[at-l] Backpacks

[lab@glis.net (lyle)]

At 10:57 AM 8/1/2001, Jan Leitschuh wrote:
>Hi,
>
>My advice, since I just went thru this in the spring, would be to buy
>the cheapest frame pack on e-bay - OR, borrow one - and start hiking in
>it locally on your training runs.


While I agree the best way to evaluate is to try, I don't think I would 
recommend wasting money on that cheap pack. Because they are cheap and 
poorly made, they will not give an adequate impression of what may work. 
And some folks have been discouraged by the poor comfort entirely.

While it's true that some folks have very specific body types and may not 
be able to get proper fit with every pack, my experience is that most 
people develop their loyalty based on what was available at the store where 
they shopped, and which pack the purchased, then actually used and had a 
great time with!  Most of todays quality packs can be adjusted to give very 
adequate performance for a wide range of people. Generally, people put way 
too much emphasis on getting the "perfect" gear. Most any of todays name 
brand packs will work quite well for most backpackers.

Why waste your money buying something you know you don't want and won't 
keep. If you really feel you need to try them out first, then several of 
the larger outfitters still rent packs so you can try them. At least that 
way you will be testing a quality pack to make your determinations. just my 
2 cents, and about what it's worth!

Lyle