REI, my favorite store (if you’re ever in Seattle, the REI flagship store is a must-see), also has a great Web site
the is loaded with short, sensible articles of useful appeal to outdoor folks. In
this one, they provide a quick and dirty lesson on how to choose a backpack, should you be in the market for one.
From tidbits on internal and external frame packs, to a roundup of various capacities to a list of features that you
might look for depending on the nature of your trip, I found the guide quite useful. You might even check out
the section on how to fit a backpack, as there are few things worse than being out on a long trip with a pack
that doesn’t fit.