The Kifaru EMR is what you need...
Expensive, but made in the USA and you will not find any better!
Of course 123 liters is a BIT bigger than the 45 liters you were looking for, but then you will never have to upgrade! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Of course, if 45 liters is all you want, check out the Kifaru Zulu.
Though I would go to at least the Kifaru Pointman.
It looks a LOT more comfortable...
And it is only 49 liters... A little bigger but look at the relative size chart on THIS page... It looks like it puts the weight on your hips to a MUCH greater extent than the Zulu does...
And, if you hunt, they have a GREAT system to carry your gun!
If you do not like the military look, they have a more civilian looking line... Just go to 'hunting home' at the top left of the page.

AFAIK, for load handling, the pack should have a rigid support which connects to the waist belt. The waist belt should sit on (and be secured around) your hips and it is the waist belt that should transfer the weight from the pack to you. It should go: #1 pack transfers load to pack frame, #2 frame transfer load to hip belt, #3 hip belt transfers weight to your hips.

If you don't have such a support, or such a hip belt, you probably want to stick with lighter loads, lest your spine does the lifting instead of your legs...

Check the McHale pack 'Critical Mass' hip belt for an example of how a good hip belt can transfer the load to your hips. You can see how that critter just sets the load right on your hips...

-john

no, the pack is not rigid (no internal frame or posts).

...

I guess that's the understatement of the day...no... of the year ! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Those packs look great ; the pointman seems to be the right size.
And I just love the modularity of the system...

Too bad I can't find them here...

yep... that looks like the Rolls Royce of backpack's hip belts.
Too bad that shop is in Seattle... a long way from here...

All of you : thanks for your answers/comments and great links.

I had not realised, before ordering my Condor, how it would ride so high on my back.
For my current EDC usage (not really heavy loads, no long hours of walk), it's OK and the pack is really tough... which is important for every day usage...
No regret.

As explained in this thread, I was looking for another backpack, between 40 and 50 liters.
Some links I received today make me drool over interesting packs (that custom shop in Seattle : aaahhhh ...... <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> )

But today, I bought one : I had spend sometime selecting a few packs from online catalogues. And I went to a shop to actually handle the products. And to get some explanations.
But I could not find THE back, with all the features I wanted : the waist belt from this one, the frame from that one, the shape and size from another one, etc.... Sadly (IMHO...), some features exist only on big packs (well above my use), ie adjustable back (you choose the "heighth" at which the pack connects to the shoulder strap system ....).
Plus, "civilian" packs lack all the modularity found on military packs (i.e. PALs webbing allowing to add/remove additional pouches etc...)

I finally choose a Millet (against a Lafuma and a Deuter) backpack : model "Odyssee 45" , which is somewhat of a compromise.
It should be OK with moderate loads (well... I will see...)
Anyway, if I want more volume, I don't want a heavier load ; on the contray, if I can.. (reading all those web pages about light backpacking ... some good ideas, without having to go to the extreme lightness...)


Thanks again.