Fox Backpack Questions

I

iwannamakeknives

Joined
Oct 17, 2009
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75
Hey guys, I've been looking at these threads for a while now, and finally got a bag. I got a fox bag on sale at the military depot store, and have a couple of questions about it.

Here is the bag:
IMG_0300.jpg


I assume the big loops on bottom are for a sleeping bag? If so, which one would you guys recommend?
IMG_0302.jpg


What are these loops made to accomodate?
IMG_0303.jpg


And what is the small plastic loop on bottom of this made for?
IMG_0301.jpg


Sorry if these are pretty dumb questions, I'm trying to put together a 3 day bag with this, so anything that you guys feel should be put in the bag, I would greatly appreciate the help. THank You
 
Cooking stuff, I picked up a lightweight gsi pot from cabelas that was around 20 came with two bowls and sporks. Sometime of stove whether it be fueled by wood or gas. Minibulldesign.com makes some pretty cool little stoves that burn HEET or alcohol if your lightweight minded. Water or water filter, MSR makes good ones. Tarptent makes smaller size tents that are supposed to be really good. I have heard nothing but good things about marmot sleeping bags. Couple pairs of good socks and your pipe for smoking in the evening (kidding). Take the bag out to the backyard and camp out there for a weekend to see what your forgetting or what you personally want. Good luck
 
iwannamakeknives said:
What are these loops made to accomodate?

And what is the small plastic loop on bottom of this made for?
Click to expand...

The first loop looks to me like an ice axe loop. You would slide the axe handle down into the loop then flip the handle up and cinch an upper strap around the handle. If there is no upper strap at or near the top then I can't tell what it's purpose would be.

The small plastic loop is probably for clipping on "whatever".
 
Pick a local park and start going there overnight and you'll figure it out. I have learned alot from this site in the last couple of months under this section. There are also some other good sites like bushcraft usa and such that can tell you alot more than I can. I have been camping for a long time but rarely get out for more than 2-3 nights (which I hope to change in the future). Going out for longer stretches means getting lighter equipment better bushcraft stuff. But bushcraft is fun to me so there ya go. Also you tube has excellent videos on shelter building and stuff, camping stuff reviews.
 
iwannamakeknives said:
Hey guys, I've been looking at these threads for a while now, and finally got a bag. I got a fox bag on sale at the military depot store, and have a couple of questions about it.

What are these loops made to accomodate?
IMG_0303.jpg
Click to expand...
On packs, those are generally ice axe loops.
172132_Full1.jpg

On a tac pack, I don't really know what one would do with them. :confused:

iwannamakeknives said:
I assume the big loops on bottom are for a sleeping bag? If so, which one would you guys recommend?
IMG_0302.jpg
Click to expand...

Generally, those are for a rolled sleeping pad. I think it would be hard to get a stuffed sleeping bag in there. You could try.


I have been curious about Fox Packs for some time. iwannamakeknives, can you tell me what country of origin the tags say? Thanks!

You'll have to pack carefully to pull off a 3Day pack with that capacity -- sleeping bags and tents are bulky unless you spend $$$. My most compact bag is my Feathered Friends Hummingbird. The Marmot Helium is even
smaller.

Another versatile, compact option is to carry a polyfill quilted USGI poncho liner, aka a "woobie". Not super warm, but good enough for a lot of summer use and can be had for about $10 shipped. I got one to try but have not had a warm enough night to risk it.

+1 on alcohol stoves. They are cheap to buy, but you can pretty easily make your own to experiement with the format. If you want a really easy one to make and try, I recommend the Cat Stove variant.

A homemade tarp sleeps two and stuffs to softball size:
Along the CDT in Montana:
IMGP1088.jpg


On Oregon's Eagle Creek Trail on Murray Carter's client trip:
IMGP1229.jpg
 
Tradja- that's a beautiful pic of Montana. I recognize that eagle creek campsite ;)
 
BlairB said:
I recognize that eagle creek campsite ;)
Click to expand...
:D:thumbup: I forget -- it's at mile 5.x or 6.x.

iwannamakeknives, another shelter option that would fit in a smaller pack is the Eureka Gossamer. Sub-3lbs actual, and can be found for as low as around $60. This is mine, with about 250 nights on it at this point:
IMGP0955.jpg


I've been curious about those camo mummy bags that show up on eBay for $20 shipped. I'm sure they're pretty bulky and cheaply made, but might be worth a shot.

Any ol' small aluminum cookpot will work fine, or just skip the stove/cookset thing at first and get a few MRE's with chem heaters.

I assume you have a knife. ;)

Other than that:
  • appropriate clothing for season and area, including rain gear + warm hat
  • maps + compass
  • fire kit: a Bic, some matches, a firesteel, some newpaper and cotton dryer lint.
  • flashlight w/ backup (headlamp, photon, etc)
  • FAK + basic FA skills!

...and get out there! I would suggest getting a few trips in with the new pack before you make any big gear purchases to fill it. With all that PALS webbing, you could add specialized MOLLE pouches as needed to free up space inside.
 
I've found the that ice axe loops work pretty well for a small axe

24hrkitpack.jpg


I'd consider a tarp/poncho- these are light (in silnylon ~ 10 oz) and pack up very small- offer rain protection and shelter (add a few guy lines and tent pegs) in one package

if your putting together a kit for just in case this probably won't apply, but if you plan on getting out and using it- I'd recommend spending $ on your sleeping bag- not a place you want to skimp IMO
 
Don't wanna stray this thread too much, but tradja, you need to post more! Always love your pics. Your through hike still inspires me.
 
I was going to suggest a tomahawk but someone beat me to it-if you have a retention system on a machete sheath that would also be a good spot.
 
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