what size backpack should I get?

[rafe]

So don't make the mistake of buying a small pack, then having to strap gear outside...it completely defeats the purpose of having a smaller volume pack.

I have to agree in principle with all this... but in practice, not so much. There's an advantage to carrying your tent outside the pack, and typically, it's one of the bulkier items. In any case, I carried my Tarptent (2 lbs) outside my pack... and it worked out fine.

[stranger]

The bottom line is that anything carried outside your pack will feel heavier than it needs to. Where you choose to carry gear absolutely has an impact on how heavy it feels. When using packs you always need to think about leverage, not just weight. Want to make a pack feel heavier? Well then strap stuff outside it instead of loading it properly.

In other words, if two hikers were carrying the same amount of gear, but one hiker had their pack loaded correctly, and the other hiker had a tent and sleeping pad strapped outside, the latter hiker would think their pack was heavier because it would certainly feel heavier. Leverage is everything with packs.

I know it's common practice to strap stuff outside, but in thousands of miles of hiking I've only ever needed to carry maybe a wet tarp or tent fly outside my pack, but once it dries out it goes back inside. Carrying an entire tent, regardless of how heavy, outside your pack makes little sense in my opinion.

If you are worried about wet gear, just put the wet gear in the bottom of the pack...water does not go up last time I checked. Anyhow, just my two cents - do whatever you want obviously.

[kappy0405]

thanks 'stranger' for the advice. Leverage is important in just about everything so this makes perfect sense. I most likely wont need to strap onto the outside, but if I do, I'll keep it as light as possible.

Thanks,
Kappy