innexpensive traditional pack?

BarberFobic1992

BarberFobic1992

Joined
Jan 21, 2008
Messages
3,346
Currently, the only pack i own is for school, so for outdoor excursions, i am obviously limited on stuff to carry. the main reason for my procrastonation on buying a pack is i cant really find one like i want in my price range. i dont like to use modern packs really, as i am pretty much into the traditional thing. the duluths look really nice, but for a highschooler who works a minimum wage job, they are just too expensive. so, i was wondering if anyone knew of a good traditional (canvas and leather) pack that would be inexpensive but well suited for short outdoor excursions? kind of like the duluth lumerjack or wanderer.
thanks in advance,
Brendan
 
Not old style but try the old german ranger pack can get them as low as $10..
 
I keep looking at the L.L.Bean Continental rucksack. They have it in canvas and leather for $100.http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/st...1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&feat=54123-ppxs&dds=y I currently have the nylon version which I like alot and is alot cheaper. The only problem I have was fitting 32oz Nalgene bottles in the side pockets. They fit but it is real close. I solved the problem by switching to the Nalgene G.I type canteenswhich fit great. I also got rid of my esbit stove and use the G.I. canteen cup and stove.
 
I hear ya.

I've got a Duluth Rambler that I use as my primary short trip bag. Also as luggage, LOL. It's a great bag. And the price isn't bad. It is heavier than modern materials, but I like it because the canvas is quieter than nylon bags.

448062446_3K52t-L.jpg


Duluth makes good stuff. Don't know what to tell you. Eat more Ramen, work an extra shift, sell some plasma. Get the gear you really want.

 
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Try looking around at local pawn shops, flea markets, or surplus stores for used packs on the cheap. Often you can find used military canvas packs for fairly reasonable prices. Good luck, we've all been there!
 
yeah, any of the old army style para trooper bags, um.... really anything that has "army issue" that is from 40's would work fine, and would be cheap.
 
All that old US military stuff is fine and good, and would serve your purposes - but they lack a bit in the class department. Personally, I use an old Swiss rucksack as my bookbag for college, and it does quite a job while looking rather nice as well. It looks like this, except this guy's gone and put some funky patch on it and the bag in the picture is obviously totally empty.
swisspackdm3.jpg

Once you put some stuff in it, it looks rather nice. None of the pictures I could find quite capture the beauty of the bag, but you get the idea.
me215nf9.gif


Everything on the bag is practically bomb-proof. The stitching is well done and the leather is quality. The bag actually does have a light internal frame, and has this big sort of inner lining that can be used to extend the bag's carrying capacity. Overall, it's the best damn bag I could find for my tastes and purposes, and being Swiss made is a definite plus.
I got mine for $50 at a place called Out Your Backdoor (suggestive, innit?) but your mileage may vary. They're a little bit difficult to find - and be sure you call who you buy from to make sure they're in stock. I waited weeks for a certain surplus store to send one, called them and found out it was backordered. :jerkit:
Jerkarounds aside, if you can find it at a reputable dealer for a reasonable price, I would highly reccomend the rucksack. It's probably not suitable for long trips, but it's damn skippy for toting around the campus. Just search for "Swiss rucksack" and you're likely to find a few hits. Good luck.
 
There's some of those Swiss packs on eBay right now. Just be careful, there are rubberized nylon versions, not all are canvas.

May I ask what Duluth you were looking at?
I have the Wanderer daypack and the Hudson Bay pack.
If you're looking for a daypack, or even a weekend pack, the Wanderer or Rambler work great. The #4 Timber Cruiser would set you up for a week. All 3 are $165. That may SEEM expensive, but are cheaper than a lot of the "ultralight" packs int he same size range, and given the fact that these are tough enough, you'll probably be giving them to your grandkids, it's worth every penny. Might want to consider just saving for a while.
 
Personally I like the old style USGI ALICE pack, have two of them, both were under $20 shipped off eBay, but work great. The only thing I wish one of them had was the newer style shoulder straps. These are the med and large Alice packs, not the small ones. Plenty of room for all my winter camping gear, plus some to spare. Not very fancy, but works well.
 
BarberFobic1992 said:
"...kind of like the duluth lumerjack or wanderer."
Click to expand...

Like another poster suggested: Save some extra cash and get what you want. Why settle for "kind of like"? Get what you want.

I have the Wanderer and it is my favorite pack. Rugged, plenty of room, rides nice and high, and guaranteed by the manufacturer.
 
Psycho_Boy_Jack said:
All that old US military stuff is fine and good, and would serve your purposes - but they lack a bit in the class department. Personally, I use an old Swiss rucksack as my bookbag for college, and it does quite a job while looking rather nice as well. It looks like this, except this guy's gone and put some funky patch on it and the bag in the picture is obviously totally empty.
swisspackdm3.jpg

Once you put some stuff in it, it looks rather nice. None of the pictures I could find quite capture the beauty of the bag, but you get the idea.
me215nf9.gif


Everything on the bag is practically bomb-proof. The stitching is well done and the leather is quality. The bag actually does have a light internal frame, and has this big sort of inner lining that can be used to extend the bag's carrying capacity. Overall, it's the best damn bag I could find for my tastes and purposes, and being Swiss made is a definite plus.
I got mine for $50 at a place called Out Your Backdoor (suggestive, innit?) but your mileage may vary. They're a little bit difficult to find - and be sure you call who you buy from to make sure they're in stock. I waited weeks for a certain surplus store to send one, called them and found out it was backordered. :jerkit:
Jerkarounds aside, if you can find it at a reputable dealer for a reasonable price, I would highly reccomend the rucksack. It's probably not suitable for long trips, but it's damn skippy for toting around the campus. Just search for "Swiss rucksack" and you're likely to find a few hits. Good luck.
Click to expand...

I agree with this pack, bombproof, would like to attach hip belt. Had one for years, a little big but it works great as long as the leather holds up. Keep it conditioned. Good suggestion. Mine cost 15.00 in good shape at a surplus store. I would buy another one or two to keep loaded in the truck and car.
 
MrCoffee said:
Personally I like the old style USGI ALICE pack, have two of them, both were under $20 shipped off eBay, but work great. The only thing I wish one of them had was the newer style shoulder straps. These are the med and large Alice packs, not the small ones. Plenty of room for all my winter camping gear, plus some to spare. Not very fancy, but works well.
Click to expand...

I also have a few Alice packs that I picked up cheap at the Goodwill. I read an article once about the downfalls of the frame for it. I read that a good replacement for the frame is to cut down the flex frame off a coleman backpack and put it in there, strong and light. I have both but have never gotten around to do the project.
 
The Cabelas cheap external frame is nice. If you can find a good pack frame, you can order just the bag. It is not going to last forever, but will serve you well for years.

While it is not traditional, it is a very nice size, and not very expensive. I have on older pack frame I cut down a bit, with the Cabelas pack on it, that weighs about 4lbs empty, and can hold a huge amount of weight if necessary. It fits gear for whatever kind of trip you happen to be going on, and leaves money for other things at the same time. I have been using mine for about 3 years now with no problems.
 
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