I am trying to find a good pack for my wife who is 5'8" any one have any suggestions? I want something that can be used for 2-3 day trips and not over $250-300.

Make sure this is in your wife's kit. http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/carey_womens_care_module_first_aid_kit.html

Not a specific pack suggestion because there are too many unknown variables.

Your wife is tall enough to have more options than vertically challenged adults BUT in packs that size and larger, choosing one that is more anatomically correct for a woman can be an extremely wise decision. Torso length is torso length, but usually there are important differences in male and female shoulders and hips when it comes to packs. The impact is proportionally less with smaller packs (e.g. day and overnight packs), but it's still there. YMMV; your wife's shape is what actually matters.

The tips/advice here are fair enough:

http://www.rei.com/learn/Camping

Click on the links for Backpacks and Woman's Packs

The conditions and location (hence clothing, bag, shelter, food, fuel, water, etc.) matter when it comes to pack size. For that matter, so does the gear she has, from skin out. Smaller/lighter usually costs a lot more - whether it's a sleeping bag or clothing. So applying the "use what you have" principle, make sure the pack is sized appropriately.

As long as she does not succumb to the trap of filling it up because the room is available, too voluminous a pack is generally less of a hassle than too small a pack, despite what the gram weenies say.

Also, it matters if you are proportionately sharing the load with her or if you are the mule or if she intends to solo.

Perhaps the most important thing is to have her actually try (wear) the pack with a least a representative weight in it. (Better is with her actual gear stowed in it). A real outdoors retailer will allow her to bring in her gear when shopping for a pack. A mass market retailer probably will not. Saving 15% - 20% on a pack isn't a bargain an hour into a trip if the loaded pack is uncomfortable or worse

There are (good) arguments for external frame packs and internal frame packs. Try to be open-minded and and not unduly influenced by a [insert type/brand] zealot's claims. This topic is about as bad as "what gun should I get" when it comes to opinions.

My wife and I own and use packs that loosely fall into 3 categories: "conventional" external frame, internal frame with 3 - 5 external pouches/pockets, and "slick" internal frame. We LEAST often use the slick packs, but that is truly more a function of habits and preferences. Packs with no pockets can work fine for an organized and orderly packer.

Go shopping with your wife and have fun. You should easily be able to purchase a quality pack in any style for that amount of money.

Regards,

Tom

Agree with Ayers.

Your wife needs to go shopping for a pack. I highly recommend REI if one is accessible.

Their big annual sale started yesterday and will be going until next weekend.

Take a close look at the REI Cruise, I think the Cruise 45L pack is on sale.

Have her try on different packs...and make sure they're worn with weight in them. Most shops like REI will have weights for this purpose.

http://www.kelty.com/kelty/products.php?type=4&cat=33&id=422
Kelty Acute 32 is a great women's pack

You have some good advice here. The only thing I can add is to buy a pack that will stand up to some abuse (aka heavy duty fabric and buckles). My DW has a weak back after a high school ski accident so I prioritized on going ultralight for her backpack. Unfortunately, the pack we choose for her was indeed light (~2 lbs) but I popped buckles multiple times by lifting it in the wrong place. The material is gossmer (silicon impregnated nylon) and is pretty flimsy when hiking through brush.

Good luck,

By circumstance my DW and I will also be going to REI this weekend to replace the pack I mentioned above.

Cheers,
Nemo

Just wanted to thank everyone for the advice, I guess the general concensus is to try out REI.

Thanks again

Sure; that's one place to check out if they are nearby. I've been an REI member for about forever, and buy something(s) from them routinely, but the closest one to me is in the 'burbs about 3 hours East of here. Haven't set foot in one since we moved away from the Tacoma area.

There may be other retailers / specialty shops in your area that are worth checking out also. Even here in the cornfields there are 2 "serious" shops with great staff and a couple more with good equipment and nice but usually ignorant staff.

FWIW, we get BSA discounts at both of the locally owned retailers and one national chain... works out to an even better deal than an REI dividend.

So I suggest you check your local Yellow pages and if it appears there are some local stores, spend a nice day with your wife checking out ALL of them before you purchase. It's even better than wandering around a hardware store...

Regards,

Tom