>>458755In addition to the ILBE, I own an Osprey Argon (85L); don't know how much it weights from the top of my head. Just google it.
If I put it on properly (empty), it basically weights nothing. The ILBE, I definitely feel. I think it makes quite a difference. And even objectively, 3-5 lbs are 2 liters of water you can carry less because you have a heavier backpack. That's not negligible in my opinion.
As for the straps, just adding more and more padding doesn't make the straps better. In fact, I would say that the hip belt is one of the parts that are definitely inferior to the Argon hip belt, even though that one has much less padding.
Shaped hip belts with less padding is a lot more comfortable because it sits more stable on your hip bones.
On that note though, I remembered something else, the hip belt is adjustable for male and female hips, which is nice I think. Really, for that price, the adjustment options you have are nice.
All in all, I think considering this is your first backpack and you're a beginner it's fine enough (although any other entry level backpack with a comparable volume would be as well). If you can get it for $50, go for it. I wouldn't buy it for $100 though.
Get a backpack, get some experience and you will see for yourself where it lacks, what you like about it, and so on. Next purchase will be a lot more personalized and you will know better what you need for the specific plans you have.
