day pack suggestions?

M

MIKE1218

Joined
Jun 7, 2009
Messages
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I am in need of a new day pack as mine was recently stolen from my car (my fault, the lock button on my key did not lock the doors apparently...). I had an awesome military surplus pack, around the same size/shape as a camelback however it did not have a hydration system. It held all the things I take with me when in the woods perfectly and was very light, comfortable, and durable. And now I can't find it's equivalent. Have searched the internet and local stores to no avail. At least the contents are easily replaceable.

Can anyone suggest a similar bag that I may have overlooked? Or another small backpack type bag that has worked well for you? Emphasis must also be placed on affordability. Smallish budget, <$50.

If worse comes to worse, I will get a camelback however I would prefer not to have the hydration system; I prefer to use a couple plain old waterbottles.

Thank you for any help good sirs.
 
:thumbup:

I recently bought a very inexpensive daypack. It is an Outdoor Products Vortex. Hydration compatable, relatively lightweight, $21.00 + tax. No, it isn't military durable, does not have load lifter straps, sternum strap or a waist belt. But the shoulder straps are well padded and it does have good back panel padding (internal framesheet) and a top haul loop (for picking it up and carrying it without putting it on). Two mesh side pockets hold water bottles O.K., it has a bungee daisy chain on the front panel handy for holding a jacket or raincoat. The main compartment has the bladder sleve with top center exit port. The middle compartment unzips seperately as does the front compartment (3 in all). The front compartment has a rear pocket with pencil slots and a zip closed mesh wallet holder. There is also a "fastex" detachable key holder inside. Altogether it is 2,600 ci. Cheap gear, but a steal at the price. I think it will hold up in light use for quite a while. Oh, and from Wally-world no less.

Michael (Codger)
 
I have used Outdoor Products stuff in the past with success as well, but that looks a little larger than what I would like... Any chance you have general dimensions of the pack handy? Thanks for the reply and the welcome.
 
MIKE1218 said:
I have used Outdoor Products stuff in the past with success as well, but that looks a little larger than what I would like... Any chance you have general dimensions of the pack handy? Thanks for the reply and the welcome.
Click to expand...

23" high, 14" wide at the base, 7" thick in the center of the base. It does have a pair of compression straps so that you can cinch it down thinner when not packed full. Heck, I bought it because I couldn't afford a good pack right now and it will do for a loaner when I can afford better.

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Mountainsmith Approach or Kelty Map-you won't be sorry. I just got a new North Face skareb 40 which is a good crag pack but I don't really like the design for general day hiking...
 
I would contend that it was NOT your fault that you lost your pack because you didn't lock your vehicle.

It was the bag of Shi* that stole from you and he should have the brains smashed out of his head by means of the buttstock from a remmy 870 shotgun...

But I digress...

IMSPLUS has several sub $40 packs that should fit the bill, including the level III assault pack.

Sorry you lost your pack and hope the perp dies a slow, agonizing death.

Carl-
 
Thanks for all the replies gentlemen. That assault pack looks similar to what I had, a bit bigger though. I'm going to look through reviews of some of these and go from there.

raisedbywolves, I'd love to beat the crap out of the guy that took my stuff. Wish they could have left the Leatherman, otherwise the rest of the stuff was inexpensive. On the bright side, I get to buy new gear!
 
I'm using a small Marmot Kompressor (it does double duty backpacking as it can be used a stuff sack for your sleeping bag)

very well built and very light- under 8oz, it's not large ~ 1000 cu in, but you can get a lot of stuff into and it carries well (I've got a thread floating around w/ my kit that goes into it)

about $25-30

marmot-kompressor.3384439.jpg
 
I like The North Face "Recon" pack as a daypack. Holds a Nalgene on each side and good organization inside plus a large expandable external mesh pocket for quick access to things you want when out. Big plus on the fully adjustable (up/down) sternum strap.
A little over your budget but you can find good deals on these every so often online.
I think I got mine at a REI sale for $65 down from $85.
 
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