JanSport Rockies

This is the pack I took on my solo hike on the Wonderland Trail. Although some may avoid this pack because of a brand that doesn't scream eco-yuppie, this pack is well worth a look. It's a steal at $150. If your're worried about long-term durability, don't. It is well made, has a lifetime warranty and at half the cost of a Terraplane, who cares? Buy another one.

I found it extremely comfortable and has sufficent pockets for those of you converting from an external frame.

I found the zipper for the sleeping bag next to useless. It's easier just to cram it all in from the top. You can do that because the divider zips out. I never got it to quite stuff evenly, but it never felt off-balence, just looked a little funny.

At 6000 cubic inches, its a little bigger than normal well adjusted people need for anything less than a weeklong trek without resupply. It would be great if you travel with kids and have to carry more than your share of the gear. Despite this size, it is one of the lightest packs. The best bang for the buck in the market.

Overall, this pack gives you plenty of space and multiple nooks and crannies to store your gear. Plus it gives it to you for a dirt cheap price. It has plenty of room to hold all of your gear as well as your kid sister. All the space is a bit deceiving because it beckons you to fill it with everything you own. It has a big supportive hipbelt with plenty of cushioning. The shoulder straps are adequate but sometimes rub you raw on your neck. The overall effect is relative comfort. It has a pocket for everything from your flashlight to your sleeping bag. Call it an external frame turned outside-in. it lets you compartmentalize every tiny piece of gear. No more searching through all those funky colored stuff sacks. It seems tough enough to handle a life of abuse on the trail. Overall, a great bang for your buck.

This pack is VERY comfortable. The medium would be a better fit for someone of my size, but the suspension is easily adjustable.

This pack has spacious side pockets with additional mesh pockets on the outside of them. The top pocket should have a double zipper, but it doesn't. The top pocket should also be extendable, but it isn't. The pack should have a zip-out (ideally) panel for a sleeping bag compartment, but it's all one big compartment (there is a zip panel on the packbag to access the sleeping bag, though). So, I do have a few gripes. But, hell, what do I expect in the way of frills for $160??? This is an excellent pack. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

I had a budget of up $500 and I know the clerk looked down her nose at me when I chose the inexpensive Jansport over the Arc'Teryx 95 she suggested. However, the arc'terryx has no reachable waterbottle pockets, so it was not even in the running.

I took the Rockies on a Sierra hike and loved it so much I bought one for my son (at 5' it was the only "real" packpack that could be adjusted to fit him well).

I have been hiking with an external frame for 30 years. I'm still not convinced that internals are heaven sent, but I know I'll reach for my Rockies when the next trip comes.

I was lucky enough to buy this from a guy whose wife bought him a Dana, but I would pay $200 for this pack. It is spacious, comfortable, and solid. The only minor complaint I have is that after a few hours hiking with 55 lbs +, the hipbelt feels a bit underpadded. Overall, a great value.

I feel the pockets create the ease of orginizing I love in an external frame pack while providing the comfort of an internal frame pack. At a reasonable price the Rockies provides ample room for weekends and extended treks.