Backpacks

I know this has been discussed a million times but I feel like I'm the most indecisive person ever so here I am turning to reddit for advice, please be kind!

I have been reading about packs for months and every time I think I am ready to pull the trigger and get a pack I end up second guessing and ending up right back where I started. I am planning my PCT NOBO thru hike for this summer and I have my tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad so the pack is the last big thing I am stuck on. If it matters, I'm a 29 y/o female on the curvier side.

I originally wanted the ULA catalyst (55 L), I like that the bear can fits horizontally and the color options so this was what I was going to purchase. And then I talked to my friend who did the trail last year and he ended up switching toa Zpacks arc haul (70 L) halfway through the trail and him and his gf who also switched halfway through highly recommended. When I started looking at this pack I thought it was too expensive but then I realized it's not that much more than the ULA Catalyst for a significant weight difference and the 70 L also fits the bv500 horizontally. And then another friend hiking in 2025 told me she was looking into the hyperlite mountain gear packs so I fell down that rabbit hole. And tbh I really want an atom prospector but it costs a bit more to ship internationally and any custom packs take about 11 weeks right now, which I don't quite have the time to wait for if I also want to test out my pack before hitting the trail in May.

So now it seems I am between the ULA catalyst, the zpacks arc haul 70 L, and maybe?? the hyperlite mountain gear packs?? I have been following the halfway anywhere gear surveys for a few years now and zpacks and ula were up there for high ratings in the past but now looking at the 2024 survey they have dropped in ratings and atom packs and hmg have risen which again made me dumb indecisive. I'm definitely not making my decision solely on the gear survey, I have been reading through specs, reviews and the survey so many times and still can't decide.

I know I am overthinking this so hard, I've been indecisive like this for years now and it kills me sometimes because I just want to make a decision. I feel like it would be helpful if I could try on the packs but I don't know if that's possible with all of them (and I know it's not possible for the atom packs). Any comments, tips, or personal experiences would be amazing for helping me with my crazy indecisiveness!! Thanks in advance!!