Thru-hike Backpack Suggestions

[Tree Top Flyer]

I was wondering if any of you have any suggestions on a very good thru-hiking backpack? I’m looking at buying an Osprey Aether 85 as I keep hearing good things about it from local outfitters. I’m looking to stay under 350 dollars for the pack as that’s the amount the trail boss will officially kill me for spending.
Thanks very much for your advice.

Will this pack have enough room for the gear I need for an A.T. thru-hike?
Is it durable enough to be around for a few years?
Is there something as good and/or better that doesn’t cost as much?

I’m a firm believe in you get what you pay for, but I’m also not one to throw away money when I don’t have to.
Thanks again,

TTF
SVN, GA

[Stagefright]

Check out GoLite’s website: http://www.golite.com

I own the light speed.

http://www.golite.com/product/productdetail.aspx?p=PA5255&s=1&e=8&ch=1

It has a nicer/thicker hip belt than some of the lighter packs made by GoLite, but there are plenty to choose from on their website. If you are worried about storage space, you can always 86 the tent. There are plenty of shelters on the trail and you can carry a tarp as a back up.

[Tree Top Flyer]

Stagefright:
Thanks for the reply and sorry for my delay, been doing some Army training for the last few weeks.
I guess a better question along this thread would be, how big of a pack do you actually need for the AT? I’m planning on staying below 45 lbs in the pack, hopefully. At the time of the hike, I will have retired from the Army and have pretty much learned to go without any sort of creature comforts for long periods, certainly not 5 months worth of misery though.
Any advice or suggestions will be very appreciated and thoroughly obsessed over.

Tree Top Flyer
SVN

[TreeFrog]

TTF, what’s your strategy? Do you want to go ultra-light (sub 20lb.), light (20-30), or higher (30-40lbs.)? There’s only a few places on the AT where you will need a larger pack for storage (ie. 100 Mile Wilderness in Maine). There are some hostels in Monson that may cache some food for you – so even there you might be able to get away with a smaller pack. If you carry a tent -there’s some 2 lbs options you should look at.

[Tree Top Flyer]

I’d love to say I’m going to stay below 30 lbs but I know me and I’ll bring some needless stuff along and will end up around 40 lbs, especially since I drink tons of water when I’m not hiking so I have to carry a huge amount when I go for a walk. Mostly, I just want room enough to be able to transfer some of my wifes gear into my pack if need be when she joins me on the trail.

I’m going to get a one person tent since I’ll be solo for the majority of the hike.

I appreciate all the advice and help. Again, my hike is going to be in about 5 more years as the Army isn’t going to let me go off and take 4-5 months with all the current ops going on. But it would be nice.

[Tree Top Flyer]

Stagefright:

And the winner is the Go Lite you suggested. Loving it and it’s also perfect for my wife. I’m also going with an Osprey pack, still deciding on which, but leaning towards the Aether 85 for some shorter stretches of trail. Both will get a good workout this Christmas in the N.F. and GSMNP.

[FreakShow]

Yeah, man. I’m done with the 50lbs.+ loads. That gig has played itself out. There are too many lightweight options out there now, and I enjoy the experience a lot more when I don’t take the kitchen sink – especially on short weekend trips.

[Tree Top Flyer]

I’m giving it a good workout on the JMT, Tn slice tomorrow.

[Tree Top Flyer]

SF, I’m sold on this pack. LOVE IT and I’m sold on going lite on the trail. Easily held everything I’d take on a weeklong hike and my shoulders feel great, even my right should which has been dislocated a couple of times and has a grossly raised collarbone from a separation and subsequent screwed up surgery. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[Author]

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