack on three trips now, it doesn't fail. It's perfect. |
lol.. i hav the exact same one mon .. works like a charm :D
wait till i post DJ Kurfew's surperior 'pack'.. :thepirate
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