My current Pack is a Kelty Redwing 44. I love almost everything about this pack. It's lightweight at under 3lbs empty. The size is perfect...small enough to take on a plane as a carryon, but big enough to accommodate everything I need on a 4-5 day backpacking trip. I like the numerous pockets as it makes organization easier, and the full-frontal U-zip design allows it to open all the way up for access to specific items, unlike a top-loading pack.

This bag was originally my wife's. She had it for 4-5 years and took it all over the world. Prague, Cambodia, Argentina, Kyrgyzstan just to name a few. I got to a point where I was looking for a pack and we happened upon a Women's Redwing 40 in a color she liked better, so we bought that one for her and I took the old blue one. That was 8-10 years ago now, and I've taken it on several trips to Alaska, recently hiked the Camino Santiago with it, and numerous backpacking trips totalling probably 50 nights in the woods with it during that time.



The bag is holding up great after all of that, and still going strong. The only problem I have with it is that I'm 6'5" and this bag was designed for someone a lot shorter than me. The waist belt rides about 3-4" above my hips, and it's not adjustable, so it's virtually useless and all the weight rides on my shoulders. I can cinch the belt down around my belly, but that isn't as effective and quickly becomes uncomfortable. On the Camino trip it wasn't a huge deal because my pack weight was only about 20lb, but if you load it up with a tent, five days worth of food, and 3 liters of water it will hurt your shoulders by the end of the day.

I've been looking at stuff online trying to come up with a short list to try next time I'm in a retailer that carries packs, and so far the one that stands out to me is the Gregory Zulu 45. It comes in two sizes (midget and adult), and has an adjustable suspension system that is designed to allow airflow over your back. It also has waist belt pockets, which my Kelty lacks. If those are big enough, I could potentially stuff a gun in there and dispense with carrying my HPG kit bag, which would further lighten my load. The downside is it lacks the large front pocket and side pockets that I use to separate out stuff like my food and water filter from the rest of my gear. It's also about a pound heavier than my Kelty, but seems to be equally well constructed.



I'm curious given those parameters if anybody has recommendations for any others I should try to put hands on and try out before I buy. I'd like to keep it under $250 if possible.

I suggest you look at corresponding Osprey models, like this one:

Osprey Archeon

It has a hip belt; comes in three sizes ,the largest 45. They have a lifetime warranty. I have two Osprey packs, have had them for years. They are not overbuilt, but they stand up to my use which is no longer backpacking. Widely available in stores.

There is a guy over on the Scout Rifle Forum that has come out with an updated version of the Becker Patrol Pack.
They are well thought out and proven packs.

https://bongogear.com/collections/becker-patrol-pack

quote:

Originally posted by sjtill:
I suggest you look at corresponding Osprey models, like this one:

I'm definitely familiar with Osprey, and have been impressed with their quality on every example I've encountered. On paper, I just can't find anything in their lineup that perfectly fits what I'm looking for, but I'll certainly be trying on any that I come across because sometimes things play out different in the real world than their stats alone suggest.

quote:

updated version of the Becker Patrol Pack.

Not really looking for a military style pack. I need something that takes advantage of modern tech that's comfortable to carry for miles. That one is almost 6.5 lbs empty, which is crazy heavy for a hiking pack (my Kelty is right at 2.7lbs empty, and that Zulu 45 is giving me pause at 3.7lbs). I also need the outside to be somewhat streamlined since it's occasionally going to have to function as luggage. I imagine that Becker pack could haul a ton of weight, but that's not what I'm looking to do. My load out even for a multi-day backcountry trip with a tent is typically under 30lbs.

If you’re near REI, check them out. They’re bound to have the perfect size and style you’re looking for.

And their REI branded stuff is pretty good too.

There is a $400 Osprey pack in the return section at my REI for $250. Try REI online for the return product deals.

The closest REI is in Indy, 2 hours away. Ft Wayne and South Bend are our local "big cities" , but they don't have crap for backpacking stores. Nobody hikes in Northern Indiana. I have to drop my wife and kids off at the airport in Indy in a couple of weeks...maybe we'll leave early and stop there on the way down. I'm in no rush...no big trips on the horizon.

I have the Osprey Stratos (mine is the 24, they make a 34) for hiking and Tropos for the office. I’m able to separate a fair amount and organize, and put things I want ready access to in the vertical zip front pouch. The waist belt has pouches, but I don’t believe they’re going to fit a cow. Both have the suspension system to keep your back cool. The Tropos stands on its own… which I use as a footrest in the airport or appreciate when I don’t want it laying on the floor.

See if Stone Glacier has a pack that fits your needs.
I was looking at for a laptop day pack with nice organization preferably made in the States. A member here suggested them.
I went with the BZN 1500 that fit my needs and it is a top notch pack!!!!
https://www.stoneglacier.com/

When I was looking for a new pack, I ended up with one from Mystery Ranch. Been super happy with it.

If you go through Expertvoice, they are discounted 40%

Thanks guys, I'll check them out.

quote:

Originally posted by Appliance Brad:
When I was looking for a new pack, I ended up with one from Mystery Ranch. Been super happy with it.

If you go through Expertvoice, they are discounted 40%

I have a Mystery Ranch Coulee 30, there is also a Coulee 20 and a wide range of other Mystery Ranch packs.

Pro: 2.7 pounds, a very good sizing system that allows exact placement of the hip belt and it's within your budget. Mystery Ranch Adjustment

Con: It doesn't have internal pockets and I can't attest to the long term durability.

Consideration: Yeti bought Mystery Ranch last year. I was considering the Coulee before I heard about the sale and bought one before the deal closed. Call me skeptical but too often I have found product quality declines after a good company is acquired. Yeti may be the exception but I wasn't taking the chance.

Thanks again for the suggestions. I've been researching all of them in depth online. The 40L version of that Mystery Ranch bag looks like a very viable option, albeit a bit heavier than I'd like.

The more of these I look at, the more I'm getting the feeling that my Kelty really is the best thing out there for my needs. Over the years I've kind of built my gear around that pack and it's layout. Sadly, I don't think they even make it anymore, as the only ones I see on their website are the 306L the 50L version. My brother has the 50, and it's over a pound heavier than my 44, and too big for a carryon. The 36 is too small.

Maybe I should write them and suggest an updated version. If they added an adjustable suspension system with hip belt pockets, it would be perfect.

You figured-out the right thing in identifying that HER pack, is not going to work for YOU and vice-versa of course. Besides torso length differences, there's also the issue with shoulder straps. Female packs have much more curvature to them whereas guy packs are moderately shaped. Materials have come a long ways since the Redwing was first introduced, while a solid all-around pack, its materials and design can be dated depending upon your intended uses.

92fstech, where are you located or what region? I may be able to recommend some outdoor specialty shops you can visit and they may have a variety of packs where you can at least try-on and get familiar with them.

quote:

Originally posted by corsair:
You figured-out the right thing in identifying that HER pack, is not going to work for YOU and vice-versa of course. Besides torso length differences, there's also the issue with shoulder straps. Female packs have much more curvature to them whereas guy packs are moderately shaped. Materials have come a long ways since the Redwing was first introduced, while a solid all-around pack, its materials and design can be dated depending upon your intended uses.

92fstech, where are you located or what region? I may be able to recommend some outdoor specialty shops you can visit and they may have a variety of packs where you can at least try-on and get familiar with them.

The one I've got is not the Women's version...that was the replacement one we got her. But it's still not made for somebody who's 6'5". I'm in north-central Indiana.

Anything Osprey

I have a 65L pack I'll karma to you. If you like it, great, if not rekarma it.

quote:

Originally posted by Sig2340:
I have a 65L pack I'll karma to you. If you like it, great, if not rekarma it.

Thanks for the offer, that's extremely generous! 65L is a lot bigger than I need, and I'd be concerned that it would be way outside of the carryon parameters. Is it full-framed or will it crush down if you don't pack it full? I'd hate for you to go to the trouble and expense of shipping it just to find out that it won't fill the role I'm looking for.

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:

quote:

Originally posted by Sig2340:
I have a 65L pack I'll karma to you. If you like it, great, if not rekarma it.

Thanks for the offer, that's extremely generous! 65L is a lot bigger than I need, and I'd be concerned that it would be way outside of the carryon parameters. Is it full-framed or will it crush down if you don't pack it full? I'd hate for you to go to the trouble and expense of shipping it just to find out that it won't fill the role I'm looking for.

Its a Gregory 65L, hard internal frame, too large for carry-on.

If you'd like to try it, I'll send it.

quote:

Originally posted by Sig2340:

Its a Gregory 65L, hard internal frame, too large for carry-on.

If you'd like to try it, I'll send it.

Wow, that sounds like a nice pack and I really do appreciate the incredibly generous offer, but if it's not compressible to carry-on size it won't work for my needs and I'd hate to accept it when someone else could get more use out of it. I've got my gear dialed down to a point where I just don't need a pack that big even for backcountry trips that I can drive to, but I'll bet somebody on here could probably use it if you wanted to karma it off. Maybe it would draw out some more hikers here on the board!