Discussing a few packs…

It might be worth it to give McHale a call. I think his stuff might meet your requirements for durability and versatility. I've never handled his gear though.

What are you thinking of spending? Sounds like you require a frame for heavier loads.

http://www.mysteryranch.com and look at the Trance. Fully customizable harness and hipbelt, as well as extremely variable torso adjustment to get a perfect fit.

I'm open to a custom pack, I was just under the impression that it would be more than I could afford. I'll check out both these makers. I heard that McHales are built to a very high standard of durability, but fell just under $1000, although I haven't called them to confirm any pricing, and only read this on a forum (don't even remember where…). Mystery Ranch seems like an interesting company, I'll definitely check them out and I saw their military catalog, which was pretty comprehensive – I'd love to see one of those packs in person. Their web site isn't working at the moment, but perhaps tomorrow, it'll be up and running. The Altra was about 460 with tax, so I'd like to keep my purchase around 450. While I know what I want, and would be excited to customize my own bag, I'm just not sure if how much more than the Altra (if any) a custom pack would be.

Arc'Teryx is known for superb quality, and the Altra has received rave reviews. But no one seems to know why they put the hydration carrier on the side of that line of packs.

Black Diamond makes some super durable packs in the ~70L range that carry well. I think it's the Mission 75? I saw one at the Marmot store (50% off) when I was there in Berkeley last week.

A pack from Dan McHale, stripped down, will be within your budget. If you want options and a big pack with his best load-carrying capabilities, you'll be paying more.

What is your actual backpacking experience? Spend enough time here and a 70l pack will seem ridiculous to you. Could we see a gear list of what you already have?

I use a 70L pack for every shoulder season and winter multi-day trek I go on in the Canadian Rockies. Seems reasonable to me for those conditions and not ridiculous at all.

I do agree that the OP needs to post a gear list.

OK. I'm wrong. That liter thing again. I was thinking 90.

Still want to see what he's putting in it though. It is BPL after all. Weight is still a priority, of sorts, isn't it?

I know exactly what you were getting at. And agree we should be seeing what he wants to put into the pack.

deleted

"A $1,000 for a backpack is insane. I have humped loads of climbing gear up the Rockies and Bugs in a $400 Dana and there is no realistic way a pack costing $600 more is going to perform any better… not a chance."

+1

I must say that I'm happy I signed up for this board, and posted here. I wasn't expecting so many comprehensive responses, and I'm even more pleased that my goal of spending around $450 is a reasonable one.

I didn't include a pack list, because it varies. My lifestyle is such that I work on three different continents, and in all my spare time I travel, backpack, and climb.

I'll do my best to provide an average list of things that I'd take with me on most trips. Keep in mind this all has to go in a 70L or so bag, plus an REI flash 18, so not everything on this list will go with me, at all times. The problem is, I'm constantly moving because of work, and will usually go trekking from a place other then my home. I am, in almost every instance, able to leave belongings at a certain location (picking them up afterwards, of course), and supplement the extra space for rented rock climbing gear, or food, as I venture out into the wilderness.

Underlayers:
1 set thermal underwear,
3 pairs Underarmour,
2 boxers,
1 althetic shirt,
6-10 pairs of sox: running, hiking, and dress combined.

Outerlayers:

1 pair of peans,
1 pair of khakis,
2 workpants,
2 belts,
2 pendletons,
3 tee shirts,
2 shorts,
1 protective shell Jacket,
Mountain Hardware wind resistant fleece w/ soft shell built in,
1 beanie/neck warmer,
gloves: 1 pair shells, 1 pair liners

Sleeping:

Marmot Trestles 15,
Outdoor Revolution fleece sleeping bag liner,
Marmot bivy,
(hopefully a pyramid home made tarp soon to come…)

First aid:

I.V. Supplies (etc.),
Compress,
ace bandage,
knee brace (soft),
antibiotic cream,
gauze,
tape,
tylenol,
ibuprofen,
probiotics,
steripen,
water filter that fits in a Nalgene,
sunscreen,
chapstick,
retainer,
toothbrush,
toothpaste,
shampoo and conditioner in hotel bottles
earplugs,
thermometer bug spray,
floss,
tea tree oil,
tiger balm

Specialty Equipment:

Sunglasses,
khafia,
sewing kit,
paracord,
Sandals,
running shoes,
rock climbing shoes,
boots,
1 cotton laundry sack,
1 waterproof stuff sack,
chalk bag,
3L camelback bladder,
Nalgene,
MSR whisperlite,
fuel, titanium pots,
lighter,
candles,
magnesium,
pen,
leatherman,
harbinger foam sleeping pad,
15" macbookpro, chager, and case,
ipod, headphones,
Sony NEX 5n, charger, one lens only,
5.5" 1940's custom made knife (Camillus style Asek blade, but thinner),
book(s),
sometimes a machete, tripod or crampons/snowshows,
walking sticks,
and bear spray,
a passport, keys,
1 credit card,
drivers license,
cash.

I'm sure I'm forgetting something. Let me know if you catch an obvious one that I didn't.

So, granted that the pack needs to accommodate a lot of non-backpacking gear related items, I need something that can compress well, too.

Oh, and a compass if I didn't already say that, toilet paper, talc, maps…

Holy gear-list batman!

Haha, well as I mentioned, not all at once… definitely not in a 70 something liter pack. I pack differently for every continent and time of year, but I always make sure to have the heaviest and bulkiest things worn on me when I fly. Then when I get to my destination, I leave my things at a friends house, and swap add/subtract things from my pack as necessary. So traveling in between 'home-bases' around the world is the greatest difficulty I have. I accomplish this through a few compression sacks, an the smaller sacks/kits/etc. I have that are specially sewn for many of the first aid, personal care, and extra random equipment. I keep specific things in specific cargo pant pockets on me, and in my day pack, and it somehow works out, until the next 'home-base' I arrive at and can dump the unnecessary/work related items, and lighten my pack for more adventuring.

It may seem like a lot, but these are the majority of my possessions, period.

So you use the giant pack for all your stuff and take a smaller pack on actual backpacking excursions?

Would a duffel be easier?

At times, I need to walk a few miles with my gear, before arriving at a base to put my things. Because negotiating public places is easier with a bag on me, I've naturally gravitated towards a larger capacity bag, that can be compressed down to the dimensions of a smaller capacity bag when necessary.

What about a duffel that has shoulder straps built in? Something along the lines of a First Ascent Maximus duffle is what I'm thinking about.

I admit I was cringing at the weight of all the things on your gear list added up. My 145lb frame would be crippled in no time!

I have a Montbell Expedition pack 80, the old version of this:

http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=34&p_id=1223329

Which I haven't actually gotten around to using. I don't carry that much stuff in the backcountry very often (mostly when guiding very long trips). It sounds like it would work fairly well for what you want. It's suspension system is burly and well designed, it's front opens up like a suitcase, it has a massive removable top pocket, and it compresses alright. It's also a real bargain.

The Cilogear 75l Worksack would probably be a good choice. Or maybe there 60l, since that is about the size of most other companies 75l packs. I've found Cilogear packs shrink better than others I have used.

cilogear.com

Another intriguing possibility would be some of the larger models of Aarn packs. People say that they carry weight well, and you could shrink them by leaving the balance pockets behind if you wanted to.

aarnusa.com