Hiking Backpacks: What's in a name?
Debating between the top name brand hiking packs and a more cost-efficient alternative? Weigh your pros and cons heavily, because in many situations on a hike, climb, or camping trip, your back pack is your lifeline. For weekend family camp-outs and casual day hikes, a less expensive alternative should work just fine. For 30+ mile hiking trips, rugged terrain camping, rough-and-tumble hikers, you might be better served to trust your gear with a higher-end hiking pack.
Some of your top name hiking backpacks are going to be Osprey and Gregory, with Kelty, The North Face and High Sierra coming in around mid-to-high range. Each of those brands will use high quality, lightweight and durable materials, sturdy construction, with plenty of bells and whistles to justify the price. If you know your hiking pack is going to be taking a beating, go with one of these brands. You never know when you're going to be dragging your pack through the mud, using it as an anchor, stringing it up from a tree, squeezing it through narrow crevasses, or even using it as a pillow. Your hiking pack will carry your essentials and can literally mean life-or-death.
Long story short, pick a hiking backpack that fits your needs, body type, and style. Make sure the pack can withstand the beating you and Mother Nature will be giving it, and be sure to have fun out there!
