? how do you organize ?

schmittie

schmittie

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Nov 28, 2009
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I'm currently building my bug out bag and I have a Kelty Goshawk. It's a nice pack but I'm having difficulty keeping things organized and separate since its a stuff sack type of backpack. I've been trying to put things in separate zippered canvas bags but it feels like I have to take everything out to get to something. It works, but its just what I would consider convenient.

I've been looking at what some of you guys have posted and it looks like many of you favor the military type, molle packs. Is it because they are more customizable?

Some of the Camelbaks have caught my eye (Motherlode, BFM) and Maxpedition has some cool ones. So far I really like the Condor Urban Go.

How do you keep things organized and convenient? Is there an entry level molle pack that you like that is inexpensive? Do you compromise by adding specific molle attachments? Help me out! You guys are smart and I don't have much to spend......
 
I do like the Molle Packs (I have both Maxped ones and Kifaru ones), largely because as you guessed they allow for customization. I'm an organization freak, so I like to have a specific spot for each piece of gear so I can locate it easily.

The other thing I do is that I use color coded small stuff sacks inside the main pack body to segregate various categories of gear. For example, I have a small red stuff sack that has all my fire starter stuff -- matches, firesteel, lighter, solid fuel, esbit stove, PJBs, etc. Some of these items have redundant pieces (e.g., lighter, firesteel) in exterior pockets, but I can easily pull out this red stuff sack any time I'm ready to cook or start a fire. I do the same thing with cold weather gear, FAK, food stuffs, etc.

The Maxped Condor II is a pretty decent pack that handles a fair amount of gear with easy attachment points. It's not in Kifaru's league for quality, but its a pretty good pack, for a reasonable price.

Hope that helps.
 
Organization, fit and durability should be the three most important considerations when buying your pack. You'd have been better off with a Redtail/Redwing, I think. I tend to vacuum pack everything in big ziploc bags anyway (if it does get wet inside my pack, IE submerged, my gear will still be relatively dry) and that helps, but as far as tools and gear that needs to be on hand... you may want to look into something like the Maxped Versipack to go along with the Goshawk. Check out the MOLLE II pack-I'd start with something like the TAD Gear Op1 for organizing survival kit and camp tools.
 
XMP said:
The other thing I do is that I use color coded small stuff sacks inside the main pack body to segregate various categories of gear. For example, I have a small red stuff sack that has all my fire starter stuff -- matches, firesteel, lighter, solid fuel, esbit stove, PJBs, etc. Some of these items have redundant pieces (e.g., lighter, firesteel) in exterior pockets, but I can easily pull out this red stuff sack any time I'm ready to cook or start a fire. I do the same thing with cold weather gear, FAK, food stuffs, etc
Click to expand...

Thats about what I do. For overnight trips I use a Kelty Haiku pack which just has one main compartment with a smaller pouch on the lid. I preffer this type of pack to the military style ones because they (for the price) are so much lighter.

This type of system is also easier for me to use due to the modularity. You can pick and choose different parts of your kit/gear for different trips. I can take all of my gear out of my waist pack and organize it into my overnight pack in less than a minute.

It works well for me, but YMMV.

Brandon
 
This is how I keep all the smaller stuff organized in my pack.

The knife, 1st Aid, clothing and stuff just goes into the pack, it’s easy to find those things.
 
I built my BOB on a pack that had a couple of external pockets. That way, I could keep items that I think I might need in a hurry readily accessible.

The main interior compartment also has a couple of pockets so I can further sub divide the contents.
 
I also like a pack with one large compartment. I use stuff sacks to break up the gear inside and keep it dry. I'll use a contractor's garbage bag as a liner if I think there is a real chance of stuff getting wet.

One thing I found that really helped me was to take all of the little gadgets/toys/tools (eg fire kit, head lamp, leatherman, etc) and put them into one ditty bag that rides right on top, under the rain gear.

Bag on the bottom; then tent/hammock, sleep pad, water filter; then ditty bag, rain gear, and tarp. I put the first aid kit and extra clothes in a sack in the hydration pouch, & carry bug dope/head net, sunscreen, gloves, nalgenes & a cup in side pockets. If it looks like rain, I keep the tarp & rigging right on top or on the outside of the pack.

Map, compass, knife, fire steel, a bit of extra cordage, & psk I keep on me at all times.


I haven't figured out the best way to haul lots of food yet, though. I usually just do overnights or car camp.



EDIT: I just realized the OP was about a BOB setup... I was thinking more in terms of hiking, but some of the same thoughts might apply. Generally, I've found that if I don't group the little stuff I want into a bigger pile/sack, then something will inevitably be forgotten. In general for me, more stuff to keep track of is just more stuff to lose.
 
It also depends on what and how much gear you take. I go out light so for me, on dayhikes, all I need is a small pouch for my small stuff that's in a pint sized ziploc and a hygiene kit in another small ziploc. The tarp, extra layers, hatchet, and cord all go into the big compartment.

If I were to take more stuff, I would figure out what gets used most and put it together on top. I wouldn't necessarily do like what's been said above where you have groups of items that are associated. If you do that you have to dig for this in this bag and that in that bag. Most used on top, seldom used, and least used on the bottom. But organizing is as individual as what knife we carry.:D
 
It also depends on what and how much gear you take. I go out light so for me, on dayhikes, all I need is a small pouch for my small stuff that's in a pint sized ziploc and a hygiene kit in another small ziploc. The tarp, extra layers, hatchet, and cord all go into the big compartment.

If I were to take more stuff, I would figure out what gets used most and put it together on top. I wouldn't necessarily do like what's been said above where you have groups of items that are associated. If you do that you have to dig for this in this bag and that in that bag. Most used on top, seldom used, and least used on the bottom. But organizing is as individual as what knife we carry.:D

Edit: I too posted about hiking but then again my daybag IS my BOB.;)
 
Go to a dollar store and buy different coloured plastic two piece soap holders (type fore camping).
Use ranger bands or tape them closed.
Red = fire kit
Blue = water purification kit
Or however you want to do it
 
You might keep the pack you are using, and re think what you think you need, choosing smaller lighter gear, or having some equipment doing double duty. One bug out bag I use is a similar size, and I found some packing cubes that fit very well, so I compartmentalize that way. It weighs more, but I also found more useable room. I also can switch out equipment and still keep it together.
 
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