Another backpack thread!!! Hooray!!

C

CaptInsano

Joined
Apr 11, 2007
Messages
1,337
I need a new pack. My $20 gun show pack has started to come apart after only 70 miles or so. Its a pretty pathetic strap failure. The sad part is that I really liked the design, even though the quality sucked. It had one main compartment, one middle compartment, and two outer compartments. It had a few organizers inside and plenty of MOLLE on the outside. I used the armor plate sleeve for my Camelbak bladder.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=634969

I would be really happy to find a nearly identical setup that I could depend on for a while. I wish I could give an estimate of the volume it held. I think it was probably most similar to a Spec Ops T.H.E Pack. These are a few that I'm looking at in my price range.

http://www.falcontactical.net/5taruba.html
http://www.opticsplanet.net/511-rush-72-vtac-backpack-58602.html
http://www.blackhawk.com/product/STRIKE-Cyclone-Hydration-Pack,887,1407.htm
http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=12&idproduct=114
http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=12&idproduct=106
http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=12&idproduct=110
http://www.eagleindustries.com/product.php?productid=50&cat=79&page=1
http://www.specopsbrand.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductID=12


Feel free to comment or add your own suggestions.
 
Given the size of your older pack, I think the Maxpedition Falcon II is about the same size and they have some great organziational pockets and features...it's probably the best priced as well.

Both the Eagle and SpecOps packs are excellent quality.

I would be leary getting this type of pack when the capacity starts getting close to 2000 cu in. For me, the temptation is to fill it and most of these don't have any type of frame (although you can get the hard plastic frame which does help some).

ROCK6
 
I saw an Eagle A III at Blade, and I think it would require me to add something like a Spec Ops Pack Rat, so that is a little added expense.
 
Also, I'm used to carrying my old pack with 3 liters of water poking me in the back. :) The frames available for these look interesting. Its nice because I could try them without it and add it later if needed.
 
CaptInsano said:
I need a new pack. My $20 gun show pack has started to come apart after only 70 miles or so. Its a pretty pathetic strap failure. The sad part is that I really liked the design, even though the quality sucked.
Click to expand...

Any possibility of reinforcing the bag? You might be able to resew/strengthen that old bag for a lot less money. How is the main fabric? Anyhow, just a suggestion.

Maybe add the Pygmy Falcon II to the list (looks closer in cu. in. (1400) to your old pack)- although I definitely like the outside compartment setup on yours more.

Personally, I think more than ~$100 for a small daypack (1500-2000 cu. in.) with no frame is overpriced or overbuilt (or both). And as someone else said, anything over 2000 cu. in. (or Id say 2200-2500) without a frame is usually inappropriate because either a) filling it entirely even with moderately heavy load will make you uncomfortable quickly or b) you never end up filling it, and so you carry around a half-empty pack which may or may not be less comfortable than a smaller pack fully filled.
 
CaptInsano said:
I saw an Eagle A III at Blade, and I think it would require me to add something like a Spec Ops Pack Rat, so that is a little added expense.
Click to expand...

I have an older AIII (pre-molle) and I think it is a great pack. It has many miles on it, bunches in the jungles of Okinawa, and quite a few in the swamps of NC, before they made me stop using it, and start using one in woodland camo to match the issue MOLLE assault pack. I picked up a woodland Eagle/Lightfighter RAID pack, also a great pack, and worth a look over at atstactical.com i think. the coyote and ACU are both on clearance at $100 last i checked
 
scouter27 said:
I have an older AIII (pre-molle) and I think it is a great pack. It has many miles on it, bunches in the jungles of Okinawa, and quite a few in the swamps of NC, before they made me stop using it, and start using one in woodland camo to match the issue MOLLE assault pack. I picked up a woodland Eagle/Lightfighter RAID pack, also a great pack, and worth a look over at atstactical.com i think. the coyote and ACU are both on clearance at $100 last i checked
Click to expand...

The RAID pack looked pretty good, but I would definitely prefer some external pockets. If I bought some add ons, it might work.
 
gravydan said:
Any possibility of reinforcing the bag? You might be able to resew/strengthen that old bag for a lot less money. How is the main fabric? Anyhow, just a suggestion.

Maybe add the Pygmy Falcon II to the list (looks closer in cu. in. (1400) to your old pack)- although I definitely like the outside compartment setup on yours more.
Click to expand...

The Pygmy Falcon looks pretty good too, but the bottle holders might get in the way of where I want to attach my chopper.
 
Ok, this might be an odd suggestion.....

Maybe you could sew the damaged areas? :)

I mean if you like the design...
 
I've thought about sewing in square of leather for backing on the inside. I think that would hold and the bag material would hold, but I think the strap would pull through the stitching in another 10 or 20 miles. Additionally, IDK what else is going to up and fall apart on me in the woods. I don't want to spend my hiking time sewing.
 
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