My tyvek arrived in the mail the other day. I'm still fairly certain I'm going to use it to line the inside of my pack. Still not sure about the exterior. Not real sure that I'm going to use sunbrella. If I do use the sunbrella, I may not use the tyvek since sunbrella is so water resistant. I'm really in no hurry to get it finished. I'm buying equipment at the rate of about 30-40 dollars a week. Once I have most of the equipment I'll have a better idea how big I need for the pack to be. I don't see any reason to go much over 2,500-2,700 cu. In. Since my son and I are going to be doing quite a bit of hiking together, two packs at 2,700 cu. In. Each should make for a decent amount of gear. That being said, let it be known that since I can't afford top notch gear like 300 dollar lightweight packable goretex jackets, the pack size may vary a bit. Concerning straps; has anyone done any business or know of anyone who has done business with an internet company called Strap Makers? One last thing, remember my son taylor, the high functioning autistic? I am scared to death about letting him drive. I swore I'd never let him drive. Well, he's getting ready to take his learners. Oh man. Here we go. I'll have tight reins on him. Thanks to everyone for the encouragement I've received on this site.

You may want to consider a ULA Conduit (http://www.ula-equipment.com/conduit.htm). I've never seen a ULA product that isn't top notch and worth its weight in gold. Outstanding customer service to go with it makes it hard to beat.

My son is also autistic, but at only 7 going on 8, younger than yours. He's mild-moderately autistic, but pretty high functioning as well. Just keep a tight eye on him and have a blast! :sun

I paid 31 dollars for my 85 liter pack on Amazon. It weighs 5.5 pounds, which a bit on the heavier side, but in all my shakedowns it has been awesome. It is a teton sports fox 75+10. There are actually about 30 different names I have found this pack under including Dueter. I researched the pack and Discovered Dueter sent their manufacturing to Vietnam, and the Industrius guys there make extras and sell them under different names

.......I researched the pack and Discovered Dueter sent their manufacturing to Vietnam.......Crap on that garbage. Buy American. ULA is made in Logan, UT.

If I had found an American pack for 31 dollars and had all the features I wanted as well as comfort I would have bought one. I still can't get over the deal I got on my pack and it is about 6 months old now

I already have a Jam2, but I really like that back stretch pocket on the Conduit.
I think it is an improvement over the fixed pocket on the Jam2, which doesn't have much room when the Jam2 is packed full with the Blue Foam Pad tube trick. What I might do is retrofit the Jam2 to make it like a ULA Conduit with a mesh pocket that will hold my Kelly Kettle and any drying clothes.

Question on the Conduit. Where it seems to taper at the bottom, can you still load a bloe foam pad in tube like all the way to the bottom or near enough?

If I was building a pack, I'd make it out of dyneema instead of sunbrella, and line it with a trash compactor bag as needed.

If I was building a pack, I'd make it out of dyneema instead of sunbrella, and line it with a trash compactor bag as needed.
I am with you. All I need is some skill in sewing lol. I suck so bad sewing that it takes me an hour to sew on one patch, and forget using the machine, I get 1 foot in and I am off by 3 inches with a tangled mess of thread lol.

Back on subject though, go to the hiking stores, try on all their packs to find which fits you well with weigh in it, and is big or small enough for your gear. If you can't afford it, start searching online. Sometimes it take a while (weeks) to find the pack at a price you want, but you feel like you did something special when you find that 200 dollar pack for less than 100

I know there are fans of the Golite brand out there. Right now they are having a 40% off sale. Look here for the details. http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=21571

- Bryant

I am not going to tell you to buy American, because I don't think it matters. However, I would agree that the ULA Conduit is an excellent pack. I have a 2008, which is a bit heavier, but still has the roll top enclosure. I love this pack. It is certainly better than the GoLite Race. And is in fact better than the packs I have made. I tried to get my wife to ditch her GoLite, but she said it still works.

If I was building a pack, I'd make it out of dyneema instead of sunbrella, and line it with a trash compactor bag as needed.

Sunbrella uh? I've got a local textile plant here that makes it and I can get it for 5.25 a yard, 60'. I didnt think that it was usuable for some reason. Time for a new project. I know you favored the dyneema but still if I've got this material right up under my nose there's no reason not to use it.