Backpack suggestions

Calebklyne

Calebklyne

Joined
Aug 5, 2009
Messages
1,117
Hey guys this could be a tough one but here it is.... Ive been doing some thinking lately and i want to get a pack that i can use for backpacking that will 1. be able to carry my tent, sleeping bag, food, change of clothes and other camping essentials, 2. be a good not to large to use as a daypack. Now the issue is i want something that is very organized with lots of pockets. At the moment i have a 70l pack and its a bit too much for hiking and is really just a tube with zippers and shock cord.

I have been doing some looking but its hard to tell what a pack is like on a website, on pack that i do really like is the tad gear edc v4. I wouldnt mind a more tactical type pack as i would really like to be able to use molle clips and such

now im sure the wonderfu gents of bf can come up with something

thanks guys!
 
If you like pockets and attachment options, look at the Maxpedition packs. There probably is a review of each of their packs floating around here somewhere. If you've got money to spend, Kifaru makes a fine, tactical-ish, modular pack.

Not knowing what gear you have, I can't really recommend anything. I can fit my summer 1-2 night loadout into a Dana Design Sluiskin 30 (30 liters/2300 ci), but that is with a 40° bag, hammock, tarp, and a stove that fits into a Snow Peak trek 700 pot.


As far as not being able to get a good idea about a pack just by viewing it on the web, maybe try this: You have a 70l 'tube' pack. Pack what you want to go into a smaller pack into the 70l. Do your best to measure and calculate/estimate the leftover space you have in the 70l pack. Subtract that unused volume from the total 70 liters. Look for a pack a little larger than your total gear volume.
 
depends on your budget, but if you have 75 dollars to spend get a Mountainsmith Maverick, of all the yuppie packs I've owned (75-400 dollars) the cheapest one lasted the longest. Mountainsmith has been a reputable company for 30 years and the nylon they use on the Maverick is just about bombproof-not to mention water rolls right off of it. It contains a waterproof pocket under the flap for maps and the like, and the top can be detatched for use as a nice lumbar pack for dayhikes. It's 3600 cubic inches (I believe) and I have no problems camping for a week and a half out of it. There are many sets of loops in all the right places for lashing your machete, sleeping bag, tent, pad, axe, etc etc, and it is exceptionally comfortable. It has 5 good sized pockets including the main compartment so it makes easy access and organization for quick necessary things a cinch. I have owned 20+ packs in the last few years from all the big brands, but honestly this one is my favorite. If you want to spend 3-500 dollars and are looking for a military style pack, check out kelty's older lines, ***eberlestock (best tacticool packs in my opinion), kifaru, mystery ranch, etc. The Becker will also get mentioned but I have no personal experience with it.
 
thanks guys ive done some looking and i think i would be sacrificing the best of both worlds by going with just one pack
 
Tad Gear Fast Pack EDC V4 has a external access organizer pocket on top and below that a large front pocket under the cargo tail. External side pockets that swallow up things, a hidden Flashlight cave. Inside has a large heavy mesh pocket. 3 sets of compression straps, tool loops x2, bottom loops for bedroll or tent. Molle webbing on sides and cargo tail and bottom and comfy contoured shoulder straps and removable belt for EDC.
This thing is a dream bag but you pay for all the goodies built into it. IMO, it equals Kifaru quality. Has a stiff framesheet vs aluminum stays on a Kifaru.
They have a larger one, which I ordered and is replacing this one, with basically the same features. It is the PS2.
 
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if you could do a review on the larger one when you get it that would be awesome, i was looking at it but being 6'7" its tough to know how a pack will fit me from website pictures
 
+1 on the Kifaru line. The stuff is built like a tank. Big bucks, though.
 
Calebklyne said:
thanks guys ive done some looking and i think i would be sacrificing the best of both worlds by going with just one pack
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Good idea, 2 packs are better then 1. Was going to do a 1 pack setup last year but then changed my mind. Now I have a Blackhawk SOF Ruck for backpacking and other smaller packs for day/over night trips.

Calebklyne said:
if you could do a review on the larger one when you get it that would be awesome, i was looking at it but being 6'7" its tough to know how a pack will fit me from website pictures
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See if you have a Sportsmans Warehouse, Cabelas or REI in your area. Then you can try on packs and see which ones fit you. I bet that finding sleeping bags is a pain in th rear.. I'm 6'5" so I feel your pain. A lot of the day packs don't fit me correctly, but a Milirary LBE/Buttpack with long harness straps does. ;)
 
If your illing to spend the cash mystery ranch and kifaru are unbeatable/

For a more reasonably priced alternative the eberlestock FAC track is one hell of a pack at about half the cost of a kifaru wiht a very nice suspension and great organization.

http://www.eberlestock.com/F3F FAC Track.htm

Eberlestocks dont seem to get alot of mention around here but they are rocksolid and dependable. :thumbup: i am using one in afghanistan right now.
 
thanks for all the suggestions so far but i guess im looking for something the size of a daypack that can handle the load of a 3day pack

wildmanh said:
Good idea, 2 packs are better then 1. Was going to do a 1 pack setup last year but then changed my mind. Now I have a Blackhawk SOF Ruck for backpacking and other smaller packs for day/over night trips.
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The reason i wanted a do it all pack is so i would have a daypack to use after i had made it into the backcountry but i may just get a maxped jumbo to take along with my large pack

wildmanh said:
See if you have a Sportsmans Warehouse, Cabelas or REI in your area. Then you can try on packs and see which ones fit you. I bet that finding sleeping bags is a pain in th rear.. I'm 6'5" so I feel your pain. A lot of the day packs don't fit me correctly, but a Milirary LBE/Buttpack with long harness straps does. ;)
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We have mountain equipment coop up here and they carry tons of stuff for taller people, in fact i buy most of my clothes there as i know they fit me perfect, so finding a sleeping bag was as easy as walking in the store and picking the one i liked
 
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A big fat +1 for the TAD FAST packs.
 
Some of your decision may depend on the type of hiking and whether overall pack weight is a priority for you. I have been debating a new pack with pockets for some time also. I love the Eberlestock packs and some of the other tac packs mentioned, but for the type of hiking I do (mostly trail) I just can't justify the additional weight tradeoff. The pack I'm thinking of right now is the Mystery Ranch Snap Dragon or Big Sky- still not as light as my Gregory packs, but a quality compromise.
 
kycolonel said:
Some of your decision may depend on the type of hiking and whether overall pack weight is a priority for you. I have been debating a new pack with pockets for some time also. I love the Eberlestock packs and some of the other tac packs mentioned, but for the type of hiking I do (mostly trail) I just can't justify the additional weight tradeoff. The pack I'm thinking of right now is the Mystery Ranch Snap Dragon or Big Sky- still not as light as my Gregory packs, but a quality compromise.
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im pretty used to a heavy pack anyway so another pound would not bother me, i used to think about trying to ultralight my pack but i realized that losing 20 pounds on me will go a lot further than a few ounces on my pack
 
you can get an Eddie Bauer packable daypack for 12 dollars right now, I picked one up and have been using it ever since. It's a fine size for a daypack and pretty durable considering its weight. You could go taht route for day hikes and get a nice, more expensive 3 day pack.
 
im pretty sold on one of the tad packs at the moment well maybe both:D:p they seem to be exactly or at least very very close to what i want
 
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