I just looked back at my original posting of 25th February. Thanks all you folks who gave their opinion and in-put. We ordered our packs from REI mid-March and they were delivered to this, somewhat bogus shipping company on 19th March. We were then informed that we had just missed a boat, but no to worry, they would be shipped on a boat due to leave midApril, to arrive here in Costa Rica, mid-May. By the end of May, Adriaan called the office, to be told that the packs were still in the warehouse in Ft. lauderdale. Great! No apologies. Nothing. The packs would, they assured us be put on their boat leaving midJune, to arrive here in C.R. Mid July. We received a call last Saturday advising us that the packs were now here. On Monday morning, we hurried over to the "office" (which turned out to be on the pavement - not even 4 walls)! We got our packs :lol:
Why I'm writing this is to say how envious I often am when I see a post where it is mentioned that one can go to this or that sports outfitters and try on various packs, boots, pants, etc. To date, I haven't been able to find a ladies pack here in C.R. And it's only in the last few years (2009) that ladies hiking boots are a available here.
Anyway, I am now the proud owner of an Osprey Sirrus 36 and Adriaan got a Deuter Act lite 40+10. All we need to do now is try them out! Anne