You seem to want to buy the pack now because you have money now. The implicit assumption is that the pack is the most important piece of gear you need to buy. I disagree. I think the best bang for your bucks on equipment is spending your money on a quality down sleeping bag (or quilt). There is no comparison between a quality down bag and the cheap alternatives. They pack smaller, weigh less, and keep you warmer, plus they can last a lifetime (I still use the down bags my parents bought 30-40 years ago). The performance differences between a cheap pack and an expensive one do not compare. If you have the money to buy one piece of equipment spend your money on a down bag (unless you have a down allergy)