Got bit by the dumb idea bug..twice.

bored2deth · Dec 10, 2014

So, got bored a couple of days ago, thinking maybe I had a brain fart. I got to thinking about knives, tools, and especially packs. Hunters, fishermen, bushcrafters, even survivalists, place a large emphasis on backpacks. They are as varied as knives..and some of us like things over-built and equipped. I know I do. So, out of curiosity, what sorts of features would you all value? It may come turn out well, may turn out awful, but Im going to try making a custom pack. I have a strong enough background with sewing, I think.

tidefan · Dec 10, 2014

I've gone from tactical to a kind of gray man kind of pack. I favor something that doesn't stand out and has lots of pockets and organization. Inside can have molle for additional organization. I do like 1000 denier nylon for durability.

B34NS · Dec 10, 2014

Check out one my friend's bag companies.

http://www.freightbags.com/
He does all the design, cutting, and sewing. I've had a bunch of pieces from him and they're still some of the best bags I've ever had.

Having designed a few backpacks, it's all about planning. Sounds like a fun project.

neeman · Dec 10, 2014

Outside pockets for access to gear without opening the pack
Upper side big enough for 1 liter bottles
Lower smaller side pockets for snacks and rain packs
Back pouch pocket for wet rain gear
Top flap pocket for maps compasses and cameras reachable with the pack on\

For total versatility of load carrying
Lashing squares and patches
On the bottom for sleeping pads
Top for poncho
Sides with the top for a bed roll

Shotgun · Dec 10, 2014

tidefan said:
I've gone from tactical to a kind of gray man kind of pack. I favor something that doesn't stand out and has lots of pockets and organization. Inside can have molle for additional organization. I do like 1000 denier nylon for durability.

Same here though I dislike molle webbing and I don't need organization. I personally prefer to have all of my small gear in one place. I've found that all of my small survival gear fits into a quart size Ziploc and toiletries in another. It's cheap and it's worked the best for me. This also makes it easier to transfer between packs. I also find that all those pockets and webbing adds up. My wife's daypack is about a pound, maybe 2. My pygmy falcon is in the ~7 pound range.

What I want in a pack,
one that doesn't scream "Weirdo!"
one that fits well
sternum strap
external water bottle holders on each side
a bit of webbing on the back to dry towels, socks etc
I like having two compartments. One small one for the ziplocks above and snacks. Then one main compartment for everything else.

For me, simpler has always been better.

Bob W · Dec 10, 2014

So, out of curiosity, what sorts of features would you all value?

Durability.
Top-notch zippers and closures. Quality buckles.
Weatherproof material or rain cover.
Expandability; not limited to the internal dimensions.
Stability.
Large internal compartments with minimal 'organization', but a few external pouches for making certain items easy to reach while hiking.

The #1 important thing: COMFORT. Well padded straps. Padded back. Adjustments, adjustments, adjustments: Raise or lower the load. Adjust for hiker's height. Adjust for waist width as well as diameter. Adjust for shoulder width.

Reprinted from an older forum topic:
--------------------------

Introducing the Camp Trails Omega.

Here are some pictures of the shoulder strap adjustments. You can adjust not only where the shoulder strap connects, but also where the stabilization strap connects. The shoulder straps also adjust horizontally to fit wide or narrow shoulders.

The shoulder strap stabilizer is adjustable at the top and bottom, allowing for the hiker to adjust the position and length.

Notice how the back is actually a thick heavy pad, not just a piece of mesh.

Like most packs, the sternum strap adjusts up and down.

Difficult to show, but here are the adjustments available to raise or lower the waist strap in relation to the pack frame.

superpaco · Dec 11, 2014

I am going to echo what a couple of the other posters said, and say that external pockets for water bottles is key for me. To my mind the WB pockets should also be zippered or have a retension strap or the like. I pack my packs pretty tight so things don't shift and/or make noise and putting two 1 liter bottles (usually with a nesting cup or two) in the main pack body puts a bit of a wrench in my monkey works.
Now, for organization, I do like a few pockets i.e. a top lid with three or four small sections but the bulk of the space wide open so I can put big or funny shaped things in unimpeded. Same with the main pack body, a few pockets to section things off (usually flat stuff or somethkng like a FAK) but just an open space after that so I can get anything that is roughly one or more of the pack dimensions inside the pack. And then I use stuff sacks for organization. I think that using stuff sacks has a few benefits in that I believe it weighs less than a bunch of permanent pockets, I organize things in little "units" (shelter, clothes, cooking, tools etc.) so when I go to put up my tarp or start a fire everything is right there, and it adds a layer of protection around these "units" giving a little padding and a little more weather resistance, lastly, I personally lose or forget I have things a lot more if everything is in little pockets all over the pack.
Other than that, I would say a frame sheet (if not a whole suspension) at the least for structure and then shoulder straps make or break comfort, weather it is the amount of padding or the shape of the straps themselves make sure its a winner.
good luck bro!

Sharp_Canadian · Dec 11, 2014

tidefan said:
I've gone from tactical to a kind of gray man kind of pack. I favor something that doesn't stand out and has lots of pockets and organization. Inside can have molle for additional organization. I do like 1000 denier nylon for durability.

+1 I use a sf75 while it is technically a tactical bag it really doesn't stand out. I love the external axe sleeve on it. Extremely roomy extremely overbuilt extremely comfy. And tried and true for over 10 years. Maybe some main compartment d-rings or something so I could do a bit more organizing, possibly a pouch on the hip. I got the fiancé a snugpac sleeka force 35, while it's not 1000D it has been standing up quite well and fits right in with the low profile look. There's not 400 rows of molle and 4 concealed carry slots yaddie yaddie.

bored2deth · Dec 11, 2014

B34NS said:
Check out one my friend's bag companies.

http://www.freightbags.com/
He does all the design, cutting, and sewing. I've had a bunch of pieces from him and they're still some of the best bags I've ever had.

Having designed a few backpacks, it's all about planning. Sounds like a fun project.

Those are some nice looking bags.

bored2deth · Dec 11, 2014

Thank you all for the input

. Im thinking we all like durability and no corner cutting. Well, so far I have planned out to do it in a set (provided the first one comes out well), consisting of a waist-pack, a small dayback, and then finally a backpack. A waist pack is cake..the other two..little more difficult.

For me..durability and organization is key, as well as not being too bulky. Going to try to draw out plans for a 40-45 liter pack, with compression straps on sides, top, and bottom. Maybe a chocolate color 1000d cordura nylon, something pleasing to the eye. Id like to do it double stitch and wall, with both uv and waterproofing.

Sharp_Canadian · Dec 11, 2014

Sounds legit!

tidefan · Dec 11, 2014

Shotgun said:
Same here though I dislike molle webbing and I don't need organization. I personally prefer to have all of my small gear in one place. I've found that all of my small survival gear fits into a quart size Ziploc and toiletries in another. It's cheap and it's worked the best for me. This also makes it easier to transfer between packs. I also find that all those pockets and webbing adds up. My wife's daypack is about a pound, maybe 2. My pygmy falcon is in the ~7 pound range.

What I want in a pack,
one that doesn't scream "Weirdo!"
one that fits well
sternum strap
external water bottle holders on each side
a bit of webbing on the back to dry towels, socks etc
I like having two compartments. One small one for the ziplocks above and snacks. Then one main compartment for everything else.

For me, simpler has always been better.

I see your point and plan on trying this with either ziplocks or similar. Thanks, Jim

neeman · Dec 14, 2014

bored2deth said:
Thank you all for the input . Im thinking we all like durability and no corner cutting. Well, so far I have planned out to do it in a set (provided the first one comes out well), consisting of a waist-pack, a small dayback, and then finally a backpack. A waist pack is cake..the other two..little more difficult.

For me..durability and organization is key, as well as not being too bulky. Going to try to draw out plans for a 40-45 liter pack, with compression straps on sides, top, and bottom. Maybe a chocolate color 1000d cordura nylon, something pleasing to the eye. Id like to do it double stitch and wall, with both uv and waterproofing.

A waist pack that has a liter waterbottle carrier each side that will carry the weight

Liberando · Dec 14, 2014

I'll echo the previous comments: simple is the way to go. Though I've got a few nice tactical packs from my active duty days, I find myself more and more using an old Boy Scout yucca pack. One big compartment with a small one on the flap. No zippers, just string and D-rings to tie things shut. Made of tough old canvas.

bored2deth · Dec 15, 2014

Liberando said:
I'll echo the previous comments: simple is the way to go. Though I've got a few nice tactical packs from my active duty days, I find myself more and more using an old Boy Scout yucca pack. One big compartment with a small one on the flap. No zippers, just string and D-rings to tie things shut. Made of tough old canvas.

Yup, Im hoping to avoid using zippers at all..wish I still had my aunts old Singer..tough old thing.

B34NS · Dec 15, 2014

bored2deth said:
Those are some nice looking bags.

Thank you sir! He's been at it for a while now. I used to travel on bike with everything I had in one, bombproof and waterproof. Just some inspiration!

Here's one we did as a collaboration the year before last:

bored2deth · Dec 15, 2014

B34NS said:
Thank you sir! He's been at it for a while now. I used to travel on bike with everything I had in one, bombproof and waterproof. Just some inspiration!

Here's one we did as a collaboration the year before last:

Nice!