Ever owned an ALPS pack?

My current pack is falling apart after 8 years of abuse. I'm looking for a replacement. I want something in 60 - 75 L range. The ALPS packs are priced ridiculously low.

rei.com/product/884064/alps…

Ever owned an ALPS pack? Do they totally suck? Are they the killer bang for the buck?

Thanks,
C.

I have a Denali 5500 and it isn't the nicest pack in the world but I paid like 90 bucks for it or something absurd like that.

It definitely does not totally suck I would vote killer bang for the buck. I would bet you could even find a bigger discount.

Thanks. I probably can find a better deal, but I've been looking at REI cause I have a credit there.

I don't do big expeditions or anything. The most intense use I'll have with my pack is maybe a week in the Wind River Range, with rope, rack, fishing, gear, bivy gear, and food (maybe 40 lbs and 10 miles). If I can do that without the pack riding completely on my shoulders and making me totally miserable, it will probably work for me.

I have the Denali 5500 too. Biggest complaint is that the aluminum stays get bent out of shape fairly easily, and then the load lifters for the shoulder straps don't stay in place correctly. I'm also not fond of the choice of rear pockets -- two narrow vertical pockets, neither wide enough to hold a guidebook, and they tend to spill things when you have to unzip all the way to dig for whatever's on the bottom. Good price though, comfortable enough, and not so annoying that I'm shopping for a replacement.

I don't own one, but they have been sold in stores I've worked at in the past. You get what you pay for. They are generally not as comfortable, practical or nearly as durable. Like any company, some of the products are much better than others. If you do order through REI, I would recommend ordering it to the store and looking it over before taking it home. That way if it appears to be garbage, you can return it right then. After many years of retail, when it comes to packs, I personally think it's a lot better to invest in something that's comfortable and durable. Nothing's worse than an inconvenient, uncomfortable bag on your back.

That's a good point Max. I've never really owned a great pack, so I probably don't know how good it can be. The only pack I've ever owned was a North Face Crestone 75. It was given to me and never fit me particularly well.

I would really recommend going into a local store and getting sized by someone. Sizing packs takes a lot of skill and understanding. Working with someone who has a good understanding of how fit works makes a HUGE difference. After four years, I was still learning new things about pack fit all the time, there's a TON that goes into it. You'll really be amazed by how comfortable a good fitting bag is.

Yup. It sucked.

Got it for 90 bucks. I Got what I paid for. 6 months in one of the shoulder straps ripped off while mildly boulder hopping with a full pack ( and was replaced by the company, which was a pleasant enough experience) and 3 months after that the side material split. Not on a seam, no excessive stress in that location (in my opinion). Split the entire pack.

You get what you pay for.it won't last more than a year with moderate to hard use.

Do employees at outdoor retail stores get a lot of training in this? My only local store is backwoods. I know quite a few of the employees, and I know I've spent way more time in the backcountry than them, albeit with a crappy pack. Maybe that doesn't matter though? Maybe they are trained up in sizing?

Generally you would hope so. Most big retailers like REI, Llbean and EMS do a decent job. It will always vary with local stores. Only way to find out is head in and check it out, or make the trip to a more reputable store. Where ever you end up, always ask for the person who knows packs best.

I borrowed an alps pack for a 10 day backpacking trip. It was 80 liters and burnt orange colored. The pack was fine for the first couple days but towards the end the seems started to split. I wasn't over stuffing it and there was 40-50lbs of stuff in it at a time. I don't think it will last half as long as your old pack