Just wanted to say a quick hello to every one here. Im new to the forum and a beginning backpacker as well.....

Welcome! We have several Texans here on the forum!

"We have several Texans here on the forums."

...and we don't hold that against them.

Welcome - be sure to jump in with questions and advice. It's great to have a variety of regions represented; techniques and gear needs vary in different parts of the country.

Where's your favorite spot to backpack?

thanks for the welcomes.....
I'm completely new to this. Ive done plenty of car camping and other types of roughing it so to speak but never backpacked with the exception of some very short day hikes....I have a wife and 6yr old that ill be taking with me so im trying to prepare for 3...

Have you checked out the articles on the home page of this site, left hand column?

Welcome, once more.

The biggest tendency for newbies to backpacking is to overpack, especially clothes. There is a natural conflict between wanting to have the lightest pack you can manage, and yet bring every comfort of home and to have the security of covering every "what-if" you can think of. New bp'ers invariably swing to the side of comfort and security. The more experience you gain, the more you'll swing over to the lighter pack side of the street. This is the normal process at least. A very few newbies err on the side of being underprepared, but if you have a 6 year old that just isn't in the cards for you.

The articles OregonMouse pointed you to are very helpful at showing you what it is possible to achieve in the way of light weight, without sacrificing anything that is necessary for your safety or basic comfort. The people in this forum can help straighten you out when you have specific questions. It's a very knowlegable and friendly place.

Happy hiking and have fun!

There's a good set of posts on our local hiking forum (I say that even though I contributed some of it) here. Lots of links that should help you.

Note that on the home page there's an excellent article on backpacking with kids by Penny S. We also have sections of this forum devoted to beginners and to backpacking with kids that you might want to browse through.

Feel free to come back with specific questions!

Ill get to those left and right hand columns as soon as im done browsing these forums. might be awhile lol.. I figured just like you said Aimless, Ill probably overpack untill i realize just what i do and dont need. I just bought me a Kelty redcloud 90 and it looks like i could make that pack pretty heavy if im not careful. It looks pretty big, but it was the only one that fit comfortably....and i cant seem to find a pack that fits my wife the way she wants so i might just be carrying everything anyways lol.....

looks like i could make that pack pretty heavy if im not careful

I feel like a oldtimer member of AA watching a new member lift a glass of beer to his lips. Fight that urge!

One reason I suggested those home page articles on gear selection is their strong recommendation that you wait to buy a backpack until you have purchased your other gear. Hopefully the one you bought will be returnable if it turns out to be too big! It sounds a bit big even for "sherpa-ing" for kids! Anyway, I suggest you read those before purchasing more gear!

I have a question for you all here... Hiking with backpacks what would be an idea pack for a 10-16 year old... I know this depends on their fitness... but new to this. Plus what are the top brands people are rating the highest?

Their fitness has little to do with what pack you get. How much weight you put in the pack, yes.

For Scouts the Golite Jam is a nice pack for a decent price. Only real problem is not adjustable so you'd need to go up a size at some point. The other problem with the large size is the hipbelt is too big (unless the Scout is pretty thick).

My paper was written with Scout-age in mind.

I like Deuter and Osprey packs; both make kid-specific adjustable-torso packs. I use an adult Deuter ACT Zero pack right now, and believe the suspension is somewhat more supportive than the Osprey packs; if that comparison also holds true for youth packs, I'd suggest looking at the Deuter youth packs first.

I think REI makes some kid-specific packs under their house brand, too.

I concur with topshot's paper! It's a great resource for all beginners, not just Scouts!

I also concur with Glenn on the Deuter youth packs. They are extremely comfortable, very supportive and infinitely adjustable. They are also a good price (under $100) and, because of their popularity and quality, quite resaleable after they're outgrown. I'm about to get a Deuter Fox 40 for my 13-year-old grandson, who can now carry more than will fit in the Fox 30. Too much fishing gear!

Good morning OM. I already have the majority of the gear i need since ive been car camping. All i need to do is scale it down because i wont be in my vehicle. the pack i bought is for me. It was comfortable when i tried it on and as for the size i figured i would be carrying most of the load anyways. my Son has his own back pack with his sleeping bag in it and thats all. I have yet to find a pack that fits my wife comfortably. the only thing i really need to get right now besides a pack for the wife is a backpackers tent or maybe even hammocks.

[quote=aimless]Welcome, once more.

The biggest tendency for newbies to backpacking is to overpack, especially clothes. "



-That is very true. I for one am guilty of this. Still new to backpacking but I learned my lesson very early on.

If she is smart, she will never find one that fits comfortably so that you will have to carry the load.

And