Cheap backpacks for survival?

Do not think i would go "cheap" if my life in a survival scenario depended on it! But good luck.
 
Get something that will last you a few years and many trips. Inexpensive is alright for some things, but when a back pack falls apart, it can br frustrating as well as costly if you lose your gear. I like Osprey and some of the 5.11 packs. Maxpedition is also coming out with new things this year.
Edit: forgot about Jansport. They also make good packs for little money.
 
hepclass said:
Do not think i would go "cheap" if my life in a survival scenario depended on it! But good luck.
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Depends on the person and how rough they are on their gear. I used a jansport pack for several years. Finally retired it because I wanted something else and not because it wasn't up to it. My advice to the OP is to go to a shop and try them on. The one that fits well is the one you should pick. Also, make sure the stitching is tight together. Cheaper packs can have less stitches(farther apart) which makes them cost less to make but also make them more prone to ripping.
 
That's not survival it's camping. :( Survival is something you do unplanned. It happens and OH CRAP you have to react. There are a million backpacks on the market today. Help us by defining what you plan to carry and what features you are after. The general question what is the best, is lazy.
 
panzertroop said:
That's not survival it's camping. :( Survival is something you do unplanned. It happens and OH CRAP you have to react. There are a million backpacks on the market today. Help us by defining what you plan to carry and what features you are after. The general question what is the best, is lazy.
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As far as I can tell, these questions come from people who don't know what they need. Hence the vague question.
 
If you want something that isn't going to fall apart on you, Maxpedition makes some good stuff..... you did leave the door wide open on what you were going to do with it though.
 
I have found some great bags for really cheaper at GoodWill from $2-5.
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Surplus Alice packs are great bags that you can find cheap. Got mine for $5.
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Jansport did make some very solid bags a few years ago with DWR treat and rubber bottoms that you might be able to find cheap.
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Plus, they come with a lifetime warrant that I have used several times because I am hard on my bags. I just took them back to Big 5 and they let me pick out a new one for free. And some of these bags I had for 6+ years. The one problem I have found with them and most bags was the zippers. YYK zippers are good but will fault.
 
As far as I can tell, these questions come from people who don't know what they need. Hence the vague question
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agreed. But irritating none the less. There are too many options these days to ask such a general question without details.

Load carried
Options needed
Price range
Color likes/dislikes

if not then I suggest this

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Either the large or small Alice pack would work well. Make sure to get the frame with it. Replacing the Kidney pad with a modern one really helps.

Snagged a 1970's American Camper external frame pack from a Thrift store last fall for only $5. Good deals can be had, if you keep your eyes open.
 
panzertroop said:
That's not survival it's camping.
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Cha-ching.

Here's my suggestion - go spend $50 or less on a backpack. Load it up with everything you need, which probably means a bunch of things you don't actually need. Take it on a multi-day trip. Somewhere around day 2 or 3, your back will probably start to kill you, because the suspension sucks. And then one morning, as you hoist this beast on to your back, one of the straps will blow out. And then a seam will burst, spilling your contents on to the trail. You probably brought 100' of p-cord (because every survival manual tells you that you need that much), and this is good - because you will need most of it to lash everything to your pack that is now falling out of it. Hopefully, you make it home without leaving a garage sale of junk all the way back to the parking lot.

And then maybe a week later, after the painful memories (and muscles) have been replaced with warm nostalgia for the fresh air, the beautiful views and the simple, unencumbered life, you'll start to think about investing in a good quality backpack. And you will vow to never buy a cheap backpack again. Internet advice can help, but experience is often the best teacher. ;)
 
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Surplus ALICE is hard to beat at what they are going for. The mediums are a little small if you ask me so I would opt for the large one. Make sure to get the frame and waste belt as the ALICE w/o a frame is very uncomfortable if you are carrying much weight.
 
Mec bags are some of the best bang for your buck.
I have had this one for years and still going strong.
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Had it stuffed many times and seams still look as good as the day I bought it.
The small pouch also can be removed and be worn as a fanny pack, if you are so inclined. :)
 
Joep-

Given your location in the Netherlands and the trip being two days in the Ardennes, I would suggest a Vaude Rock 25L.
 
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