View Full Version : My Goodwill find for the day
cruisaire
09-10-2009, 12:47
Sooooo, I've been looking for my first pack. Being budegt conscious, I haunt the thrifts and the odd yard sale. A decent external is all I wanted. Today I see a Kelty Trekker in very good condition (missing only one black, leg cap on the bottom)and it's marked 8.98. So I get it only to find out it's the "WS" model (I think). Now I'm 5' 6" and losing pounds by the day with jogging/walking/altered diet and now tip the scales in the low 160s. Question is....if I use this pack, does that make me: a.) just cheap, b.) just a cheap cross-dresser, or c.) just getting in touch with my feminine side? :D
BTW - I think the color is plum!
If it fits and feels okay, then none of the above, you are smart. If it doesn't fit or isn't comfortable then (a).
cruisaire
09-10-2009, 13:13
Yes, it fits and is comfortable. I'm assuming it's made for a smaller "frame" person (which is where this man is headed!). I tried it on there and loaded it full of thrift crap to test it out. Felt fine...of course real world is the real test and that's next.
If it works, go for it.
That's all that counts in the end. :)
Plus, having an external frame AND plum colored gives you major bonus points for uniqueness. :)
Your are smart to shop at Goodwill.
cruisaire
09-10-2009, 15:24
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v607/cruisaire/Kelty%20Trekker/th_Kelty001.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v607/cruisaire/Kelty%20Trekker/?action=view¤t=Kelty001.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v607/cruisaire/Kelty%20Trekker/th_Kelty002.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v607/cruisaire/Kelty%20Trekker/?action=view¤t=Kelty002.jpg)
I'm not sure about Kelty, but alot of the packs that are made for women have curved shoulder straps. I bought a daypack by accident at REI that was a womens model. I was able to replace it for a mens. I couldn't find the way to be a cross dresser!
ShoelessWanderer
09-10-2009, 16:16
Besides, the color will attract all the women to you! :)
Go for it! It's hard to find a good pack, even harder at a good price! No one will know the difference, anyways!
ShoelessWanderer
09-10-2009, 16:18
BTW, if you don't want it, if you buy it I'll pay you back plus shipping to get it to me.
My hiking group is always in need of extra packs for the beginners...and that's just too good of a price to pass up.
Hikes in Rain
09-10-2009, 17:01
That's definitely an unusual color! :eek:
All kidding aside, though, if as you said, it works for you, fits you, and carries what you need, then for the price you paid you won! Congratulations on a great find. If anyone asks, just look at them quizzically and ask them if they've never seen blaze orange before.
rapchizzle
09-10-2009, 18:15
I had that pack in blue when I first started camping with the boyscouts many years ago. I got a lot of use out of it and wish I had kept it to pass onto my kid...
Mongoose2
09-10-2009, 18:27
I bought my first pack at Goodwill, an old internal Mountainsmith. I later found out it was a ladies pack........I wore it for some time before upgrading! I still have it hanging in my basement!
flemdawg1
09-11-2009, 20:04
It depends, are you also known as Prince? Does wearing it with your puffy shirt make you feel pretty? ;-)
Seriously, though I've used my wife's purple 55L Camptrails internal a time or 2. Saved me carrying an extra lb before I got my current pack.
cruisaire
09-11-2009, 22:47
Prince? Maybe Mimi Bobeck!
medicjimr
09-11-2009, 23:09
Just were a matching kilt and you will be fine
GeneralLee10
09-11-2009, 23:33
If it makes you feel better I bought a Women's Purple sleeping bag about 7 years ago made by Iron Mountain Gear it was on sale I needed a bag so i got it. Like they said if it works then use it, can't beat that price at all if you ask me. Oh and yes I still have the Purple sleeping bag I passed it on to my wife and daughter who every goes with me uses the bag. It still works good, it would be nice to know where the maker of it went I can't seem to find any info on them.
cruisaire
09-12-2009, 09:39
I'm gonna keep it! Maybe "Prince" will be the trail name after all. Thanks for the opinions, see you out there.
ShoelessWanderer
09-12-2009, 09:54
I'm gonna keep it! Maybe "Prince" will be the trail name after all. Thanks for the opinions, see you out there.
There are a lot worse trail names you could have!
I have a Kelty Trekker and love it. If it's an older model, then it probably doesn't have women's shoulder straps. When I got mine, 6 years ago, the women's sizing simply meant smaller torso size. LOVE the color!!
Hikes in Rain
09-12-2009, 10:43
I'd keep it, too. After all, in a couple of hikes it'll collect enough stains and dirt (read "badges of honor!") that no one will be able to tell the original color, anyway.
atraildreamer
09-12-2009, 11:10
I "rescued" a Kelty Tioga external frame from the trashman. Is there any way to determine the year of manufacture so I can order new straps, waistbelt and mesh backpanel for it?
Rocketman
09-12-2009, 12:17
I "rescued" a Kelty Tioga external frame from the trashman. Is there any way to determine the year of manufacture so I can order new straps, waistbelt and mesh backpanel for it?
Call Kelty (see website for number for ordering these parts) and they will take care of you. For function, they will sell you shaped chest straps rather than the straight ones. Some things like the mesh panels aren't all that model specific.
Oh, in 2007, I called them for ........ waist belt and sholder straps for a Kelty Tioga, and that is what they told me back then. They were late is getting them in stock, so they sent them to me by express at an outfitter along the AT. Had them installed there.
Not Sunshine
09-12-2009, 12:43
make sure you get some extra/spare pins for that kelty....while you're contacting kelty...your entire pack will be useless if/when a pin breaks and it no longer is attached to your frame.
otherwise, GREAT find - and dumpster-diving -- oh what fun! i used to do that when i lived near a big university in the springtime - spoiled students throw out all kinds of awesome stuff! :D
drastic_quench
09-12-2009, 13:22
It depends, are you also known as Prince? Does wearing it with your puffy shirt make you feel pretty? ;-)
Seriously, though I've used my wife's purple 55L Camptrails internal a time or 2. Saved me carrying an extra lb before I got my current pack.
He's 5'6'', wears a purple pack...
Yeah, I think your trail name could easily be Prince or Purple Rain! Take your pick!
I would've bought it too.
atraildreamer
09-13-2009, 15:27
make sure you get some extra/spare pins for that kelty....while you're contacting kelty...your entire pack will be useless if/when a pin breaks and it no longer is attached to your frame.
otherwise, GREAT find - and dumpster-diving -- oh what fun! i used to do that when i lived near a big university in the springtime - spoiled students throw out all kinds of awesome stuff! :D
I live near Brown University & the RI School of Design. When the kids go home, they dump all kinds of good stuff! One guy scored 5 laptops from one spot! I got as nice office chair that way. :)
cruisaire
11-02-2009, 17:37
and because I just can't stay out of the thrifty's, here's today's $10 pack (+tax)...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v607/cruisaire/th_Peak1001.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v607/cruisaire/?action=view¤t=Peak1001.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v607/cruisaire/th_Peak1002.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v607/cruisaire/?action=view¤t=Peak1002.jpg)
Gear To Go Outfitter
11-02-2009, 17:44
The difference between a unisex of male pack and a women's pack is generally wider hips and narrower shoulders. This is obviously less of a concern with an external frame pack since you have more options to adjust everything. Congrats on finding the pack, now hit the trails!
mister krabs
11-02-2009, 21:40
always wanted one of those peak 1's
Doooglas
11-03-2009, 05:09
Kelty packs are an excellent value.I still have one of the old Redwing internals from 1992 or so. Tough,comfortable, and tough as hell.You did good.
Sometimes people show up with some " gear of.... duuuuuh..... year", or worse, and they wind up wearing the old Kelty the rest of the tour...lOL
The last guy showed up with a surplus ALICE pack. Thought if duuuuh millytarry issued it it would be the "best in the world" LOL:rolleyes:
Yeah. Complete with cotton bag.....likely from JC Penney.:eek:
BTW. On the cross dressing thing ??? You running for congress ?:cool::p
cruisaire
11-03-2009, 08:03
BTW. On the cross dressing thing ??? You running for congress ?:cool::p
No way, not me! But I have seen more than a few folks in thrift stores who need to figure which gender they are and stick with it!:D
cruisaire
11-07-2009, 10:19
I continue to have good luck at thrifts and felt it only proper to post a few pics so no one thinks I'm "blowing smoke up their *ss" on nice finds. Sometimes sizes are an issue, but layering can allow a little variance when fitting. The Marmot and Go-lite were 4 each, the WM Flight was 6. :banana
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v607/cruisaire/Thrift%20Store%20Finds/th_DSCN3268.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v607/cruisaire/Thrift%20Store%20Finds/?action=view¤t=DSCN3268.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v607/cruisaire/Thrift%20Store%20Finds/th_DSCN3269.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v607/cruisaire/Thrift%20Store%20Finds/?action=view¤t=DSCN3269.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v607/cruisaire/Thrift%20Store%20Finds/th_DSCN3270.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v607/cruisaire/Thrift%20Store%20Finds/?action=view¤t=DSCN3270.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v607/cruisaire/Thrift%20Store%20Finds/th_DSCN3271.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v607/cruisaire/Thrift%20Store%20Finds/?action=view¤t=DSCN3271.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v607/cruisaire/Thrift%20Store%20Finds/th_DSCN3272.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v607/cruisaire/Thrift%20Store%20Finds/?action=view¤t=DSCN3272.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v607/cruisaire/Thrift%20Store%20Finds/th_DSCN3273.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v607/cruisaire/Thrift%20Store%20Finds/?action=view¤t=DSCN3273.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v607/cruisaire/Thrift%20Store%20Finds/th_DSCN3274.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v607/cruisaire/Thrift%20Store%20Finds/?action=view¤t=DSCN3274.jpg)
Rain Man
11-07-2009, 15:41
I have an old VHS tape about how to hike the AT. Lots of interviews with thru-hikers. This one guy from Georgia ordered a pack from a black-and-white catalog (Campmor?) and when it arrived, it was some gosh-awful color combination of fabric and straps.
Didn't faze him a bit. He did the AT with it and from the interview, seemed thoroughly prepared!
I say go for it. Be proud of the color. In the interest of full disclosure, this is easy for me to say, as my school colors are orange and purple! LOL
:D
Rain:sunMan
.