Their is some decent packs for around $200 - $300 at some of the big box sporting good stores, Kelty, Alpine Lowe, come to the top of my head.

I used packs a lot when I was younger usually the fist thing to wear out or have problems was the straps and zippers so now I look for durable quality straps and zippers. I usually go somewhere with a good selection and try them all on Personally I won't spend more then $300 on a pack it is just a pack..(it is not a gun).

I have been trying to find a pack with out all the newer zipper,strap,collapsible,gadget,foam BS crap they have all over them now. What ever happened to a good basic pack ?