>>826153Timely thread, I was just down to the local outdoor adventure gear store looking at and trying on backpacks yesterday, so I guess I'm in the same boat as you.
They had some really nice, modern internal frame models like Osprey and Thule and others. I'm in FL where it's hot, so the feature I liked best was the nice gap between the pack and your back to allow air to circulate and keep you cooler.
All of these also had very nicely padded waist bands, apparently the idea is that most of the weight rides on your hips and is transferred down to the larger thigh bones (humerus?) and down to the ground.
Several different sizes available with the waist bands from like 20 some L all the way up to 80 and even 90 L. I'm not even sure what I need yet exactly, but I'm pretty sure I'm going i that direction.
The Ospreys had a lifetime warranty, which was nice bit I was kind of leaning toward the Thule because it has this nice adjustment thing I the back as opposed you the Osprey models which come with different size (S/M/L) straps and other parts. Plus the Thule comes with a rain cover. Not sure about warranty though.
Pic related.
I want to say this Thule 40L was $180, with the other Ospreys in that range up into the $200s. Not too bad IMO for such a nice piece of kit allowing you to carry such volume/weight all day with ease and comfort.
