Re:

REI has some pretty lightweight stuff--Osprey Exos series, REI Flash series incl. Flash 45, 52, and 62, for example.  For the lightest packs you have to go to the cottage companies that are too small to supply REI--zpacks, gossamer gear, etc.  Some REI packfitters are traditional-minded, some are not.  I work at REI in downtown Austin, I fit packs, I try to encourage lightweight, I even refer people to cottage companies if they are wanting something lighter or simpler, but I find many folks *want* a fair amount of structure (=weight) in a pack.  There are also a lot of folks who just come in and grab one of the Flash packs off the wall and buy it without ever asking questions or getting a fitting.  I don't see many of these packs in the Garage Sales so I guess folks must be keeping them.

Mina

On May 25, 2013, at 5:34 PM, Segraves <andrews9000-/[email protected]> wrote:

> REI should have several packs (Osprey, REI brand and others) that are designed for carrying light loads. And in my experience, most REIs have at least some staff members who are pretty knowledgeable.
> 
> If you're looking for a bass boat, though, you might try the other. ;)
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Bill S.
> 
> > If I go to say REI, Sport Chalet, Bass Proshops or whatever
> > and the backpack they are trying to sell me, unless it is
> > serious multi-day trip pack, 75 liters and up, where you
> > would have more weight, to simply make it comfortable you
> > have to put 25 lbs in it, that is not a pack I want for
> > short jaunts.   I also am making this
> > assumption because in some stores there is limit knowledge
> > in floor staff and a traditional mindset is still common.
> > ...
> 
>