First Backpack suggestions needed

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69LC

69LC

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Jan 12, 2008
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298
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3,570
Location
West MI near GVSU
Website
www.mcdesignsoffroad.com
Our son Joshua just turned 14 and we are considering getting him some real outdoor equipment of his own. In addition to our normal family camping, he is joining Civil Air Patrol and will need reliable gear that fits him properly, and gear that may also be adjustable as he continues to grow. He is currently about 5'8" and around 150 lbs. His grandfather used to lead Outward Bound excursions and suggested an external frame for better weight distribution and to keep the pack load on the hips instead of hanging from the shoulders. I am not a backpacker, but would like some help in finding and fitting Joshua with his first pack.
 
I too would suggest an external frame pack. I led backpacking trips for several years and most of the ages were 14-18. An external frame pack is highly adjustable and very versatile as far at carrying multiple items/types of loads. A internal frame pack needs to be loaded close to capacity to fit correctly and no be "sloppy." I have been out of the game for a while so I cannot suggest any brands however try to stick with a good name brand. Jansport used to make an external frame pack that had a telescoping frame so it can grow with a young person. I would stay away from the polymer frames, if anyone make them anymore, as I have seem one of those break and the poor boy was miserable the entire trip. You might be able to find a good deal for a pack that fits right now on craigslist then he can get a form fitting internal frame when he is finished growing. I use a Dana Designs that I got back in 1995 and it still works great. Good luck and tell him to have fun with it!
 
Kelty makes a nice adjustable frame boy scout external frame pack (trekker& tioga).

Dyno
 
Many of all the big names in backpacks have gone internal. Check out Gregory and Osprey youth packs. Technology on the internal frame packs have come a long way since the 80-90's.

I can't speak what's best for boyscouts or Civil Air Patrol, but I almost never see an external frame pack on hiking trails anymore. If I do see somebody with one they are an Old Timer who wouldn't have it any other way.

At 5-8" you may even want to put him in an adult pack, it might last him longer. As Rusty says below REI is a great place for pack fitting. REI brand packs are more affordable than Gregory or Osprey.
 
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At that age you are not going to find any kind of pack that is going to fit for more than one season, two at best.

I suggest you head to a good outfitting store, as much as I hate REI they would be my first choice. A good outfitter will help you select a pack based on size and expected use. Once you find a pack brand and style that fits him shop E-bay and find a used one. Your not the first one to be equipping a kid with gear that will be outgrown in a year, let some one else pay for new.

There is a reason external frames are out of favor. Internal frame packs are much more advanced than just a few years ago. Internal frames packs keep the load closer to the body and carry lower on the back than external frame packs, this helps keep the load stable and is safer on uneven terrain. They do not need to be loaded to capacity, external cinch straps compress the bag to fit the load.
 
I never used an external pack so no comment there.
I have owned my share of internal frame packs and have loved them all...
I too would suggest looking at a small/medium adult size pack.
Now days we use Black diamond and Osprey brands... both are mountaineering packs...
My experience is that these packs are lighter and can take a beating for years to come and can carry heavy loads if needed be...
Here is a good article on how to choose a pack.

http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpack.html
 
I really like my REI packs, the lookout 40 being the most used. They're on sale right now too.
This one has stiff padding in the correct spots and the storage areas are well thought out and streamlined.
Internal packs are lower profile and they do not feel like a turtle shell on your back.

I've used the old school army alice pack a bunch and they're comfortable enough. This is an external frame design. There is some wasted space, like in the midback between the frame and your back, but it works and you can carry a lot of weight. I'm a big fan of the quick detach tabs too.
 
I've had internal and external. Unless I am rock crawling on all fours, I very much prefer an external frame pack. I know the internals are all the rage and folks think the externals are outdated technology, but they hands down transfer the weight better to your hips and allow better ventilation on your back.

Anyone who speaks ill of them, should try one on a long hike. They work.
 
I've rocked internals and externals for the better part of 20 years now. From "cheap" peak 1 externals to "high end" K2/Dana and black hawk externals and a few different styles of ALICE packs. For internals I picked up a Lowe Alpine Contour 4 when I was around 14 and that lasted me all through high school, several thousand miles, and multiple mountain peaks. I was a huge fan of that pack due to the size and the fact that the suspension was fully adjustable. In fact its still sitting in my pack pile and I routinely lend it out to friends. I've since upgraded to a few different Dana/Mystery Ranch packs. Unless I'm going to be hauling weird/bulky/large shaped objects I'll always grab one of my internals first.

I just looked at Lowe Alpine's site and the TFX packs appear to be similar to the Contour series that had the fully adjustable suspension. If I were looking at "one size" pack I would look really hard at their 65:85 size.

Take the kid into REI or EMS or whatever you have him try on some packs that are adjustable like that and see what fits him and that he likes with some weight in it. This really is important as certain packs fit and others don't. My brother loves Osprey packs, but I just never felt like they fit me right. Gregory packs are a good middle of the road brand too, however they come S,M,L so that doesn't really help, except for I can't remember if you can just buy the next size up suspension and keep the same pack bag. It's been 6 years since I worked in a outdoor shop.

HTH,
Brittain
 
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A properly fitted internal frame wind hands down, imo. I've done some serious packing with both, and they are more comfortable, have a way better center of gravity, and can be fitted to not even touch your back. Osprey is my go-to company, but maybe a little pricey for a growing boy. Gregory comes with good quality at a fair price. Externals are for people who carry axes and cast iron skillets. I know, I did once...
 
Dana Designs
 
I've always gone with Osprey as they fit me the best. That should be the deciding factor with a pack. I prefer an internal personally and would recommend that for anyone who plans to pack in the mountains. At 5'8" a would wager an adult medium would fit him and last until he is 6'. So a year or two? Used gear is always good. I'd buy a quality used pack over an entry level new.
 
No one has mentioned what the pack will be used for.

Is he doing day hikes, overnight or multi-day stuff?

I use 32 litre frameless back country access or ortovox for the day tripping I do. For overnight and multi-day I have a 40 year old external frame that still ( although I hardly ever go no) works great.
 
Badlands

http://badlandspacks.com/index.php

We have been all over the Pacific Northwest for over 35 years on day hikes to month hikes as well as hunting 12 miles in with multi-day packouts after deer kills. We have used external and internal framed packs. We have used the high end mountaineering packs and have found that none compare to a Badlands pack. The waist belt is integrated into the back support and it can be setup many ways with bulky loads. The trick is having a pack that can keep the gear tight and close to the center of mass when hiking. Shifting loads can kill you where we hike. Don't fall for the tactical packs with the exterior loops for add on's.
The final thing is warranty. I have yet to see a warranty like Badlands. If somebody knows of better let me know. I had a 6 point antler set in the pack with 40 lbs of meat and a tip wore through the pack side after 8 miles. I sent it to Badlands and had a new pack a week later.
Want to get a real stink eye? Try taking a bag back to REI that has been out hunting with blood on it or wear holes from antlers and try to get them to replace it. Hah.
 
I do a lot of camping and used to do a lot of hunting. I myself prefer military grade packs. I used the ALICE for years because of the external frame, but have since went to the MOLLE large rucksack. Its external frame and outstandingly durable. With more room than I'll need.
 
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