Chris:

Does that quality remark apply to their backpacks as well? I just purchased a Green Hillary backpack with 4 side pockets in a medium size with an exterior aluminum frame, and it seems well made, especially the welded and turnbuckle tensioned frame. The bag is attached to the frame with clevis pins that have two long locking wires, one on each side going thru all the clevis pins . The cost at Goodwill being $3.99 and looking to be in unused condition seemed to make the purchase worth while.

Bountyhunter

For that price you did good. I have no idea if it is the same brand. The best lesson I ever had acquiring gear was in college. I was just out of the service and went on a field trip to 29 Palms in the desert. I spent a sleepless night freezing in one of those cheap, automobile sleeping bags made of indeterminate filling. My entire G.I.check for the month went to a premium down bag the next week. I lived on frozen macaroni and cheese and Kool-Aid, but it was worth it <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Sometimes we have to start out with inexpensive gear, either because of finances or ignorance. Upgrading is half the fun. The other half is finding cheap stuff that out performs our expectations.