Daypack Replacement: Modern Possibles Bag?

DaleW said:
I went through several shoulder/messenger bags for commuting and this is what I found:

  • Open top bags-- those with flaps but no zipper-- are easy to access, but less secure and small items can get lost.
  • Big bags with one compartment become black holes that my stuff would dissapear into.
  • Bags that are large enough to hold a fleece or rain jacket become too heavy to haul for a distance. They work fine for a few blocks to the bus stop, but leave you off balance for too long if hiking.
  • Small bags are great organizers and perfect for a PSK, but leave little room for much food or water and no room at all for clothing. The Eagle Creek Vagabond is a good small essentials bag.
  • Timbuk2 bags are bomb-proof if you want to go with the messenger style.
  • The Israeli Paratrooper bag makes a good man-purse. I found an authentic one in a thrift store, but I don't know where to get the real thing now. There are some Chinese knock-offs that go for about $20. The design is good, but still the open-top/flap style. The smaller Timbuk2 bags are pretty much the same thing for a medium-sized bag with a flap.
  • The Lands End canvas attache is a great shoulder bag, with lots of internal organization and zips shut. It is bomb proof and reasonable cost. I've used them for tool bags. Still no external water bottle pockets. They are a perfect carry-on/ovenight travel bag. Their Business Attache is basically the same animal in nylon.
  • Domke makes camera bags, messenger bags, and satchels in canvas and ballistic nylon. They are used by working journalists all over the world. The camera bags might look too bulky, but they wrap around your hip when full of gear and aren't as fat as they look in use and make excellent BOB's. The F804 Super Satchel and F803 Camera Satchel are probably more what you had in mind.
  • The Patagonia Half Mass Bag is the best blend I've seen in keeping items secure, modern materials and two outside pockets to keep water bottles away from electronics inside the bag.

I recommend a good hydration pack with some cargo carrying capacity. As you found, you can carry a backpack on one shoulder or both. For best ergonomics and sheer weight carrying ability, backpacks win over shoulder bags. Shoulder bags are excellent for travel and you don't wipe your luggage across the faces of people jammed behind you as a backpack will.

Check these out:


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Dale,

This is a helpful list. I'm intrigued by the Patagonia and Domke ones. I wish I had the skill or time to make my own. One of my problems in life is that I can think up exactly the perfect thing I want, but then of course it never actually exists.
 
Jockohomo said:
Check out the Kathmandu Cosmopolis. It's a 20 litre capacity shoulder bag and the quality and attention to detail make it one of the best.
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I found Kathmandu's site but couldn't locate the Cosmopolis. Are you sure it is still available, or am I just looking in the wrong place:confused:
 
nemoaz said:
You could sew velcro or even molle staps on the inside of any of the large shoulder bag then put the 5.11 style cases (that have the velcro backing) or molle pouches in there. You could avoid the "one big bag problem" but not have a bag that looks tactical to the sheeple.
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My solution to that is color coded stuff sacks and the Eagle Creek zippered "envelopes" with mesh on one side. It is pretty easy to keep things sorted inside the large compartment of a daypack with them. I'd do the same thing with a possibles/messenger bag, if I could find one to do what I want. I like to attach a few things to the exterior for easy access. Normally on my daypack a large fixed blade, a LM, water-bottle(s), and an accessory pocket with compass and/or camera are attached. I'd like to be able to do the same sort of thing with a cross-shoulder slung bag.
 
XMP said:
I found Kathmandu's site but couldn't locate the Cosmopolis. Are you sure it is still available, or am I just looking in the wrong place:confused:
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Hi, in the U.S.A. it seems to be called the 'Urban Brief.' I have the blue one, resisted my natural impulse for 'tactical' black. Must have about 20 black bags and packs already. It's also perfect as an aircraft carry on and I use it for 4-5 day short haul trips to Europe as my only luggage all the time and it's the perfect size.
By the way, most of us Brits. don't consider ourselves to be 'in' Europe already.:thumbup:
 
nemoaz said:
You could sew velcro or even molle staps on the inside of any of the large shoulder bag then put the 5.11 style cases (that have the velcro backing) or molle pouches in there. You could avoid the "one big bag problem" but not have a bag that looks tactical to the sheeple.
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Sounds like we are all having the same problem. I use a small, nylon "stuff sacks" (REI or most sporting goods stores) and ziplock bags to keep things organized in the big bag. I use different colored bags to help with the organization.

It would be a lot better though, if there were already a bunch of pockets built in.

Great post
 
XMP said:
Yesterday I went on a nice 8 mile day hike. No matter how short of a hike or where I go I carry a day pack. I far prefer a day pack to a waist/fanny pack, but I have found that 80% of the time I end up with the pack only slung over one shoulder. (I do, however, alternate shoulders to prevent fatigue and low back muscle imbalances).

For that reason I've increasingly come to the conclusion that a shoulder bag, along the lines of the possibles bag that Mountain Men carried, would be the ideal way for me to carry what I bring with me on a day hike. (I think Ron Hood carries something like this in his videos, from what little I have seen) Unfortunately, I can't find something that is exactly what I want.

Ideally, it would have room for a fleece or jacket, gloves, hat, first aid kit, psk, and trail food. On the outside it would have at least one (if not two) nalgene water bottle holders, and a way to attach a few other things (most important is a medium-large fixed blade knife).

The Maxpedition jumbo versipack is the closest thing to what I'm thinking about. But I'm not sure it is quite big enough, and it is intended specifically for either left or right side carry, but not both. Their tactical operator attache looks bigger, but seems more urban in its intention and since it is padded I wonder whether it would hang naturally for wilderness carrry.

So does anyone have any suggestions? Does anyone carry their gear in this fashion?
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A well-fitted, well-packed daypack (backpack) with good lumbar support, will transfer most of the weight evenly to your hips, which would be ideal for any trip over a couple of miles. A shoulder bag places the weight on your shoulders and back, which if hiking a longer distance, would probably not be as comfortable. I carry a Madden Mountaineering day pack (backpack) on long day hikes (15+ miles) along with around 12 lbs of gear and water without any comfort problems. The pack fits me really well (weight over the hips; correct torso length; etc) which is most important. I used to work in a couple of outdoor shops in Virginia and sold people high end backpacking gear, skis, kayaks, etc. Go to a shop and try out a lot different daypacks, with weight, and go with the one that is most comfortable and fits properly.
 
Jutt said:
A well-fitted, well-packed daypack (backpack) with good lumbar support, will transfer most of the weight evenly to your hips, which would be ideal for any trip over a couple of miles. A shoulder bag places the weight on your shoulders and back, which if hiking a longer distance, would probably not be as comfortable. I carry a Madden Mountaineering day pack (backpack) on long day hikes (15+ miles) along with around 12 lbs of gear and water without any comfort problems. The pack fits me really well (weight over the hips; correct torso length; etc) which is most important. I used to work in a couple of outdoor shops in Virginia and sold people high end backpacking gear, skis, kayaks, etc. Go to a shop and try out a lot different daypacks, with weight, and go with the one that is most comfortable and fits properly.
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Well said. And with a light load, you can still sling it on your shoulder to give other muscles a break. A balanced load is best and leaves both hands in the clear to break a fall-- or grab a branch on the way down :eek:
 
Jutt said:
A well-fitted, well-packed daypack (backpack) with good lumbar support, will transfer most of the weight evenly to your hips, which would be ideal for any trip over a couple of miles. A shoulder bag places the weight on your shoulders and back, which if hiking a longer distance, would probably not be as comfortable. I carry a Madden Mountaineering day pack (backpack) on long day hikes (15+ miles) along with around 12 lbs of gear and water without any comfort problems. The pack fits me really well (weight over the hips; correct torso length; etc) which is most important. I used to work in a couple of outdoor shops in Virginia and sold people high end backpacking gear, skis, kayaks, etc. Go to a shop and try out a lot different daypacks, with weight, and go with the one that is most comfortable and fits properly.
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Actually weight isn't really the issue. I pack pretty light and am in very good physical condition. The reason I end up with my daypack slung over one shoulder is mainly for temperature modulation.

As far as safety and freeing up both hands, that is why I'd love to find a possibles bag that could be cross-slung (bandolier style). That would mean the load was secure, both hands would be free, and no sweaty back!
 
Robert H said:
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Hawke pak. The rifle bug out bag is superb, but they also have other models.

http://www.hawkepaks.com/prod.itml/icOid/208
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Robert,

This looks really promising! Is there any way to get a better look. I can't find it when navigating the site itself, so I don't know if there is more info than this one page.

Do you actually have one of these? If so, can you describe it in more detail, and maybe describe the load it will carry.

Thanks
 
First off there is nothing wrong with using an old purse, my father is an avid fisherman an an even more avid scrounger and has been doing this for years, likewise my first BOB was made out of an old Totes bag thet my mother diddnt want anymore.


My current bag of choice is a lumbar but pack, I have ones from cabelas and mountainsmith, and cant recomend them enough. The "Strapett" acessory is a must since it esentially turns the pack into a low riding day pack. But most models can be carried as shoulder bags, have lots of pockets, and room for gear and most have straps on the bottom for an extra coat, blanket, poncho
etc.

The lower position of carry also makes things like water bottles accessable while walking and leaves the back mainly open for ventilation.

aside from outdoors use, I carried mine on a vacation to florida this year and found it to be extremeley versetile and usefull.


Check out www.campmor.com they have a good selection usually, if not just do a search on mountainsmith, they make some of the best I have seen
 
Correction, the Kathmandu 'Urban Brief' is the smaller, 10 litre version of the 20 litre 'Cosmopolis'. Otherwise, exactly the same design and features.
May suit your needs even better?
 
EmsRescueGuy said:
First off there is nothing wrong with using an old purse, my father is an avid fisherman an an even more avid scrounger and has been doing this for years,
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Ron seems to like it too. And it "looks" like a more expensive period possibles bag. I was not making any qualitative response whatsoever.
 
Jockohomo said:
Hi, in the U.S.A. it seems to be called the 'Urban Brief.' I have the blue one, resisted my natural impulse for 'tactical' black. Must have about 20 black bags and packs already. It's also perfect as an aircraft carry on and I use it for 4-5 day short haul trips to Europe as my only luggage all the time and it's the perfect size.
By the way, most of us Brits. don't consider ourselves to be 'in' Europe already.:thumbup:
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Now I know full well I took a trian from London to Paris-- muse be part of France, right? {{{Dale ducks the bricks headed his way}}}

This sort of attache/brief case would make a good urban bag, but not as hot for long distance walking on trials. If you like the type, Tumi makes some excellent ones, albeit overpriced. The North Face Base Camp bag is a similar design made of PVC tarp material. I've used a PVC tarp bag before and they are tough-- and water proof.

Y'know, I forgot all about Filson's line of shoulder bags.

The obvious choice for a knife knut is a Victorinox bag, although I couldn't find one that I would want to use in the woods.

If you want to get on the man purse side of things, Ameribag makes the Helthy Back Bag, which my wife loves. They do make a more manly version, the Tech Bag.
 
I like to make most of my out door gear, and I got the idea of developing the perfect shoulder bag years ago. I tried everything from a simple canvas sack to an abomination of nylon, Velcro, and pockets that was sure to scare any critter with ears to the next county, as well as crush my collar bone with its weight. I have come back to the simple canvas bag. Sometimes it does become a black hole where I fumble and rummage around in it for that one small item in the bottom. I've just learned that things can get lost in many pockets just as easy as they can get lost in one pocket. When I get good and disgusted I'll just dump the thing on the trail find what I need and then stuff everything back in.
Panther primitives and Dixie gun works have simple canvas haversacks for less than $20.00
A 12" square one will hold my Tomahawk, PSK, two beers and a foot long sub sandwich with room left.
 
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