Best Backpack Feature - This Pack Has It

The best backpack isn't the one with the popular name brand sewn into it (although name brand packs can be good too). A great backpack is the backpack that can withstand 10 years of rigorous field testing and still be in good enough shape for more of a beating. The best backpack is the one that gets you outside doing what you love. Too often we get caught up in price, features, weight, etc, but in the grand scheme of things, those factors aren't that important. I honestly can't remember if I bought the pack or if it was a Christmas gift, but I know I was too young to care about weight and financially unable to care much about features. I needed something to haul my stuff! I have a number of pieces of gear that I use regularly that are over 10 years old (pretty impressive since I'm in my 20's). None of the items are particularly fancy or high-end but I've gotten plenty of miles out of them. The fact that the gear is still taking me to incredible places is what I value most. The next time you're looking at a piece of gear, get something that will last as long as the memories of the cool places it'll take you. We don't buy gear to get features. We buy gear to have adventures.
Sorry if this sounds preachy. I don't mean to be. I am just very proud that I happened to buy gear that has lasted me many years. I do think it's important to be reminded of why we have gear.....(I know I've bought some high-end rain jackets that I really didn't need. A new jacket is definitely not as much fun to talk about as a 10-year-old backpack)
P.S. The ski pass on my pack that I show several times is from a family ski trip at Alta ski resort in Utah. The pass is for December 25th, 2006. I never took the pass off because I was curious about how long day ski passes take to decompose. It'll fall off one of these days, but I'm going to let it happen naturally. While I had the backpack far before that particular ski trip, it's starting to become nice to have that date in pictures to remind me how old the pack is.
What's your oldest piece of gear?
:-)
Take care. Happy trails & lasting gear.

[@zsd101]

I have an OLD Gregor pack I bought back in the 1990's, and it's still going quite strong. It's a larger pack (about 75-liters), but it's been on countless week-long hiking / backpacking trips and never failed me, going on nearly 20 years. Great video, and thanks for posting. :)

[@inspireAson]

zsd101 Awesome. Can't beat that type of durability. Glad to hear it's treated you so well. Thanks for watching! :) - Chris

[@rainbowhiker]

My most durable packs are downstairs and we've gone through a lot of years (40+) ourselves. I thoroughly agree with you. Still, I don't use them any more since giving up weight for speed. They're both in the 5&4 lb range and now days I hike with things weighing less than 2 and 1 lb. As I evolve, so does what I carry. I can't believe how I used to carry so much when I didn't have to. I can't get rid of my ol' packs they have so many found memories with them, but I'm glad I moved on.

[@inspireAson]

I still have a lot to learn in terms of traveling lightweight. I hope someday I'll be comfy on a multiday trip with a pack under 20lbs. That sounds like a dream come true to me right now. Glad you stopped by. There's a lot to old gear. :) - Chris

[@Featheredprop]

Chris, this video came up on my suggested feed. Never saw it before. Excellent job. I loved your into line, "... I look at this backpack like a dog looks at its leash." What an amazing thought! This is simply very good stuff. If only our gear could talk.

[@inspireAson]

You're always too kind Dane. Thank you! Every piece of well-used gear has a great story or two behind it. If only our gear could talk, indeed. :) - Chris

[@NovaHiker50]

I too have a back pack that is at least 12 years old. Its may be around 40 litres and has been used on many day hikes. Its small size makes sure that you can't pack too much gear. It has several nice features like an internal frame and port for my Camel Back. I was considering on a new one a while ago but have decided not to. This one is perfect and has the memories to go along with it. I'm sure I can get many more years out of it. Great vid.

[@inspireAson]

It's definitely easy to get a bit sentimental with old gear. You get used to where the pockets are and you know what fits and where you put everything. It's cool to see other people's old gear. There's always a story or two there :) I appreciate the support. Take care NovaHiker50 and thanks for watching :) - Chris

[@CanadianOutdoorsmen]

40 liters isn't that small for a bag.. That's like a week long journey pack

[@NovaHiker50]

CanadianOutdoorsmen I just noticed its only a 27 litre bag. I don't know why I thought it was 40. My bad.

[@alphagrendel]

I have an old North Face rucksack I bought back in the late 80's ( before it was cool to own North Face... ) that I still love. Amazing bag. Nothing cool - no contoured straps, no ergonomic feature - just a good bag.

[@inspireAson]

Nice! I think gear stories are so cool, because a good gear story means a handful of good adventure stories. I have a new waterproof jacket and I'm so attached to it already. It's really lightweight. One pocket, no pit zips; just plain minimal. It performs its intended function without excess. It sounds like that's what your pack has been for you and more. Awesome stuff brother! Thanks for sharing that! :) - Chris