Hiking backpacks: What's best for the AT?

Question

Which backpack would be the best choice for hiking the Appalachian trail on a thru-hike?

Answer 1

sascoaz gives good advice on external frame packs. Internal-framed packs are great for rock climbing and ski-touring (in which you swing your arms) and for travel (they stow more easily as luggage). But for walking down a trail, a long ways?

External-framed is better because:

You can carry more volume by easily lashing 1 or 2 extra stuff sacks of food/sleeping bag high and low

You hike cooler because there is some air circulation between you and the pack.

And you can get a very adjustable "yoke" suspension system. Look for this - it helps a lot.

sascoaz is also right that Kelty makes a couple of external framed packs. Life-time warrantied and not very expensive ($139 or 169). REI (ww.rei.com) has them.

Get a frame extension for $20. I call them rollbars, but they let you securely fasten a very large stuff sack up high. Get really nice (nylon not polypro), light straps for those top and bottom stuff sacks.

An important thing on the AT or the PCT is to post gear and supplies ahead to yourself, c/o General Delivery at a few POs on the way. Check one of the AT guidebooks for those locations. Sure, you can buy more mac+cheese at any dry goods store down in the valley, but your size + brand of undies, socks, batteries, fuel (can you USPS fuel anymore?), etc might be hard to find.

Thinking about the fuel, you might want to use a stove head for a standard 16-ounce propane cylinder ($3) at any hardware and many grocery stores. The stove head are pretty light and the fuel is cheap and available. Spiffy new stoves have come out, but aren't as well supported in the sticks.

Enjoy the trip! What a wonderful adventure!

Answer 2

If you are going to be carrying your own tent, sleepingbag, clothes, water filter, cooking supplies, bad weather gear and several days worth of food at a time, then you are going to want a bag specifically designed for carrying heavy loads (40-50lbs, 4,000+ cu in).

When Backpacker magazine did their 2006 Gear Guide in March, they rated the Golite Perspective, the Mystery Ranch G-6000, and the North Face Catalyst as the best 'week-long' bags. The Golite Perspective in particular was identified as being ideal for the AT.

All of the above are internal frame packs (which are all the rage these days), but for heavy loads over long distances on good trails, I still prefer an external frame pack because it distributes the weight better. Kelty is about the only mainstream manufacturer that makes a good variety of external frame packs. I used their 50th Anniversary hybrid-external on 93 mile trip around Mount Rainier and it carried 40-50lb loads quite comfortably.

Other things that will make a big difference on weight and packing are your tent and sleeping bag - choose carefully to balance weight/water-resistance/cost. Use trekking poles to take the weight and strain off your knees and legs (they can make a big difference). Looking into the JetBoil system and freeze-dried food (like MountainHouse) - costs a bit more than doing your own cooking with raw ingredients, but saves on space, weight, and hassle.

Have fun!

Answer 3

I prefer a backpack made by Camelbak with the Camelbak hydration system built in...........you can never go wrong with one of these.