The All Mighty Decision…Which Backpack?

7 May

One of the most crucial decisions to make prior to leaving on a month long hike, or even a daylong excursion, is which pack to bring? I’ve been backpacking for the greater portion of my life and have had the opportunity to use a variety of packs ranging from an old woven Adirondack guide pack (more like a picnic basket with straps), a few external frame beasts, to the latest and greatest creations.

As we entered the final stages of planning for the JMT I knew I needed a new pack, my previous pack having had suffered a few zipper blowouts and lacking a reasonably comfortable hip belt. It was under these circumstances that I found myself standing in front of the daunting wall of packs at REI. It can be a bit overwhelming to stand there and attempt to come to a decision as to exactly which pack is going to be right for you. Fortunately one of the employees must have recognized the thousand-yard stare in my eyes and was able to assist me in selecting the right pack. I had never owned an Osprey Pack before and had very little hard information about them beforehand, other than quite a bit of positive word of mouth recommendations (which in retrospect is often the best kind). After trying on a number of different packs I settled on the Aether 85.

After spending 4 weeks on the trail with this pack I have nothing but glowing reviews. Of all the packs in that size I found it to be the lightest and most comfortable to wear (literally never suffered from the all too common sore morning hips). It was also incredibly durable. Post trip I use it to carry my sound equipment on trips and it has suffered some serious abuse at the hands of the airlines and is no worse for the wear. Prior to this I had a pack that was described to me by the sales associate as “the Cadillac of backpacks”…one week into a two week trip in Alaska the plastic stabilizer broke, which was an infuriating buzzkill and expensive test run. To my fellow outdoor sound folks I’d also like to note that the removable top pouch on the Aether 85 also serves as a great mix bag. I was able to fit a Sound Devices 302, Sound Devices 744t and bulky NP battery in there without a problem and keep it strapped to my waist as I boomed and mixed our on-trail interviews. I’ve recommended the packs to numerous people after the trail, the most notable of which would have to be my parents who just yesterday left to hike the 500 mile El Camino trail in Spain and have taken along two Osprey packs.

During our time on the trail we ran into an incredible group of people and became fast friends with a good number of them. Among that group were Dave and Kelly Finlay from Dolores, Colorado whom we shared an instant bond of great conversation and easy laughter. Via that fine couple we found ourselves introduced by email to Osprey and we were ecstatic when them came onboard as The Muir Project’s first sponsor! Fast-forward 8 months to a screening of the final film at the Cliff Bar headquarters in Emeryville, CA and our introduction to the owners of Osprey, Mike Pfotenhauer and Diane Wren. Within a few sentences of my conversation with Mike and Diane before the screening, I knew that they embodied everything about the outdoor community that is generally lacking in a large company. They were breaking stigmas at that very moment as they humored a slightly tipsy Durand with a number of great backpacking stories. Everything about the way Osprey operates their business on both a social and institutional level is exceptional (just take a look at their policy of “The All Mighty Guarantee”). I personally believe the level of enthusiasm and support that Osprey has shown our relatively small independent film, and the goal of getting more folks outside to enjoy the outdoors, is an overwhelming assertion of their admirable core principals.

I am an Osprey believer and often find myself preaching as much to those looking for recommendations. You’re heading out on a trip soon and haven’t found the right pack yet? Take it from one “word of mouth” convert to another, Osprey is the way to go.

Side note from Jen: As quite possibly the physical opposite of Durand, and standing at 5′even, I’m surprised to report that on my own recon planning for the trip, I also bought and LOVE an Osprey: Osprey Ariel 65. I’ve grown to love it so much, I’ll actually reach for it instead of some of my lighter daypacks. It was sad saying goodbye to my external frame, but I am never looking back now.