I have helped several people select and fit backpacks, but until this year I used a pack from 1972. Last fall I decided it really was time to replace my Mac Pac.  Here is my story of that process.

Start with the need

I tell people never to get a backpack bigger than you really need because you will fill it and then have to carry it. My typical trail itinerary is six days at elevations from 8,000 to 13,000 feet during summer and early fall. We have frosty nights and warm days. I carry a week’s worth of food, layers of clothes with a change of socks, sleeping quarters, and a share of kitchen gear and fuel. My old pack has an external frame and 3,200 cubic inches of capacity, plus room to strap more on the frame. That had usually been about enough capacity for my needs and heavy enough to not want more.

Consider personal preferences

Another thing I tell folks is that until you have a preference, you aren’t ready to buy equipment. I discourage first-timers from buying any equipment other than boots because they may not like backpacking, and they don’t know what they want. When they have decided they want to go backpacking again and have attitudes about equipment, then they are ready to consider buying equipment. Until then, they borrow gear.

I prefer external-frame packs for load handling and letting my back “breathe.” Most of my hiking buddies switched from external-frame packs to internal frames years ago. They tell me how great their packs feel and how much better it is than their old external-frame pack. As I began my search for a new pack I went to several retailers and found few choices in external frames. I tried the external frame packs, but none fit as well as my old custom pack. I decided to give internal frames a chance.

Among internal frame choices, Osprey had serious contenders. They adjust to an exact fit, and are very comfortable with a moderate load (under 40 pounds). The good folks at Backwoods patiently adjusted several models for me, but the back ventilation was not up to my expectations and load distribution did not feel like I am used to. They also seemed a little heavy, but none of the packs with features I was looking for were as light as my old pack. Oh – and I hoped I wouldn’t have to spend $300 for a decent fitting pack. I kept looking.

Widen the search

By searching the Internet I found more brands and options but most of the good looking choices were still over $300. By December I found a company I was not familiar with – Outdoor Products, Inc. They had a full line of packs, and had a new model, El Sol, with the longest frame I had seen. The Saturn looked like it might be plenty big, but the frame on El Sol intrigued me since I have a long torso. The bag had several design features more common on internals. I found the other models from Outdoor Products at several vendors, but couldn’t find El Sol anywhere. I called the company. El Sol was new and wouldn’t be distributed until March. In March I found El Sol at CampMor online for about $100. The web page showed more spec’s on the pack than I had seen in the early information from the manufacturer. I was excited about the possibilities of this pack, but since I still couldn’t find it stocked at any local retailers I ordered it online. My wife has heard me talk about the importance of good fit and she was shocked that I ordered a pack I hadn’t tried on. I thought this was the only way to try the pack, and that I would return it if I didn’t like it.

Next time - the pack arrives