GEAR FIRST, PACK LAST. Too often people buy a pack then fill it up with gear, then get rid of the gear becasue it is too heavy. Buy your basic gear kit first, then take it all to the store and pick out some packs that you may like, put your gear in it and account for some wiggle room such as food and water. When I did this I actually took the food and I was going to take with me and fillded up my water bladder as well. This will give you an estimated size of volume pack you will need. Then you have something to go off, of. Whether you buy a pack from the gear store or from on-line cottage industry. Personally I would go with ULA, MLD. SMD. or the likes.