Need a Larger Pack

Every Deuter I have tried carries very well–better in my opinion than the Ospreys.

+1 on Deuter

I have a Deuter ACT lite 65+10, and I love it. It carries very well, and is fully adjustable, which I like since I have a longer torso. A little heavy, but it can carry a lot.

Edit: Also, you may want to check out ULA Catalyst (about 75 liters). I have the smaller version of it (Circuit) and it's hands-down the best pack I've ever used.

I would check ULA out too. I've never owned one, but I keep hearing great things about them. Granite Gear makes excellent load haulers too.

+1 for ULA. I used a Catalyst for 60% of my section hiking from Springer to Harpers Ferry on the AT. The last 40% was with a ULA Conduit, now refered to as the CDT, after I went light weight.

I love my Altra 75 for work trips (carrying remote cameras, large spotting scopes (Questar), climbing gear, etc). However I have read more than one person that did not like the way the hipbelt fit them as there is a slight hump in your lumbar region. The side hydration doesn't bother me as I can only fit a 2L platypus bag in there so it doesn't affect the weight distribution that much (for me and my load). Some people have also had the belt webbing slip a bit in the belt buckle in the rain…I've been lucky so far but I think (hope) Arcteryx has fixed that on the newer ones (just check with their customer service) It really is a cavernous pack and overkill for nearly any weekend trip.

I would highly recommend trying it out first at an REI fully loaded up with your gear…and also take a look at some of the granite gear packs which are quite nice (almost got a nimbus meridian instead). I haven't used any of the ULA packs but I hear great things about them.

Feel free to ask any specific you would like to know. Cheers

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Porter Expedition pack. I have the Porter and it has proven excellent.

+1 on ULA and HMG. Went from a Circuit to a Windrider. Depending on your space needs, their bigger counterparts (Catalyst and Porter) would be also perfect.

If you have two Ospreys and they fit well, stay with the brand, IMO.

Although, going from your current 55 to a 65 liter might not be worth it. Going for the 75L will definitely give you more space.

I have two Ospreys also, an Aether 60L and Kestrel 38L. I use the appropriate one for the trip. Neither are the lightest, but they carry so well :)

I think Deuter makes great packs too, but they don't fit me as well.

Kari, unless you're itching to spend the money just add side pockets to your Ariel 55. You'll gain about 800 cu. in. of volume with two average size side pockets. Plus they are great for storing things you may want quickly such as 1st aid kit, stove & fuel, potty kit, toilet kit, etc.

Some of the cottage industry pack makers have them.

BTW, a 70 liter pack seems to me to be edging into the large size for summer backpacking.

Check out the Deuter "Act Zero" 50+15 – 3.25 lbs – nice big toploader with no extra bells or whistles – the top pocket can be removed for lowering weight when not needed on the new models. You can sometimes find the 2010 model on Ebay – 60+10 at 3 lbs.

The Deuters have one of the best suspension systems available for the weight & size – very comfortable. I use the 2010 (60+10) model for my Rocky Mtn solo winter pack – has room to spare including carrying an extra 8-10 lbs of landscape photography gear – handles the consolidated weight very well. With the limited features Deuter recommends this pack for the "experienced" thru-hiker – who really don't need all the extra heavy pockets & zips.

So funny, I just had a chance to test a Deuter bag (80L I think) on a trip I just did, but worried about testing out a brand new bag on a 6 day hike, so I stuck with my Ariel 55. At least half of my participants were outfitted with Deuters and none of them seemed to have any problems with their bags.

Agreed that the jump from the Ariel 55L to 65L is probably pointless. Looking back, I wish I just got the 65L to start because I probably won't need 75L most of the time and 65L would be just right I imagine.

Yea the Altra is probably going to be a love-hate relationship. I can pick one up off of a fellow BPL'er for a good price, so I might just do that and resell it if I don't like it. No outfitters nearby carry Arc'Teryx and I know that REI often needs to order one in because they aren't typically in stock in the stores.

So, I think I'll be testing out an Altra and may have one up for sale in the classifieds soon if I don't like it. Also turns out I get Deuter on prodeal so that opens up some new options. But then there is the tried and true Ariel. Love those packs!