Day pack contents

Stormstaff

Stormstaff

Joined
Dec 14, 2007
Messages
1,918
I just recently purchased a Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon II to use as a day hike bag. I’d like your folks opinion on what I should pack in it.

I’m hoping to be able to slowly fill it with spare gear so that other than a couple of last minute odd & ends, it’d be ready to grab and head out for a hike.

Normally in my pocket or on my belt I carry the following:

Leatherman Supertool
SAK Classic
Mini Bic
Gerber Artifact
Spyderco Native
Cellphone
Surefire 6P


So far, this is what I’m thinking:

ESSE (formerly RAT) Izula on “D” ring on strap
Wolf-Eyes light on other strap

2 – 1 liter Nalgene bottles in the side holders
2 – 25’ pcs of Paracord
FAK
Bandana
Mil Poncho (need to get yet)
Either my RAT RC-4, RC-6 or JK 5” Heavy Kephart
Altoids tin containing a fire kit (ferro rod, striker, tinder, etc)
Rite in the Rain notebook (need to get) & writing utensil
Fox 40 Whistle
Compass (need to learn to use)
Map (need to get AND learn to use)

Thanks in advance!!

Kirk
 
The only thing I don't see is some kind of shelter, maybe a sil-nylon or poly tarp? Looks really good other wise! I have the CTD ripoff of the condor 2, and that's similar to what I have in mine.
 
:D A first aid kit, metal cup, extra pair of socks, , emergency blanket, dryer lint in a zip lock bag, energy bars or tuna. extra batteries, fishing kit in tin. A small knife unless you have one in your pocket. extra small flash light.
 
You seem to have a lot of knife redundancy. :)

You might consider replacing one of the Nalgenes with a stainless bottle to use as an emergency boiling vessel, or perhaps adding a GSI Glacier cup (or similar) which would nest on one of the bottles.
 
GPS! Of course still a compass as a backup, but for me a GPS that can do tracks is awesome. I love checking out the tracks from my hikes in google earth.
 
shelbysguns said:
The only thing I don't see is some kind of shelter, maybe a sil-nylon or poly tarp? Looks really good other wise! I have the CTD ripoff of the condor 2, and that's similar to what I have in mine.
Click to expand...

10' X 10' Sil-nylon tarp on order

rdgarbo said:
:D A first aid kit, metal cup, extra pair of socks, , emergency blanket, dryer lint in a zip lock bag, energy bars or tuna. extra batteries, fishing kit in tin. A small knife unless you have one in your pocket. extra small flash light.
Click to expand...

FAK is covered, metal cup (gonna add), socks (I'll look into), dryer lint = tinder in fire kit already, Extra batteries (good one), Small knife = Spyderco Native and/or Izula



remmmm said:
GPS! Of course still a compass as a backup, but for me a GPS that can do tracks is awesome. I love checking out the tracks from my hikes in Google earth.
Click to expand...

Ya, I like my GPS and will probably add it

Pritch said:
You seem to have a lot of knife redundancy. :)

You might consider replacing one of the Nalgenes with a stainless bottle to use as an emergency boiling vessel, or perhaps adding a GSI Glacier cup (or similar) which would nest on one of the bottles.
Click to expand...

I'll probably change over one of the Nalgene's for my SS Guyot. Good call!

Thanks all. Any other suggestions?
 
GPS - Will it still work after an EMP strike?

Pretty sure a map and compass will.
 
shelbysguns said:
Yes, where's the stout? Lol and what kind of sil-nylon tarp are you getting?
Click to expand...



Etowah Outfitters teamed up with another forum to bring this to the forum members.

Here are the specs:

Material: 1.9 oz nylon rip-stop, coated
Color: Tan
Size: 10' x 10'
Tabs: 16 on edges, plus 3 evenly spaced on the center seam
Weight: 28 oz
Includes: stuff sack
Price: $70 (price includes shipping to the US)

The thread is made in a factory in Tennessee, which is then shipped to a company that makes military gear, where it is woven into the material, which is then shipped to Georgia where it is sewn into a tarp. The labels that will be on them are manufactured in Oregon. This is a 100% American made product.
 
Rather than a mil poncho, I'd suggest going with a driducks poncho. They aren't very durable, but are super breathable. A lot of AT thru hikers use driducks stuff, and carry duct tape to patch any tears, because they are so much more comfortable to hike in. On a humid, rainy night, I've sweated so much in a normal non-breathable poncho that I might as well have been standing out in the rain.


And also second the recommendation to replace one or both nalgenes with metal bottles, but it seems you've got that covered.


Another idea to consider is a compact stove, like a coke can or trangia alky stove. I enjoy a hot lunch on some of my day hikes, or a cup of coffee or tea while taking a break.
 
Hey, Idk about the whole run ordering thing there, but if you ever decide to sell it, I'd like to know! Thanks!
 
I like to keep a light wool hat and gloves in all of day packs- a buff as well

thin leather or synthetic gloves are another nice addition (building shelters/gathering material can be a little rough on the hands)

I keep a couple of small beeswax candles (8 hour ones)- they take up very little room and in the close confines of a debris shelter they really warm things up :)

A Gerber/Fiskars saw is very light (~ 3.0 oz) and slim- very handy when putting together a shelter

a signal mirror- weighs close to nothing and is so flat you won't know it's there

ditto for a fresnal magnifier- can be used to read small print, see slivers or even start a fire in the right conditions- thinner than a credit card (and lighter!)

a small torso/sit pad is pretty handy, kneeling, sitting or if forced to spend the night out a nice little insulating layer- the 1/8" (x 50") ones weigh only a couple of oz- they can be lashed to the outside pretty easy

a heavy mil garbage sack is multi-use, cheap and light- helps gather materials for a shelter, waterproof barrier, can melt snow (providing it's dark color :)), they make a great "door" for debris shelter (fill w/ duff/litter or even snow and force into the opening, list goes on and on

some kind of small repair kit- duct tape, wire, safety pins, heavy needle, heavy thread- doesn't take up much room and can save the day on occasions
 
Second the thin leather gloves, garbage bag, and something better than a mil-spec poncho(hate those things).

-Chapstick/lip balm
-anti-bacterial wipes for cleaning hands, cuts, public toilets/outhouses, wiping your butt, etc.

I like ditty bags with drawstrings. A lot of my stuff is permanently separated into them, and it makes adding and removing things you will or won't want along simple.
For instance, one has a Primus ultralight stove, lexan cup(or 2), SS cup for boiling water, and tea/coffee/whatever. If I'm wanting to cook or boil some tea, it goes in the daypack, otherwise it doesn't.
Another has a fleece or softshell jacket for stops when hiking in cold weather-that one's kind of bulky.
Another has an extra top and bottom base layer(much easier than carrying spare outer layers), fleece windstopper gloves, and a UA beanie for transitional weather where the temperature may drop.
Another isn't really a ditty bag, but a windshirt that stores in it's own pocket.
 
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