Six multi-purpose heavy-loaded backpacks ideal for weekends or week-long adventures.
Just as the poisonous gas produced from the sweat-soaked polypropylene, the dirty memories sometimes appeared in the equipment room of my self, causing my knees to tremble. The culprit was a big bag like a monster, and I glanced at this dusty monster that had taken me many distant journeys. Its huge, unsuitable bags contained enough food and equipment for a month. Crush me.
Now, my aging body and my love for the family prompted me to reduce my one-month retraining to a more manageable one-week hike. The perfect backpack is now versatile and can hold about 5 days of food and equipment. It is also very light and can be compressed enough to go out on weekends. My ideal backpack can carry everything from coping with the waters of the desert to the extra food I want to lengthen on my journey. I can also carry skis or mountaineering gear.
In other words, the capacity and carrying system of this package must be tamed and sometimes moderately loaded, but it is also large enough to overwhelm light equipment. My wallet is so embarrassing. No matter how you say it, you can't break an arm or broken leg. The request is not too much, right? Does this perfect versatile backpack exist? In order to find out this backpack, I first extracted related factors and proposed standards.
Then I did some research on the online and product roster and found the six backpacks you see now. In order to find out how they deal with the real outdoor world, seven Backpacker's equipment testers shouldered heavy loads for a total of more than 200 days of hiking between January and July. Test sites include Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho; canyons, mountaintops, deserts in Arizona; North Cascades in Washington; an island off the coast of British Columbia; the north slope of Alaska's Brooks Mountains; Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, California; All the trips are almost everywhere in the northeast. We picked up equipment suitable for the whole family, carried skis, climbed rocks, and rode through Arctic (arctic region between Arctic and North America and northern Eurasian tree line). ) In the grassy area, countless gallons of water have been shipped. In other words, it is doing whatever you can do with a backpack.
Finally, we leave with some persuasive convincing opinions about how the backpack works and what causes pain in the neck. We also recognize that you don't have to spend a lot of money to get an amazingly comprehensive backpack. Most backpacks will fit every need of yours, from long weekends to a full week, and some backpacks can just be an excursion that you can use for all sparsely populated rural areas. The next comment is in order of comprehensive performance.
Field test standards
Capacity at least 4500 cubic inches.
Weighs less than 6 pounds.
Carry system versatile (hiking, climbing, skiing).
The price is less than $250.
There are many sizes suitable for men and women.
Jack Wolfskin Trailhead
A real bargain, its specificity is that it has all-day comfort, at least a decade of durability (our estimate), a versatile carrying system that is very convenient for effective use of equipment, and outstanding attention to detail.
Final score 4.4
"A piece of artwork," Mike announced after summing up everyone's views on this near-perfect backpack. A few testers noticed that the 6-pound Trailhead was sinking than most backpacks, but it was unreasonable for everyone to eliminate their weight because it was such a comfortable load. Several testers carried large amounts of water around Arizona. Others were heavily loaded with heavy climbing equipment on their normal camping weights to understand how their piggyback system supported and none of them could exhaust it. Full force. All-day comfort comes from the backpack's curved shoulder straps, belts with fine arcs and firm fillers, lift loading to control their weight, and breathable mesh throughout. Three straps and frame sizes (a total of nine suitable options, including a frame and strap for ladies) have also proved to be helpful.
The stable, compressible backpack compartment can be accessed through a wide top opening, a sleeping bag compartment zip, or a large front pocket (with a mesh spacer). Unlike some backpacks, the front panel pulls a side-compressible buckling strap that is easily accessible when they hold ski poles or tent poles. Everyone agrees that this dew-clad pack can effortlessly be used for a short week of equipment and food. The minimum requester believes it can consign 10 days of supplies.
The limiting factor is the moderate internal capacity of this backpack and cannot deal with heavy burdens. Kettle bags are also small, each can support a liter, but they must be tied with a stretch strap, or you may lose them on the road.
The top pocket has three storage compartments, which can be taken down, coupled with a separable belt is a very comfortable pocket. Two ice axe loops, a lot of retractable straps at the bottom, a high quality chain, and first-rate sturdy fabrics, are amazingly affordable ($209). backpack.
Contact details: Jack Wolfskin, (888) 378-9653;
Gregory Forester
Light, clean, excellent stability, super comfortable, this package is intended for those who prefer to get the maximum performance on the shortest package on foot.
Final score 3.9
At Sequoia Park in California, when Dennis teetered through a tree about 25 feet above the river where the water was rising due to melting snow, he thanked himself for this very personal and encouraging piece on his back. Balanced Forester proper predictions. Indeed, this Forester acted like an extension of our body when it was subjected to harsh outdoor bending, even when it tied the skis to the compression belt, and therefore won all our praise. Its glue-like carrying system has also proved to be quite comfortable. Its thermoformed back-sheet foam feels cool even against bare skin, and the padding is soft but solid. One of the shortcomings we picked was that its soft waistband was not as heavy as the wide double density belts on several other backpacks. Prudent capacity, a five-day summer trip is the limit of this backpack, although Paul has always been light that this backpack can take him for another week of travel.
One of Gregory's strengths is its fit. The company is trying to achieve this by determining accuracy and stability in the adaptation to the field, rather than buying and selling a bearer for everyone. There are four fine tunings of the length of the trunk plus three. Different belts, combined to produce 12 sizes for you to choose from. In addition, its shoulder strap can also be moved in two settings, but the difference is only one inch apart.
This bag has several places to boast. Its clean, simple main bag (the only extra pocket in the position parallel to the hips, which is used to hold water bottles) is especially made by people who do not need many corners and crevices to organize their waste. Appreciation. The zipper on the front and sleeping bag compartments provides a way to easily access the equipment. There is a complete plastic plate in which the top cover provides a window to look at its own debris, though to open the zip you have to open the top cover so that you can't see what you want.
Its rubberized bottom seems to be invincible to most of us, but when the southwestern testers towed their backpacks through rough desert granite, nail-sized holes appeared on their stiff fabrics. The compression belt traverses the water bottle bag to control the water bottle in place, but it is very difficult to easily take the water bottle when tensioning the compression belt.
Two hailstone loops make up this lightweight, sleek design, and Alpine guide Paul calls it "my favourite handy backpack" for high mountain adventure transportation.
Contact details: Gregory Mountain Products, (800) 477-3420;
Madden Scrambler
As its name suggests, this backpack offers top balance and weight control for all your outdoor activities. An almost perfect long weekend backpack, if prudently packaged, it can also handle one week's activities.
Last score 3.8
With 46 cubic inches of capacity, this Scrambler barely screamed in the test (see the picture on page 78). When it was pulled out, its low capacity prevented it from getting higher scores. Most people's opinion is that this Scrambler has more than one overnight and weekend backpack, but it is not suitable for 5 days or longer. Most of us think we have to tie too much outside the pack or the backpack is too small. . For me personally, I welcome the motivation to reduce weight. In a four-day hike from the base camp in the Brooks Mountains, I effortlessly compressed a lot of food. The shovel pocket allowed me to carry wet rainy equipment when riding on the reindeer's footpath, and the slender waistband did not gather tightly when I was walking high through the tall grass.
The support provided by its slim, pliable waistband was surprising, although indeed a rather heavy load defeated it decisively. (If you plan to carry extra weight loads, a belt from the Madden Big Backpack is allowed.) On Mount Hood (Note: A volcanic peak, 3,426.7 meters above sea level (11,235 feet), located in the Cascade Range in northwestern Oregon. , for the highest elevation in the state) the night's climb and knees spin down I found this backpack to be stable and comfortable. All testers enthusiastically talked about how smooth they felt that the adjusted piggyback system was stable, and it was recognized that this was a top backpack suitable for all terrain travel. When the straps are not adjusted, the belts rely on hook and loop fasteners to provide some vertical support. The key to good fit, no matter how, is to make the right choice among the three optional backpack models.
In addition to their favorite pockets for shovels, we also praised them for their tougher mesh water bottle pockets, excellent stitching and durable fabrics, and the important responsibility of the zipper in the sleeping bag compartment. The quick-release buckles make it easy to attach tent poles and ski poles, and the rings provide additional binding points. The mesh is comfortable and the foam material is breathable regardless of the circumstances under which the backpack contacts the skin. I don't like the headers that I can access before, so I tend to fall inwards. We all feel scratching about the strange banding compartments that are already small.
Contact: Madden Mountaineering, (303) 442-5828;
REI New Star
During the trip, you can carry a lot of loads with this backpack. If you are a fan of climbing or hiking in the countryside, comfort and stability may be a concern.
Final score 3.1
"This New Star is like a cavernous interior with a solid and expandable collar like T. rex, which drowns the equipment and effortlessly eliminates a week's worth of food and a family's camping gear. When I set out to do some wild survival At the time, I stuffed a gallon gas tank, a quart of chain oil, a helmet and extra clothes to cope with the rain that might come, stuffed in a bag, and a huge chain saw. The huge zipper on the front panel made it Everything in the bag is very easy (except for the chain saw!) Unfortunately, the side compression strap buckles the zippered middle panel, causing it to hold when you carry a ski sled or tie a tent pole to the side. Basically, although a variety of bundled compression straps allow adequate external attachment, even a removable top cover is also proportionally large, it can be converted into a waist pack by three compression buckles. The huge mesh water bottle bag can hold two and a half gallons of water bottles.
This New Star's shoulder strap can be adjusted to fit almost anyone, but whether it is a great mountain range or the comfort of a comfortable field, its carrying system is very common. Jennifer refined our concerns when she described the backpack as "heavy" during a hike in Arizona's San Francisco Peak, where she had to carry three days of water. Although carrying the system is tolerable, its low, squat backpack often leaves the shoulder, giving the impression of losing balance. For example, in the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania, on the cliff's sleek, smooth section, Jon said he found himself having to lean forward to compensate for the feeling he was pulling back from his backpack.
Contact details: REI, (800) 426-4840;
Camp Trails Wind River
If you like many small pockets and cost-effective, this large, highly adaptable backpack is worth your attention. Although some testers do not feel fit.
Last score 3
The rich little pocket is our first impression of this Wind River. With five external pockets and two mesh water bottle bags, there are so many choices that Mike doesn't think he can remember where he put his pocket knife. Once he wanted to pick out the knife, he was also submerged by the big and heavy main package. On the other hand, Jon is very grateful for this big pocket. During a 6-day hike in Paria Canyon, Utah, he excitedly dragged almost everything from his family with two children who were just learning to walk.
A simple slid buckled strap system carried on the shoulder allows for a very large adjustment range, so that only two sizes can be adapted to the torso in the 6-inch range. The weight-bearing straps are enough to stretch upwards to convert weight to the hip, and a wide, comfortable, double-density belt at the hip supports the heavy load. In this way, only Jon found that he could match his torso, with a soft, open foam padding against his back and a small, relatively tight lumbar pad. Other testers could not adjust the package to fit the contours of their backs. There were several reports saying that as a result this would lead to balance problems. Dennis said that the backpack forced him to walk in an awkward manner in an attempt to load correctly. Jennifer tried to take a very uncomfortable bow walking in order to get the weight on the belt. Those people who are trying to fit in better with backpacks want the shoulder straps and belts to be covered with fabrics that are very comfortable to the skin, so that in the summer it will be very comfortable to wear only a few shirts.
The attached top cover is immovable, which can make a good adaptation to the extra extended load (although its main package is large enough, expansion is a rare result). The zipper that pulls out the sleeping bag compartment can take something that is placed at the bottom of the backpack, but the spacing between the large (bag mouth) harness ropes seems heavy and not as convenient as a zipper control. Skis, tent poles, fishing rods and other portable gadgets can be slid through the side pockets. This is a unique system that is very useful to us.
Contact information: Camp Trails, (800) 572-8822;
LL Bean Knife Edge
This is an economical choice for junior hikers who fit their fixed carrying system. It was a bit comfortable to work, but the details turned.
Final score 2.4
If you want to pack something quite light, this Knife Edge can handle 5 days of weight (if you don't need an expandable place and if its fixed carrying system fits your torso). Its carrying system has two sizes, medium and large, and its shoulder straps cannot be adjusted to fit. These basic dimensions probably fit most of us correctly, but we still hope we can make fine adjustments.
For $129, the Knife Edge is the cheapest backpack to date in this test. Novices looking for an entry-level backpack may feel that Knife Edge is a good choice. The veterans who used to carry other backpacks may be somewhat controversial here. For example, the southwestern testers feel very regretful that the nylon of the backpack is bound together by their sweat. They used to carry this Knife Edge along in the late spring. Humphrey, Arizona, flanks upwards. A handful of testers also said that this thin pack of filler does not relieve their hard working back muscles.
There are also questions about other details, like the straps on their sides can only be used to tie sleds or poles when the side pockets are empty. In addition, they are not tight enough for good compression. Thus, such a compression band crossed the zippered sleeping bag compartment. Most backpacks have two compression straps here, so you can rest assured that a tent or sleeping bag is tied and does not move back and forth. The tester also pointed out that the top bag is too small to be a problem, and that the mesh side bag can hardly put a quart water bottle, and its double-density belt is too easy to squash under heavy burden.
As a bright side, it is easy to access the bottom of the backpack with the zipper on the spacer between the sleeping bag compartment and the main bag. The tough fabric of the backpack is only a little worn.
Contact information: LL Bean, (800) 809-7057;
Scoreboard
Backpack Final score Price Weight (provided by manufacturer/actual measurement) Capacity Capacity Adaptability Comfort Weight Control Durability Versatility
Jack Wolfskin Trailhead 4.4 $209 5 pounds 12 ounces / 6 pounds 4,300-4,950 cubic inches 4 4 4.5 4 4.5 4.5
Gregory Forester 3.9 $240 4 pounds 15 ounces / 5 pounds 5 ounces 4,850 cubic inches 3.5 3.5 4.5 4 4 4
Madden Scrambler 3.8 $239 4 pounds 8 ounces / 5 pounds 4 ounces 4,600 cubic inches 3.5 2.5 3.5 4 4.5 4
REI New Star 3.1 $190 5 pounds 12 ounces / 6 pounds 1 ounce 5,122-6,122 cubic inches 3.5 4 3 3 3 3.5
Camp Trails Wind River 3 $180 5 pounds 7 ounces / 5 pounds 8 ounces 5,439-6,820 cubic inches 3.5 4 3 3 3 3.5
LL Bean Knife Edge 2.4 $129 5 lb 4 oz / 5 lb 4 oz 4,775-5,300 cu in 2.5 1.5 3 3 3 2.5
Final score: The tester's inner evaluation, the result of all aspects of the overall performance of the backpack. Note: This level is not an average of a different score.
Weight: In pounds and ounces, for medium or conventional models. The first weight is provided by its manufacturer; the second weight is measured by the backpacker himself.
Capacity: The maximum number of cubic inches, does not extend to the expansion, according to the manufacturer's data.
Loading capacity: Is this backpack enough for a five-day trip? Is there extra space for wastage? Is it tough for loading and unloading? Can the equipment be arranged in the side package? Does the compression belt system allow for proper weight compression?
Adaptability: Does it require a toolbox to change settings to adjust comfort, or if an average hiker can fine-tune his settings on the road for comfort? How is the backpack adjusted? Which setting do you change most often?
Comfort: Can this backpack easily handle 5 days of weight-bearing, or is it more like a monkey on your back? How do you feel about your hips, waist, back, lumbar region, and shoulders?
Weight Control: Does this backpack affect your free movement during the march? How good is it to adapt to the bumpy roads, cliffs, or barren land where people rarely need to cut down the jungle? Does the backpack affect the freedom of balance, arm swing and high stride walking? Is there enough space at the top?
Durability: Anything that actually bends, tears, breaks or decays? Does raw materials, workmanship, zippers, accessories, and buckles work consistently? Does this backpack have a long service life?
Versatility: Are you willing to do anything else with this backpack except for 5 days of reloading? Is it suitable for a weekend vacation that lasts one night, or a week, perhaps even the next two weeks? Will you go skiing with a backpack? Climb it?
Rating
5=Excellent, superior equipment
4=Good, beat most
3=Good, acceptable equipment
2=Yes, good but...
1=bad quality, poor quality, poor quality
Learned with testers
Paul Cleveland
River Wizard, Outdoor Writer
6 feet/170 pounds (about 1.83 meters/77.18 kilograms)
Torso length: 20 inches (about 0.51 meters)
Test Range: Pasayten Wilderness, Mount Baker (a mountain in northwestern Washington, 3,287.3 meters above sea level (10,778 feet), located in the Cascade Mountains east of Bellingham), Northern Cascades, Washington State
Favorite backpack: Gregory
Jonathan Dorn
Backpacker Magazine Editor
6 feet 6 inches / 220 pounds
Torso length: 19.5 inches
Test Scope: Paria Canyon, Utah, Catskills, New York, Appalachian
Favorite Backpack: Jack Wolfskin
Mike Frick
artist
6 feet 2 inches/200 pounds
Torso length: 20 inches
Test Range: Colorado Grand Canyon, Arizona Wilderness
Favorite Backpack: Madden
John Haring
Backpackers Northwest Edit
5 feet 10 inches / 165 pounds
Torso length: 18 inches
Test Coverage: Mount Hood, Oregon (Cascade Range); Yosemite National Park, California; Nuteca, British Columbia; Alaska Arctic National Wildlife Reserve
Favorite Backpack: Jack Wolfskin
Dennis Lewon
Writer, Wilderness Wizard
5 feet 10 inches / 165 pounds
Torso length: 18 inches
Test range: desert in the southwest; Sierra Nevada (granite mountain range in eastern California, USA)
Favorite Backpack: Jack Wolfskin
Annette McGivney
Backpacker southwest editor
6 feet/147 pounds
Torso length: 17.5 inches
Test Range: Colorado Grand Canyon, Sonoran Desert, Arizona
Favorite Backpack: Jack Wolfskin
Jennifer Wallentas
Speech Pathology Lecturer
5 ft 8 in / 135 lbs
Torso length: 17 inches
Test Range: San Francisco Peak, Sonoran Desert, Arizona
Favorite backpack: Gregory
The original is as follows:
Affordable, Versatile Packs
Six all-purpose load-haulers ideal for weekend and weeklong adventures.
By John Harlin, BACKPACKER Contributing Editor, December 1, 2000
Photo by John Harlin
Madden Scrambler
As culprit is a monster-size pack, and a single glimpse of the dusty beast transports me back to many a remote trail ,where the gigantic and ill-fitting sack crushed me under the weight of a month's worth of food and far too much gear.
These days, my aging body and love of family have conspired to reduce my month-long slogs into more manageable weeklong excursions. Now the perfect pack is versatile and holds food and gear for roughly 5 days. It's also light and compressible enough for weekend outings . My ideal pack carries skis or climbing gear as well, and can handle everything from a load of water for desert travel to a few extra days' worth of food for those times when I stretch things out.
In other words, the pack's capacity and suspension system must tame a moderately heavy load on occasion, but not be bulky enough to overhell a go-light setup. Oh, and my wallet's a bit on the slim side, so the pack can't Cost an arm or a leg, either.
That's not asking for too much, is it? Does the perfect all-around pack exist? To find out, I first distilled the pertinent factors and came up with the criteria.
Then I did some Web and catalog research, and found the half-dozen packs you see.. To find out how they handle in the real outdoor world, seven Backpacker gear testers shouldered the burden for more than 200 total trail days during January and July The test locales included the Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho; canyons, peaks, and deserts in Arizona; Washington's North Cascades; an island off the coast of British Columbia; the North Slope of the Brooks Range, Alaska; Half Dome in Yosemite, California; And almost everywhere there's a trail in the Northeast. Collectively, we humped family gear, toted skis, rock climbed, stumbled across Arctic tussock fields, hauled countless gallons of water-in other words, did just about everything you'd do with such a Pack.
We have realized that you don’t have to spend a ton of dough to get an amazing all-around pack. Will suit your every need, from a long weekend to a full week, and some might just become the one pack you use for all your backcountry outings. The reviews follow in order of overall performance.
Field Test Criteria
Capacity of at least 4,500 cubic inches.
Weight of less than 6 pounds.
Internal frame for versatility (trails, climbing, skiing).
Price of less than $250
Available in multiple sizes to fit men's and women's torsos.
Jack Wolfskin Trailhead
Final
Grade
4.4
A true bargain that features all-day comfort, at least a decade of endurance (we estimate), a versatile compression system, good access to gear, and fine attention to details.
Photo by John Harlin
Jack Wolfskin Trailhead
"A work of art," Mike uttered, summing up everyone's opinion of this nearly ideal pack. A few testers noted that the 6-pound Trailhead was heavier than most packs, but everyone quickly dismissed the weight as inconsequential because it incorporated Several testers hauled large quantities of water around the Arizona desert, and others jammed a full load of heavy climbing hardware on top of their normal camping load to see how the suspension system held up. No one maxed it out. All-day comfort came Three harness and frame sizes (for a total of nine fit options, including a women's frame and belt ) also proved of benefit.
Stable and compressible, the packbag is accessed via the wide top, the sleeping-bag compartment zipper, or the huge front pocket (with a mesh divider). Unlike on some packs, the front panel zipper works with the side compression straps buckled, which Is handy when they're holding skis or tent poles. Everyone agreed that the Wolfskin easily carried a short week's worth of food and gear, and minimalist packers thought it could haul 10 days' worth of provisions.
The limiting factor is the pack's modest interior volume, not its ability to handle the weight. The water bottle pockets are also small; each holds a liter, but snug the bottle tight with a compression strap or you might lose them along the way.
The top lid has three storage compartments and can be removed and rigged to the detachable hipbelt for the most comfortable fanny pack we've worn. Two ice-axe loops, bottom-of-the-bag compression/lashing straps, daisy chains, indestructible Fabric with top-notch stitching, and an amazingly reasonable price ($209) round out this great pack.
Contact: Jack Wolfskin, (888) 378-9653;
Gregory Forester
Final
Grade
3.9
Light, clean, super-stable, and superbly comfortable, this is the pack for those who prefer minimal pockets and maximum performance on and off the trail.
Photo by John Harlin
Gregory Forester
"As Dennis teetered across a log some 25 feet above a snowmelt-swollen river in California's Giant Sequoia National Monument, he thanked his happy horoscope for the body-hugging, balance-inspiring Forester on his back. Indeed, the Forester has generated us nuclear praise The rear panel of thermomolded foam felt cool even against bare skin, and the padding was Gentle, yet firm. One nit we picked: The soft hipbelt didn't support as serious a load as the wider, dual-density belts found on several other packs. Capacity-wise, a 5-day summer trip is about this pack's limit , though light-packing Paul thought it would take him well into a second week on the trail.
One of Gregory's strengths is fit, and the company accomplishedes this by choosing precision and stability over field adjustability. Instead of buying one harness that fits everyone, you pick from four finely tuned torso lengths plus three different hipbelts, yielding 12 sizing combinations. In addition , the shoulder straps move between two settings that are but an inch apart.
The pack sports several nice touches. Its clean, simple main sack (the only extra pockets are mesh water-bottle holders at hip level) was awarded by those who don't need a variety of nooks and crannies to organize their stuff. And sleeping-bag compartment zippers offer easy on-the-trail access to gear. A clear plastic panel inside the lid provides a window to view your sundries, though to reach the zipper you have to flip the lid, idle to lose sight of the wanted Object.
The rubberized bottom seems invincible to most of us, but when Southwest testers dragged their packs across coarse desert granite, pin-size holes appeared in the stiff fabric. Compression straps cross the water-bottle pockets, holding the bottles in place, but making it Awkward to get water bottles easily in and out when the straps are tight.
With two ice-axe loops complementing the pack's no-flop, lightweight, sleek design, mountain guide Paul called it "hands down my favorite pack" for high-adventure hauling.
Contact: Gregory Mountain Products, (800) 477-3420;
Madden Scrambler
Final
Grade
3.8
True to its name, this pack provides top-notch balance and load control for all your outdoor pursuits, on trail or off. A nearly ideal long-weekend pack, it can also handle up to a week with judicious packing.
Photo by John Harlin
Madden Scrambler
At 4,600 cubic inches, the Scrambler barely squeaked into the test (see the photo on page 78). As it turned out, its low volume prevented it from getting higher scores. The consensus was that the Scrambler excelled as an overnight and weekend pack, But for 5 or more days, most of us felt we had to lash too much to the outside or pack too little. Personally, I welcomed the incentive to pare down the load, and on a 4-day jaunt from basecamp in the Brooks Range , I able could have squeezed in more food. The shovel pocket allowed me to carry wet raingear on the outside while tromping caribou paths, and the slender hipbelt didn't pinch when I high-stepped through tall tussocks.
The slender, flexible hipbelt provided a surprising degree of support, after truly weighty answers overwhelmed it. (A hipbelt from one of Madden's larger packs is available if you plan to carry extra-heavy loads.) I found the pack stable and comfortable on an Overnight climb and telemark descent on Mt. Hood. All testers raved about how balanced they felt inside the fixed suspension system, voting this one of the top packs for all-terrain travel. While the shoulder straps don't adjust, the hipbelt offers some Vertical play on the hook-and-loop fastener. Mostly, however, a good fit hinges on making the actual choice from among the three pack sizes available.
In addition the well-liked shovel pocket, we praised the tougher-than-usual mesh water bottle pockets, the superb stitching and durable fabric, and the heavy-duty zipper on the sleeping bag compartment. Quick-release buckles make it a cinch to attach Tent poles or skis, and daisy chains provide extra lash points. The mesh is comfortable and the foam, breathable wherever the pack touches skin. I didn't care for the front-access top pocket, which tended to dump its contents. And we All scratched our heads over the strange drawstring compartment inside the already-too-small lid pocket.
Contact: Madden Mountaineering, (303) 442-5828;
REI New Star
Final
Grade
3.1
On trails, you can carry big loads in this pack. If you're a fan of scrambling or cross-country excursions, comfort and balance may be concerns.
Photo by John Harlin
REI New Star
"The New Star's cavernous interior and massive extension collar swallowed gear like a T. rex, easily consuming a week's worth of food and a family's camping gear. When I headed out to do some trail maintenance, I loaded a large chainsaw along with a gallon The huge zippered front panel made it a cinch to remove everything inside (except the chainsaw!). Unfortunately, the side compression straps buckle into the zippered Central panel, Which creates access problems when you're carrying skis or side-lashed tent poles. On the whole, though, the various lash-cum-compression straps allow ample exterior attachments. Even the floating top lid is generously proportioned, and it converts into a fanny pack with a squeeze of three buckles. The huge mesh water-bottle pockets at hip level can hold square half-gallon bottles.
The New Star's shoulder straps adjust to fit nearly anyone, but despite the great range and easy field adjustability, the harness system performed modestly. Jennifer distilled our concerns when she described the pack as "cumbersome" during a hike in Arizona's San Francisco Peaks, where she had to carry 3 days' worth of water. While the harness system was tolerable, the low, squat pack tended to pull away from the shoulders, giving an off-balance feeling. On steep, rain-slick sections of the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania, for instance, Jon said he found himself leaning forward, trying to compensate for the feeling that he was being pulled backward.
Contact: REI, (800) 426-4840;
Camp Trails Wind River
Final
Grade
3
This big, highly adjustable pack is worth looking at if you love pockets and good value. Some testers couldn't get a good fit, though.
Photo by John Harlin
Camp Trails Wind River
Pockets galore was our first impression of the Wind River. With five external pockets plus two mesh water-bottle holders, there are so many options that Mike didn't think he'd remember where he put his pocketknife. Once he'd sorted that out, he was equally overwhelmed by the massive main sack. Jon, on the other hand, was thankful for the large sack when, during a 6-day hike in Utah's Paria Canyon, he wound up hauling almost everything for his two-toddler family.
A simple slide-buckle webbing system grants a tremendous adjustment range in the shoulder harness, so much so that just two sizes fit a 6-inch torso range. The load-lifter straps are high enough to shift weight to the hips, where a wide, cushy, dual-density hipbelt supports big loads. Still, only Jon found a good match between his torso, the soft, open-cell padding against his back, and the small, relatively dense lumbar pad. Other testers couldn't make the pack fit the profiles of their backs, and several reported balance problems as a result. Dennis said the pack forced him to walk at an awkward angle in an attempt to right the load. Jennifer tried hiking with an uncomfortable arch in her back in order to settle the weight on the hipbelt. Those who managed to fit the pack better wished the shoulder straps and hipbelt were covered with a more skin-friendly fabric for shirtless summer wear.
The attached lid doesn't float, which makes it tough to get a good fit over a fully extended load (though with a sack this big, extension is rarely an issue). The sleeping bag compartment unzips for access to things at the bottom of the pack, but the bulky, drawstring-closing divider seemed both heavier and less convenient than zipper-controlled models. Skis, tent poles, fishing rods, and other skinny paraphernalia slide through tunnels in the side pockets, an unusual system that worked well for us.
Contact: Camp Trails, (800) 572-8822;
LL Bean Knife Edge
Final
Grade
2.4
Here's an economical option for beginning hikers who fit the fixed suspension system and can work around some comfort and detailing quirks.
Photo by John Harlin
LL Bean Knife Edge
If you're packing reasonably lightly, the Knife Edge can handle a 5-day load―if you don't need room for expansion and if the fixed suspension system fits your torso. The suspension system comes in two sizes, medium and large, and the shoulder harness does not adjust to fine-tune the fit. These basic sizes fit most of us about right, but we still wished we could make trailside adjustments.
At $129, the Knife Edge is by far the least expensive pack in the test. First-timers looking for an entry-level pack will probably find the Knife Edge a good choice. Veterans who've worn other pack models may have issues here. For example, Southwest testers, who carried the Knife Edge up the flank of Arizona's Humphrey Peak in late spring, lamented about the nylon that glued itself to their sweating backs. A few testers said the pack's thin padding didn't placate hard-working back muscles, either.
There were questions about other details as well, like the side straps that could be used to hold skis or tent poles only when the side pockets were empty. In addition, they don't tighten enough for good compression. Then there's the single compression strap over the zippered sleeping bag compartment. Most packs place two straps here, so you can secure a tent or sleeping pad without the lashed-on items seesawing. Testers also pointed out as problems the too-small lid pocket, mesh side pockets that barely held a quart water bottle, and the dual-density hipbelt that was too squishy under a load.
On the brighter side, the divider between the sleeping-bag compartment and the main packbag unzips for easy access to the bottom of the pack, and the pack's tough fabric showed little wear.
Contact: LL Bean, (800) 809-7057;
SCOREBOARD
Packs Final grade Price Weight (mfr./BP) Capacity Loading Adjust-ability Comfort Load control Durability Versatility
Jack Wolfskin Trailhead 4.4 $209 5 lbs.12oz./ 6lbs. 4,300-4,950 cu. in 4 4 4.5 4 4.5 4.5
Gregory Forester 3.9 $240 4 lbs. 15 oz./ 5 lbs. 5 oz 4,850 cu. in. 3.5 3.5 4.5 4 4 4
Madden Scrambler 3.8 $239 4 lbs. 8 oz./ 5 lbs. 4 oz. 4,600 cu. in 3.5 2.5 3.5 4 4.5 4
REI New Star 3.1 $190 5 lbs. 12 oz./ 6 lbs. 1 oz. 5,122-6,122 cu. in. 3.5 4 3 3 3 3.5
Camp Trails Wind River 3 $180 5 lbs. 7 oz./ 5 lbs. 8 oz. 5,439-6,820 cu. in. 3.5 4 3 3 3 3.5
LL Bean Knife Edge 2.4 $129 5 lbs. 4 oz./ 5 lbs. 4 oz. 4,775-5,300 cu. in. 2.5 1.5 3 3 3 2.5
FINAL GRADE: The testers' gut-level, all-things-considered reaction to the pack's overall performance (shown in orange). Note: This rating is not an average of other scores.
WEIGHT: In pounds and ounces for a size medium or regular. The first weight is provided by the manufacturer; the second weight (in italics) is from Backpacker scales.
Capacity: The maximum in cubic inches, unextended to extended, as provided by the manufacturer.
Loading: Does enough for a 5-day trip fit in this pack? Is there extra, wasted space? How tough is it to load and unload? Can you organize gear in side pockets and stash stuff under lash points? Does the compression strap system allow even compression of the load?
Adjustability: Does custom fitting this pack require a toolbox, or can the average hiker fine-tune his or her fit on the trail? How adjustable is the pack? Did you max out any of the settings?
Comfort: Does this pack ease the burden of a 5-day load, or is it more like a monkey on your back? How did it feel to your hips, waist, back, lumbar region, and shoulders?
Load control: How does this pack affect your freedom of movement on the march? How well suited is it for rough, steep trails or backcountry bushwhacking? How does the pack affect balance and arm-swinging and high-stepping freedom? Is head clearance ample?
Durability: Did anything actually bend, rip, unravel, or fall off? Do the materials, stitching, zippers, attachments, and buckles hold up well? Will this pack have a long lifespan?
Versatility: Would you use this pack for anything else besides a 5-day backpacking pack? Is it suitable for a weekend overnight, a week, maybe even a tight 2-weeker? Would you take it on a ski tour? Climbing?
Rating Scale
5=Excellent, superior gear
4=Very good, beats most
3=Good, decent gear
2=Fair, okay, but...
1=Poor, miserable
Meet The Testers
Paul Cleveland
River guide, outdoor writer
6'/170 lbs.
Torso length: 20"
Stomping grounds: Pasayten Wilderness, Mt. Baker, North Cascades, WA
Favorite pack: Gregory
Jonathan Dorn
Backpacker Managing Editor
6'6"/220 lbs.
Torso length: 19.5"
Stomping grounds: Paria Canyon, UT; Catskills, NY; Appalachian Trail
Favorite pack: Jack Wolfskin
Mike Frick
Artist
6'2"/200 lbs.
Torso length: 20"
Stomping grounds: Grand Canyon, Arizona wilderness
Favorite pack: Madden
John Harlin
Backpacker Northwest Editor
5'10"/165 lbs.
Torso length: 18"
Stomping grounds: Mt. Hood, OR; Yosemite, CA; Nootka Island, BC; Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, AK
Favorite pack: Jack Wolfskin
Dennis Lewon
Writer, wilderness guide
5'10"/165 lbs.
Torso length: 18"
Stomping grounds: Southwest deserts; Sierra Nevada
Favorite pack: Jack Wolfskin
Annette McGivney
Backpacker Southwest Editor
6'/147 lbs.
Torso length: 17.5"
Stomping grounds: Grand Canyon, Sonoran Desert, AZ
Favorite pack: Jack Wolfskin
Jennifer Wallentas
Speech pathology instructor
5'8"/135 lbs.
Torso length: 17"
Stomping grounds: San Francisco Peaks, Sonoran Desert, AZ
Favorite pack: Gregory
声明1ã€åŽŸä½œå‡ºè‡ªBACKPACKER,编译者yufeimen。如用于å¦ä¹ 和交æµç›®çš„的引用和转载，请您全文转载并注明出处，请勿用于商业用途。
2ã€åŽŸä½œè€…的观点并ä¸ä»£è¡¨è¯‘者的观点，译者åªæ˜¯å¦‚实的翻译原文，本文仅供户外爱好者å‚考。
3ã€ç”±äºŽæœ¬äººæ°´å¹³æ‰€é™ï¼Œå¿…有ä¸å‡†ç¡®ä¸é€šç•…的地方，请大家批评指æ£ã€‚
Ring Tally Counter,Finger Counter,Tally Counter,Hand Counter
Stationery Holder,Metal Display Rack Co., Ltd. , http://www.hangsun-metal.com