What size pack

[starbright]

I am trying to find out what size pack my daughter and I need for a thru hike.
I have read alot of the forums and still don't know what size to be looking for. My son and daughter are hiking with me both grown. Where are the best places to look for one at a reasonable price. trying to outfit three of us on limited funds. not having a lot of luck have some of the stuff needed but packs seem to be the problem.
I expect to have about 30 to 35lbs of weight. About what size do I need.

[Spokes]

3800-4200 cu. in. is a good average. Osprey and ULA packs alway get good reviews. You'll spend between $200-270 for those.

Lucky hikers have found some good gear at thrift shops in the past. eBay is an option but "caveat emptor" applies.

Cheers!

[Blissful]

Get your gear figured out first then worry about the pack and the capacity.

[Spokes]

Get your gear figured out first then worry about the pack and the capacity.

Hmmmm, that's what leads to all those 65 lb packs isn't it?

Better to use Winton Porters tried and true gear list as a guideline to avoid buying and carrying all that stuff the REI salesman says you need......

http://www.backpacker.com/november_0...s/12659?page=4

Ignore the pop-up.

[cabbagehead]

50L deuter act zero

[Venus]

I have a deuter Act Zero too, I love it!

[Spokes]

50L equals 3000 cu. in.

[Another Kevin]

Better to use Winton Porters tried and true gear list as a guideline[...]
http://www.backpacker.com/november_0...s/12659?page=4

I looked at that list. I don't think I'm ever going to get that light. There are just too many more things that I generally bring:

Clothing: I'd add at least a bandana, a tuque and gloves! Maybe a baseball cap. (Always in warmer weather.)

Cooking: I want my freezer bag cozy and my Silly Feet. And my bear bag and a line to hang it with.

Water: Forget the fold-up tote, but add a nylon bucket and a piece of car chamois because I like a little cleanliness once in a while.

Shelter and sleep: Not much to add or take away. I already mentioned bringing a tuque. In cool weather, I usually wear one in the sack.

Miscellaneous: Needle and thread. Tweezers. Pencil. Car keys. Can opener on the keychain if I'm not bringing a multitool.

My phone. In airplane mode, it lasts 2-3 days, and serves as GPS, several books, music player, journal, spare flashlight, camera, alarm clock, kitchen timer, and several other good things. One job that it seldom does on the trail is telephony - usually there's no service where I hike. Spare charged battery for the phone.

Did he mention things like headlamp, compass, firesteel, and DEET somewhere else? OK, in cold weather the DEET can stay home.

Also about a half-pound to a pound of personal articles (none of your durned business).

And my poles.

The stuff fits in an ALPS Orizaba 3900 with room to spare if I'm carrying food for a 3-day weekend. (It's an adequate pack for me, and I got it for really cheap.)

But I'm a clueless weekender. I guess the Real Hikers have cold heads and hands, trash their knees, and have bears take their stuff?

[Spokes]

Yep, like I mentioned, it's a guideline. Some go lighter, some a little heavier. Tweaking is fun.....

[Whack-a-mole]

I used a GoLite Quest for the first time this weekend and was pretty impressed. Also they are a little cheaper than some other brands. Take a few minutes and give them a look.

[elkie-girl]

I used a GoLite Quest for the first time this weekend and was pretty impressed. Also they are a little cheaper than some other brands. Take a few minutes and give them a look.

I carry this http://www.jansport.com/js_product_d...id=31&pid=TVV6 and I go by it. No one I believe needs a bigger one. It's rather small but you can attach as much as you need to to it.