This will be my first gear review here.  I decided to start with the foundation, the pack.

I looked around a lot before selecting one.  Now a days there are so many options.  I wanted something durable and can be put through a lot of abuse.  I'm 6'4", 240 lbs  and not easy on my gear, I also tend to carry too much.  It also had to be water proof or very water resistant due to the fact I live in BC and in the lower mainland it rains, a lot.  We get two months of sun, eight months of rain, and two months of cold rain.

Many people say not to use a pack with a frame but I find it gives me many options and helps when I am carrying a heavy load.  I know hikers usually use a frame less pack because the packs are lighter, but the military still uses a frame in their larger packs so there must be something to it.

Anyways, because of all of these reasons I chose a medium ALICE Pack.

You can read about the ALICE pack here

I got one for myself and one for my wife, which we have been using for around a year.  They take some getting used to.  It feels like putting a saddle on a horse that just came from pasture and you are the horse.  All you want to do is get the thing off but after carrying it for a few hours it begins to feel very comfortable.

I like the pack because it is durable, waterproof, and can fit all my gear.  I like all the carry options and the ability to put things on the outside of the pack so you can find them and get at them easily.  The only thing I don't like is that the bag is a little short and the back rest sits in an odd spot in my lower back, but it hasn't caused me any problems yet.

I have not tried to carry the bag without the frame yet but I may try this summer.