Internal vs. External

GF and I have been debating going on some over night hike/camping/fishing trips.  One thing I don't have is Rucksack.  I have for ever and a decade used the good old Alice Pack. OD green external pack never bothered me.  But the switch to Molle ACU pattern ruck without a frame now, I really don't feel like lugging it in the woods. I have a giant oversized Camel Back, that has M.O.L.L.E points all over it, and I have a number of bags that attach to it, but the main chamber isn't really big enough for a sleeping bag to be stuffed into, let alone a tent and other essentials. 

What recommendations do you folks have.  My gut feeling is to go looking Mil surp (there is a pelthera of German Surplus out there every bit as good as an ALice , maybe even better).  I know those things are tough, but the trade off is weight.  Civy ruck packs are much lighter, but don't strike me as heavy duty, and when I look at REI I go into sticker shock 9you want how much for this nylon thing?????).  I like the whole MOLLE concept, I was thinking of a small .22 in a scabard on one side and a pack rod on the other.

Look at REI.com and go to the outlet section.  They still sell very good equipment in that part of the site, just not the yuppie brand names.  Much better values.  To answer you question, external isn't really much of an option these days.  There are about 100 internal frame packs for every one external.  The new packs are awesome in terms of weight, and how they load and carry.  My wife and I have done 5 day trips, and they really don't feel like you are carrying a quarter of the weight you are.  Get a pack with an sleeping bag compartment so you can get to it without unloading everything.  Also, built in raincovers are nice.  Most have hydration sleeve so you can put a bladder in them.  They nylon is tougher than it seems as well... do you have a water filter yet?  If not, I cannot recommend the katadyn vario highly enough.  The thing produces reasonable volumes of great drinking water without having to pump it for hours on end. 

Another good feature on a pack is an adjustable torso... and for the GF, it isn't imperative or anything, but "womens" packs really are more comfortable for them.

One thing I have learned, if I want my wife to do these trips with me, it is an absolute must that I keep her as comfortable as possible, so the real "ultralite" packing principles just don't work for me.  Bags, tent, thermarest pads... we pack it all.  Any other questions, feel free to pm me.

I went with a Lowe Alpine internal frame so many years ago, like 1992, and used it last on my trip to the Lost Coast in 2010.  Love the internal frame over my old external frame pack.
Had a hiking buddy buy a top of the line Jansport framed pack when I bought mine, and he ended up getting an internal frame after a few years.
Unless you are hauling things like saws or tools, IMHO the internal is far superior for regular backpacking.

REI outlet is a great place to start.

Also, I agree with the thing about making sure the wife/ GF is comfy. We had Thermarests from back when i bought my pack, and upgraded to new ones for the LC trip. Amazing difference in weight and comfort. Just like when you went from a foam pad to the original thermarest.

Yeah, and pillows!  I have the blow up ones as a base, and little smashable fiber filled ones that go on top of that.  Either type by themselves are too thin, and uncomfortable.  Tossing and turning sucks... it sucks worse with a pissed of GF/wife crammed up next to you in a tiny tent. 

I have an old LL Bean internal frame pack that I love.  The only time I used an external frame pack was about 30 years ago and I hated it. 

Yeah, and pillows!  I have the blow up ones as a base, and little smashable fiber filled ones that go on top of that.  Either type by themselves are too thin, and uncomfortable.  Tossing and turning sucks... it sucks worse with a pissed of GF/wife crammed up next to you in a tiny tent.

I just stuff my fleece in an empty pillow case.  We used to do huge hikes.  20 to 25 miles a day for 4 to 5 days and keeping the pack light is critical.

I have an old LL Bean internal frame pack that I love.  The only time I used an external frame pack was about 30 years ago and I hated it. 

Yeah, and pillows!  I have the blow up ones as a base, and little smashable fiber filled ones that go on top of that.  Either type by themselves are too thin, and uncomfortable.  Tossing and turning sucks... it sucks worse with a pissed of GF/wife crammed up next to you in a tiny tent.

I just stuff my fleece in an empty pillow case.  We used to do huge hikes.  20 to 25 miles a day for 4 to 5 days and keeping the pack light is critical.

I agree that if you are going huge you must stay light... I would fall over dead either way if I tried something like that.

Let me clarify, GF has her own stuff.  SHe has a pack, I am the one who needs to break down and buy one.

talk to your S4 to see if they can hook you up w/ something for the trip

REI outlet.com. I got a nice jansport 72Cu ft internal frame pack, a nice 2 person ultralight tent, and some boots all for around $100. I like cooking 2 steaks till they are just barely rare, then freeze them the night before. The morning of the hike they go in a ziplock on the top of my pack. during the day they thaw out and we eat like kings the first night. Partially cooking them saves some fuel and makes for a quick good meal on the trail.

I use a Lowe-alpine pack that 65+15 and this is my first internal frame pack. Let me tell you I'm never going back to an external frame again. Rei is a great place to start. They have cheap rentals so you can try for a weekend before you buy. That's a big deal because a pack that feels good at the start of a trip may suck a few miles in.

When the molle system appeared in the Marines almost all of the guys bought mountain alice rucks because the molle packs sucked. The pack frames broke often and the weight was carried lower on the back but this was in 2002-03 so they may be better now. Hard to beat the mountain alice pack though and the frame can be adapted for a variety of uses as I'm sure you are well aware.  Aside from that the only gear that has impressed me is Eberlestock or anything made in US by Eagle Industries. They ain't cheap though like the mil surplus. Get a nice kidney pad and some good shoulder straps for the mountain ruck and don't look back.       

Both styles have there place in the backpacking world; and both have advantages and disadvantages. All depends on what type of packing you'l be doing; ie fire-trails vs back country.

Externals will support and distribute the load alot better, and since the sit slightly further away from you body, you stay cooler on warm/hot days. They work great if youre just doing "fire-trail" type hiking.

Internals are just way cooler looking!! If you are dong back country packing, where you would be doing some manuevering through obstacles, an internal frame pack would be better since the pack will be strapped alot closer and tighter to your body.

Comfort is the key!!! the pack should feel slightly snug when you first purchase it and will break in on your first trip. Make sure when being fitted, there is room left in the strap to tight it down more; we use to use a 40/60 rule when fitting customers. You should only use 40% of the length of the strap when the pack is cinched down, this allows you room to expand the strap length when add additional layers of clothing; the excess 60% strap allows to room to tighted up the straps when removing addition layers, plus loss wieght during the hike/trip.

(just my 2cents learned during my play days as manager @ Any Mountain)

Sierra Trading has a huge selection and some are 30 plus 35% off for P day clic view coupon

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/packs-backpacks-and-daypacks~d~174/

The S4 option is always there, but to be honest, I am trying to get away from using my Army gear(surplus gear is a different story). I am looking forward to that transition to having an "Ret" on the end of my signature block.   As for online sure that is an option, but I have still have to go through the trail and error of finding the right one.  I like the rental thing and may try that first.  I am debating using my Big Camel back which has a decent amount of MOLLE straps. and just go with a light sleeping bag liner (depends on where and what time of year).  We bought sleeping bags and liners that all interconnect with each other last year.   

Maybe because of Mil background I am so hooked on Molle, but I haven't seen a big move to them in the civilain bags, outside of paramilitary use.  Once you start using some quality Molle and the associated securing system you never have to worry about losing somehting again.  I like hooking up things such as a Frist Aid kit, my Thermos of Hot Tea, or my sandwich MOLLE holder (okay it was a lef tover 6/30 round bag pouch I carried in Iraq that does double duty for Mr Pickles sandwiches).  Next I have to find a MOLLE rod holder.