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.

Here are suggestions, provided by Camp Trails pack designers, for ten minimum pack features that will adequately accommodate any weekend activity:

1.Make sure the hipbelt is padded with at least a 1/4-inch of foam padding, as opposed to a mere seatbelt webbing hipbelt that won't provide much comfort. It should wrap around you comfortably, which manufacturers coin "recurved and conically cut." More padding doesn't mean more comfort. In fact, too much can restrict your movement.

2. Curved, tapered and padded shoulder straps will provide the best fit and prevent chaffing. If you're female, narrower shoulder straps offer a better fit.

3. A sternum strap holds the shoulder straps in place and prevents the pack from
shifting around.

4. Top stabilizing straps will let you pull the pack in toward you to position the weight off the hips when climbing uphill, or release the pack to put the weight on the hips for going downhill.

5. Stays built into an internal frame pack help support the weight of the contents.

6. Packs are designed to hug your torso, but can become very hot during exercise, so air circulation is important. A mesh backpack provides ample air circulation. More deluxe packs have mesh-covered, padded backpads with ventilated channels.

7. Durable cloth is necessary, especially along the bottom of the pack because that area takes the most abuse from being constantly set, or dropped, on the ground. Camp Trails uses Kodra, Cordura or ArmaTech; on its packs. ArmaTech; also has excellent abrasion resistance.

8. While there's never truly a waterproof bag as long as you have zippers and seams, braided seams are better able to keep water out and prevent fraying. Pack contents will stay dry as long as the pack is not stored on a wet ground.

9. A rain cover will ensure your pack and contents stay dry in consistent rainy weather conditions.

10. Organizer pockets are abundant on many packs. Minimally, you should have a water bottle or bladder pocket that is conveniently placed for easy access to fluids. In addition, you'll need a place to store rain gear or a jacket, should a sudden summer storm arise or the temperature drop.

Before browsing the retailers, browse the internet first to gain more information on what type of pack you need. Many Web sites have an FAQ or Q & A section to get answers direct from the manufacturer. Visit Camp Trails at www.camptrails.com.

Johnson Outdoors Inc.