Originally Posted by
minnesotasmith
1) The empty weight/volume capacity ratio, divided on out to a number.
2) The empty pack weight/maximum safe payload (in pounds) ratio, also calculated out to a number.
3) Data on these good packs:
Gregory: Acadia or Forester
Arcteryx packs, such as the Khamsin
4) Whether or not a pack has a separately accessable sleeping bag compartment (that's a BIG deal to me personally).
5) Color options, color also being a big deal to many hikers. The Gregory Denali Pro backpack* (as an example) only comes in "chili red", which anyone wanting to keep a low profile while hiking may not care for. Too, I doubt many LEOs/former mil guy hikers would go for a pack that only came in "young chick light pink" or "typical San Francisco guy lavender", or the like.
*Yes, I am perfectly aware that that pack is too big for the AT. I was using it as an example only. I may carry it on the longer stretches between resupply points on the CDT or on my East-West Alaska hike, though, if and when I hike those places.