Like everything in this high-tech era, outdoor gear can be technically mind-boggling, leaving many to assume it's reserved for the outdoor elite only. Backpacks, in particular, can be saturated with features that only a mountain climber can understand. But for most Americans who cycle, hike or backpack for just a day or two at a time, pricey, rugged gear is not needed. Affordable quality will do.
You can cut through the feature-intensive confusion and simplify your needs. The most important part of any pack is the suspension system. It provides the carrying comfort you need. An internal frame pack is more suitable for the day or overnight trips that are popular now, versus extended stays in isolated wilderness areas.
External frame packs are more useful for longer backpacking trips where you're carrying a lot of gear. For anything else, an internal frame will do just fine. The Camp Trails Scirroco is a good example of a mid-level pack with all the basic necessary features you may need on a weekend or day trip. For more serious backpacking or cycling trips, you may want more of the features found on higher-range packs. Continue...