Anyone own an REI Grand Tour or North Face Backtrack 70?

[maracle]

My next trip starts this coming FRIDAY and I'd like to get a new pack by then...it might be too short on time to pull it off but I'm hoping I can make a decision by then. Any first hand experiences would be awesome!

I currently have a Gregory that is a traditional backpacking pack...top load only, a gazillion straps that hang all over the place, etc. I'd like to get a more travel oriented pack and it looks like there are basically four options...the REI Grand Tour pack, the North Face Backtrack 50 or 70, the Eagle Creek Thrive , and Osprey Waypoint pack.

I have sort of discounted the Eagle Creek packs. They're ok but they just seem to be designed a little less thoughtfully than the REI or North Face packs. Those two are actually quite similar, the differences are only in the details. The Osprey packs I haven't seen in the stores and I'm not gonna buy something I can't try out.

REI pros:
-- $189 and may be valid with a 20% member coupon
-- Seems to be made out of more durable material than a normal pack and yet it weighs about the same...roughly 4 pounds 12 oz.
-- I like the two tone brown color scheme, less boring than all black/grey without being too flashy.

North Face pros:
-- Really well designed flap to enclose off the shoulder harness and waist belt at the airport...and it seamlessly doubles as a rain cover for the pack when you're walking in the rain.
-- Seems like it's a bit more durable than the REI
-- Has a few more thoughtful details than the REI, like a special toiletries bag that attaches in the top of the pack and a few extra pockets and whatnot. I haven't compared them side by side yet but I just had the feeling that this one had a better overall design even though the differences are really very minor. For example it has a little pouch on the waist belt that would be perfect for a cell phone or iPod or keys or something similar sized.

North Face cons:
-- $299, so significantly more than the REI
-- Weighs almost twice as much, at 8 pounds 7 oz.
-- Only comes in all black or a red/grey combo that while nice looking also screams "rich westerner with $300 pack and other fancy gear"

My only other concern about these types of packs is the daypack...it's nice but I'm not convinced it's substantial enough. If you go hiking and put a light jacket, a snack, some water, your money belt, and a point and shoot camera in there you've probably got 10 pounds of weight and after an hour or two I think it might be noticable that the daypacks don't have hip belts. Maybe I just need to pack less crap during the day

I think I'm leaning slightly towards the North Face right now. The higher cost isn't that big a deal because I figure if there's one thing you want to invest in it's your pack. The weight difference is really the main thing I'm debating right now.

If anyone has a review or recommendation that'd be awesome!