Need a daypack, solid but affordable

PharaohX3

PharaohX3

Joined
Feb 22, 2012
Messages
216
Hey guys. I'm helping my big brother hunt around for a new daypack. He's ex-military(82nd Airborne) but hes sold off all his old gear in the 9 or 10 years since he got out. He's only looking to spend $80 bucks or less but wants something solidly built, no flimsy materials or shoddy craftsmanship. He will probably only be carrying 20-25lbs most of the time, mostly in desert or mountain conditions, running pretty standard wilderness gear and perhaps a few extras.

1400-1800ci (give or take) should be pretty close to enough space. Will be mostly used for hunting and general outdoor use. I'm guessing he's fine with or without a waistbelt since the load is usually going to be light. He's a pretty tall guy at around 6'3". Naturally we are looking at military surplus, but of course not limited to it. He's fine with tactical or more standard styles as long as the color is subdued. The USMC assault pack looks good but may be a bit excessive, neither of us have seen one in person.

I've owned tons of packs over the years but usually on the higher end, never really had to shop for one on a budget since I was a kid so I'm a bit lost. Do you guys have any recommendations? Thanks!
 
PharaohX3 said:
Hey guys. I'm helping my big brother hunt around for a new daypack. He's ex-military(82nd Airborne) but hes sold off all his old gear in the 9 or 10 years since he got out. He's only looking to spend $80 bucks or less but wants something solidly built, no flimsy materials or shoddy craftsmanship. He will probably only be carrying 20-25lbs most of the time, mostly in desert or mountain conditions, running pretty standard wilderness gear and perhaps a few extras.

1400-1800ci (give or take) should be pretty close to enough space. Will be mostly used for hunting and general outdoor use. I'm guessing he's fine with or without a waistbelt since the load is usually going to be light. He's a pretty tall guy at around 6'3". Naturally we are looking at military surplus, but of course not limited to it. He's fine with tactical or more standard styles as long as the color is subdued. The USMC assault pack looks good but may be a bit excessive, neither of us have seen one in person.

I've owned tons of packs over the years but usually on the higher end, never really had to shop for one on a budget since I was a kid so I'm a bit lost. Do you guys have any recommendations? Thanks!
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A bit more $, but Spec Ops has their T.H.E. Packs for half price, $100. 2550 CI in a few colors. Very durable stuff.

edit: the LA police gear pack appears to be a knock-off of the one I posted.
 
Mammut Xeron Element and Xeron Flip; Osprey Kode 22; Gregory Miwok 22; Black Diamond Dart, EXL, Hollowpoint and Nitro; and the Arc'teryx Spear 20. You should be able to find all of these for under $80 or close to it, but if you can't shoot me a message and I'll send you a few links.

The only one of the above I can personally vouch for is the Spear 20. I like mine a lot. Solidly built, great quality (especially for the price!) and I like the design. There're only three pockets, though, which might be a drawback.
 
Walmart sells a solid molle type canvas day pack ($40ish as I recall). It has a waist band. I got mine to carry photo stuff mostly (ie fit tripod inside pack), but find that I tend to go to a smaller day pack without the waist band and carry the tripod over my shoulder since I use it a good bit.

Checked online and they seem to be out or nearly out of them. $54. They come in various "colors"; I have desert tan. It is a medium sized pack versus a day pack. Says Fieldline Tactical on the front of it.

Here is more of a day pack. Not sure of the price. http://www.fieldline.com/Products/ops-daypack/43
 
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I own a teton oasis pack. It's only around 40 bucks but it's solidly made. It may be a bit small for you're needs though.
 
If he's going to be off-trail much or hiking in rugged country, I strongly suggest a quality bag with a padded waist band and sternum strap. Not necessarily to help with the load bearing, but to keep the load stabilized and comfortable.

I love my Gregory (bought on closeout), and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. Lowe, Mountain Hardware, North Face, and even REI-brand daypacks are all good alternatives.
 
Not quite within his price range(but close), but I figured I'd throw it out there,

The 511 Tactical Moab 10,

It's a slinger type pack and can be set up for right or left carry. Enough room, good organization, tough build. Works very well for concealed carry also. Comes in subdued colors, for a bit more, multi-cam can be had. The 511 site has a decent video of it. I have no dog in the fight just a nice pack.

Last year I was doing 3 to 6 miles a day, every day. It became my go to pack. Big enough, but not too big. Plenty of lash points too.



If that doesn't trip your trigger, you might want to take a peak at Hill People Gear.

Also Kelty Redwing, i think they call it something else now, but same pack.
 
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All of those lash points come in handy the more you use them. My Fieldline is the same color as your 511 Tactical Moab 10. Which SOG is that one?
 
Love the SOG!

Check out the Molle II Assault pack. Picked up one a few months back for less then $50 delivered. It holds everything I need for a day in the woods.
 
22-rimfire said:
All of those lash points come in handy the more you use them. My Fieldline is the same color as your 511 Tactical Moab 10. Which SOG is that one?
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Not wanting to hijack the thread but it's a Sog Force plain edge. A very nice, very rugged, field knife.

And yes, I took a black sharpie to that white lettering once I was sure I was keeping it.

 
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Rat Finkenstein said:
A bit more $, but Spec Ops has their T.H.E. Packs for half price, $100. 2550 CI in a few colors. Very durable stuff.

edit: the LA police gear pack appears to be a knock-off of the one I posted.
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Good pack. You'll probably want the frame insert if you run any weight in it. Runs another $30 or so.
It has a waist belt, but if he's 6'3", it's going to be more of a belly belt.

THEPACK_zps5504969c.jpg


I just picked up a Haglofs Roc Speed 25 as a day pack. Made for climbers, so it should be durable, and it's nice and light.

Pack volume: 25-34 L
Fits torsos: 16 - 22"
Dimensions: 23x10x6"
Pack Capacity: 1525 cu.in.
Weight: 1 lb. 15 oz.
 
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Thanks for all the suggestions so far guys! Some of these seem like great options.

Btw, that SOG Force looks pretty sweet I gotta admit.
 
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