Affordable backpack tips?

Hey everyone, thought I could crowd-source some advice on climbing bags!

I’m looking for something that’s about 50 liters, reasonably priced (so I don’t really mind it getting inevitably beat up by rough use), and most importantly will support a lot of weight! I am a very small woman — 5’2” / 100 lbs and need something with a supportive frame to carry heavy loads. Curious if anyone out there has any good suggestions on some affordable, basic backpacking bags that you’ve been pleasantly surprised by?

I’ve been scouring many a goodwill / used gear shop rack to try and find used gear, but alas, I am finding it insanely difficult to find something that is sized for my shrimpy body. (Any other petite humans out there have experience with kids packs??)

Maybe the thing I’m looking for is impossible? Who knows! No doubt one of you will be ready to let me know if I’m being unreasonable. 

Cheers! 

I've been pleasantly surprised by the rei trail 40. Has comfortable straps and frame and fits everything I need for all kinds of climbing. Got mine at the garage sale so it was much cheaper than other things you'll find.

Yoda Jedi Knight wrote:

I've been pleasantly surprised by the rei trail 40. Has comfortable straps and frame and fits everything I need for all kinds of climbing. Got mine at the garage sale so it was much cheaper than other things you'll find.

Will keep a look out for garage sale items! Thanks Baby Yoda! 

I would look at the REI kids talus pack. It is adjustable and carries well.  It’s well built and doesn’t cost a lot. We have 2 in our family and they are holding up really well. 

Mystery Ranch makes some really nice packs.
I also know a few females in the 5’2-5’5 range that have the BD Creek 50 and love it. I really like mystery ranch packs because they have a 3 zipper design that lets you unzip the pack from top to bottom and get gear out of the bottom, with out emptying the whole pack to do so. I have the scree 32L And like it a lot for sport climbing where you need draws harness shoes and chalk, water and a small lunch. But for every thing else I just prefer to use my pig of a 125L haul bag around lol 

Regardless of what pack you get make sure they have bomber YKK zippers on them. I don’t fuck with any zipper that isn’t YKK as that’s usually the first thing to blow out on a pack. ESPECIALLY in the desert. Sand ruins zippers quick. 

I think in terms of support/comfortable carry technology, no packs come close to Osprey. Those packs are so well designed they practically float. But yeah, hella pricy. If you wanted one amazing bag, worth every penny, the hype is real imo

How heavy are we talking load-wise?

I fit packs. When a petite person has trouble finding something that works I most often wind up fitting them with an Osprey Ace 50 “kids” pack. 

I’m gonna throw another vote in for Osprey. Find a fitter and be prepared to pay a decent amount or wait for a sale. REI frequently does 20% off all Osprey. Find a fitter. Unless you’re dragging the pack through canyons/chimneys, it should last you at least 5 years.

check out your local Facebook marketplace for used osprey hiking / backpacking packs. you don't have be afraid to buy an old model of an osprey pack because of their amazing warranty program too. its worth looking into their lifetime warranty. 

Not all osprey packs carry heavy loads equally though. my wife uses a Mira 22 AG, she winds up clipping stuff all over it but it carries 20-25 lbs. SO nicely, we have done several 2-4 hour approaches in her Mira 22 AG and my Atmos 65 AG with no brain compartment ( it carries 30 lbs. like my old backpack carried 10 lbs. ) and it makes the approach almost enjoyable compared to what we had before. they make higher volumes of the Mira / Manta line too. the other one I would keep an eye out for is the Sirrus / stratos. their suspension system looks pretty awesome for carrying a lot of gear. also check out your local rei or gear store to see if the size small/medium packs fit you. I hear good things about the REI trail 40 also but have never tried it.

 Aside from specific packs I think the most cost effective way would be to look for any used size small torso osprey backpacking/hiking backpack with a mesh back and hip belt support system and thick straps and hip belt. besides Facebook marketplace, eBay has some cheap auctions of used packs too. 

Disclaimer: I just got an Alpine Lowe rogue 48 its awesome and I'm Super excited about it!! (will review soon) Im going to test it this weekend to instead of my Atmos. the only downside of osprey packs is they have so many darn bells and whistles and zippers that aren't needed for climbing.... I do put my rope bag in the "sleeping bag compartment" thing though just for fun though... haha