戶外裝備測評--買得起的多用途背包(多圖)

　　六款對於周末或者為期一周的冒險極為理想的多用途負重負重背包。

　　如同有毒的氣體從汗水浸溼的聚丙烯中產生，骯髒的回憶有時會自我的裝備室出現，讓我的膝蓋發抖。罪魁禍首是一個如同怪獸的大包，我掃了一眼這個曾經帶我完成了很多遙遠的旅程的滿是灰塵的怪獸，它的巨大的不合適的袋子裝了足以應付一個月的食物和裝備，壓碎了我。

　　現在，我老化的身體和對於家庭的愛促使我從一個月的重裝健行減少為更容易處理的為期一周的遠足。現在完美的背包是多用途的，能裝載大概5天的食物和裝備。它也很輕，可以壓縮為足夠周末外出。我理想的背包能搬運從應付沙漠旅行的水到我想拉長旅程時額外的食物每件東西，也可以攜帶滑雪撬或者登山裝備。

　　換句話說，這個包的容量和背負系統必須馴服有時適度的負重，但也至於大到淹沒輕型的裝備。我的錢包這麼癟，再怎麼說也不能再斷一隻胳膊或者斷條腿吧。要求不算過多，是吧？這個完美的多才多藝的背包存在麼？為了找出這個背包，我首先提煉出相關的因素，提出了標準。

　　然後我做了一些網上和產品名冊的研究，找到了你現在看到的六個背包。為了發現它們如何應付真實的戶外世界，七個Backpacker的裝備測試者肩背著重物在一月到七月間進行了合計超過200天的徒步旅行。測試地點包括愛達荷州Sawtooth山脈；亞利桑那州的峽谷、山頂、沙漠；華盛頓的North Cascades；英屬哥倫比亞海岸附近的一座孤島；阿拉斯加布魯克斯山脈北坡；加利福尼亞約塞米蒂國家公園的Half Dome；全部的旅行幾乎遍及了東北部的各處，我們扛起適合全家的裝備，攜帶滑雪板，攀登巖石，蹣跚而行穿越了Arctic（北極地區在北極與北美洲和歐亞大陸北部林木線之間區域）草叢地帶，託運了無數加侖的水。換句話說，就是做了你能用一個背包所做的任何事情。

　　最後，我們帶著一些有說服力的使人信服的觀點離開，是關於背包如何工作和什麼是在頸部成為疼痛的原因。我們也認識到你不必一定要花費大量的金錢去得到一個令人驚異的全面的背包。大部分的背包將適合你的每一個需要，從長周末到一整周，並且有一些背包剛好可以成為一個你能用於所有人煙稀少的鄉村地區的遠足短途旅遊。接下來評論是以綜合表現為順序的。

　　實地試驗標準

　　容量 至少4500立方英寸。

　　重量 少於6磅。

　　背負系統 多功能（徒步、攀登、滑雪）。

　　價格 低於$250。

　　有適合男士和女士的多種尺寸。

　　Jack Wolfskin Trailhead

　　一個真正的便宜貨，其特定是，有著全天的舒適，至少十年持久性（我們估計的），一個多功能的背負系統，非常便於有效使用裝備，傑出的對細節的關注。

　　
最後得分4.4

　　"一件藝術品，"邁克總結每個人關於這個近乎完美的背包的看法後宣布。少數測試者注意到這個6磅的Trailhead比大部分背包要沉，但是每個人消除了其重量是不合理的顧慮，因為它負重是這樣的舒適。幾個測試者在亞利桑那州周圍搬運大量的水，另外一些人在他們正常的露營負重之上又塞滿了沉重的攀登裝備，用以了解其背負系統是如何支撐的，沒有一個能讓它竭盡全力。全天的舒適來自於這個背包有曲線的肩帶、有著精細弧線和穩固填充物的腰帶、升運裝載完全足以控制其負重、透氣網眼遍及整個背負。三種系帶和框架尺寸（總共有九個合適的選擇，包括一個適合女士的框架和帶子）也被證明是有益的。

　　穩定的可壓縮的背包倉可以通過寬大的頂口、睡袋倉間隔拉練、或者巨大的前部口袋（有一個網眼間隔物）存取。不同於一些背包，其前面板拉練有側面的可壓縮的扣帶操作，當他們握著滑雪撬或者帳篷杆的時候是非常便於取得的。每個人都同意這款狼爪的包可以不費力地一個短星期的裝備和食物，最低限度的要求者認為它能託運10天的供給。

　　限制因素是這個背包的適中的內部容量，不能對付重擔。水壺袋也小，每個能支持一升，但是得用一個伸縮帶繫緊，要不你可能會在路上丟失它們。

　　頂袋有三個貯藏隔間，可以拿下來，配上可分離的腰帶就是個非常舒適的腰包。兩個冰斧掛環，底部有很多可伸縮的用以固定的帶子、上等的鏈條，有第一流縫製的堅固織物，令人驚訝的合理價格($209)襯託出了這款非常棒的背包。

　　聯繫方式：Jack Wolfskin, [phone]; www.wolfskin.com

　　Gregory Forester

　　輕、乾淨利落、極好的穩定性、超等的舒適，這款包是為了給那些更喜歡在徒步中以最小的包來得到最大的性能表現的人準備的。

　　

　　
最後得分3.9

　　在加州紅杉公園，當丹尼斯搖搖欲墜地通過一根架設在由於融雪而漲水的河流上方大概25英尺處的園木時，他感謝自己對於在他背上這款非常貼身、有著令人鼓舞的平衡的Forester恰當的預測。確實，這款Forester在嚴酷的戶外彎曲時行動起來就好像是我們身體的擴展，甚至是把滑雪板捆綁在壓縮帶上時，因此贏得了我們全體的讚揚。其象膠水一樣的背負系統經過檢驗也被證明是相當舒適的。其熱塑成型的背板泡沫材料甚至在靠著裸露的皮膚時也感覺很涼爽，填料是柔和的，但是穩固。我們挑出的一個缺點是：其柔軟的腰帶不象其它幾款背包上的寬的雙密度帶那樣能夠支撐重擔。審慎的的容量，一個為期5天的夏季旅行是這款背包的界限，雖然一貫輕裝的保羅認為這款背包可以帶著他再進行一周的旅行。

　　Gregory的優點之一是其合身性，其公司為了達到這點是通過在野外適應中決定精確性和穩定性，而不是買賣一個適合所有人的背負，有四種軀幹長度的微調加上三種不同的腰帶，合起來產生12個尺寸可供你從中挑選。另外，其肩帶也可以在兩種設置中移動，但是區別只是一英寸的間隔。

　　這款包有幾個值得誇耀的地方。其乾淨利落、簡單的主袋（唯一額外的口袋在與臀部平行的位置，是用來裝水瓶的網狀物）尤其得到了那些不需要多種角落和縫隙來把他們的廢物組織起來的人們的欣賞。前面和睡袋倉隔間的拉鏈提供了可以很容易取放裝備的方法。有一個完全的塑膠板在其中的頂蓋提供了一個查看自己雜物的窗口，雖然要去打開拉鏈你不得不翻開頂蓋，從而你看不到你想要的東西。

　　其用橡膠處理的底部似乎對於我們大多數人來說是無敵的，但是當西南部測試者拖曳著他們的背包穿越粗糙的沙漠花崗巖時，釘子大小的破洞出現在其僵硬的織物上。壓縮帶橫過水瓶袋，在適當的位置控制水瓶，但是當繃緊壓縮帶時使得想輕鬆取放水瓶是很難做到的。

　　兩個冰鎬掛環彌補了這款背包輕量級的圓滑的設計，高山嚮導保羅稱它對於高山探險運輸來說是"我所鍾愛的唾手可得的背包"。

　　聯繫方式：Gregory Mountain Products, [phone]; www.gregorypacks.com

　　Madden Scrambler

　　正如它的名字，這款背包對於你所有的戶外事務提供了頂級的平衡和對於負重的控制。一個幾乎完美的長周末背包，如果審慎的打包，它也可以應付一周的活動。

　　

　　

最後得分3.8

　　以46立方英寸的容量，這款Scrambler幾乎沒有在測試中尖叫過（看在78頁的照片）。當它被翻出的時候，它的低容量阻止了它得到更高的分數。多數人的意見是這款Scrambler要超過一個整夜和周末的背包，但是不適合5天或更長的日子，我們大多數人覺得我們不得不綁了太多外掛在包外或者背包太小了。對於我個人而言，我歡迎減少負重的動機，在布魯克斯山脈從基地營做一個4天的遠足中，我不費力地壓縮了大量的食物。裝鏟子的口袋允許我踏在馴鹿踩出的小道上時攜帶溼的雨天裝備，在我高速行走通過高的草叢時纖瘦的腰帶收得不夠緊。

　　其苗條、柔韌的腰帶所提供的支撐是令人驚訝的，雖然確實相當重的負載決定性地擊敗了它。（如果你計劃攜帶額外重量的負載，一個來自於Madden大背包的腰帶是允許的。）在胡德山（註：一座火山山峰，海拔3,426.7米(11,235英尺)，位於俄勒岡州西北的喀斯喀特山脈，為該州內海拔最高點）整夜的攀登和屈膝旋轉下降中我發現這款背包是穩定和舒適的。所有的測試者熱情洋溢地談論著他們感覺調整好的背負系統是多麼平穩，公認這是一款適合所有地形旅行的頂級背包。當肩帶沒有調整好時，腰帶依靠鉤環扣件提供一些豎向的支持。無論如何獲得良好的合身性的關鍵在於在三種可選的背包型號之中做出正確的選擇。

　　除了非常喜歡的裝鏟子的口袋外，我們也稱讚其比通常要強硬的網孔水瓶口袋，優秀的縫合和耐用的織物，在睡袋倉隔間的有重要責任的拉鏈。可以迅速鬆開的帶扣使得系上帳篷杆和滑雪撬是很容易做到的，並且環提供了額外的捆綁點。網孔是舒適的並且發泡材料無論在何種情況下背包接觸皮膚都是透氣的。我不太喜歡前面可以存取的頭包，那樣往往傾向於往裡倒東西。我們對於本來已經很小的頂包裡還有奇怪的束帶隔間都覺得很撓頭。

　　聯繫方式：Madden Mountaineering, [phone]; www.maddenusa.com

　　REI New Star

　　在旅途中，你可以用這個背包攜帶大量的負載。如果你是一個攀登或者鄉村遠足穿越的愛好者，舒適和平穩可能是被擔憂的。

　　

　　
最後得分3.1

　　"這款 New Star好象巨穴般的內部和結實的可擴展的領圈像T. rex一樣淹沒了裝備，不費力地消滅一周的食物和一個家庭的野營裝備。當我出發做一些野外生存時，我把一加侖煤氣罐、一夸脫鏈油、一個頭盔和為了應付可能到來的雨天的額外的衣服一起塞在包裡，還有一個巨大的鏈鋸。前面板巨大的拉鏈使得移動在包裡的任何東西都很容易（除了那個鏈鋸！）。不幸地是側面的壓縮帶扣住了拉上拉鏈的中間面板，當你攜帶滑雪橇或者在側面系上帳篷杆時就會引起存取的問題。基本上，儘管各種各樣的捆綁壓縮帶允許充足的外掛。甚至可移動的頂蓋也是成比例的寬大，它可以通過三個壓縮帶扣轉換成一個腰包。與臀部同一水平面的巨大網孔水瓶袋能容納兩個半加侖的水瓶。

　　這款New Star的肩帶幾乎可以調節得適合任何人，但是不論是偉大的山脈還是舒適的原野的適應性，其背負系統表現得很普通。詹尼弗精煉了我們顧慮，當她在亞利桑那州聖弗朗西斯科山峰的一次遠足期間描述這款背包為"笨重的"，在那裡她不得不攜帶了三天的水。雖然背負系統是可以容忍的，它低的、蹲坐的背包往往是從肩部離開，給人一種失去平衡的感覺。例如，在賓夕法尼亞州Appalachian Trail中，在峭壁的因為雨水衝刷而光滑的截面上時，喬恩說他發現自己不得不前傾以補償他被背包相後拉的那種感覺。

　　聯繫方式：REI, [phone]; www.rei.com

　　Camp Trails Wind River

　　如果你喜歡很多小口袋和高性價比，這款大的、高可適應性的背包是值得你去關注的。雖然一些測試者覺得不是很合身。

　　

　　
最後得分3

　　豐富的小口袋是我們對這款Wind River的第一印象。五個外部的口袋加上兩個網孔水瓶袋，有這麼多的選擇以至於邁克不認為他能記得他把他的隨身小折刀放在那裡了。曾經他想把小刀挑選出，他同樣地被大而重的主包淹沒了。另一方面，喬恩是很感激這個大口袋的，在猶他州Paria峽谷6天的遠足的中，他激動地拖曳著他有著兩個剛學走路的孩子的家庭幾乎所有的東西。

　　在肩部背負的一個簡單的有滑動帶扣的厚帶系統準許一個極大的調節範圍，所以只不過兩個尺寸就可以適應在6英寸範圍變化的軀幹。負重的帶子足夠向上伸以轉換重量到髖部，在髖部有一個寬的舒適的雙密度腰帶支撐大的負重。經管如此，只有喬恩找到了可以與他的軀幹相稱的，其柔軟、開放性泡沫填料靠著他的後背，還有小的、相對緊密的腰墊。其他的測試者不能把包調整得適合他們後背的輪廓，有幾個報告說做為結果這會導致平衡問題。丹尼斯說這個背包強迫他不得不以一種尷尬的角度走路以試圖能正確地負重。詹尼弗試圖採取很不舒服的弓背徒步為了讓重量落在腰帶上。這些設法更好地適應背包的人希望肩帶和腰帶被覆蓋以對皮膚很舒適的織物，這樣夏天只穿很少的襯衣時會很舒服。

　　附屬的頂蓋是不可移動的，其可以使得額外擴展負重有一個很好的適應（雖然其主包足夠大，擴展是個很少見的結果）。拉開睡袋隔間的拉鏈可以取放在背包底部的東西，但是很大的有（袋子口的）束繩的間隔似乎很重並且不如用拉鏈控制那麼方便。滑雪橇、帳篷杆、魚杆和其它隨身的小用具可以通過側袋的通道滑動，這是個與眾不同的系統，對我們來說非常有用。

　　聯繫方式： Camp Trails, [phone]; www.jwa.com

　　L.L. Bean Knife Edge

　　對於那些適合其固定的背負系統的初級徒步旅行者，這是一個經濟的選擇。工作起來有一些舒適，但是細節就急轉直下了。

　　

　　
最後得分2.4

　　如果你要打包的東西相當的輕，這款Knife Edge能夠應付5天的負重（如果你不需要可擴充的場所並且如果其固定的背負系統適合你的軀幹）。其背負系統有兩個尺寸，中等的和大的，並且它的肩帶不能細微地調節到合身。這些基本的尺寸大概正確地適合我們大部分人，但是我們仍然希望我們能夠進行細微地調節。

　　$129的價格，這款Knife Edge是目前為止這次測試中最便宜的一款背包。新手想尋找一款入門級的背包，或許會覺得Knife Edge是一個不錯的選擇。那些曾經背過其它背包的老手在這裡可能會有些爭議，例如，西南部的測試者覺得非常遺憾這款背包的尼龍被他們的汗水粘合在一起，他們曾經在晚春時節攜帶這款Knife Edge沿著亞利桑那州Humphrey的側翼向上。少數測試者也說這款背包薄的填料不能緩解他們艱苦工作的背部肌肉。

　　這裡還有關於其它細節的問題，像其側面的綁帶只是在側袋是空著的時候才能被用來綁滑雪橇或者帳杆。另外，對於好的壓縮帶來講它們不夠緊繃。於是就這麼一個壓縮帶越過拉上拉鏈的睡袋隔倉。大多數的背包在這都有兩個壓縮帶，這樣你可以放心一個帳篷或者睡袋被綁好了，不會來回晃動。測試者也指出頂包太小是個問題，網孔側包也幾乎不能放下一夸脫的水瓶，其雙密度腰帶在重負之下也太容易壓扁了。

　　作為光明的一面，在睡袋倉和主包之間的間隔物拉開拉鏈是很容易存取背包底部的東西，背包堅韌的織物只有一點磨損。

　　聯繫方式：L.L. Bean, [phone]; www.llbean.com

　　記分板

　　背包 最後得分 價格 重量(廠商提供/實際測量) 容量 裝載量 適應能力 舒適性 負重控制 耐久性 多功能性

　　Jack Wolfskin Trailhead 4.4 $209 5 磅12盎斯/ 6磅 4,300-4,950 立方英寸 4 4 4.5 4 4.5 4.5

　　Gregory Forester 3.9 $240 4磅 15盎斯/ 5磅 5盎斯 4,850 立方英寸 3.5 3.5 4.5 4 4 4

　　Madden Scrambler 3.8 $239 4磅 8盎斯/ 5磅 4盎斯 4,600立方英寸 3.5 2.5 3.5 4 4.5 4

　　REI New Star 3.1 $190 5磅 12盎斯/ 6磅 1盎斯 5,122-6,122 立方英寸 3.5 4 3 3 3 3.5

　　Camp Trails Wind River 3 $180 5磅 7盎斯/ 5磅 8盎斯 5,439-6,820立方英寸 3.5 4 3 3 3 3.5

　　L.L. Bean Knife Edge 2.4 $129 5磅 4盎斯/ 5磅 4盎斯 4,775-5,300立方英寸 2.5 1.5 3 3 3 2.5

　　最後得分：測試者的內心評價，對背包整體表現全方面考慮的結果。注意：這個等級不是一個不同得分的平均值。

　　重量：以磅和盎司為單位，對於中號或者常規型號。第一個重量是其製造廠商提供的；第二個重量是背包客自己測量得到的。

　　容量：最大多少立方英寸，不擴展到擴展，按照製造廠商提供的數據。

　　裝載量：對於5天的旅途這個背包是否足夠？有沒有額外浪費的空間？對於裝和卸是否堅韌？能否在側包布置裝備，有沒有捆綁點可以藏東西？壓縮帶系統是否允許正當的負重壓縮？

　　適應性：為了調整舒適性而改變設置是否需要一個工具箱，或者普通的徒步旅行者能否在路途中微調他的設置以獲得舒適？背包是如何調整的？你最經常改變哪一個設置？

　　舒適：這款背包是否能輕鬆應付5天的負重，或者它在你的後背上更像一個猴子？你的臀部、腰、後背、腰椎區域、肩部感覺如何？

　　負重控制：在行進中這款背包是否影響你的自由活動？對於崎嶇不平的路、懸崖峭壁或者人煙罕至需要砍伐叢林前進的不毛之地適應得有多好？背包是否影響平衡、手臂擺動和高步幅行走的自由？頂端是否有足夠的間隔？

　　耐久性：任何東西在實際上彎曲、撕裂、拆開或者衰退？原料、做工、拉鏈、附件和帶扣是否持續工作良好？這款背包是否有一個長的使用期限？

　　多功能性：除了5天的重裝健行你還願意用這款背包做別的任何事麼？它是否適合一個度過一個晚上的周末休假、或者一周、也許甚至是緊挨著的兩個星期？你會帶著背包滑雪去麼？攀登呢？

　　評價等級

　　5=優秀的、出眾的裝備

　　4=很好的、打敗大多數的

　　3=好的、可接受的裝備

　　2=還可以的、好但是……

　　1=劣質的、糟糕的質量很差的

　　與測試者相識

　　保羅 克利夫蘭

　　河流嚮導、戶外作家

　　6英尺/170磅（約合1.83米/77.18公斤）

　　軀幹長度：20英寸（約合0.51米）

　　測試範圍：Pasayten荒野，貝克山（華盛頓西北部的一座山峰，海拔3,287.3米（10,778英尺），位於貝靈漢東部的喀斯喀特山脈），北部小瀑布，華盛頓州

　　喜愛的背包：Gregory

　　喬納森 Dorn

　　背包客雜誌編輯

　　6英尺6英寸/220磅

　　軀幹長度：19.5英寸

　　測試範圍：猶他州Paria峽谷，紐約Catskills，阿巴拉契亞

　　喜愛的背包：Jack Wolfskin

　　邁克 弗裡克

　　藝術家

　　6英尺2英寸/200磅

　　軀幹長度：20英寸

　　測試範圍：科羅拉多大峽谷，亞利桑那荒野

　　喜愛的背包：Madden

　　約翰 哈林

　　背包客西北區編輯

　　5英尺10英寸/165磅

　　軀幹長度：18英寸

　　測試範圍：俄勒岡州胡德山（喀斯喀特山脈）；加利福尼亞州約塞米蒂國家公園；英屬哥倫比亞努特卡島；阿拉斯加北極地區國家野生保護區

　　喜愛的背包：Jack Wolfskin

　　丹尼斯 Lewon

　　作家，荒野嚮導

　　5英尺10英寸/165磅

　　軀幹長度：18英寸

　　測試範圍：西南部沙漠；內華達山脈(美國加利福尼亞州東部的花崗巖塊狀山脈)

　　喜愛的背包：Jack Wolfskin

　　安妮特 McGivney

　　背包客西南部編輯

　　6英尺/147磅

　　軀幹長度：17.5英寸

　　測試範圍：科羅拉多大峽谷，亞利桑那州Sonoran沙漠

　　喜愛的背包：Jack Wolfskin

　　詹尼弗 Wallentas

　　語言病理學講師

　　5英尺8英寸/135磅

　　軀幹長度：17英寸

　　測試範圍：聖弗朗西斯科山峰，亞利桑那州Sonoran沙漠

　　喜愛的背包：Gregory

　　原文如下：

　　Affordable, Versatile Packs

　　Six all-purpose load-haulers ideal for weekend and weeklong adventures.

　　By John Harlin, BACKPACKER Contributing Editor, December 1, 2000

　　Photo by John Harlin

　　Madden Scrambler

　　Like toxic odors rising from sweat-soaked polypropylene, foul memories sometimes emerge from my gear room and set my knees to trembling. The culprit is a monster-size pack, and a single glimpse of the dusty beast transports me back to many a remote trail, where the gigantic and ill-fitting sack crushed me under the weight of a month's worth of food and far too much gear.

　　These days, my aging body and love of family have conspired to reduce my month-long slogs into more manageable weeklong excursions. Now the perfect pack is versatile and holds food and gear for roughly 5 days. It's also light and compressible enough for weekend outings. My ideal pack carries skis or climbing gear as well, and can handle everything from a load of water for desert travel to a few extra days' worth of food for those times when I stretch things out.

　　In other words, the pack's capacity and suspension system must tame a moderately heavy load on occasion, but not be bulky enough to overwhelm a go-light setup. Oh, and my wallet's a bit on the slim side, so the pack can't cost an arm or a leg, either.

　　That's not asking for too much, is it? Does the perfect all-around pack exist? To find out, I first distilled the pertinent factors and came up with the criteria.

　　Then I did some Web and catalog research, and found the half-dozen packs you see here. To find out how they handle in the real outdoor world, seven Backpacker gear testers shouldered the burden for more than 200 total trail days between January and July. The test locales included the Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho; canyons, peaks, and deserts in Arizona; Washington's North Cascades; an island off the coast of British Columbia; the North Slope of the Brooks Range, Alaska; Half Dome in Yosemite, California; and almost everywhere there's a trail in the Northeast. Collectively, we humped family gear, toted skis, rock climbed, stumbled across Arctic tussock fields, hauled countless gallons of water-in other words, did just about everything you'd do with such a pack.

　　In the end, we came away with some strong opinions about what worked and what was a pain in the neck. We also realized that you don't have to spend a ton of dough to get an amazing all-around pack. Most of these will suit your every need, from a long weekend to a full week, and some might just become the one pack you use for all your backcountry outings. The reviews follow in order of overall performance.

　　Field Test Criteria

　　Capacity of at least 4,500 cubic inches.

　　Weight of less than 6 pounds.

　　Internal frame for versatility (trails, climbing, skiing).

　　Price of less than $250

　　Available in multiple sizes to fit men's and women's torsos.

　　Jack Wolfskin Trailhead

　　Final

　　Grade

　　4.4

　　A true bargain that features all-day comfort, at least a decade of endurance (we estimate), a versatile compression system, good access to gear, and fine attention to details.

　　Photo by John Harlin

　　Jack Wolfskin Trailhead

　　"A work of art," Mike uttered, summing up everyone's opinion of this nearly ideal pack. A few testers noted that the 6-pound Trailhead was heavier than most packs, but everyone quickly dismissed the weight as inconsequential because it carries loads so comfortably. Several testers hauled large quantities of water around the Arizona desert, and others jammed a full load of heavy climbing hardware on top of their normal camping load to see how the suspension system held up. No one maxed it out. All-day comfort came with this pack's contoured shoulder straps, nicely curved and firmly padded hipbelt, load lifters high enough to control the load, and breathable mesh throughout the suspension. Three harness and frame sizes (for a total of nine fit options, including a women's frame and belt) also proved of benefit.

　　Stable and compressible, the packbag is accessed via the wide top, the sleeping-bag compartment zipper, or the huge front pocket (with a mesh divider). Unlike on some packs, the front panel zipper works with the side compression straps buckled, which is handy when they're holding skis or tent poles. Everyone agreed that the Wolfskin easily carried a short week's worth of food and gear, and minimalist packers thought it could haul 10 days' worth of provisions.

　　The limiting factor is the pack's modest interior volume, not its ability to handle the weight. The water bottle pockets are also small; each holds a liter, but snug the bottles tight with a compression strap or you might lose them along the way.

　　The top lid has three storage compartments and can be removed and rigged to the detachable hipbelt for the most comfortable fanny pack we've worn. Two ice-axe loops, bottom-of-the-bag compression/lashing straps, daisy chains, indestructible fabric with top-notch stitching, and an amazingly reasonable price ($209) round out this great pack.

　　Contact: Jack Wolfskin, [phone]; www.wolfskin.com.

　　Gregory Forester

　　Final

　　Grade

　　3.9

　　Light, clean, super-stable, and superbly comfortable, this is the pack for those who prefer minimal pockets and maximum performance on and off the trail.

　　Photo by John Harlin

　　Gregory Forester

　　"As Dennis teetered across a log some 25 feet above a snowmelt-swollen river in California's Giant Sequoia National Monument, he thanked his happy horoscope for the body-hugging, balance-inspiring Forester on his back. Indeed, the Forester earned our universal praise for acting like an extension of our bodies during tough off-trail contortions, even with skis lashed to the compression straps. The gluelike harness system also proved quite comfortable. The back panel of thermomolded foam felt cool even against bare skin, and the padding was gentle, yet firm. One nit we picked: The soft hipbelt didn't support as serious a load as the wider, dual-density belts found on several other packs. Capacity-wise, a 5-day summer trip is about this pack's limit, though light-packing Paul thought it would take him well into a second week on the trail.

　　One of Gregory's strengths is fit, and the company accomplishes this by choosing precision and stability over field adjustability. Instead of buying one harness that fits everyone, you pick from four finely tuned torso lengths plus three different hipbelts, yielding 12 sizing combinations. In addition, the shoulder straps move between two settings that are but an inch apart.

　　The pack sports several nice touches. Its clean, simple main sack (the only extra pockets are mesh water-bottle holders at hip level) was appreciated by those who don't need a variety of nooks and crannies to organize their stuff. Front panel and sleeping-bag compartment zippers offer easy on-the-trail access to gear. A clear plastic panel inside the lid provides a window to view your sundries, though to reach the zipper you have to flip the lid, thereby losing sight of the desired object.

　　The rubberized bottom seemed invincible to most of us, but when Southwest testers dragged their packs across coarse desert granite, pin-size holes appeared in the stiff fabric. Compression straps cross the water-bottle pockets, holding the bottles in place, but making it awkward to get water bottles easily in and out when the straps are tight.

　　With two ice-axe loops complementing the pack's no-flop, lightweight, sleek design, mountain guide Paul called it "hands down my favorite pack" for high-adventure hauling.

　　Contact: Gregory Mountain Products, [phone]; www.gregorypacks.com.

　　Madden Scrambler

　　Final

　　Grade

　　3.8

　　True to its name, this pack provides top-notch balance and load control for all your outdoor pursuits, on trail or off. A nearly ideal long-weekend pack, it can also handle up to a week with judicious packing.

　　Photo by John Harlin

　　Madden Scrambler

　　At 4,600 cubic inches, the Scrambler barely squeaked into the test (see the photo on page 78). As it turned out, its low volume prevented it from getting higher scores. The consensus was that the Scrambler excelled as an overnight and weekend pack, but for 5 or more days, most of us felt we had to lash too much to the outside or pack too little. Personally, I welcomed the incentive to pare down the load, and on a 4-day jaunt from basecamp in the Brooks Range, I easily could have squeezed in more food. The shovel pocket allowed me to carry wet raingear on the outside while tromping caribou paths, and the slender hipbelt didn't pinch when I high-stepped through tall tussocks.

　　The slender, flexible hipbelt provided a surprising degree of support, though truly weighty loads overwhelmed it. (A hipbelt from one of Madden's larger packs is available if you plan to carry extra-heavy loads.) I found the pack stable and comfortable on an overnight climb and telemark descent on Mt. Hood. All testers raved about how balanced they felt inside the fixed suspension system, voting this one of the top packs for all-terrain travel. While the shoulder straps don't adjust, the hipbelt offers some vertical play on the hook-and-loop fastener. Mostly, however, a good fit hinges on making the proper choice from among the three pack sizes available.

　　Besides the well-liked shovel pocket, we praised the tougher-than-usual mesh water bottle pockets, the superb stitching and durable fabric, and the heavy-duty zippers on the sleeping bag compartment. Quick-release buckles make it a cinch to attach tent poles or skis, and daisy chains provide extra lash points. The mesh is comfortable and the foam, breathable wherever the pack touches skin. I didn't care for the front-access top pocket, which tended to dump its contents. And we all scratched our heads over the strange drawstring compartment inside the already-too-small lid pocket.

　　Contact: Madden Mountaineering, [phone]; www.maddenusa.com.

　　REI New Star

　　Final

　　Grade

　　3.1

　　On trails, you can carry big loads in this pack. If you're a fan of scrambling or cross-country excursions, comfort and balance may be concerns.

　　Photo by John Harlin

　　REI New Star

　　"The New Star's cavernous interior and massive extension collar swallowed gear like a T. rex, easily consuming a week's worth of food and a family's camping gear. When I headed out to do some trail maintenance, I loaded a large chainsaw along with a gallon gas can, a quart of chain oil, a helmet, and extra clothes for the coming rain. The huge zippered front panel made it a cinch to remove anything inside (except the chainsaw!). Unfortunately, the side compression straps buckle into the zippered central panel, which creates access problems when you're carrying skis or side-lashed tent poles. On the whole, though, the various lash-cum-compression straps allow ample exterior attachments. Even the floating top lid is generously proportioned, and it converts into a fanny pack with a squeeze of three buckles. The huge mesh water-bottle pockets at hip level can hold square half-gallon bottles.

　　The New Star's shoulder straps adjust to fit nearly anyone, but despite the great range and easy field adjustability, the harness system performed modestly. Jennifer distilled our concerns when she described the pack as "cumbersome" during a hike in Arizona's San Francisco Peaks, where she had to carry 3 days' worth of water. While the harness system was tolerable, the low, squat pack tended to pull away from the shoulders, giving an off-balance feeling. On steep, rain-slick sections of the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania, for instance, Jon said he found himself leaning forward, trying to compensate for the feeling that he was being pulled backward.

　　Contact: REI, [phone]; www.rei.com.

　　Camp Trails Wind River

　　Final

　　Grade

　　3

　　This big, highly adjustable pack is worth looking at if you love pockets and good value. Some testers couldn't get a good fit, though.

　　Photo by John Harlin

　　Camp Trails Wind River

　　Pockets galore was our first impression of the Wind River. With five external pockets plus two mesh water-bottle holders, there are so many options that Mike didn't think he'd remember where he put his pocketknife. Once he'd sorted that out, he was equally overwhelmed by the massive main sack. Jon, on the other hand, was thankful for the large sack when, during a 6-day hike in Utah's Paria Canyon, he wound up hauling almost everything for his two-toddler family.

　　A simple slide-buckle webbing system grants a tremendous adjustment range in the shoulder harness, so much so that just two sizes fit a 6-inch torso range. The load-lifter straps are high enough to shift weight to the hips, where a wide, cushy, dual-density hipbelt supports big loads. Still, only Jon found a good match between his torso, the soft, open-cell padding against his back, and the small, relatively dense lumbar pad. Other testers couldn't make the pack fit the profiles of their backs, and several reported balance problems as a result. Dennis said the pack forced him to walk at an awkward angle in an attempt to right the load. Jennifer tried hiking with an uncomfortable arch in her back in order to settle the weight on the hipbelt. Those who managed to fit the pack better wished the shoulder straps and hipbelt were covered with a more skin-friendly fabric for shirtless summer wear.

　　The attached lid doesn't float, which makes it tough to get a good fit over a fully extended load (though with a sack this big, extension is rarely an issue). The sleeping bag compartment unzips for access to things at the bottom of the pack, but the bulky, drawstring-closing divider seemed both heavier and less convenient than zipper-controlled models. Skis, tent poles, fishing rods, and other skinny paraphernalia slide through tunnels in the side pockets, an unusual system that worked well for us.

　　Contact: Camp Trails, [phone]; www.jwa.com.

　　L.L. Bean Knife Edge

　　Final

　　Grade

　　2.4

　　Here's an economical option for beginning hikers who fit the fixed suspension system and can work around some comfort and detailing quirks.

　　Photo by John Harlin

　　L.L. Bean Knife Edge

　　If you're packing reasonably lightly, the Knife Edge can handle a 5-day load—if you don't need room for expansion and if the fixed suspension system fits your torso. The suspension system comes in two sizes, medium and large, and the shoulder harness does not adjust to fine-tune the fit. These basic sizes fit most of us about right, but we still wished we could make trailside adjustments.

　　At $129, the Knife Edge is by far the least expensive pack in the test. First-timers looking for an entry-level pack will probably find the Knife Edge a good choice. Veterans who've worn other pack models may have issues here. For example, Southwest testers, who carried the Knife Edge up the flank of Arizona's Humphrey Peak in late spring, lamented about the nylon that glued itself to their sweating backs. A few testers said the pack's thin padding didn't placate hard-working back muscles, either.

　　There were questions about other details as well, like the side straps that could be used to hold skis or tent poles only when the side pockets were empty. In addition, they don't tighten enough for good compression. Then there's the single compression strap over the zippered sleeping bag compartment. Most packs place two straps here, so you can secure a tent or sleeping pad without the lashed-on items seesawing. Testers also pointed out as problems the too-small lid pocket, mesh side pockets that barely held a quart water bottle, and the dual-density hipbelt that was too squishy under a load.

　　On the brighter side, the divider between the sleeping-bag compartment and the main packbag unzips for easy access to the bottom of the pack, and the pack's tough fabric showed little wear.

　　Contact: L.L. Bean, [phone]; www.llbean.com.

　　SCOREBOARD

　　Packs Final grade Price Weight (mfr./BP) Capacity Loading Adjust-ability Comfort Load control Durability Versatility

　　Jack Wolfskin Trailhead 4.4 $209 5 lbs.12oz./ 6lbs. 4,300-4,950 cu. in 4 4 4.5 4 4.5 4.5

　　Gregory Forester 3.9 $240 4 lbs. 15 oz./ 5 lbs. 5 oz 4,850 cu. in. 3.5 3.5 4.5 4 4 4

　　Madden Scrambler 3.8 $239 4 lbs. 8 oz./ 5 lbs. 4 oz. 4,600 cu. in 3.5 2.5 3.5 4 4.5 4

　　REI New Star 3.1 $190 5 lbs. 12 oz./ 6 lbs. 1 oz. 5,122-6,122 cu. in. 3.5 4 3 3 3 3.5

　　Camp Trails Wind River 3 $180 5 lbs. 7 oz./ 5 lbs. 8 oz. 5,439-6,820 cu. in. 3.5 4 3 3 3 3.5

　　L.L. Bean Knife Edge 2.4 $129 5 lbs. 4 oz./ 5 lbs. 4 oz. 4,775-5,300 cu. in. 2.5 1.5 3 3 3 2.5

　　FINAL GRADE: The testers' gut-level, all-things-considered reaction to the pack's overall performance (shown in orange). Note: This rating is not an average of other scores.

　　WEIGHT: In pounds and ounces for a size medium or regular. The first weight is provided by the manufacturer; the second weight (in italics) is from Backpacker scales.

　　Capacity: The maximum in cubic inches, unextended to extended, as provided by the manufacturer.

　　Loading: Does enough for a 5-day trip fit in this pack? Is there extra, wasted space? How tough is it to load and unload? Can you organize gear in side pockets and stash stuff under lash points? Does the compression strap system allow even compression of the load?

　　Adjustability: Does custom fitting this pack require a toolbox, or can the average hiker fine-tune his or her fit on the trail? How adjustable is the pack? Did you max out any of the settings?

　　Comfort: Does this pack ease the burden of a 5-day load, or is it more like a monkey on your back? How did it feel to your hips, waist, back, lumbar region, and shoulders?

　　Load control: How does this pack affect your freedom of movement on the march? How well suited is it for rough, steep trails or backcountry bushwhacking? How does the pack affect balance and arm-swinging and high-stepping freedom? Is head clearance ample?

　　Durability: Did anything actually bend, rip, unravel, or fall off? Do the materials, stitching, zippers, attachments, and buckles hold up well? Will this pack have a long lifespan?

　　Versatility: Would you use this pack for anything else besides a 5-day backpacking pack? Is it suitable for a weekend overnight, a week, maybe even a tight 2-weeker? Would you take it on a ski tour? Climbing?

　　Rating Scale

　　5=Excellent, superior gear

　　4=Very good, beats most

　　3=Good, decent gear

　　2=Fair, okay, but...

　　1=Poor, miserable

　　Meet The Testers

　　Paul Cleveland

　　River guide, outdoor writer

　　6'/170 lbs.

　　Torso length: 20"

　　Stomping grounds: Pasayten Wilderness, Mt. Baker, North Cascades, WA

　　Favorite pack: Gregory

　　Jonathan Dorn

　　Backpacker Managing Editor

　　6'6"/220 lbs.

　　Torso length: 19.5"

　　Stomping grounds: Paria Canyon, UT; Catskills, NY; Appalachian Trail

　　Favorite pack: Jack Wolfskin

　　Mike Frick

　　Artist

　　6'2"/200 lbs.

　　Torso length: 20"

　　Stomping grounds: Grand Canyon, Arizona wilderness

　　Favorite pack: Madden

　　John Harlin

　　Backpacker Northwest Editor

　　5'10"/165 lbs.

　　Torso length: 18"

　　Stomping grounds: Mt. Hood, OR; Yosemite, CA; Nootka Island, BC; Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, AK

　　Favorite pack: Jack Wolfskin

　　Dennis Lewon

　　Writer, wilderness guide

　　5'10"/165 lbs.

　　Torso length: 18"

　　Stomping grounds: Southwest deserts; Sierra Nevada

　　Favorite pack: Jack Wolfskin

　　Annette McGivney

　　Backpacker Southwest Editor

　　6'/147 lbs.

　　Torso length: 17.5"

　　Stomping grounds: Grand Canyon, Sonoran Desert, AZ

　　Favorite pack: Jack Wolfskin

　　Jennifer Wallentas

　　Speech pathology instructor

　　5'8"/135 lbs.

　　Torso length: 17"

　　Stomping grounds: San Francisco Peaks, Sonoran Desert, AZ

　　Favorite pack: Gregory

　　

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