Is This a Viable Backpack to Use?

[Brian from FL]

Hello all ;D

I live in Central Florida and we do not have very many "travel stores" nearby. There is one, however, that is carrying a couple of nice Jansport bags. The one I am looking at in particular is called "Sierra Madre" and can be seen at Jansport's site here:
www.jansport.com/productdetail.php?tid=1&cid=3&pid=TJ95

Description:
Fabric: 840D junior Ballistics / 420D dual Ripstop
Weight: 3 lbs. 8 oz. / 1.6 kg
Mainpack Dimensions: 24.25" x 14.25" x 9.5"
Daypack Dimensions: 15.25" x 11.5" x 3.5"
Mainpack Capacity: 3611 cu. in. / 59.2L
Daypack Capacity: 675 cu. in. / 11.1L

Pictures:
www.jansport.com/catalog/products/tj95_000_large.jpg
www.jansport.com/catalog/features/Sierra_Madre_TJ95_008_sh.jpg
www.jansport.com/catalog/features/Sierra_Madre_TJ95_008_bk.jpg


I tried it on in the store and I thought it was pretty nice. It seemed a tiny bit big, but the other Jansport was about 65L... so I can see this 59L as being not too bad. Has anyone had any problems with a Jansport? The only thing I don't like about it is the daypack -- it is so small! Is that how all of the detachable daypacks are? I am thinking of just stuffing my regular school backpack into the bag for my daypack. Is this a good idea? This "Sierra Madre" backpack is about $130 in the store. I felt that this was on the low end of the price spectrum for some of those expensive backpacks, and I was told "not to skimp because of price". But the other Jansport is about $170 or $180, and this Sierra Madre is more comfortable.

Any comments??
I'd greatly appreciate help! I'm leaving in just under two weeks, so I am going to buy the backpack today or tomorrow.

Thanks,

Brian from Florida

[Eagle]

BRIAN, I'm not too familiar with Jansport products so can't provide much advice on this. However I wanted to at least provide a reply, especially given the short time frame until you leave.

I'm more familiar with Eagle Creek products, as that's what I use. In general terms though, I would suggest comparing the features of the Jansport pack with others, including materials used, size, features, etc.

Whichever pack you buy, make sure you are properly fitted for torso size (very important!) and hopefully the shop will let you try this out fully loaded for a few hours to make sure the fit is suitable for you.

Hope these few comments will be of some help. Hopefully someone else on the Board is more familiar with Jansport products. Good luck with this and happy travels!!!

[MuvverRussia]

I've used Jansport daypacks extensively in the past and my current laptop bag is actually a Jansport one. If their big packs are anything like mine have been then it's a great buy- they're literally indestructable as well as being pretty comfortable. I would have bought a Jansport pack myself although because I live in Europe they're hard to come by- instead I have a Berghaus one which seems to be pretty good as well.