backpack help

B

Big Al 93'

Joined
Dec 3, 2012
Messages
6
Hi guys,
I'm new to the forum so hello to all.
I go on canoe hunting/fishing trips that last about 3-4 days and I've been trying to divide my gear up into separate bags and backpacks.
I fit most of my food, cooking equipment into a duffel bag. Clothing, first aid, hammock and tarp, spare clothes etc in a large backpack and now I'm looking for a small or medium sized backpack I can take out for a days hike and if need be hunker down overnight.

I need to be able to fit:
-first aid
-compact hammock and tarp
-waterproof gear
-snack food
-water bottle
-fire kit
-condor machete
-bow quiver strapped to the side

and just a few other bits and pieces that don't take up too much room.


I've heard good things about 5.11 backpacks, I particularly like all the individual pockets and the MOLLE web platform. I've been tossing it up between the 12 hour or the 24 hour rush backpack.

Any recommendations would be much appreciated, and feel free to show off your own backpack kits :D
 
The 12 is small enough not to be cumbersome but still holds a lot of gear. I've used mine on several 3 to 10 day road trips. I've recently picked up an a frost river arrowhead trail pack and retired the 511 tho. It'll hold a little more gear with out looking tacticool
 
Thanks for the speedy reply. love the traditional style of the arrowhead, might have to pick that one up as well. the tacticool aspect makes me a bit hesitant of using it as an EDC around town, but it sounds like a good overnight pack if have to rough it out.
 
I would recommend the Maxpedion Falcon II if you want to strap a machete up one side and a quiver on the other. It is a "deep" pack, with a relatively small 'footprint' on your back and goes far out from there. It can be strapped down tight to your back when underloaded so that it does not stick out far. I take mine on dayhikes and usually leave the middle section empty, and use it for whatever last minute items I need.

I fit most of my food, cooking equipment into a duffel bag.
Click to expand...

I do the same thing. Don't hear about it much from others though.

I try to keep only things that I'd need in an emergency on my back, and put "comfort" gear like food, clean clothing, etc. elsewhere.
 
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if you can afford it you can look at eberlestock, a lot of their bags are designed for that kind of expedition.
 
I've got the 5.11 24, I keep that in the truck as a GHB, and the 5.11 72, I keep at home, as a BOB. Both great quality. I have a shotgun scabbard and a machete strapped to the outside of the 72, fits fine. The 24 is in black, and does not look too tacticool, kind of hard to see the molle straps on it. Sounds like the 24 would be a good fit for what you want. Their (5.11's) numbering/naming system is based on how long ideally, they think you can go with the gear in the bag- so 12- 12hrs, 24- 24hrs, etc.
 
The Falcon II sounds like what I'm looking for. I'd only be needing it for emergency's so like you said comfort gear would be left back at camp with the duffel bag which is a great way to bring the cumbersome gear.

those Erbelstock packs look great, very well fitted out and they've got tons of options, but the price might cut a little too deep for me right now. definitely going to check them out in the future.
 
Danketch, I might think about getting either the 24 or 72 and keeping them as a bug out bag or to replace my larger hiking pack which doesn't have many pockets or mounting options. they seem a lot versatile.
 
I get called one for carhartt and esee, but what's wrong with quality.

Deffinatly some good looking packs.
 
i tend to favor badlands, well built packs that dont cost an arm and a leg, they arent exactly cheap but the warranty makes it worthwhile, they should have something to suit your needs
 
I think I've tried on a badlands pack a while ago, not sure which one though.
I'll track them down and try again.
 
depending on your budget, I have a Maxpedition pack (mine is a gear slinger), but you can get refgular backpacks from them too. They are great quality and tough as hell. I put my packs through a lot, since I have a bad habit of throwing a few feet to a corner or just dropping them. I have never worried about my maxpedition getting messed up.

mine is a sitka gearslinger, and I can carry my nalgene in the bottle holder, an ENO hammock, fly, and slap strap system, snacks, and I can slide my favorite axe in the loops on the side (actually a big hatchet head with a 21 inch handle). I'm sure you could strap a machete in the same place. It works great, but I don't know how you could carry a quiver.

It is a single strap pack, but maybe a Condor II would work?

check out maxpeditions
 
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I would take a look at REI in the states, or MEC in canada. Lots of civvy packs match your requirements, aren't going to be as heavy, probably have better egros. You'll get something that blends in a bit better. You will probably find better bladder compatibility with the civ packs as well.
 
Camelbak trizip- 2000 CI and has a removable hip belt and the best yoke system on the market if you have to actuakky carry it on your back.
 
I have both a 24 and 72 in black, and have been very happy. The 72 holds a lot of gear and can be bulky when fully loaded. I the 24 with 2 detachable water carriers is easier to hull around for overnight trips. It can easily accomodate a sleeping bag, small tent, 2/3 days rations, golok or axe, first aid kit, spare cloths with room to spare for other gear. Both packs are very well made and durable. The 12, in my opinion, makes for a decent deluxe daypack, but is a bit space limited.
 
Don't know what your budget is but the Mystery Ranch 3 day assault pack is my all time favorite.

Good luck on your search.
 
I agree with RWT about the Camelbak Trizip. It's not a huge pack but it's designed to comfortably carry a hefty load. The Mystery Ranch style adjustable harness allows a custom fit.
 
I have a Maxpedition Condor II that I've used daily for the past two years. It still looks new. I use it for work, hiking and I load it up for deer season and use it for hunting. Very good piece of gear. I had to decide between it and the Falcon. The Condor 2 is 1950 cu in, and the Falcon is 1250. I end up packing the bigger one tight at times, especially, when I put some outerwear inside. Both have pockets for 3L reservoirs.
 
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