cheap + light backpack

Makes me pine for the days (not all that long ago) when 75 US cents could buy us a loonie. Sigh….

But back to topic — not real light for 24L but not heavy either — and the pack looks good!

Looks like a nice pack for the money. Good for climbing with the trim exterior.

I do like outside water bottle pockets and they add capacity to a small pack. For hiking, I would go with the new REI Flash 22 at that size/weight/cost. $49.95US and 453g/16oz.

the previous generation alpinelite ~20 litres were known as some of the best packs in that price range ….

MEC gear is "cheap" … but not low quality … and has a better warranty than many $$$$ manufacturers …

theres really no reason for a mass manufactured pack to cost an arm and a leg … other than marketing …

I really like these MEC Packs

http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Packs/Daypacks/PRD~5023-571/mec-travel-light-top-loader.jsp

They are a real nice pack for quick overnights if you have crunched your volume down enough. I plan to add on water bottle pockets or else water bottle holders on the shoulder straps to make it a little more useful.