Gear Review: Jansport Big Bear 82 (2008 model)

This is the first internal frame pack I have owned, and was purchased based on brand familiarity and price (around $60) 7 months ago. Since purchase this pack has seen rolling, wooded hills, flat open prairie, bright sunny trails and a 6 hr steady rain and has done, in my opinion, a stellar job. I would recommend this pack to anyone; in fact after its first trip (a 20 mile round trip weekend) I purchased the Big Bear 63 for my wife. I believe this pack exceeded the manufactures claims

Specs: (from manufactures description)
82 L (5000 cu in)
33h x 15w x 12d
6000 denier polyester
3.14 lbs
Fit’s 18” to 20” torso’s
Ergonomic S-curve shoulder straps
Wide hip belt
Dual side water bottle pockets
Top loading with compression hood
Large front panel sleeve
Mesh wet / dry pocket
5 daisy chain clip points
Ice axe loop
Side compression straps

Pros:Comfort, price, large capacity.

Cons:Top load only, the shoulder strap adjusters slipped when wet.

As a scout leader and moderate backpacker I have always used an external frame pack (the most recent a 4500 cu in pack made by Coleman) due to the ease of packing and the ability to lash on whatever I have needed or felt like carrying, but recently had decided to give an internal frame pack a try. I like the stability and fit of the pack the most (even with loads around 30-35 pounds) compared to the way an external shifts when climbing over logs or ducking below a branch, and feel it is a good trade off for the loss of lashing points (I just started carrying a folding saw instead of a hatchet…lol). I am not sure if I like the top being the only access to your gear and feel a little more care in how you organize your pack is needed to accommodate this. If I had to knock this pack for something I would have to say it was the way the shoulder straps would loosen up after they got wet.