medium sized internal frame pack with molle/pals webbing?

Q

quick kill

Joined
Jul 23, 2010
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I did a search but didn't find anything, I currently have a small pack (about 680 cu in) but I don't think it will work for longer trip's (3 or more day's) and would appreciate any help in my search. I need a medium sized internal frame pack around 1500 cu in? Withe molle/pals webbing. I would prefer if it were top and side loading. Some external pockets would be nice but not required, but compression straps are a must. I don't know ANYTHING about frame packs, so if there are any desirable features to have on one I'd like to here them. Price range is about $300. Thanks everyone I appreciate any and all advise.
 
quick kill said:
I did a search but didn't find anything, I currently have a small pack (about 680 cu in) but I don't think it will work for longer trip's (3 or more day's) and would appreciate any help in my search. I need a medium sized internal frame pack around 1500 cu in? Withe molle/pals webbing. I would prefer if it were top and side loading. Some external pockets would be nice but not required, but compression straps are a must. I don't know ANYTHING about frame packs, so if there are any desirable features to have on one I'd like to here them. Price range is about $300. Thanks everyone I appreciate any and all advise.
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Not trying to be Captain Obvious, but would a surplus military MOLLE pack serve? I have a couple - picked one up new for $40.00 and a second new for $50.00. A ton of attachments are available to increase load capacity. As a bonus they come in several very sporty colors as well... :)
 
Yeah lol it would, the brain stops working this early in the morning. I was really looking for something a bit nicer tho. I was originally going to just get an old Alice pack...but I'm kinda getting tiered of the surplus thing. The stuff work's fine just looking for something more modern.
 
There are plenty of variations, I happen to like the Spec Ops THE Pack for the price, but Blackhawk, Eagle, Tactical Tailor, Camelbak and others make good stuff like you're looking for. I really like Camelbak products too, but if you don't mind spending money... Kifaru.
 
Try Kifaru or Mystery Ranch . Kifaru has it's own message board where you can pick up a lightly used or new pack for a decent price.
 
There's also the option of getting an ALICE pack and then sending it to Tactical Tailor and letting them do their ruck mods to it. I had a ruck modded by them when I was in the army and loved it. They do good work. Kinda wish I hadn't given it to one of my soldiers when I got out.
 
Your molle pack made with web material will generally be signif. heavier than a similar sized pack made for normal backpacking.

Also a pack that you hang stuff off of and that is wider will not be as easy to carry in difficult terrain as one where you are carrying most of your gear inside the pack and the pack is nore narrow.

That is assuming that the 3 day trip you plan involves hiking on difficult terrain and bushwhacking.

If you are just hiking in and camping for 3 days or hiking 3 days over smooth trails then pack weight and how it carries is not so much of a factor, but if you are doing a lot of technical backpacking over difficult terrain you are way better off to go for a lighter weight long and narrow technical style pack that you can put all your gear inside.:thumbup:
 
I wouldn't go with the military MOLLE unless you're planning on using one of the newer "assault" packs. They're 1800-2000 cu in. They really don't have an internal frame, but use a reinforced back to keep them semi-rigid. They are kind of heavy.
 
Thanks for all the responses Guy's. post#4 GLEE I like those manufacturers as well, but I'm looking for more of a "tubular" shaped pack, do they make any in that style? I have never seen any that doesn't mean they don't tho. Post#5 LMT66 thanks for the info kIfaru was the first one I looked at, and I'm leaning towards them but. I've never heard of mystery ranch but will check then out.Post# 6 CAROLINA RIVER RAT -I will look into that, it might cost more then getting a new pack though, and I've never really been into Alice packs or the military Molle packs. That's y I have been looking for something new. But if the price is right then it might be just what I'm looking for. post#7 JGON I really like the esse pack, but again it's not really the shape I'm looking for right now, but its definitely in the future. Post#9 HOLLOW DWELLER Agreed the only reason I want molle/pals webbing is in case I have to strap my kid's/wife's pack on if they are injured or to fatigued and cannot carry the wight as well as to carry a hawk/ large knife, but not much else. As for terrain I'm new to backpacking (of my own free will anyways lol) and the only experience I have in doing so is in mountainous desert terrain, but I plan on going back home as soon as possible. I'm currently in Lawton Oklahoma so for now it will be used on flat open ground, but wen I go back to the Pacific Northwest it will be much more technical mountain terrain. Post#10 eisman yeah I've used those they are okay but not really what I'm looking for right now I.e wight/no frame.
 
I have a Kifaru Express that I picked up on sale (it's a gen 1) that would be a good 3 day pack- it has molle attachment, the Molle Express has even more (hence the name :))- they still have quite a few gen 1 packs on sale (close to 1/2 off)- would be worth perusing those, as mentioned above you can find occasionally find Kifaru used as well- their stuff is pretty expensive at full price
 
1500? That's not medium, that's small. Kelty, Eberlestock, and your best bet is probably Camelback (as far as price goes). The Mule... though I still think it's overpriced.
 
mtwarden said:
I have a Kifaru Express that I picked up on sale (it's a gen 1) that would be a good 3 day pack- it has molle attachment, the Molle Express has even more (hence the name :))- they still have quite a few gen 1 packs on sale (close to 1/2 off)- would be worth perusing those, as mentioned above you can find occasionally find Kifaru used as well- their stuff is pretty expensive at full price
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Yeah I really like the Moll express and the g1 express. But where do you find them for sale? I looked on the kifaru sight, but everything said it was made to order. Is there somewhere else to buy them?
 
PayetteRucker said:
1500? That's not medium, that's small. Kelty, Eberlestock, and your best bet is probably Camelback (as far as price goes). The Mule... though I still think it's overpriced.
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Well for me 1500 is medium, but I like to travel lite with the bare minimum. I'm also a small Guy 5'6" 135-145lb so a 7,500 cu in" is a bit more then I need. I checked quit a few companies and I think I'm going to go with kifaru. They have just what I'm looking for in just over my price range. Thanks to everyone that helped me in my search I really appreciate it.
 
quick kill said:
Yeah I really like the Moll express and the g1 express. But where do you find them for sale? I looked on the kifaru sight, but everything said it was made to order. Is there somewhere else to buy them?
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yeah it's pretty hidden on the site, try this http://kifaru.net/2008MG.html

I think the choices have been thinned down considerably, but depending on what your looking for- pretty substantial savings- also keep checking the Kifaru forum marketplace- maybe even post up a want to buy thread
 
For a pack with PALS webbing, I can't recommend Kifaru enough. They're pretty much the gold standard, although I hear Mystery Ranch is right up there.

In case the above link gets nixed by the mods, the front Kifaru page has text that says G1 products are discounted -- currently on the lower left of the picture. Those are the links to the sale page.

What you're looking for is very small. The Scout is 1300CI. They don't have the G1, but the G2 X-ray is 1800 CI.
 
Guessing that you already got your pack, but for the sake of the thread, I will say that I was looking for something similar and went with an eberlestock X2, which has an internal aluminium frame and is about 1900 cu. in. I haven't used it yet, but it sure looks good out of the box. I have a thread of my own about this.
 
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