Re: [at-l] Pack Choices

["W F Thorneloe, MD" <thornel@ibm.net>]

Research and shopping and hiking are the best ways to make this decision. 
Go ahead a rent a pack (any pack) and load up and hike at least a weekend. 
You will quickly come to some education about your needs and relative 
merits of packs.

One of the best ways to research is to  do exactly what Second Chance 
suggested. Take your gear to an outfitter, load up, and walk around the 
store for the next 2-3 hours. Yes, you will look like a dork, but it is 
better to look like one in the store than to feel like one on the trail.

Do pay attention to the bells and whistles, I have the North Face Behemoth 
pack. The best feature is the cappuccino maker next to the 2 gallon water 
pillow. The hatchet loops and side pocket airbags are excellent safety 
features, that have helped me whenever I've been pushed over a cliff. The 
cell phone pouch (with solar battery recharger) and umbrella stand are 
especially handy. At only 12 pounds, it is definitely bomb proof, and helps 
me lose weight every time I struggle to put it on. I highly recommend it, 
and would part with it only when given the chance. The sales person said 
they knew it was good, and it only took me 15 minutes to clear the VISA 
card. It was a steal at half the $450 suggested price, plus and 20% tip for 
the boys who lugged it out to my car. They were so cheerful!

OrangeBug
Atlanta, GA

At 02:27 PM 6/5/1999 -0500, Delita Wright wrote:
>I am working on finding a pack that will work for me to thru-hike the AT.
>Since I am an inexperienced backpacker I am depending on research and
>helpful comments to aim me in the right direction.  I intend to rent before
>I buy, but would very much like to cover the field in my search.  Here is
>what I am looking at so far:
>
>Osprey Impala
>Gregory Reality
>Dana Bighorn
>....

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