Rather than reviews you could try going to a store and trying them on to get one that fits. Also choose what size pack you want depending on cargo/trip length, and if you want water bottle holders on the side or other gizmos.
backpacker.com has a honest amount of stuff to review. They also have a magazine that’s pretty well done. Subscribe if you want, or try the local library–maybe they’ll have it. They also do an annual “gear guide” review that gathers a lot of data on packs, tents, cooking equipment, footwear, etc. I reflect the gear guide is released around February/March timeframe… narrow down some of what you see and then seek out to try it on. Buying a newer pack with some help (to show the straps and ways to adjust everything, etc) really made a difference after I had been out of backpacking for 10 years.
If you live near a Marmot store, you can get a custom pack fitted by knowledgeable staff. I have two acquaintances who bought new packs at the store in Berkeley, CA, and they were able to get a custom fit by combining pieces from other packs. Marmot also has stores in Bellevue and Tacoma, WA.
Marmot can be expensive, but if you’re plotting to use your pack a lot, then it’s worth the price to get one that fits properly. REI can also be excellent, and they often have fantastic sales, but you can’t always get someone who can help you with proper fitting. If you already know what you want, try REI.com and look in the vehicle section. Excellent luck!
lots of reviews there. there is a user review forum on backpackinglight.com, but the focus there is on extremely lightweight equipment, not much mainstream stuff. backpacker.com has reviews, but newer reviews seem to take a while to get online (they are published in print first).
Rather than reviews you could try going to a store and trying them on to get one that fits. Also choose what size pack you want depending on cargo/trip length, and if you want water bottle holders on the side or other gizmos.
Check out yoour local REI, Inc. store. The staff will be pleased to direct you in the right direction!
backpacker.com has a honest amount of stuff to review. They also have a magazine that’s pretty well done. Subscribe if you want, or try the local library–maybe they’ll have it. They also do an annual “gear guide” review that gathers a lot of data on packs, tents, cooking equipment, footwear, etc. I reflect the gear guide is released around February/March timeframe… narrow down some of what you see and then seek out to try it on. Buying a newer pack with some help (to show the straps and ways to adjust everything, etc) really made a difference after I had been out of backpacking for 10 years.
If you live near a Marmot store, you can get a custom pack fitted by knowledgeable staff. I have two acquaintances who bought new packs at the store in Berkeley, CA, and they were able to get a custom fit by combining pieces from other packs. Marmot also has stores in Bellevue and Tacoma, WA.
Marmot can be expensive, but if you’re plotting to use your pack a lot, then it’s worth the price to get one that fits properly. REI can also be excellent, and they often have fantastic sales, but you can’t always get someone who can help you with proper fitting. If you already know what you want, try REI.com and look in the vehicle section. Excellent luck!
http://www.backpackgeartest.org
lots of reviews there. there is a user review forum on backpackinglight.com, but the focus there is on extremely lightweight equipment, not much mainstream stuff. backpacker.com has reviews, but newer reviews seem to take a while to get online (they are published in print first).
excellent luck!