Is a sub-$100 backpacking pack worth it, or should I spend more?

Budget packs from brands like Teton and Naturehike get positive marks from verified-purchase reviewers and specialist communities for occasional and beginner use, with one high-trust gear publisher endorsing the Teton Scout line for affordability. The trade-off cited repeatedly is weight: budget frames tend to run heavier and have less refined hip-belt load transfer than Osprey-tier packs, which matters more as trip length and pack weight increase.