Pack recommendation (Made in USA if poss)

Hi everyone, first time posting here. I read the requirements, so hopefully I'll provide enough info for some reccomendations.

I'm looking for a light pack to carry extra clothes, and a few binders. I walk twice a week to a church meeting. The hike is about 3.5 miles. I am 43 years old, 5'8" 165 lbs. I broke my back in 10 places 10 years ago, and currently have some degeneration in my l4/l5. In general, you wouldn't know it by looking at me. I'm am avid snowboarder, and love the outdoors. My wife and I like to do day hikes like Crater Lake, and Yosemite Falls. I'm looking for a pack for all of those things, that is hopefully made in the USA. I'm currently using a Camelbag, but it to leaves me very sweaty (on my back) when I get to where I'm going.
Price is not the largest comcern, as I want something that will work and last and make me feel comfortable when I'm walking.
I'm happy to add any other info, but in general I think this should cover it.
It should be noted I don't really have experience with real hiking backpacks. I have a nice avalung black Dimond pack for snowboarding, but for general hiking I've little to no experience. I don't know much about internal frames, waste belts etc, but I do wear a compression hip/waste belt that my chiropractor gave me to help support my back and hips. It also leaves me pretty sweaty. Trying to find a good balance here considering the health issues.


Thanks so much in adavance!

I recently upgraded from a Cabelas Ridgeline pack (>6lbs) to an Osprey pack at about half the weight and couldn't be happier. Osprey seems to be the hottest brand on the market right now - they make a good product at a reasonable cost. I would recommend checking out some of their daypack series...probably looking at between $100 and $200 for a pack but it will be lightweight and with enough adjustability that most people should be able to make it comfortable. Many of their packs are hydration compatible too so tossing a water bladder in the pack is easy. Most outfitters and mass market stores will carry them - start with REI or Campmor. Good luck!

Sorry you haven't gotten an answer yet. I think that's because your situation is unique and I suspect that none of us is medically qualified to answer.

I suspect (but please get confirmation from your medical professional!) that you may need a pack with structure (i.e. stays) and a hipbelt which will transfer most or all of the weight to your pelvic girdle (hips). It sounds as though you want one with some ventilation in the back. Most daypacks have little structure (and often no hip belt), so you're probably looking at a small (say 30 liter?) backpack.

Nearly all packs made by the larger, brand-name companies (the kind you'll find at REI) are manufactured in Asia. About the only ones manufactured in the US are the small (sometimes called "cottage") firms that sell on the internet, not in stores. Here's a partial list (it changes and I haven't been keeping up): ULA (a sponsor here and one of the most popular with thru-hikers), Six Moon Designs, ZPacks, Elemental Horizons, Gossamer Gear, Hyperlite Mountain Gear. Mountain Laurel Designs makes lovely stuff, but their packs are frameless so probably not what you need.

I can also tell you that pack fit is almost as individual as shoe fit, and fit is the most important factor in choosing a pack. You need to pack up the stuff you're going to carry and take it with you when you go shopping. If you order through the internet, have your load ready when the pack arrives, load the pack up (keeping it clean and not removing the tags) and take a couple hours' hike around the house. Be sure to check each manufacturer's website for return policies, as you usually have only a limited time to return the pack. You may have to pay return shipping cost on several packs before you find the one that fits you!

The measurement that's important is not your height nor weight but your torso length, from the "bump" at the back of your neck down your spine to a point level with the top of your iliac crest (pelvic/hip bones). Don't try to measure this yourself (when I try to measure me, it comes out different every time!). Please also note that the pack's belt should go around the top of your pelvis, not your waist--it's to allow the pack's weight to be supported by the pelvis/hips rather than the upper spine. Again, only a medical professional can determine if this is what you need!

In the meantime, check your area for the nearest locally owned backpacking store (not a chain store) or, if none, REI, pay a visit (preferably at an uncrowded time) and try every pack they have in your size. They will measure you and you will get an idea of what a comfortable pack feels like even if none of them meet your specifications (which is what happened to me 10 years ago). Of course, you may find exactly what you're looking for and decide not to worry about where it was made!

There are several articles on choosing and fitting a pack on the home page of this site, left hand column.

Wow, thank you for such a thorough response. I will take your advice. I live in Southern California, north of LA. Not much up here, but certainly an REI within driving distance. I will ask my chiropractor and share with him your suggestions. Will keep you all up to date. Thank you so much! Very happy I've found this forum.

I concur with what OM said above I just wanted to add one more name to her list: http://www.mchalepacks.com/

They are definitely for the "price is no object" crowd, but if you have particular requirements and are willing to spend the money, people say they are great.

I'm certainly in the camp of those who do not have an adequate frame of reference to know how to address your medical-imposed needs.

Having stated my ignorance, I do have to wonder: would a trampoline-style suspension work for you? Deuter, Osprey, and others make several different models with such suspensions, and they aren't exorbitantly expensive. In this style pack, the "working" parts of the suspension, that transfer the load to your hips without making contact with your back. The only contract with your back would be the taut mesh backpanel, which spreads any pressure evenly across your back.

I have no idea how these would work for you, but if you're near an REI, they will definitely have several models of these (most reliably: Osprey Atmos and Exos series packs. Just be aware most REI folks I've encountered don't understand how to tweak the other components of the Atmos AG to get a good fit. They can usually get the Exos right, however.)

I've used 3 packs that have claims to air flow , they being Deuter Air Contact, Osprey Kestrel, and a Granite Gear Blaze AC 60. All performed well, but still made my back sweat. For myself, the only thing that keeps my back comfortable is what I wear. Generally ,shirts that wick and dry moisture rapidly. In my experience, the reduced contact directly on your back helps, but does not completely eliminate the problem.