How do you carry your stuff in the woods?

I was using a variety of shoulder bags for my gear and a daypack for longer treks, but after seeing a few folks here get the Proteus or a knockoff, I went for one on ebay. Paid 12.00 for it plus a few bucks shipping. It came with a belt, instead of the shoulder strap. I wanted this variety, because I knew the belt would be junk and I'd cut it off, which I did, but also because it has the velcro'd open ended pocket on the backside of the pack, to hide the belt in. Which comes in real handy for my Necker. It is the perfect length for the Necker, with room to spare.
 
The rifle is a Springfield Armory M6 Stainless .22lr/.410 gauge. The pack pockets are attached via Malice clips. There is a small utility pouch on each side and a compass/signal pouch on each side too.
 
i see that you are interested in the shoulder sling bag.

this bag has served me well in many different incarnations, both store bought and homemade. it is a good bag for carrying small loads, such as on a jaunt about the back yard woods hunting for walking stick saplings or taking short day hikes. i might even consider it for an overnight bag, providing the strap has a good weight distribution property.

but, when it comes to carrying water, a small camelback sized backpack really comes in handy. this carries all that the shoulder bag will, but it will put the gear much closer into your body and keep it much more secure. this has good and bad results, depending on your use. if you need to get into your bag alot, it can be a pain to pull the back off your back constantly, versus swinging the satchel around to the front and flipping open the flap.

for me, water is about the heaviest thing i carry. for me, one liter of water often weights about the same as the entire rest of my gear. i guess you coudl say i travel light. either way, i don't like a heavy solid water bottle flapping against my hip as i travel.

i pretty much go back and forth between shoulder sling bag and a small light backpack, it really depends on my mood. also, a backpack is easier to lash a hatchet or large knife to, if that is your prefered carry option.
 
For day hikes my CamelBak Ambush is great. I can carry enough water and a decent PSK, but the limited size of the pockets prevents me from carrying ALL the gear I can think of to carry. It forces me to trim down the kit. I get a light and convenient watercarrier for a day in the woods.

I agree that you can't get access to the CamelBak pockets without taking the thing off. (For me, the stuff in there is just for emergencies anyway, so accessibility is not a huge consideration.) Others have suggested belt or shoulder rigs, but have you considered using a vest? The pockets are accessible and are small enough that you are not going to end up carrying a ton of gear with it. Maybe that is a solution for you.

Good luck and happy hiking! :)
 
I use the Camelbak Asymetrix, just a shade bigger than the hawg. Fits great and holds enough for a nofrils overnight if need be. My wife loves it to and I often have to fight her over it.
 
Hard to beat a just decent day pack for a light load.

I have found that day packs ten to be a lot better all of the way around than a bag with a shoulder strap.
 
I carry mine in this and really couldn't care less what other people think about how it looks as long as I'm comfy !!!!!
SaltSpring022.jpg


saanichInlet064-1.jpg
 
DaleW said:
:thumbup: from me too-- the Esbit wing stove, Ti pot and the real tip-off is the MontBell Ti potty trowel tell me that this is an UL geek :) I have the same toys!
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magnussen--- dale is right and he also has greatt taste in gear:thumbup:... that is exactly what it is, a mont-bel ti trowel/shovel.... these little trowels kick butt.... if you've never seen them... i suggest you check them out....:thumbup:

i also have a cool little abo set up like yours.....:D

mike
 
Pitdog, I always like the look of your setup, but where/how do you carry water?
 
For me, shoulder bags are annoying after any length of time. If you carry much of a load, you have to keep changing shoulders. Even light ones get in the way of your natural arm swing. They also mess with your balance. If you're hopping a rock while crossing a creek, you don't want the bag swinging around.

Fanny packs just never felt right to me either. Depending on your build, fanny packs get in the way of your arm swing also--especially if they carry water bottles along the sides.

If a daypack seems overkill, though, take a look at the REI Flash pack. It's still a daypack, but it is very minimalist and is wonderfully light. (I think it weighs 8.5 oz.) Pack it light, and you'll hardly know it's there. It's cheap, too. $25. For me, it's perfect for the light and easy stuff.
 
I carry my gear in my Maxpedition Devildog Waistpack.

Here is the gear spread out:



Here is my gear packed up in my Maxpedition Devildog Waistpack:

 
When I do get the chance to go for the outdoors, if I'm carrying a day's load, the long hours of walking/trekking really digs into my shoulders. I'm really not into "asymmetrical" carrying, as in whatever form of single-side shoulder carry. I'd really much prefer the load distributed equally by backpacks or waist/butt carry, like in those Proteus-style bags. I can't afford Maxpedition products but I do have sort of an equivalent design made by our local outdoor group here in my country which is just enough for urban EDC carry or a minimal day trek. Its the "Commuter" model here:

http://www.habagat.com/p_packs.htm

What I personally look for when considering waist-carry bags or butt packs, is what I call the "MJF" or "minimum jog flop" in the design. I test one out by filling it with stuff and then simulating running/jogging to see how much it flops around my "derriere" and its only a matter of moments for most poor designs to slide down your ankles. Granted no design is virtually "flop proof" but it should have some sort of compression strap to support the load. The Commuter model passed this test.
 
I just use a dayback when I'm out for a dayhike or hunting. I own probably five differant models but the one I most often take is made by Lowe Alpine.

I like shoulder bags but the models I seem to like are out of my budget, such as the Filson bags. I use an Osprey brand messnger bag for work on occasion but I have not tried any long hikes with it yet. I'm not sure how it would do in the comfort range.
 
Magnussen - is that a magnifying glass in the top of your tinder box?

I presume it's another fire starting method. Do you have any trouble with the glass scratching? Where did you find such a clever piece of multi-use gear?
 
The tin is a "Hudson's Bay Tobacco Box" from the Ted Cash Co. I use a leather spacer to protect the lens on the inside.
 
Myakka said:
I carry my gear in my Maxpedition Devildog Waistpack.
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Would you mind adding some details about the Devildog? How does it carry, do you use shoulder straps, is it floppy at all when fully loaded, that sort of thing. Thanks
 
Magnussen!


Where did you get the Burning Glass? I think thats what it is called! If not please correct me, I have been looking for one.

RickJ
 
My gear is in a Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon. I find it good for day hikes but I wish it had a little more room for excess layers. Right now, when fully equipped it has all the essentials for my climate/locale, but it only allows for one layer. So, if it's raining I have room for a raincoat. If it's cold I have room for a fleece. Now I can strap one to the back but I wish it was just a hair bigger to allow both layers inside. Other than that I'm completely satisfied.
 
Blue Sky, just so you know the Devil Dog is discontinued. I know because I've just been looking for one myself.

Still be interesting to hear more about it though.
 
Blue Sky said:
Would you mind adding some details about the Devildog? How does it carry, do you use shoulder straps, is it floppy at all when fully loaded, that sort of thing. Thanks
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I really love it, most of the time I carry it as a waist pack and it has multi-adjusts to keep it from floppying around. It will bound if I jog with it while carring 2-32oz water bottle. I like the should strap, just to give me a change of carry while hiking long distance, or carring into the office on weekends.
 
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