Can anyone suggest a really good value internal frame pack. I want to search for a couple on e-bay but don't know what is a good brand, etc. I need one for my wife and myself for a 3 week trip through Italy/Greece. I want to get packs that will last us a lifetime if possible but we also have a pretty small budget. Any advice would be great. Thanks

I know that the "gear guy" has reviewed backpacks in the past; try the following website and search for archives or email him your question. http://away.com/outside/gear/gearguy.../20040421.html. Hope this helps, from Roma.

there was also a good discussion on this topic recently on the Lonely Planet Thorn Tree Forums. Do a word search on 'backpack'. OP was a backpack designer asking for feedback on good and bad design features - lots of people reported about what they liked, and didn't, about their packs.

Kipling. Well made and light as a feather.

I don't know if you're still looking for a backpack, but I just noticed there are more suggestions in today's "Gear Guy" column
http://outside.away.com/outside/gear.../20040603.html