Ask Dr. LJ... Backpacks?

[penk]

So I want a decent backpack. Something with an internal frame that can carry a small tent, sleeping bag, food for at least an overnight, and a change of clothes.

The problem is, folks may have noticed - I'm 6'6" tall. It's very hard to shop online for a backpack and go "Will that fit me?".

I've been to REI and to EMS - the packs there are INSANELY expensive ($600+). If I'm looking at top of the line, used or online, I'd like to keep it under $250 - I plan to hopefully use this a lot.

Most important is comfort.

So... any suggestions? Specific models or sizes would be great - some source other than VeryExpensiveOutdoorRetailer would be nice (even going to said stores and trying on packs - I think they cater to higher end manufacturers, and I'm not sure if they'll even carry what I'm looking for. Second, I have Issues with using a brick and mortar store to size up something I'm going to buy elsewhere. It's just wasting their time).

Comments

ihnp, ijls "google your brains out."

[dilletante.livejournal.com]

well... this search sounds a bit overconstrained, if it's ok to say so. "top of the line," "under $250," "unusual size," "have issues with using a brick and mortar store to size up somethign i'm going to buy elsewhere," "most important is comfort"...

i think you've ruled out all the methods i would use for something like this, which include "go to a brick and mortar store, tell them my constraints, try on every pack they show me, and pay what my favorite of them costs there," "go to a brick and mortar store, try on the packs that look nice to me, then buy that model online for cheaper," "buy something cheap online and see how it turns out," and "go to the most convenient brick and mortar store, try on whatever looks good, and buy the cheapest pack they have there that fits my constraints and i don't hate."

but if most models are explicitly sized by torso length, that sounds handy. good luck!

Re: ihnp, ijls "google your brains out."

[penk.livejournal.com]

The big challenge I've been having is finding listings OTFW that actually state torso length sizing.

Irritating!

But thanks :)