Kelty packs are okay, what I would consider a good entry level pack, but not necessarily designed for long distances. The Kelty Lakota Pro 50L seems like a decent pack for the price. Construction is okay, design is fine, but much of the question about fitment is dependent on the user. They are much better than the surplus Alice packs, but most won’t know much until they actually load them up with weight and do a couple days for more than just a few miles.
I have some higher end packs and have shifted more towards lighter designs. Regardless of your pack interests, get to a reputable outfitter and get fitted properly. Add weight to the pack so you know how it sits, fits, feels, and understand your torso length, pack height, lumbar needs, and proper waist-belt positioning. Most modern packs allow for that type of adjustment or pretty close to all of it and it’s more important to know what “right” feels like, than look at the price tag or features of a pack.
Another aspect many overlook is distinguishing between volume capacity and load capacity. A lot of 50-60 liter packs recommend much lower weights for comfort than what you think you can stuff in the pack. Conversely, many of the ultralight packs in the 30-40 liter range boast a lot of volume capacity but recommend 20-30 pounds for frame weight capacity…and that is significant if you’re hauling weight over longer distances. Pack frame/suspension comfort is extremely important and it does take miles, weight, and time to experiment and find that balance.
ROCK6