>>827958Also, for my first pack I wanted something just to trek around "urban hiking" like theme park for a day, going innawoods for the day, and other basic things like that. Basically a nicer version of a basic backpack for those sorts of tooling around and potentially take the place of travel luggage as well (as a carry on). Then maybe eventually use the pack for overnight or 2 day camping / hiking. I figured later on as we continue to get more gear and go on longer and longer adventures, maybe I would get a bigger / nicer pack and then the Kelty would become my gf pack (knowing full well that I would be the pack mule carrying most of the gear and supplies).
So anyway, yeah, given those requirements / thoughts, I have to say that I am leaning toward the Kelty right now for my needs. Your needs may be different. And I may get a nicer / more expensive / larger pack later on, if and when needed. But for what I am looking at now and in the foreseeable future, I am thinking the Kelty will suit me.
One more thing, I think that they used to be like $90, which made them a clear winner. Well, now they are like $125, so still a winner probably, just not as much of a steal as they used to be apparently. I mean, the Thule I posted was only $180. And then you can get into an Osprey for maybe just a little more than that, depending on model.
What really sold me on the Kelty though were all the compartments, the molle on the bottom, and the huge main compartment zipper that allows access to all parts of the bag when it's laying on it's back. For some reason, mfrs (like Thule and Osprey anyway) seem to be moving away from side compartments and I don't know why this is. Maybe they figure you only need to get into your pack when you stop to break camp for the night? I dunno, but I am liking all the options and flexibility and organization of the Kelty.
I must say though that it barely barely fits me, with a 21" torso...
