thatguy22

Kind of a hard question but I am looking for some input. I have researched extended trip packs for a while and narrowed it down to these two. They are pretty equal in a lot of ways. I am wondering if anyone can offer me insight as to which they know or have knowledge of being a better pack. (also, these are being bought my mail order since I dont have a good outdoor store near me, while I could ship one back I am hoping to avoid it)

REI Morning Star 75
http://www.rei.com/online/store/Pro...vcat=REI_SEARCH

Lowe Alpine Appalachian 65
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/s...ductId=37105800

Thanks.

agriadam

your links don't work

__________________
My Flickr Stream

“Life is too short to spend it doing something you don't like... if your passion is selling surfboards by the sea, then that is where you should be.”
-My Dad

"Do we really want to travel in hermetically sealed popemobiles through the rural provinces of France, Mexico and the Far East, eating only in Hard Rock Cafes and McDonalds? Or do we want to eat without fear, tearing into the local stew, the humble taqueria's mystery meat, the sincerely offered gift of a lightly grilled fish head? I know what I want. I want it all. I want to try everything once."
-Anthony Bourdain

“If you can imagine a man having a vasectomy without anesthetic to the sound of frantic sitar-playing, you will have some idea what popular Turkish music is like.”
-Bill Bryson

"The older I get the less likely I feel I will ever figure my life out... I think that might be okay though"
-Me

agriadam

maybe this will help

REI Morning Star 75 Pack

Appalachian 85/65/ND55

__________________
My Flickr Stream

“Life is too short to spend it doing something you don't like... if your passion is selling surfboards by the sea, then that is where you should be.”
-My Dad

"Do we really want to travel in hermetically sealed popemobiles through the rural provinces of France, Mexico and the Far East, eating only in Hard Rock Cafes and McDonalds? Or do we want to eat without fear, tearing into the local stew, the humble taqueria's mystery meat, the sincerely offered gift of a lightly grilled fish head? I know what I want. I want it all. I want to try everything once."
-Anthony Bourdain

“If you can imagine a man having a vasectomy without anesthetic to the sound of frantic sitar-playing, you will have some idea what popular Turkish music is like.”
-Bill Bryson

"The older I get the less likely I feel I will ever figure my life out... I think that might be okay though"
-Me

agriadam

oh and welcom to the boards... personally I like the lowe alpine one.

__________________
My Flickr Stream

“Life is too short to spend it doing something you don't like... if your passion is selling surfboards by the sea, then that is where you should be.”
-My Dad

"Do we really want to travel in hermetically sealed popemobiles through the rural provinces of France, Mexico and the Far East, eating only in Hard Rock Cafes and McDonalds? Or do we want to eat without fear, tearing into the local stew, the humble taqueria's mystery meat, the sincerely offered gift of a lightly grilled fish head? I know what I want. I want it all. I want to try everything once."
-Anthony Bourdain

“If you can imagine a man having a vasectomy without anesthetic to the sound of frantic sitar-playing, you will have some idea what popular Turkish music is like.”
-Bill Bryson

"The older I get the less likely I feel I will ever figure my life out... I think that might be okay though"
-Me

thatguy22

Alright, thanks for fixing the links, forgot to but in the html for it and just cut and pasted.

See, I have run into 1 of 6-7 people who has even owned REI packs... so everyone says Lowe Alpine.

Like I said, it pretty much comes down to preference, the REI is 50 ci larger with an extra pocket, but, atleast in picture the Lowe Alpine has an extra lower back pad and thicker padding on the shoulders, and hip belt (though, this is in pictures and the REI pack looks like it has the same, just stuffed into the backpad instead of the exterior.

Thanks for the help and the welcome.

Tadpole

Im not a big fun of packs that load from the top. But of the two I like the Appalachian.

__________________
"Sundace, I can't help you now."
~Butch Casady

thatguy22

Yeah, I dont like the top load that much either, I had an army duffle bag in school for clothes and hated the single open load.... but since panel loading packs of this size are few and far between, or pricey, i opted for these, esspecially since the zip out divider makes it top or bottom loading, and with the 6-7 pockets all my small stuff should be easy to get to.

GoKrazy

If those are the choices then I'd go for the Lowe Alpine. If you're planning to do a lot of backpacking then definately gor for stuff with extra/thicker padding - your body will thank you in the end.

And I agree with Tadpole - top loading is a pain!

__________________
"Growing old is manditory, growing up is optional"

THAILAND_ROCKS

Hi, i have a Low Alpine Appalacian 65 + 15 pack. I havent used it much yet, but i would recommend it, its a comfterble pack ( for me anyway) and has a excellent weight distribution system. It has a load of padding everywhere and a space between the pack and your lower, lumber back this is usefull as it allows your sweat to evapourate easier preventing the build up of moisture leading to rashes ect .

kingcrazylegs

I would suggest that you chek out this post!

__________________

all that is not given is lost