Bug Out Bag Recommendations

Sharp Knives 86

Sharp Knives 86

Joined
Oct 27, 2009
Messages
783
I'm sure this has been covered on the forums plenty of times so I apologize in advance but does anyone have any good recommendations for a good B.O.B./EDC backpack? There are a few I'm currently eying, they are the

Sandpiper Three Day Pass Bugout Backpack
Sandpiper Bug Out Bag Back BOB pack
5.11 RUSH 24
5.11 RUSH 72
5.11 COVRT 18

Does anyone have any experience with either of the backpacks mentioned above or recommendations on others? I've heard alot of good things about Maxpedition products too. The one I'm looking at the most is is the COVRT 18 cause it looks alot less "tactical" and attention drawing but they no longer mak it in the color I wanted and I'd just like to see my options (plus I like "tactical" looking backpacks.
 
First get all your gear assembled to make sure you don't get a to big or to small pack. How much weight you going to be carrying? It makes a big difference. I started with a condor 2 and now use a Kelty record, but it's more of a inch pack since I live out of it 20+ days a month. (Tru Ker and all my gear to survive away from the truck goes in it, plus 3 days food). Do you need room for winter cloth, rain gear, guns and ammo, computer? Or is it a strictly GTH BOB(3 days food, shelter, fire, water filter and first aid)?
 
SK 86, I at current have a 5.11 72 and have used it since Spring 2011 as my flight bag to go to and from work every week. It's been thrown in to pick-up beds, vans, covered in snow and dirt/dust. All of the zippers and adjustment straps/fittings work like a champ. It has been a great pack. Took it hunting once and it's size I thought was great to put emergency items, survival, ammo, food, etc., in it and strap my WAKI to it. The MOLLE strap points are awesome for extra gear pouches. Oh and it rides on the front rack of a 4-wheeler with ease.

Good luck in what you buy Bro!
 
Of the ones you mentioned 5.11 makes great gear. Have a Rush 72 that was my travel bag for years when I was a steel.worker and that thing was awesome. It's now the old ladies BOB. Indestructible comes to mind. I've just moved away from tactical bags, until I can swing a kifaru...
 
I'm currently using a 5.11 Rush 72, I have not destroyed it yet and I'm pretty rough on gear. I usually destroy the zippers or bust out seams. This thing has been on a few hunting trips and that is where I usually destroy them.
 
gixxer1237 said:
First get all your gear assembled to make sure you don't get a to big or to small pack. How much weight you going to be carrying? It makes a big difference. I started with a condor 2 and now use a Kelty record, but it's more of a inch pack since I live out of it 20+ days a month. (Tru Ker and all my gear to survive away from the truck goes in it, plus 3 days food). Do you need room for winter cloth, rain gear, guns and ammo, computer? Or is it a strictly GTH BOB(3 days food, shelter, fire, water filter and first aid)?
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Thanks. It's mainly gonna be an emergency car bag for the most part. The only things I plan to carry in it is a knife, a small machete or hatchet, a few days worth of food, a canteen or water bottle, maybe some warm clothes just in case, a first aid kit and possibly a sleeping bag.
 
I've used a Maxpedition Condor II (I think) for a few years now 2005-06. It was my college backpack. Camping backpack. Truck pack, and now serving as daily fishing backpack. This thing has held up incredibly well. Lost a zipper pull and the front "Y" strap. The zipper pull "may" have broken but the "Y" came loose and lost it to time. No rips, holes, not wear.....zippers stay on track even under very heavy loads. Toss in the mud regularly, cleans extremely easy ( plastic gun brush) numerous pieces of chewed gum stuck in it, left bits of half eaten food in for unknown periods of time tossed around the bed of my pick up more times than I could count. Several hurricane evacuations. This bag is amazing.
 
Just my take on it but for something the size of a Maxped Condor or a Rush I would go with the Camelbak Linchpin. It has the Mystery Ranch harness and having worn and used all three I can safely say the Camelbak is by far the most comfortable. That being said I always recommend Osprey packs. They are build just as tough as Maxped and the Rush packs but are worlds more comfortable to wear. They also come with a fantastic warranty if you break it you send it to them and they fix it period.
 
5.11 makes good stuff for sure, if you're looking to save a couple bucks (in order to spend more for what goes inside) check out the LAPoliceGear brand packs at lapolicegear.com. They're very well made and about half the price of a standard brand name pack.

LINK to their 3 day pack.
 
I have used both 5.11 & Camelbak and they are both fine but the Camelbak is laid out better internally in my opinion.
My B.O.B. these days is a Camelbak BMF.

If I can make a suggestion - go to YouTube and search for whatever pack you think you may be interested in and...for sure there will be at least one video review of it where you can check out the internal and external features.
 
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Tango Down said:
5.11 makes good stuff for sure, if you're looking to save a couple bucks (in order to spend more for what goes inside) check out the LAPoliceGear brand packs at lapolicegear.com. They're very well made and about half the price of a standard brand name pack.

LINK to their 3 day pack.
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You know, those actually look quite nice and for the price, I could get one and still have some extra cash I could use for a new knife. How do they compare to 5.11 or Sandpiper stuff in terms of quality and durability? Like I said the price is right but I also believe you get what you pay for.

Thanks a ton for all the advice guys. Still not sure what I'll get yet though. Keep em' coming
 
Maxped Falcon and Sitka are great packs. Good luck with your search and let us know what you end up with.
 
I still got the Condor II from Maxpedition, but I use it more of a First aid than a whole BOB, not really planning to BOB anyway. If anything I might need a "Get home bag" not BOB, where are you BOB-ing too??
 
I dont personally have one, but have been wanting to get one. A guy at work brings his to training every week and it seems like really good quality. Like the other guy said there are some good you tube videos on most of these bags. You get what you pay for but you also pay a lot for getting a brand name...
 
Gravelface said:
I've used a Maxpedition Condor II (I think) for a few years now 2005-06. It was my college backpack. Camping backpack. Truck pack, and now serving as daily fishing backpack. This thing has held up incredibly well. Lost a zipper pull and the front "Y" strap. The zipper pull "may" have broken but the "Y" came loose and lost it to time. No rips, holes, not wear.....zippers stay on track even under very heavy loads. Toss in the mud regularly, cleans extremely easy ( plastic gun brush) numerous pieces of chewed gum stuck in it, left bits of half eaten food in for unknown periods of time tossed around the bed of my pick up more times than I could count. Several hurricane evacuations. This bag is amazing.
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I second this. Mine is my primary fishing bag as well. But I basically use it for everything. I beat the shit out of mine and it still looks brand new. Unreal how great this bag is. Great size too.
 
Never had any problem with any 5.11 gear that I have used, but looking at this thread has me thinking I may need to expand my horizons.

Garth
 
CaptainPicardX said:
I still got the Condor II from Maxpedition, but I use it more of a First aid than a whole BOB, not really planning to BOB anyway. If anything I might need a "Get home bag" not BOB, where are you BOB-ing too??
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Not sure. I just used the term BOB cause it's what I see used most frequently but in all honesty, it will mainly just be an emergency pack. Something to keep in the car just in case I ever need it and for EDC.

Tango Down said:
I dont personally have one, but have been wanting to get one. A guy at work brings his to training every week and it seems like really good quality. Like the other guy said there are some good you tube videos on most of these bags. You get what you pay for but you also pay a lot for getting a brand name...
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Yeah I realize I'm paying extra when buying a brand name, but those most of those brand names seem to have a solid reputations. Still for the price of those LAPG bags, I may pick one up just to quell my curiosity.
 
Forgot it was my range pack also. Pretty much whenever I need it, for whatever purpose. It exceeds at its role and still comes out looking "mostly" new. I have another Maxpedition bag. Over the shoulder single strap. It doesn't get the abuse of the Condor but it is a decent bag, bit small on storage though. I also have a Kelty that I have been meaning to convert to a [Get Home Bag] or possibly the [Bug Out Bag] but with a family, I should have at least 4......
 
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