I love my crewcab because its like four packs in one. Only pack I've ever seen that can expand from a day pack to an expedition pack. I use it for long trips as well as dayhikes so it's great for off season backpacking and hiking too. Not to mention it can carry any size or shape load and can easily handle any weight that you can. The way I look at it is it's more like an investment than a purchase as I'll probly have it for the rest of my life
I like my Sitka Bivy 30, its light weight with an external frame and its made so that it doesnt rest directly against your back so your back can breathe. Its a bit spendy but well worth the investment.
You don't want to spend too much but you want a good pack? Umm... I just forked up the $$ and bought a M.R. Longbow. As Mountain Bowhunter said, lifetime of use
