In my case, I looked at what the grunts were scooping up, and asked a few questions, and then I got what they had.

BTW, there is a company that makes probably the most rugged backpack you'll ever find:

mystery ranch backpacks

or at least the ones the Seals were looking for. Once again, more than I need or can afford, but what the heck. I was checking on them while still in country back in September, and the price the quoted me via email was, well, excessive for my needs.

Still for an extended hiking trip, this'd be a seriously good pack.