Gear purchasing Recommendations
The bulk of these recommendations came from Troop 26 Eagle Scout Ian Craig. Some recommendations and clarifications were made by the current Scoutmasters to update the list and to point out new items recently made available. This is by no means a complete list of the gear a Scout will need, but it does cover some of the most important and expensive items.
Do not be alarmed with all the items on the list. While some of the items are essential, others only need to be obtained when the need arises. Quite often a Scout starts with borrowed gear or purchases the basic model. When a boy becomes more involved in Scouting then the Scout may wish to buy his own gear or upgrade to better models.
The Essentials
Backpack
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pad
Water Storage
Rain Gear
Mess Kits
Flashlights
Headlamps
For the Serious Scout
Clothing
Boots
Some Nice-to-Haves
Water Filter
Water Purifier
Camp Saws
Stoves
Gaiters
Canoeing Gear
Clothing
Rain Gear
Water Bottle & Snacks
Personal Flotation Devices
Whistle
Water Shoes
Dry Bags
Helmet
Kneeling Pad
Some Gear Websites
Other Gear Advice on the Web
The Essentials
The essential gear for a new scout includes a backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, water storage, rain gear, plates and eating utensils, and a flashlight. The Troop has a limited amount of gear for common use, including backpacks and sleeping bags. The rest of the gear needs to be supplied by the Scout.
Backpack
In general a pack with a rigid frame with a capacity of at least 3,500 cubic inches, a padded waist belt and padded shoulder straps is best for Scouts. Frameless packs should be avoided as they tend to have all the weight squarely on the boy’s shoulders. A pack with a frame that transfers the weight to the hips will be needed for backpacking trips.
Buying one requires careful study and consideration. There are different frame styles and they must be sized to fit the user. Some are adjustable and can grow with the user. Instructions for selecting and fitting a pack would fill pages. However the help available at Gander Mountain is usually unmatched. These guys really know their stuff, and they know how to properly size a backpack. They will also show you how you can adjust the frame to fit the Scout as they grow. To get a good understanding of how to size a Pack and how to find one that fits a body properly we highly recommend that you go to Gander Mountain first, even if that is not where you end up purchasing the Pack. Also notice that many backpacks have a detachable day pack that is extremely useful on various camping trips. Because of this nice feature purchasing a separate day pack is usually unnecessary.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both external and internal frames. Some will say that their experience has shown that an Internal Frame Backpack will revolutionize the boy's desires to hike. While externals are great for young and new scouts they tend to take on the appearance of a gypsy wagon over time. Others will say that an external frame pack can also be comfortable and is much more versatile and suited to the changing needs of Boy Scout adventures. Today’s external frame packs are much more adjustable their counterparts that were available 10-20 years ago and warrant as much consideration as internal frame packs.
A great internal frame backpack available at Gander Mountain is the Kelty Comanche 4600, priced around $90. They also have a great Mountainsmith pack available for around 100 dollars. I go for the big guys because most of the different model packs are on the same frame with straps and thin material extending them to larger sizes. So a 6,000 ci pack is roughly the same as a 4,500 ci pack with 6" of extra thin material adding minimal weight. Go to a store like Gander Mountain or EMS and have the salesperson fit the pack to the boy. Packs are more and more like buying suits, you really want to have someone make it fit you. Go for the separated sleeping bag compartment, the removable lid and the hydration bladder pocket inside. Cheaper packs will have less torso adjustment and a fixed lid making them fixed for the size of the boy when he purchased it at 12 and not when he turns 18. Great brands price wise include Mountainsmith, Kelty and EMS. Higher end include The North Face, Gregory, VauDe, Osprey, and ArcTeryx. The Torso adjustment is key.
http://www.backpacker.com/
http://www.verber.com/mark/outdoors/gear/pack.html
http://www.patc.net/hiking/gear/packs.html
Sleeping Bags
A good sleeping bag is very important. This item along with Boots is essential for a good time while hiking/camping. The key to a finding a suitable sleeping bag is looking at it's weight, size when in it's stuff bag, and it's temperature rating (as well as construction, but they are all basically the same, just don't get a bag with SEW THROUGH CONSTRUCTION). Most Scouts actually have 2 sleeping bags, a summer bag and a winter bag. The summer bag is usually rated at 25 to 40 degrees. It's small and light and perfect for backpacking (some high adventure treks require hiking 10 or more miles per day, so a lighter bag is essential). The other is a large bulky winter bag. You could backpack with this bag, but you would not have much room for provisions. This bag is rated -25 degrees, so it is a great bag for winter campouts. The troop does not do much hiking in the winter, so this bag suits that style perfectly.
You may hear loft talked about with sleeping bags. That is how "poofy" the stuffing in the bag is. The loft is usually directly correlated to it's temperature rating. When he comes back from a campout the sleeping bag needs to be pulled out of it's stuff bag and stored laying flat somewhere, as this will prevent the stuffing from obtaining a "memory" and the loft becomes squished. When the loft is lost on a bag it's temperature rating decreases, so to maintain the bag it is important to store it properly.
As far as the stuffing is concerned, there are great synthetics out there that offer a great balance between warmth and comfort. Down feathers are very warm, but if they get wet there is no easy way to dry them on a campout and the effectiveness of the down is significantly decreased. Down would be a great stuffing for a winter bag, but I would recommend against it for a summer bag.
You must also pay attention to the bag’s overall length. There are youth bags available which will fit a Scout who is under 5 feet tall, and adult bags that will fit only a person that is under 6 feet tall. Be sure to choose a bag that will fit your Scout properly, and size it for anticipated growth or simply plan to buy a new one as the Scout grows.
Sleeping Pad
A good sleeping pad makes sleeping nice. These pads come in various sizes and insulation value, so you have to make a decision as to how much backpacking your son will do. If you know he is going to go a lot of places and backpack in the back woods quite often then consider investing in a Therm-A-Rest inflatable sleeping pad. A good option for older boys is the Therm-A-Rest ProLite 4 ($80-104) There are many other options available, including a simple foam pad ($15-$35). The only drawback to the foam pads are their large size when trying to pack. When evaluating a sleeping pad consider how much use it will get, where it will be used, and the overall construction and price. Generally speaking a Scout will not need the expensive self-inflating pads until they are 14 or 15 and ready to do some serious high-adventure. Until that point a simple foam pad ($15–$35) or closed-cell foam sleeping pad (like the Therm-A-Rest Z-Lite, $30-35) is a good choice for the younger scouts.
Water Storage
Two main options here, Nalgene Bottles and Water Bladders. Nalgene Bottles are to camping like toilet paper to a public bathroom. Indestructible they can be used for anything and just keep going. A great 8-12 dollar investment. They often mate to water pumps making water filtration that much easier. Also needed when in Bear Country so that you can hang the one that has had sweet bug juice in it. Water Bladders are also indispensable as almost all packs these days have a bladder pocket which eliminates the need for multiple loose bottles, Sizes range from 1-3 liters I believe. Most bladders come with their own little pack which is great for a quick side hike or when riding a bicycle or skiing. On a typical trip I use a 3 liter bladder filling it each morning and carry one Nalgene for bug juice. I don’t recommend putting sticky liquid in a bladder as it is a pain to clean and you have to put it in a bear can or bag in certain locations. Price 20-100 dollars.
http://www.nalgene-outdoor.com/
Rain Gear
A rain poncho works great for most occasions, but it cannot be used when canoeing, which is an activity Troop 26 does quite a bit. Wal-Mart and other retailers have a wide variety of breathable rain gear, and most of it would be acceptable for Scouting. Higher end gear that will suit all scouting purposes and last quite a while longer are also available, but doe to its price it is not usually purchased for Scouts until they are done growing.
A great Rain Jacket is the Patagonia Rain Shadow Jacket but the Marmot Precip, the North Face Venture, the Mountain Hardwear Epic, and even the Sierra Designs Hurricane LT are all great jackets for under 100 bucks. The Sierra Designs was highly recommended to me by an associate, but I went with the Patagonia due to brand recognition and some upgraded features over the Sierra Designs. Avoid Gore-Tex except in cold weather for jackets and pants due to the weight and the interior moisture buildup; it also costs way too much in my opinion if you aren't using the thing on a daily basis. Price for non GTX 65-100 OR (outdoor research) makes the Seattle Sombrero which is a full brimmed Gore-Tex rain hat that is bombproof. This thing has been around for at least a decade. The only bad thing is that it doesn’t breathe well. (40-50 Dollars) They do make more breathable versions but I have yet to experience one.
http://www.backcountry.com/store/group/200/c11/s20/Mens-Rain-Jackets.html?id=HQ5csiWi
Mess Kits
Mess Kits were designed for World War I soldiers who needed to prepare and eat their meals in the trenches. Most mess kits are aluminum, which means they immediately transfer heat from the food to your hand. They also act as a heat sink, so as they are burning your hand they also immediately cool your food, so you have to eat quickly to eat something warm while trying to avoid getting burned. Aluminum mess kits are also VERY hard to clean. The Troop is usually well prepared with gear that makes the concept of a mess kit obsolete. However, the hard-anodized mess kits are pretty versatile and work well for many boys in our Troop. A less expensive alternative is to carry a Frisbee, a decent sized plastic bowl and a cup (insulated works best in the winter to keep drinks hot). Besides being useful as a plate, the Frisbee can also be used to fan a fire or provide entertainment during downtime. Lexan silverware compliments nicely as it is relatively indestructible and very light (weight is an important aspect when doing serious backpacking).
Flashlights
Even if the Scout has a headlamp, a flashlight is a handy thing to have. There are flashlights available with lantern batteries, or that use 4 “D” cell batteries, and they all work great, especially for summer camp or on an outing that does not require a hike to get to the campsite. However those flashlights are heavy and bulky and not very useful on the trail. When the Scout goes backpacking he will want a flashlight that has 2 or 4 Double-A batteries, or even the type of flashlight that you shake to charge. That way he can pack smarter and lighter and still have room for spare batteries. The newer flashlights with LEDs use less energy, so the batteries will last even longer.
Headlamps
A headlamp with two white LEDs and one Red LED purchased for 10 dollars at Wal-Mart will suffice, no need to by the ones you see in EMS or Dicks costing up to 100 dollars. Using a headlamp means a boy can cook, clean, set-up camp, or do what they need to do with both hands free! Although this is not an essential item, the boys really love to have them.
For the Serious Scout
When a boy has been in Scouting for awhile and he shows a serious interest in it, that is the point where a parent will want to look into gear that is more for High Adventure outings. Backpacking, hiking, and canoeing are all activities that are done frequently by the member of our Troop, and proper clothing and boots will greatly enhance a Scout’s experience in the adventures.
Clothing
Always wear wicking (poly) or wool. Never Ever Wear Cotton. It sounds annoying to hear this harped over and over again. but wearing synthetic fabrics really work best. When hiking, a regular T-shirt will be soaked with sweat at the end of the day and when taking breaks the wet T-shirt will make you cold, clammy, and generally uncomfortable. Wicking t-shirts are awesome as they pull the moisture off your body and keeping you cool, but they dry as you walk so you are not cold or wet when you stop. Your back where the breeze doesn’t catch it is usually the only damp spot. For mail order Sierra Trading Post has great deals on wicking and wool, Campmor will often have great deals too. For local service try TJ Max of Marshall’s in Pittsford on Monroe Ave. You can buy both long and short sleeve wicking shirts for $6-20. You can even purchase wicking underwear by under armor in these stores.
Another option for shirts is available from the Boy Scouts of America store, the Boy Scout Long Sleeve Action shirt. This lightweight, breathable shirt keeps cool with wicking capabilities and a bi-swing back with mesh inserts. The shirt also features two locker loops, chest pockets with hook-and-loop closures, and a buttoned-down collar. The shirt can be worn with your class B uniform and can be purchased for $25-33 at most Scout stores or online at the official Boy Scouts of America retail store.
For pants you want loose fitting blend material. Dick’s often has Columbia zip-off leg pants and regular pants that are lightweight and blend material for around $25. A good investment is to purchase the Switchback Official Uniform Pants. These pants not only look good as part of your class A uniform, but they also perform well in the field. The have zip-off pant legs, moisture-wicking properties, and UPF sun protection. They even have drain holes in the pockets to quickly release water after being submerged. The BSA supply division put a lot of thought into these pants as they are class A pants, class A shorts, and great field pants all in one package. They are available for $39.95 at most Scout stores or online at the official Boy Scouts of America retail store.
A good hat is nice for keeping bugs off and sun from burning the scalp. A full brimmed hat will help the ears from burning and the rain off. There are many great breathable mesh hats and the sort available for dry season hiking.
Boots
A good pair of boots is highly recommended as well, Gore-Tex preferred but not mandatory and watch for names like Lowa, Merrell, Asolo, Vasque, Salomon. You can find deals from about 60-100 bucks on a good Gore-Tex boot. Polypropylene sock liners (6 bucks a pair) are amazing combined with Smartwool, Thorlo or EMS merino wool hiking socks. (14 bucks a pair). The cost is there but will make your day a whole lot better on trail. Boots are perhaps the most important piece of equipment to all of us. The concept of actually having the boot fit to your foot is spreading like wildfire these days. A highly recommended step for adults whose feet have stopped growing as there can be associated costs of around 100 bucks for this service. One of the best custom boot fitters in the country is located right in Buffalo. EMS recently sent all of their full-time footwear dept. employees to foot school. We have great fitters at the shop in Burlington I am not positive on EMS in Henrietta. Ask for Emily at EMS in Henrietta she lives in Avon and used to work with the French’s at PPS.
Some Nice-to-Haves
Some Scouts simply want to bring their own gear. This usually means that the Scout is willing to take care of the gear and treat it kindly, which really teaches them respect for common gear or someone else’s gear that has been loaned to them. While it is not essential for a Scout to have his own specialty items (the nice-to-haves like water filters and purifiers, saws and stoves), obtaining some items may launch the boy into a lifelong yearning to be in the great outdoors.
Water Filter
The Katadyn Hiker PRO is one of the best rated pump filters you can buy.and the best bang for the buck in the opinion of many backpackers ($50 most places). Other options are the MSR and SweetWater filters, all great equipment. Many people I encounter are using the MSR filters and loving them. The biggest difference is in the filter itself. Katadyn uses a pleated filter where the MSR uses a ceramic which requires more regular maintenance. Definitely not an item needed by everyone but if you ever camp on your own can be a wonderful tool to own. Price $40-$75 depending on model.
Another option is to use the new water filters from Sawyer. These filters do not require electricity or pumping and seem to filter better than the competition.
To use the filter you can fill the Nalgene bottle with water and simply suck the water through the straw, or you can attach the filter inline to a water bag and let gravity force the water through the filter. When the filter gets clogged just attach it to a faucet and backflush. This filter is available online or it can be purchased at Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Water Purifier
A recent find, Sawyer makes a water purifier that does not require pumping, electricity or harsh chemicals, and there is no wait period before drinking. In fact, all you have to do to use the purifier is fill the bottle and suck water through the straw. The first and thus far only portable filtration device to physically remove viruses, Sawyer’s purifiers exceeds Environmental Protection Agency and National Sanitation Foundation recommendations for bacteria, cyst, and virus removal rates. Sawyer's water purifiers remove 99.99999% of all harmful bacteria such as salmonella, cholera and E. coli and 99.9999% of protozoa such as Giardia in addition to 99.9997% of all viruses. This purifier uses hollow fiber membrane filter technology, which consists of thin hollow porous tubes with uniform pore sizes. As water flows through the tubes, harmful bacteria, cysts and viruses are trapped, allowing only pure water to reach the drinker. To clean the filter you hook it up to a faucet and turn it on. The purifier will last up to 3,000 gallons, which is 6 times longer than the water filter Sawyer also sells. Also not an item needed by everyone but if you are considering purchasing a water filter then you should consider this purifier instead. Price $79-125 depending where you buy it.
Camp Saws
Sawvivor makes a great aluminum folding saw that is diesel when it comes to cutting wood. Gander Mountain carries these saws for a very reasonable price, as they are usually more expensive at Dicks or EMS. The Troop has plenty of saws and axes, so purchasing a saw for your Scout is usually a luxury rather than a necessity. Prices range from $15-50, the Sawvivor runs about $40.
Stoves
Primus and MSR are the top stove manufacturers these days. The Primus Himalaya Omnifuel ($120.00) will burn isobutene canisters, and any liquid fuel you choose to put into it. The MSR whisperlite ($50) is white gas only but a good old ticker of a stove. The MSR Dragonfly is a great adjustable flame multifuel stove that is great as well. Jetboil is a manufacturer who is up and coming in the market and receives accolades amongst fastpackers. A stove is much like a water filter, handy to have if you are on your own but not necessary for the scouts as the troop owns plenty of them.
Gaiters
This item keeps water out of boots while hiking, especially useful in long grass and muddy situations. I use the OR Crocodiles in Gore Tex but they are hot as they do not breathe well, Mountain Hardwear is another fantastic gear manufacturer who makes the Ventigaiter that has a venting flap, any equipment by them is top notch. Price 25-50
Canoeing
As our Troop does quite a bit of canoeing, this section discusses some of the gear canoeing participants will need (we also invite parents to participate in our canoeing adventures, but they must also go through the training and practices just like the boys). Scouts do not need to bring all this gear to the Canoe Practices, but they definitely should consider wearing non-cotton fabrics, even for practice.
Clothing
All the extra gear and clothing each Scout brings with him in the canoe that he is not wearing should be in a plastic bag (such as a garbage bag) and be inside a small backpack or a large fanny pack. He should try to bring/wear only synthetic fabrics, anything he brings that is cotton will not dry quickly if it gets wet and could cool down the wearer way too much, possibly even resulting in hypothermia. That's why many Scout units have adopted the simple and effective mantra, "Cotton kills!"
Our Troop suggests wearing swim trunks as shorts/undergarment with a pair of all-synthetic pants worn over them that can be removed if he gets too hot (the switchbacks are perfect for canoeing). Most swim trunks have built-in mesh that offers the support that underwear normally provides, and they double as a great short to wear canoeing. Thus if it gets hot and he wants to jump in the water to cool down (and the leaders have given approval) then he's all set. Unless it is going to be a hot day, I will be wearing synthetic underwear with my switchbacks, as both will dry quickly if they become wet, and I can easily remove the leggings if I begin to overheat.
We also recommend a long-sleeved shirt, as the sleeves will protect the wearer from wind, sun, and insects. A short-sleeved shirt would also work, but protection from those 3 elements would have to be performed separately. Under Armor is perfect for this application, as it is synthetic, moisture wicking, and long-sleeved. It can also be easily augmented with another shirt over it for warmth or comfort. Please be aware that not all long-sleeved garments protect the wearer from UV rays, but generally speaking long sleeves are much better than short sleeves. The water reflects the suns UV rays back into the boat, so exposure to sun is often double the normal exposure when out on open water. Rivers, however, are usually tree lined and the exposure is not so bad. This is not always true, so being prepared is essential.
Rain Gear/Windbreaker
A rain poncho is not a good thing to bring on a canoe trip. If there is a threat of rain then a rain suit is more appropriate. The poncho will restrict the wearers range of motion, which could have the unfortunate consequence of not allowing him to paddle the canoe into safe waters when the need arises.
A windbreaker is a great thing to bring as well, as it can be the long sleeves a Scout needs, and he can remove it if he gets hot. I use the jacket of my rain suit as a windbreaker so I do not have to bring along extra clothing. Conversely if the windbreaker is waterproof then it can double as a rain jacket. If even more warmth is required then I will pack a fleece pull-over or jacket as fleece has the desirable quality of drying quickly and keeping the wearer warm when wet, which a cotton sweatshirt would certainly not do.
Water Bottle & Snacks
Be sure to send your Scout along with a water bottle, either a good Nalgene bottle or reusable bottled water bottles. The most useful bottle is one that can somehow be secured to the thwart in the canoe with a carabineer in such a way that the mouth of the bottle does not touch the bottom of the canoe. This way the water bottle is easy to access (as opposed to stored in a backpack) and will not be contaminated from the water that inadvertently enters the canoe. Each Scout must be prepared with his own snack/drink as we will be out on the water for most of the day and the leaders do not carry supplies for the Scouts, they should be self sufficient (although I have shared my water on numerous times, but always with an admonition that the Scout should be prepared and must learn to bring his own, he cannot always count on others to bring him supplies). The snack is generally planned by the patrol, sending your Scout with his own food supply is not recommended on outdoor campouts as the Troop stores all food in totes that raccoons & skunks and other creatures cannot open, but they can easily rip through a tent and backpack to get to a nice smelly snack. If he does bring his own food then it should be in a plastic bag with his name on it and it should be stored with the patrol food to keep it away from the critters.
Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)
A class III PFD is required for all canoe activities. The Troop does have a few of these, but it is best to get one that fits properly and will be taken care of personally by your Scout. The PFDs can be purchased at many local stores including Wal-Mart, Target, EMS, Gander Mountain, and Dick's Sporting Goods.
Whistle
A whistle must be attached to the Scouts PFD. A standard coaches whistle will do nicely. The whistle should be attached to the PFD such that it is as close to the mouth as possible. This may require wrapping the lanyard around the shoulder strap of the PFD several times to take out some of the slack.
Water Shoes
A good pair of water shoes can be handy when canoeing, but an old pair of sneakers works fine too. If you are going to purchase water shoes then you should be looking for an actual shoe and not a sandal. Oftentimes when canoeing it is necessary to Portage around waters that are not navigable, which requires us to carry all our gear and the canoes. Keen makes a great water shoe that has a good sole with toe protection. However there are many versions of Water Shoes that are now available with these features, some of which look like Sneakers and are quite confortable.
Dry Bags
Some Scouts and Scouters own dry bags to put their gear in when canoeing to prevent the gear from getting wet if the canoe capsizes. This is not an essential item as a gear that is properly stowed should not get wet. We suggest most gear be placed in Plastic ziplock bags, and gear that must never get wet (like cameras and watches) should be double bagged. Sandwhich ziplock bags are not usually a good choice unless they are heavy duty. We recommend Freezer bags or heavy-duty storage bags. All the gear should then be placed in a stuff bag (compression bags work best) lined with a heavy duty garbage bag. In many cases this method will work better that putting your trust in a Dry Bag. However, if you were to purchase a dry bag then we suggest avoiding the clear plastic dry bags as those are most susceptible to failure.
Hat/Helmet
We also recommend a wide brimmed hat, as the brim will keep the sun off your face/neck for much of the day, and if it begins to rain the brim will keep the rain off your face. I picked-up an adjustable wide-brimmed rain hat at Gander Mountain that has a strap to go around the neck (useful in windy conditions) and Velcro attached to the side of the brim that allows me to tack up the brim to cool down. However if the water classification requires the use of a helmet for safety purposes then the hat will do no good on the water (although it may be useful at base camp). If required, a standard bicycle helmet offers all the protection needed when canoeing.
Kneeling Pad
Proper canoeing technique requires that the Scout kneel on the bottom of the canoe as it is more stable than sitting in the seat. A foam sleeping pad cut into a 12 inch section works as a great kneeling pad. The pad can then be used as padding for portaging a canoe on your shoulders.
Other essentials can be determined by your Scout, such as Toilet Paper, bug spray, sun screen (a note on sunscreen, I have noticed that boys are more likely to apply the spray-on sunscreen than the rub-in style for a multitude of reasons), sunglasses, etc, depending on the situation and the gear that is brought along for common use (one Scout may bring bug spray for all to use, and another sunscreen). We will guide the Scouts the best we can on the trip, but ultimately they are responsible for the gear they bring.
Some Gear websites worth checking out:
Gander Mountain – They have a website, but it does not have all of their retail items available, but there’s a store in Henrietta. They will give the Scout a discount if they bring in their official BSA membership card (sometimes they will accept a Handbook with the boys name in it as proof), http://www.gandermountain.com
Sierra Trading Post - go to their website order a catalog and they just don’t stop coming but watch the prices they have really good deals http://www.sierratradingpost.com/
Campmor – Great deals on a lot of gear, including clothing, sleeping bags, and much more! http://www.campmor.com
http://www.rei.com/ and http://www.reioutlet.com/ - a great company from out west
http://www.Backcountry.com - Watch their prices carefully, good closeouts can be found on their website
http://Moontrail.com – A fairly new site that has lots of good information and decent prices.
http://www.gearx.com/ – The Outdoor Gear Exchange is a store located here in Burlington VT that has an amazing amount of gear at great prices.
Finally, subscribe to Backpacker Magazine for a year if you want a decent read with good advice on camping and such. I had a subscription for around 10 years I think and learned all kinds of amazing things.
Other Gear Advice on the web
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/boy_scout_gear_list.html - A great article from Backpacking Light Magazine that gave out three-season Gear advice for new Boy Scouts.
http://www.verber.com/mark/outdoors/gear/pack.html - A great article on the web about Backpacks and Daypacks. This article gets into the whole debate of internal frame vs. external frame, and has a lot of information on specific models.
http://www.patc.net/hiking/gear/packs.html - This article gets into backpack construction differences, including the fabric, frame, stitching, zippers, layout, and more.