Looking for a new backpack

ZENGHOST

ZENGHOST

Joined
Jan 21, 2002
Messages
3,834
Okay, some of you may have seen my thread in Community about my upcoming trip to Japan. For those of you that haven't...well...I'm going to Japan :rolleyes:. What I'm looking for is a good backpack that I will take as my carry-on on this trip and I will also carry it around with me while I'm there. The thing is, that when I get back from the trip, I want this bag to be my new emergency/bug-out bag. I'm looking for something not so big that I'll look like an idiot just walking around with it, but big enough to hold my stuff. I do like extra pockets as long as it's not at the expense of large/main compartment space. I want/need it to be durable--it will be for emergencies after all, so I don't want to get something that's going to fall apart when I need it. Water resistance would be nice. Comfort is always good. As for price, I'm looking for something in the $50 range, but if I see something that really floats my boat then I'll probably be willing to throw some more cash at it. So...which bag is in my future?

Oh yeah, and the trip is early July so I want to get it A.S.A.P.

And I'm also going to be starting a thread for MiniDV camcorders if any of you are knowledgeable in that area. Thanks, guys.
 
Originally posted by DEA
uhm
i like this
but it's a lot more than 50 :o

http://www.blackhawkindustries.com/product_detail.asp?product_id=2040&d=

i use this because of the same reasons you want yours
big enough to hold my stuff, but not so big people look at me like i'm weird or something
in particular i hate it when a pack goes above my head, throws off my balance
yeah, well, so... take a look :)
Click to expand...
Yeah--only four times more expensive. Actually, except for the price, that's pretty much what I'm looking for. Maybe I'd do a hundred for it, but $220 is a bit too high. Thanks for the link.
 
I recently got a North Face Torrent for use on my one-week Spring Break. It was the only bag I brought, so packing all my clothes and gear (i.e. a gazillion flashlights for playing around with at the Grand Canyon) made it a tight fit, but it was possible. It cost about $80, 1850 cubic inches, just small enough for me to carry around as a bookbag during the rest of the school year (I'm only 5'4", so maybe everyone else can pull off a larger bag). It's way bigger and more comfortable than the inexpensive student Jansport/Outdoor backpacks I've used before.

However, the nylon material doesn't seem to be exceptionally thick or durable. I'm worried that it will wear very quickly since it's seeing daily use. I guess there's always the warranty if anything terrible happens.

For your budget, you might want to take a look at stores like EMS and REI. I found a few somewhat-large Jansport backpacks for about $50 in their discount section, but I wanted the hydration-system compatible North Face bag.
 
Don't skimp on a backpack that you'll use for a long time. Over $100 is expected, and $220 is not unreasonable.
 
there are a couple more reasons why the BHI patrol pack is good, but that's dependent on you liking their gear in the first place

you see, the pack comes with a padded belt complete with BTS webbing for you to attach next packs/magazine pouches/knife pouches/touchlight pouches/utility pouches/blah blah blah insert full catalogue here
also, the top of the pack under the flap has a few more such slots, as does the base :)
so, in theory, you could have FOURTEEN extra pouches to keep ur stuff in

but that's provided you like their system :)
i know i do :D

there's also a built in pouch for a hydration system, and it even comes with foam padding for insulation
well worth my money :)

i got mine for ~190 usd (no shipping because i went to the distributor)

it's a great bag if you intend to be using it for a long time
 
I recommend the Eagle A-III assault pack because I know that will last a lifetime. Greg Walker seems to like his, and so do I :D .

Originally posted by Greg Walker
EAGLE 3-day / Assault pack (new GEN) is above reproach. Mine arrived in desert camo from John Carver the day before we launched into IQ. It has been a God Send. I liked my Tactical Tailor rig, but I love the new EAGLE pack and have worn it / used it every day since. It rides comfortably over my body armor and TAS system, and is built / sewn as rugged as they come. Design improvements are many (I've carried an EAGLE pack for years now) and all make sense. This is the best patrol pack out there, bar none. And believe me, I'm seeing them all with both US and Coalition forces...and hearing about the pros and cons under the most extreme of environments. Thanks, John!
Click to expand...

It goes for about $100, but will definitely last many times longer than any $50 commercial pack you can buy. Main compartment is spacious (2240 cu in.), two front pockets, and it's perfect carryon size. Comfort is good and water resistance is as good as you'll get from a cordura pack. As far as commercial stuff goes, I've had good experiences with North Face. A decent pack is going to start around $75. If you're willing to consider messenger bags, Timbuk2 is among the best (it's one of my EDCs and makes a great men's bag, not feminine at all ;) ).
 
The assault pack looks pretty good--definitely a consideration. Thanks for the links, guys.
 
Eagle III is the ****. Use mine everyday for my BOB and dojo gear. Plus it is my pack for SWAT call outs. Can't go wrong.
 
So, can anyone tell me the difference between the EAGLE® A-III ASSAULT 3-DAY BACKPACK and the BLACKHAWK® 3 DAY ASSAULT BACKPACK - IVS BACK PANEL? Are they pretty much the same thing? The Blackhawk is about $24 more.
 
Eagle Industries makes their stuff in the United States of America. They don't rip-off other people's designs. I've got Eagle gear I bought several years ago that is still good as new after having served me well. Personally, I think Eagle offers a lot of bang for the buck. They won't have the slickest advertising campaign but, they don't need it either. Their military orders seem to keep them fully occupied too so, that may explain some of the lack of glitz and glamour in the advertising world.

Blackhawk builds good gear in Korea. They are no longer the Camelbak distributor in the USA, Eagle is. Take it for what it's worth.
 
Originally posted by Sid Post
Blackhawk builds good gear in Korea. They are no longer the Camelbak distributor in the USA, Eagle is. Take it for what it's worth.
Click to expand...

apparently the story is blackhawk was OEMing for camelbak
they are now producing their OWN line of hydration products

i have 2 camelbak waistpouches and 1 camelbak backpack
after trying out hydrastorm (BHI), i switched
the quality of worksmanship simply doesn't come close
 
apparently the story is blackhawk was OEMing for camelbak
Click to expand...

Unless I'm mistaken, Camelbak gear was always made in the Phillipenes, as it is currently.

Dea,

Are you saying you like the Blackhawk better then the Camelbak? Are you comparing the Camelbak military gear or the Camelbak consumer gear? I have both flavors of Camelbak and much prefer the heavier duty Camelbak Military gear. The Camelbak Omega resevoirs work very well for me, FWIW.
 
Go to www.rei.com or
www.campmor.com or www.sierratradingpost.com
sierra has a Jansport Cordillera on sale for 40 bux
had mine 3 years and it's cool. Lots of air travel also, no problems.
find a quality 2000-2200 cubic inch pack

get one in subdued colors(gray, brown) and save some $$$

you don't need a GI-proof assault pack made for the infantry

you'll look like a nut if you get on a place geared-up like a navy SEAL

If you are gonna bug out in Hawaii you'll be able to keep it pretty light anyhow.

I used mine on an overniight in the Waipio Valley last year and we lived and ate in roughing it style.
 
60PP00BK_2.jpg
62805.JPG

Well, they definitely look similar, and the Sportsman's Guide one is a lot friendlier in price, but I'd rather not buy it if it's a knockoff (looks like one). Pretty tempting, though.

Angus--you come down to Hawaii often? I haven't even been in the valley in many years and I'm right next door in Mililani.

As for bugging out, the pack will actually double as a BOB and an Emergency pack.
 
hey Zeng,
That's a knock-off of a knock-off. Eagle makes the original Becker Patrol Pack.

It was designed by Ethan Becker of BK&T.

BTW there's another Waipio Valley on the Big Island.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top