New Backpack for Philmont, NM

I was wondering if anyone could help me decide on between three packs, for when I leave for Philmont in New Mexico, June 09. i am torso 17.5, height 5'1, and 130#.
The packs are:

Osprey Aether 70/80, small size

Kelty Coyote 4750

Gregory Baltoro 70, small size

If any dont seem right, please suggest another pack for under $270

Thanks!

Go to a good outdoor shop and try the packs on. A good shop will have a knowledgable packfitter and some sandbags to add weight. Try the packs on, get the packfitter to adjust them (and show you how), add 20-30 pounds, and walk around the store for 15-30 min. How does each pack feel? Pick the one that is most comfortable after the 30 min trial run. That is a far superior way to select a pack to asking on a website. Personally I would take the Aether (I have one), since it fits me very well. The Gregory Baltoro is a good pack in terms of quality, but I have never gotten a Gregory to fit me, so for me, it would be a bad choice.

To emphasize, the only way to get the correct answer is to try the packs on, with weight, and for an extended walk around the store. If you have to mail order the pack, make sure you have a full return gurantee and make sure you have someone very experienced with fitting packs to help you learn the adjustments. But mail/web order is NOT a good way to order packs (or boots).

Thanks bill. I intend to go to REI to try the packs on. I only really asked if there were any blaring problems(enormous lack of padding, horrible suspension, etc) so that I can cut my list shorter. thanks again.

its hard to talk about suspension because all of our bodies are built differently. I personally love the thicker padding of my Arc Teryx & Jansport packs, while my friends seem to like the ultra-thin Gregory straps.

it all depends on the weight and your comfort level.

I love my Aether 45 (now no longer made), so I would assume the quality is just as good for any of the bigger Aethers. But as Bill says, you really need to try a pack on to know *for sure* which one is best for you. You might find that another pack feels better.

You could order a pack on-line based on your torso size, and chances are it would fit. But you would never know if there's another pack that would fit better. You're basically rolling the dice.

Check some of the other threads in here on what to look for when fitting a pack. Lots of links to sites explaining how to do it. A good shop will know how to help you; unfortunately, at REI, it can be very hit or miss as to knowledgeable staff in the area of pack fitting.

All big and heavy. Don't buy into the overweight, overbuilt Philmont attitude. Get a Golite Pinnacle, or such.