We poked our heads around the internet, forums, relatives and friends, and outdoor shops in search of recommendations. I heard from several people that Osprey Packs is a reputable company with good gear. Only one store in the Columbus area, Outdoor Source, is an Osprey dealer. After trying on a good few packs there as well as at Sabos Camping and Clintonville Outfitters, I ended up going with the Osprey Aether 70.

Osprey Aether 70 Pack which Kyle will use. Look at that wonderful, vibrant color!

I really like this pack! I got it in orange.  The hip belt was custom heat-molded to my waist at the store. It helps the break-in process and makes it more comfortable.  The material the pack is made of feels durable and seems to be high quality. The back liner is fantastic! It’s called AirScape and is like nothing I’ve felt ever before! It’s very breathable, very comfortable and just fun to feel.  The 10% discount Outdoor Source gives to students is also convenient.  I’ve purchased other gear from them, some of which I may mention at a later point.

Charles decided to get his pack at Sabos. They offer a 15% discount for paying with cash. I don’t feel they carry gear with as high a quality as Clintonville, but they do have a pretty good selection. I think they were the only store here in Columbus with the ’09 models for Deuter. And on that note, Chuck got the Deuter Aircontact 65+10.

Deuter Aircontact 65+10 Pack which Charles will use!

I cannot comment much on the pack, since I do not own it.  I did try it on, and it was decently comfortable. I like the cushioning on the Aether better, which was part of the reason I chose the pack I did.  Charles is more than welcome to edit this or write a new post on what he thinks of his pack. (HINT HINT!)

We decided to go with the 70L range based on the duration of our trip. It should be enough space for us to take clothing and other essentials along with some luxury items like books, playing cards and some electronics.  I also plan on using mine on future trips. They do make larger packs, but those are for either more extended trips or mountaineering.  The packs both offer bottom access, which is convenient. I think Chuck’s even has front zippers.  The top of my pack can be converted to a day pack, which may come in handy. Charles’ has a built in rain cover, which is pretty sweet. While packing here, we should probably leave some space for any souvenirs we might pick up.

Along with my pack, I got a pack converter. It’s basically a duffel bag which my pack will fit in for the air travel. Otherwise, the straps of the pack would get caught and the pack would be shredded. It’ll hold everything during the transit to and from Europe and folds into a pretty small bundle. It can also double as a rain cover for my pack, which means it’s double useful. It wasn’t cheap but should prove its worth.

We also bought locks which fit over our packs. They’re made of a wire mesh and have a metal wire which can be wrapped around something else and locked. It should discourage vandals and hopefully completely prevent theft of the packs themselves. If they don’t I will be very disappointed.  And even though the contraptions fit over the entire pack, they fold down to a pretty small size. Those crazy engineers can work wonders!

I do believe that details the equipment we have thus far for our packs! Have you backpacked before? If so, what sort of pack do you have or did you use? What was your experience with them? Any recommendations for two neophytes? We’ll be sure to update on our experiences as we have them!