l need a good hiking backpack for med-long distance hikes. At first l liked the cammelbak trailblazer http://google.com/search?hl=en&q=camelbak+trailblazer&btnG=Google+Search, but this got some bad reviews from people who traveled short distances carrying only 20 lbs. l need to carry 50 lbs. When l went online l found the Jansport Big Bear, it appears to be a good backpack but looks can be deceiving. http://campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___66999
Please try to attach a link to your .

l have a kelty coyote which l really like, but the most l have ever carried in it is ~35 lbs.

Maybe a Kelty Red Cloud, one step larger than mine? l have always had good experience with all my kelty bags.

http://campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___88033

btw: do not u love campmor? The store is near my house, & l go there whenever l am about to go on a hike.

edit: If u like the idea of the bladder in the camelback backpack, try getting a camelback unbottle & putting it in ur pack. Or, get a camelback ''better bottle'' (the bottle with the bite valve) & a hose attachment. l just tried this second approach after a couple years of the unbottle, & l liked it better.

l use a kelty tornado, it has the extra zipper along the side for easy access plus the sleeping bag compartment is great, the top expands to hold alot but i've never needed it even in winter 4-5 day hikes. The water bladder comes with it & has a pocket inside which is nice, my pack wieght is about 50 lbs with everything including pack poles bag tent food water etc.
Also l think it has good balance with the lower end of the pack a bit wider with the sleeping bag it supports wieght evenly & never shifts.

l am a big fan of the Lowe Alpine brand of backpacks, I've often carried 50-60# in my packs without any trouble.

But what is important is finding a pack that fits you. Go to a good outfitters store that will help you try on the packs with 50# of weight and adjust the strap system for you properly.

Again, l can not emphasize the importance of finding a pack that fits you ---- just like a pair of boots.

if l were you l would definitely go for an osprey pack. Keltys are pieces of junk. CHECK THIS SITE http://ospreypacks.com

l agree with Eric and bdec22, Kelty is a good brand. l have a Kelty Santa Fe and it is good for what l use it. l have not had a chance to go very long distances, but it is an over all good bag and all the Keltys l looked at were good.

Ditto Jim D. You have to try them on with weight to see what fits you. I've carried 35-60lbs with Gregory packs, but only after trying them on in a reputable outdoor store & walking around the store for a bit with weight. You can not do that over the internet. Be sure to check the recommended weights suitable for the pack. Gregory, Deuter, Osprey & others publish recommended weight limits for particular packs. Jansport makes excellent packs as well, but again, if it does not fit u will be miserable.

If u r going to be serious about it u need to get one that fits u personally. They r made for all different heights & girths of people. l would not just buy one on line unless u try it in a store somewhere first.
l bought an Alpine Lowe Soracco & the outfitter would not even let me buy it until l took it home stuffed with a big bag of dog food for a few days to try out. l did actually get a different one than the one l went in wanting, it just was not as comfortable as the one l ended up with.
A good outfitter will also help u adjust the pack to fit u best & teach u how to load it best (where the heavy stuff should go vs. the light stuff hard stuff/soft stuff etc.)

Good luck & happy hiking!