I want a good quality affordable backpack.

BenLong1018

BenLong1018

Joined
Apr 12, 2012
Messages
1,668
Of course I would love to have a really nice Maxpedition, but I just don't wanna drop that kind of coin on a backpack. Are there any backpacks that are decent for $50 out there. I'm looking for something pretty small for outdoor use the only time I'll have this bag on me is when I'm in the woods. I'm kind of a minimalist so the biggest things I'll carry in the bag are my hatchet and a small fixed blade. I'll need room for some smaller stuff as well. Any suggestions?
 
There's an outdoor store based in Cheyenne, Wyoming that specializes in closeouts and overstocks, often good stuff but in last year's colors or some such. They often have high quality brand daypacks in the $50-100 range. They have packs from Mountain Hardware, Gregory, and Marmot listed right now.

Send me a PM if you can't figure out the store's name.

Camelback makes good packs as well, but they're more often in the $100-150 range unless you can find them on closeout somewhere.
 
I'd look at Jansport, they make mostly school backpacks, put they have some outdoors models as well. I went through a backpack every 6 months for several years due to the amount of books and overpacking I did in Jr High and part of high school until I got a Jansport that lasted me from sophmore year of high school past my fourth year of college, one of the zippers ended up finally failing, which actually would have been an easy fix, but I wanted a new one anyway. Also I've heard Jansport has an excellent warranty, lifetime repairs or replacement if some kind of defect. If you end up moving to a higher price range I highly recommend Osprey, I have 4 so far (day hike (25L), weekend/multi-day (48L), Week+ (110L) and an EDC type backpack I use daily, for about 2 years now with no discernible wear.
 
try the goodwill store. I never get lucky with anything real nice but a buddy of mine has ended up with some nice stuff more than once, eureka tent, north face fleece, and TNF snow suit.

As far as brands go, short of where its made they are pretty much all the same. Check the material, stitching, zippers, buckles, and webbing.
Odds are the tag will say made in china so brand is irrelevant, (that's just my opinion) as far as we know they could all be made in the same factory, just have different tags sewn on.

My point is, a nice bag is a nice bag, doesn't really matter what the tag says.

Good luck finding a pack.
 
If your kid needs a pack too, my boy has the REI Tarn 18. It's about the only kids pack I've seen that is a 'real' pack but smaller; most kids packs are designed as bookbags or built like toys.
 
I'd keep an eye out on all the different forum exchanges and eBay for some good deals on new or gently used packs. You can find some really good deals in american made packs.
 
For heavy carrying I have a Patagonia pack but with that said...I have had the same daypack from EMS purchased used off of Craigslist for the better part of 1999 to now, it's gone with me around the world and I use it still for day hikes. I usually carry lunch for two, snacks, wetnaps, zoom lens and maybe 6-8 16 ounce waters for a typical 9AM-5PM hike in the tri-state NYC area. I got the day pack which zipped onto the back of an EMS 4500 internal frame pack for a total of $50 for both. So it's been in continual use going on 15 years now and still strong! It's been everywhere up a volcano in Costa Rica with no path, Amsterdam, and all the regular hikes around the tristate NY/NJ/PA area. I just saw that they have a modernized model called a Drifter on their website that is in your range. PS that Manhattan Portage bag has been with me since high school going strong since 1993!!!

My old one:
20140120_142118.jpg


New one online
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X3 on RIE... If you invest in a bag that falls apart in the wake of normal use, or if you're not completely satisfied, you have something like a year to return it... Also, membership has its perks with the return sales... You can score some really high end gear for dirt cheap...
 
SinePari said:
or if you're not completely satisfied, you have something like a year to return it...
Click to expand...

It used to be for life but last year they changed it to one year because they were losing out on too much money from people returning 10 year old equipment.

I could have literally brought back my 5 year old bike no matter how bad condition it was in and they would have refunded all of my money. You can definitely see how so many people were abusing this awesome policy. That's why people called REI: "Rental Equipment Inc." for a while.
 
I have had very good luck with Red Rock Outdoor Gear. They should have a variety of packs in your price range.
 
BenLong1018 said:
Thank you they have some awesome stuff!
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I have two of their assault packs (like the Maxpedition falcon II), one of the summit pack (like the Maxpedition pygmy falcon II), and am thinking about getting the rambler pack (like the Maxpedition sitka). I have been extremely happy with the quality of these bags, and see no reason to spend twice the money for Maxpedition.
Good luck with your search, hope you find a bag that fits your needs and budget. :)
 
I dont know if you get them there but Karrimor makes a good cheap bag. Good because its well stitched and they use YKK zippers and rip-stop nylon even on their cheap school bags. I have one of their bigger hiking packs and its excellent quality.

BenLong1018 said:
Of course I would love to have a really nice Maxpedition, but I just don't wanna drop that kind of coin on a backpack. Are there any backpacks that are decent for $50 out there. I'm looking for something pretty small for outdoor use the only time I'll have this bag on me is when I'm in the woods. I'm kind of a minimalist so the biggest things I'll carry in the bag are my hatchet and a small fixed blade. I'll need room for some smaller stuff as well. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
 
Spec-Ops is blowing out T.H.E. Pack at a really low price for an American made pack.

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Tactical Tailor makes some great stuff that I believe in whole heartedly. It's made in the USA and has a great pedigree. I own a three day plus assault pack in ranger green and I love the extra pockets!
 
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