Looking for a new backpack

Originally posted by stw
BTW there's another Waipio Valley on the Big Island.
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Forgot about that--no wonder it sounded weird.

A knock-off of a knock-off. It's funny how the Blackhawk knockoff is more expensive than the original--you don't see that everyday.
 
in general, knockoffs aren't of as high a quality as the original
in this case, i don't think there's anything about the bhi pack you can say is inferior to the eagle becker pack

i didn't even know it was a knockoff :eek:
 
I have a North Face Mojave backpack. I've had it for about 5 years now. It carried about 30 lbs of books every day for most of 3 years, was with me for 2 weeks in Europe, packed to the gills. Other than being dirty, it is in impeccable shape. Seams have held up in spite of abuse, and it will hold 24 beers... I imagine this quality extends to the entire North Face line.

Regards,

Shaun.
 
Slightly OT question: what fails first on your backpack?

I've noticed on mine that the zippers are usually the first to fail, especially the smaller ones. If the plastic teeth get smashed or misaligned they cause the pull to 'jump' from its track and the zipper is compromised. Zipper failure has caused most of my Jansport and Eastpak backpacks to be replaced. If the zipper stays good, my backpacks wear away most quickly on the bottom. The urethane waterproof coating also wears away on the inside from carrying lots of books or binders with hard corners. Any exterior mesh pockets get worn and ragged with hard use. If the back panel is some type of fabric for cooling, that will wear eventually as well. I've never seen a failure at the seams on my own packs, but have seen shoulder straps rip off on my friends' packs before.

Thinking about those durability aspects led me to my North Face Recon and Eagle A-III. Both have compression straps to take strain off the zippers when the pack is loaded. Both use #10 YKK plastic coil zippers, very beefy. My North Face is made of polyester, and the mesh pockets and bottom are clearly taking wear. The A-III is cordura with tougher, larger fastex buckles is still new. I know it will outlast my North Face simply because it has no exterior mesh, cordura outlasts polyester, and the compression straps will keep the zipper in good shape. Another nice thing about the A-III is that you won't look like a Navy SEAL running around with it. And that removable waistbelt and optional frame are nice when you're carrying heavy stuff, but not needed most of the time.
 
my older backpacks (deuter) usually fail at the stitching first
the zippers are the same ykk ones, don't have a problem with that
but i've broken zipper tabs before
 
I travel to the Big Island at least once a year. My Dad lives in Captain Cook. Very wonderful part of the world and many memories.
 
Ebay has the Blackhawk 3 day for $75 Buy it now.
I've not bought from him and have no connection.
I've been looking for quite some time for "the right" pack and have it narrowed (till I saw the post on the lightfighter raid))
to the BHI and eagle 3day type packs in non camo.
I think the R.A.I.D. Pack is the first place slot now. I have to look at it some more. It will accept all the neat bags and pouches that I have with various attaching systems.
Tom
 
check out sierra trading post at www.sierratradingpost.com they deal in closeouts, discontinueds, blemishes, overstocks etc. I have gotten some really good deals there in their bargain bag section - $200 pair of Vasque boots for $40 among others.
 
Before you buy go to triple aught's website and look at the Oakley Sandbag. Just got mine a week ago and I'm very impressed with it. Great for a day pack.
 
Forget Blackhawk, go with the guys they copied all their designs from: Eagle. I have an Eagle AIII pack and it's perfect as a hiking, travelling, BOB, etc. pack... it's just small enough to pass for a day pack, it's just big enough to carry enough gear for a well planned BOB. The AIII can take a frame and/or a hydration bladder (I have a 100 oz camelbak storm in mine), as well as removeable accessory pockets. The approx volume is 2240 cubic inches. I got mine for $99 at www.actiongear.com . They have a lifetime warranty and the construction is heavy duty beyond what you'll get from regular outdoors gear. I really like mine, can you tell? ;)
 
Steeldiver has very valid points about durability.

Another thing to keep in mind with any major brand name company is that they make multiple levels of quality and price for different markets. Most of us are probably familiar with Solingen, Germany Henkels knives (and Brazilian, Spainish, etc. Henkels). As I noted in my post above, there is difference in Camelbak sporting gear and their military line.

While a good company name, such as North Face, ensures you get a well thought and well designed product, there is no substitute for higher quality construction materials. I have seen North Face backpacks that belong at Wal-Mart on the discount rack and, of course we have all seen them the high end camping stores with the noticeable difference in price and materials of construction. There is not free ride - you either pay for quality or, you don't.

As a case in point, I bought a Lowe Alpine Special Expedition. This is huge pack (what was I thinking :confused: ) that cost $300 about 15 years ago. At the time it was made of what was a fairly new material, 1000 denier Cordura :) . I discovered two things while carrying this pack for 6 months, with over 60% of my body weight in it, my knees would give out and, Cordura was the closet thing to flexible steel I had ever seen. After carrying this pack hard for 6 months, setting on rough concrete benches fully loaded, chucking it who knows where in overhead bins and luggage holds, it still looks like new with only minimal signs of wear.

Yes, that pack was darn expensive to someone who was scraping by working their way through college but, I still have that pack today. Buy the right one once or, buy an inferior pack many times after it fails you when you really need it. Walking across campus with a few books, a cheap Jansport is fine. If you broke a zipper or busted a seam, etc., would you be able to scoop up all the stuff you needed to hike out to civilization?
 
I've had my Blackhawk 3-Day Assualt pack for at least 5 years. I've carried it 5 days a week the whole time. It's gone through the washing machine 3 or 4 times. The only thing that has "failed" is about 1" on stitching on the right shoulder strap.
 
After taking a look at all of the packs listed in this thread, I'm leaning toward the Eagle AIII Assault Pack. It seems to be the right size, right price (in relation to quality of product), and right quality. Plus, I prefer to go with the original. Are the accessory pouches worth getting? The AIII only has two compartments, right?
 
ZENGHOST-

For your trip to Japan I think you would want to go without the accessory pouches. They can be purchased later for your bug-out set up.

The R.A.I.D. pack is at the top of my list, but I've been looking at the Kifaru Marauder. It's highly recommended by the real-deal BTDT operator types, but I don't think I can justify the price for my purposes. I really want it though...maybe that's justification enough.
 
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