So, thanks for all the replies on the first thread. I was trying to see what there is out there these days,. in a market, that seems to be passed over quite a bit.

Short of old design travel packs from Mei and the like, or 800 dollar custom packs by Mchale, or make your own, there really isn't much out there, specially, if you wear a size large. I couldn't find length dimensions for things like a large Osprey talon 44 or HMG wind rider, so I don't know if what people suggested was for sm, med, or large. It looked like the GG Gorilla size sm and med are 22" or shorter, but the large appears to be 24" tall.

The other thing that might be an important consideration, for people wanting a world travel pack, that is capable of hauling a couple of gallons of water and gear, is going through customs. Personally, I would prefer a panel loader, so I didn't have to have a yard sale every time I went through customs.

It seems to me that with everything getting smaller and lighter these days, that someone would come up with a really well designed carry on sized, panel loading pack, with an internal frame, that is made from durable lightweight fabric and didn't set you back 800 bucks.

Dan McHale's packs are not $800. The SARC series starts below $500 with some VERY capable packs.

The Osprey Talon series has an adjustable harness, so if you are under 19" torso, then go s/m, if over 19" go m/l. There are only two sizes.

I agree with you about panel loaders. That's one reason I have a Mountainsmith ghost .I think you should then search for panel loaders like this one , now unavailable but a common sort of type.
http://www.rei.com/product/726060/rei-vagabond-20-travel-pack

or this
http://www.amazon.com/Swiss-Gear-Jaeger-Panel-Internal/dp/B00371127Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327860393&sr=8-1

Edited by Meander on 01/29/2012 11:08:01 MST.

Mchale LBP start at $575 and the Chasm P&G with Kangaroo: $745.00 as per the Mchale website. Worth every dime, however, and a LBP34 in spectra would be my FIRST choice for one do it all pack.

McHale LBP 34 +1

Here is a picture of mine;



This brown/grey full dyneema LBP 34 weighs just 2 lbs, 5 oz stripped of it's accessories but still with the kangaroo pocket, twin 7075-T6 stays, and comfortable back pad/vent . It has a volume of 3,000+ cuin. including the kangaroo pocket and carries 30 lbs easily off the shoulders.

Accessories include; two bottle pockets (not shown), two belt packets, one shoulder strap pocket and the summit lid.

Edited by thomdarrah on 01/29/2012 14:28:37 MST.

"...someone would come up with a really well designed carry on sized, panel loading pack, with an internal frame, that is made from durable lightweight fabric and didn't set you back 800 bucks."

Sounds like you're describing the SMD Traveler with the optional internal hoop.
http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/packs/Traveler.html

And as usual many have searched for this before you .
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=29760

Although it looks like the McHale LBPs start at $575.00 I credit people when they go without a Kangaroo Pocket, water bottle pockets, or the summit flap, att of which take the LBPs below $500.00.

The S-Sarcs are priced very similarly and have an actual base price in the same area.

The Merkebeiners that officially start at $475.00 get credited for a lack of Kangaroo and water pockets in the same way, and they can be built in larger volumes like the LBPs at no extra charge.

The smaller Bump Packs are similar except there is no crediting without the top pocket or water pockets and they are $399.00.

We also build Panel loaders like the LBP and Frame-Domes that are relatively affordable and are well under $800.00.

I'm not quite sure why people are so willing to throw out erroneous information when it is clear that with 2 clicks on my website, prices can be found that are less than $800.00. Sure people do order packs more expensive than $800.00 from me but they don't have too.

Edited by wildlife on 01/29/2012 12:03:57 MST.

In regards to these $800 packs....um why? Is it made of helium that helps an 80lb pack feel like a balloon on your back? Does it stop bullets? I don't see why anyone in their right mind would spend $800 on a backpack.

Oh and for $800, the customer service and warranty better be no questions asked.

Edited by reacttocontact on 01/29/2012 12:14:33 MST.

dan,

i respect your packs and i'm sure they are nice. but... I find your website very hard to navigate or understand and i seriously doubt i could get a clear price in just 2 clicks.

Ben, if a person looks at the homepage they will see the main menu. If it is somebody interested in UL packs they will probably click on the UL Pack button. That goes to the UL thumbnail page. If the first thumbnail of the bunch is clicked on, the 'Bump', that's all it takes, and with a little reading the price of $399.00 can be seen. Now maybe I should move the price to the top of the page and I should put 'please scroll' on the first page, like it once had, but you can't claim that is difficult to navigate.

It may be difficult to read, but the prices are not difficult to find. If that is what you call difficult, I can see why your avatar sports a skeleton.

Beyond that, I expect people to call or email about information. If somebody is really not interested that's fine. I get more people saying they find the site interesting than I get people saying it's hard to navigate. Most sites have little or no information to get lost in. I tend to prefer to work with people that have enough curiosity to get lost in my site. They are kind of like people that actually go backpacking. The rest can go to TNF and fill their cart.

Edited by wildlife on 01/29/2012 13:11:49 MST.

Wow. Not exactly something I thought I would read from someone who owns a company. Very unprofessional.

Dear, Reacttocontact, where do people like you come from? Read above.....The Far Side.

That's all the entertainment you get today. I have work to do AND have to put a big pot roast together. Gosh, I sure hope I can 'Navigate' throught the rest of the day.

Edited by wildlife on 01/29/2012 13:15:09 MST.

I might have to navigate my a** to your pot roast. Lighten up big guy. All someone did was give an opinion of your site and you pretty much bashed the person. Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.

For the sake of 'keeping things sophisticated', the custom Zimmerbuilt Eugenious pack is probably one of the sexier panel-loaders I've seen in a while. Yes, I know it resembles other commercialy-made PL packs, but don't they all? It's actually still for sale here in the Gear Swap.

You probably are a tough guy Paul. We would probably get along great. We can crack bones and not need doctors. If you can navigate your way to the pot roast you are welcome to some.

I doubt this is the first time Ben has commented on navigating my site, but you might not know that. Me and Ben go way back to the days he started backpacking just a few years ago. 'Some' people mention their navigation difficulties like it's a bad hip they have, or arthritis in their hand - it's kind of a regular thing for them. I suggest if they have continuing difficulty with it, to park themselves in frony of the tube and practice building their concentration skills with Wheel of Fortune of something like that, as a kid we had the good fortune of watching CONCENTRATION on TV ( and Jack LaLanne of course). Are you a Jack LaLanne fan Paul?

Relax Paul.. geez you've only been posting for four days here. Are you not familiar with Dan's ways? And I must say you started the hostilities right out of the gate here.

Personally I like the website and have admittedly not gotten lost in the prose or in the general navigation but instead, the fantastic pics of custom packs (look again at Thom's!). These packs are custom. Not cookie cutter type productions.

When I worked with Dan on a pack (which included a thorough education on pack fitting and construction that I would not have received anywhere else) it was overwhelming. Not from the prespective of dealing with Dan (you will take pics of you and the demo, make adjustments, use the pack, use it some more, take more pics, etc. Dan will get the fit perfect) or navigating his website (which is clearly stated to encourage the START of custom pack building), but from all the things I could do to my creation. From fabrics to foam, from size to shape, from colors to modular options. I mean, you can ask for different colors on any part of the pack. I never had so much difficulty in picking the color of the daisy chains on my pack (I know, I have issues but don't we all?).

As for durability, I had to drag my Mchale across some sandstone once and the spectra front pocket showed no damage whatsoever. The 3 other packs on the trip all had holes (one dyneema gridstop and the others 100d ripstop). Stitching is exceptional. Function AND Form.

I posted the prices to confirm that you can get a Mchale for well under $800. It is kind of like starting with a high performance car. You can buy it stripped or with every possible option and the price differential can widen. But that does not discount the stripped car - it still will provide the highest performance expected of the product.

And yes, the suspension can make a load feel like 'helium.' Maybe that is what the LPB should have been called.

I am not at all suggesting there are not other options. But without owning and / or using a Mchale, it is difficult to criticize the product in an objective manner. So don't do it. ; )

Clint, that custom zimmerbuilt pack is sweet looking. I'd probably buy it but my waist is at least a 36. Maybe good incentive to lose some weight!