Re: [Philmont]: Backpack size

2 questions:

How much will he be using the pack after Philmont?
How much are you willing to spend?

I just bought my novice daughter a Lowe Alpine Sicrocco II (women's version of the LA Contour III). It is a very nice pack and normally runs middle of the road in pricing for an internal pack (~$250.00). I found it at SierraTradingPost.com for $129 and jumped all over it (last year's model with no changes from the 2004 model except color). Lowe Alpine packs are comfortable and this one carries about 4,600 cubic inches (enough for 3 to 5 days - perfect for Philmont and reloading every 3 to 4 days) and can carry 45 pounds comfortably. Anything more than that is really straining the harness and hipbelt. If she really takes to backpacking, I'll trade up to the Gregory Petit Dru Pro women's pack.

I carry a Gregory Whitney. The jump in quality is equal to the jump in price. My pack is 6,000 cu in and I've carried 80+ pounds (not willingly) fairly comfortably. The price for that pack is about $340 or less depending on where you look. I purchased the Gregory product because I am AVID about backpacking and wanted to purchase the most comfortable pack I could find. If I had it to do over again, the only change I'd make is I would have bought the Gregory Denali Pro instead of the Whitney (better harness/hipbelt and more capacity). The Denali Pro is overkill for Philmont but is perfect for 7 to 10 days in wilderness areas.

I would suggest nothing smaller than 4,600 cubic inches in volume. If your son is really into backpacking, I would suggest larger volume rather than smaller. Almost all packs now come with compression straps that will turn a big pack with a small load into a tight bundle that is easy to carry. Money comes into play here, also. You do get what you pay for in a backpack.

Take a look for packs online (Northern Mountain Supply, Campmor, Sierra Trading Post, REI) and go to every outdoor speciaty store you can find and look/try on packs. When I purchased my Gregory, I actually ordered 4 packs (Gregory, Dana, Osprey, and Arcteryx) and sent the ones I didn't want back. If you decide to try that, make sure that you can return unwanted/unused items. Ask everyone you know what they love and hate about their packs.

I could go on... but I have to re-sheetrock the bathroom now... I'm in soooo much trouble for typing instead of taping & bedding....

Shane Hoffman
Advisor Crew 445 - www.crew445.org - SHoffman@crew445.org
ASM Troop 445 - www.troop445.org - SHoffman@troop445.org
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."- Jim Elliot
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: ROBERT SCHAETTLE
  To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
  Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2004 1:03 PM
  Subject: [Philmont]: Backpack size

  I'm looking for advice on the size of backpack I should buy for my son -- our trek is August 2005, when he'll be 15 yrs old, and probably 5'10". He currently has a "beginner" backpack that will clearly be too small for Philmont, and I want to buy him a new internal frame backpack this summer so he can get used to it. When I look at the specs, sizes are given in cubic inches...4500, 5000, 5500, etc. Any recommendations?
  Many thanks,
  Bob Schaettle
  Rochester, Minnesota

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Received on Wed Jun 23 15:28:52 2004