Backpacks - Comfort and Utility

The Osprey Aura 65 and Kelty Coyote 80 were the decisions of our choice. After visiting an EMS and trying on some of the known brands, Gregory, Deuter, North Face, and looking at the reviews of REI, LL Bean, and others, the Kelty and Osprey models had what we were looking for at the right price. I previously had a Kelty 50 which served excellently for a 6 month tour in Europe and 11 month round in South America. Only until it was absolutely beaten and torn, mostly the straps were no longer sew able with out some significant help, I decided it was time to invest in a newer model. Laura's previous knock off backpack "Sport" was also lucky to make it through South America, and was similarly retired after the last trip. Not to joke, but lower back support, strong straps and zippers cannot be taken light. If your carrying a full sack for miles a day for months at a time, it can literately prevent injuries down the road. We both felt comfortable spending about 150-200 on a backpack knowing it would be our homes for the next 3 months.