Daypack recommendations please

[Bushman]

Ok all you urban mountaineers out there! Here is what is up
I am going to Colorado for a conference. I need something to carry on my back for the following items.

1. Waterbottle
2. about 4-5 inches thick worth (at most) of softback manuels and books.
3. Pockets suitable for GPS, Cell phone, PDA, Flashlight! pens and stuff
4. Snack bar area!
5. Perfer not to spend over $40
6. Where do i look for best prices? I have looked so far at www.campmor.com and www.rei.com

I like for every to be secure and not rattling around all that much. Most of all I hate it when i open a pocket and a million things fall out...

Hip belt would be nice but not essential.

I will be biking about a mile one way to and from the conference center.

Any suggestions would be appreciated, I will be at 10500 feet elevation so nothing too heavy please!

 

[Unforgiven]

I have a Lowe Alpine Contour Runner 30. It is more than what you wanted to spend but is definetly worth it it. It has a compresion system so no matter how small the load it keep it from bouncing around and gives you plenty of room for your shoulders. Hope this helps.
http://www.lowealpine.com/Products/Detail.asp?ProductTypeID=12&ProductGroupID=181&Position=5&SpecificActivityID=

 

[Flashlightboy]

Bushman,

You've got some admirable desires but I don't think $40 will do it. I'm a fan of Dana Design and while it's pricey stuff, you really do get what you pay for. Lowe, Mountainsmith and Dana all make good gear.

Dana has a web site that you might want to check out: Dana Design Home Page

 

[Bushman]

Point taken Jeff, I should have made the caveat also that this is a piece of equipment that I will probably use only 6 or so times a year... I know that to buy quality you have to pay quantity, but not always. thanks for your suggestions, i am going to go look at them now.

 

[T-Rex]

Last month, I picked up a North Face Panic day pack for $28 from North Face's outlet store, regular outlet price $40, retail $59. (Carlsbad, CA) They had a selection of 5 or 6 different models when I was there.

It appears to hold between 1600 to 1800 cu inches. It doesn't appear to be a second, rather it appears to be an older, non-trendy color, model.

Dual density foam/mesh ventilator back
Laminated and contoured shoulder straps for improved load carrying
Internal organizer pocket
Compression straps
Reflective elements for night time visibility
Sternum Strap for support
One inch Hip Belt for stability
2 external mesh pockets for accessible transportation of water bottles or similar.

Not sure if you are close enough to a north face outlet location. (I couldn't find ANYTHING on north face's web site re: outlet locations)

Other web sites:
Sport Mart
Sport Chalet
Sports Authority

I have purchased from Sport Chalet online. All 3 of these online presences appear to be using the same DB. However, they do use different pricing/timing on their sale items. Check out what they have.

EDIT: Yes, the $40 price point is a bit difficult to hit with your requirements, but it is possible! Don't get too cheap and purchase something that falls apart.

 

[InTheDark]

Check out Eagle Creek, they make some pretty good stuff. The quality is really very good, much better than REI, I'd say closer to Northface quality, but the prices are a lot cheaper. They specialize more in travel and city bags, not outdoor mountaineering daypacks, but for what you're doing, it doesn't sound like you need ice ax loops and daisy chains and all the extra features that come with the outdoor packs. Usually (or at least not until recently), the high end packs like Dana Design, ArcTeryx, and NorthFace didn't come with a whole lot of organizer pockets to hold small stuff and electronics. But most of the Eagle Creek bags come with an organizer panel to hold the stuff you just mentioned.

I used to waste a lot of money buying the mountaineering style backpacks, until I realized that I've never had the need to carry an ice ax anywhere, and most of the features on these bags were overkill for people who didn't climb mountains.

 

[Bushman]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by T-Rex:
Don't get too cheap and purchase something that falls apart.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Yea that is my main concern. How do you hit a price point and not end up with a pile of garbage in the end?

 

[Wick]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jeff:
Lowe, Mountainsmith and Dana all make good gear.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

If you do decide to spend more and consider the abvove brands also check out a company called Osprey. They make great stuff, just not sure if they have something small enough. http://www.ospreypacks.com

 

[Flashlightboy]

Thinking about this some more, Osprey does make good stuff along with Arc'Teryx.

I think that if you splurge a bit and spend a little more than what makes you comfortable, you'll end with a high quality piece that you want to use more than 6-10 times/year. It sort of feeds off itself. It's a nasty, self-perpetuating cycle but one that you'll enjoy.

Bushman: The Tribal Council has spoken-you must spend more than $40.

 

[tygger]

this probably isn't what you wanted to spend but i think its the best day pack you can buy. the Marmot "Talus" is about the best all around pack but it runs a little over 100 bucks. small internal frame, side bottle holders, great back contour/padding, etc. you'll probably never need another pack again.

 

[T-Rex]

I forgot about: ebags They have a couple of North Face & Eagle Creek products that might fit your requirements.

If you can, try on several different packs before you purchase. A pack that is comfortable on me, might be uncomfortable for you.

Eagle Creek is a very good brand too. Last year I picked up an Eagle Creek wheeled pack for a trip. It did its job very admirably. People were amazed that we were traveling so lightly. The pack is awaiting its next adventure.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR> Yea that is my main concern. How do you hit a price point and not end up with a pile of garbage in the end? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Don't buy from K-Mart!

You might need to increase your budget if you can't get a decent pack. Sometimes it has to be done.

As for buying a $100+ pack, it may last forever but I question the value if it's only for a moderate number of short hikes.

 

[DonL]

You may want to also check www.ems.com .

As a suggestion, look at some of the larger Camelback packs as well. They have several models in size ranges large enough to carry what you need to, plus it can serve great double duty on dayhikes and other outdoor activities.

 

[Bushman]

I can't BELIEVE that darell hasn't commented yet. (even with that pack on in the zoo)

 

[Bushman]

shameless BTTT to see what darell carries, (just in case you are only watching the "active topics" list.

 

[lightlover]

I use the Lowe Alpine "Megabyte", which has a permanent foam-padded section to carry a laptop in. (Now, I just have to get a laptop ... ) I suspect the main market is for executives who mountain-bike to their offices, not explorers. It's all-black, a "city" pack, 3 compartment, mid-size, no side pockets or nets, but plenty organiser'ed . It has a chest-strap and a hip-strap, but that's too narrow for real weight distribution - stability is good with it though.

Basically, it suits me just fine, and I was very pleased with it, until ......
Until Al showed me his latest backpack - it's expensive, at around $120, but very nicely equipped indeed.
I'll ask him what make it is, (I forgot) it's got everything ......

Bushman, it's relatively easy to buy a cheap one which will carry all you need, but it might not be as comfortable as a well designed unit, which kind of defeats the point. I think if you invest in a good quality, properly useful pack, you will use it more than you'd think. Spend the £40 on a new light instead ?

lightlover

 

[Size15's]

Shhh! Don't tell, but it's a BlackHawk HydraStorm Tactician (Civi version) that I picked up at the SHOT Show for $50 (!)
I got it for the HydraStorm. I like it but I wish I'd been able to get the black version that had tube cover & bitevalve cover, and extras like that, that are really hard to get hold of now (and really expensive)

Al

 

[Bushman]

Al, SWEET! Now the only thing that I am wondering is does darell not like me anymore or? I guess i will have to trade him an Infinity or something for his opinion...Oh I see...he is tied up over at the daughter picture thread...

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Berghause Dart 25
9years old and not even any loose stitching!

 

[lightlover]

Compu,
your post really caught my imagination. Looking at it from the "Today's Active" list, (which is no respector of word spacings) it read like this:

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by compu terilit erat:
Berghause Dart 259 years old and not even any loose stitching!

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I had to wonder how they made rucksacks so good in 1743 !!

lightlover

Ps - where in the UK are you from ? E-mail me ?

 

[SFR]

You can find a great selection at eBags.com