New Pack

what's your budget? i've tried various packs and now settled on a kifaru zxr. whatever you buy, go to a good outdoors store if possible and have them put sandbags in the pack! if it's a good store they won't mind if you walked around, up and down stairs in the store for an hour or two at least to really test out the pack.


NothingCoherent said:
But whatever you get, just make sure to try the bag on before you buy it!! The most important thing is that the hip belt actually rides on your hip, and thats where the majority of the weight of the pack will be located. The shoulder straps shouldn't be carrying much weight at all -- just stabilizing it. If the belt rides up on your belly even an inch (like a lot of military packs!) DON'T BUY IT! Get one that fits your torso properly.
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excellent advice! this thread seems to have plenty of replies from those who actually go outside and hike instead of regurgitating youtube reviews and blindly recommending maxpedition falcon ii on every backpack thread just because it's the newest flavor of the month backpack :(

regardless of brand, a good waist belt at the proper position is what makes or breaks a pack in my first hand experience...it's all about weight distribution.
 
I had a Mountain Expedition Orient Express that I used through Europe, China and Japan. It had a adjustable internal frame and great pads with a big comfortable belt, it rocked through the 80s and 90s. It was better than any of my old school backpacks. It just didn't age well. Something like that with better fabrics would be clever. It had a stealth feature that hid the straps for snooty hotels, something I think would be unnecessary now.

I use a Swanny rolling suitcase -- that in a pinch I can sit on these days. I almost always travel with a ruck day pack for my computer and art gear, but using an iPad has made that load lighter. I can pack 3 days of clothing in the pack I use as a carry-on.

If I were to introduce my 5 year old to camping - I'd likely shop somewhere like REI's outlet for the best rated model from the previous year. I don't mind lacking the trendy color.
 
There really is no budget to it but I don't want to spend an arm and a leg.

I'm really diggin that Camelbak TriZip. Fair amount of room and tons of MOLLE attachment.

Forgot to mention that in my original post. I'd like some MOLLE attachment points on the pack. :thumbup:
 
If the Tri Zip has enough capacity then I would try it out. With a Mystery Ranch suspension system it is bound to be a winner. Great looking Hydration / Cargo pack for the price. I have seen it for as little as $190
 
NothingCoherent said:
If you're going to put any serious mileage on your pack, get a civilian styled hiking bag. Forget the pretty military styled packs we all tend to love here, and get something that WONT kill your back. You aren't getting shot at in Afghanistan. You don't need a milspec pack. I carry a hardcore molle bombproof pack as my day bag / bushcrafting bag (since it looks cooler and I'm basically still a kid playing with his green plastic army men) but honestly they're no good for real hiking and mountaineering.

But whatever you get, just make sure to try the bag on before you buy it!! The most important thing is that the hip belt actually rides on your hip, and thats where the majority of the weight of the pack will be located. The shoulder straps shouldn't be carrying much weight at all -- just stabilizing it. If the belt rides up on your belly even an inch (like a lot of military packs!) DON'T BUY IT! Get one that fits your torso properly.
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+1 on this one!

I love my Maxpedition stuff, but I always use a 'civilan' style large backpack for anything that involves heavy loads and/or longer distances.
I never used all that molle attachement stuff when hiking, there is always time to open the bag if you need access to something, plus they tend to be much lighter bags with usually much better carry systems. Yes, Maxpedition has god shoulder straps etc, but a proper hiking bag still has more comfy ones.
PLUS those tacticool backpacks tend to sit rather high on your back.. which is good if you're in the military and are wearing a gear belt with your ammo and gasmask etc.. but it also means that the load sits rather high up on your back which is not that good on difficult single trails in the mountains.
 
got my new trizip in the mail this morning, bought on the exchange for 169 shipping included and he still has one more.

ok this on paper is a smaller pack than my camelbak talon. in practice its bigger and holds more stuff easily. the extra molle is great for adding pouches too, my binocs, med pouch, multi tool pouch add easily. i removed the water bladder because for the next campout it will be static so its mostly about hauling stuff in. got my clothes, hammock and everything else i'll be using in it easily. the harness system is very adjustable too. so far i really like it but i'll know more how well it works in a couple of weeks. easy to organize and my sleeping back attaches to the bottom molle straps.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=827407
take it easy
cricket
 
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thought i'd add a pic.

198782_1903606996341_1426711158_32099066_2192709_n.jpg


the shoulder and belt harness are extremely adjustable and very comfortable. until the junglas pack comes out again this is going to be my camping bag.

take it easy
cricket
 
Check out the LOWE series of backpacks.I have carried a Liberty 75 for the better part of a decade without any problems.A good thick hip strap takes some serious weight.the shoulder straps are fully adjustable too.the pack can be customized to your height.They carry a full line of military-style packs too so I'm sure you can find something you like.
Here's a shot of mine the morning of our week long hiking trip last summer.
P7072144.jpg

My pack loaded to the max with a huge pair of snowshoes a couple of winters ago.Snowshoeing trip.
HPIM3015-1.jpg
 
5510585503_381a1963b6_m.jpg

My Voodoo Tactical Reaper.

A ton of room (around 2500 cu. in.) and lots of MOLLE attachments.

It's perfect for long weekends at Red River Gorge.
 
I have an Osprey Kestrel 32 for dayhikes and could use it for an overnighter. I also have the Gregory Triconi 60 for longer trips.
I love them both!

Also I like the Osprey hydration bladder more than the Camelbak. The Osprey bladder has a flat stiff back, so you don't feel the bulge of a full bladder on your back.

Get fitted and if possible check out you local Outdoor store get fitted and rent for a weekend if possible...
 
hakaitenshi said:
Does anyone know if the maxpedition falcon II waist straps work well to take the weight off your back?
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I haven't used it with a heavy load yet, but they are not padded straps like you would find on a traditional internal frame pack.
 
While I love my Maxpedition Falcon II, I agree, it's more of a day pack. I'm looking at acquiring a Tactical Tailor MALICE Version 3 pack soon, it's a modern update of the classic ALICE pack. My old surplus $50 ALICE + frame has served me well for any trip I've used it on, and TT's updated MALICE seems like a nice multi-day pack. Plus it's made in the US :thumbup: :thumbup:
 
+++ on the Atmos 50 by Osprey. i just returned my Falcon II and reinvested the money into an atmos 50. It's really nice and i'd totally recommend it
 
hm, I think i'll try to attach a tactical taylor duty pad belt to the falcon ii waist strap and see if it provides some support. I saw a guy do it on another forum but he never physically attached the belt to the pack.
 
I just got it Monday overall its a good pack heavy duty & alot of pals webbing. I packed it with some tools & took it for a mile & a half walk in Port chester to see how it felt with some weight to it. It was packed with my makita cordless 1/2" hammer drill & the impact driver 2 extra batteries the charger. Also my tool belt & a bunch of other things. It was a rather hilly area I walked & the pack felt really comfortable. Was supposed to do some hiking this wknd on the Appalachian trail in central Jerz but my partner has to work so that got postponed to next week. I'll let you know how that goes.
 
I realy like my kelty back pack. I got it for $20 at the flea market and have taken it several times on the trail. Not tacticool, but worked very well for me... However there are some mixed reviews on its durability, but I have no evidense to support the negative ones. I had it loaded with about 75 pounds last trip and it held up just fine, better than I did!
 
hakaitenshi said:
Does anyone know if the maxpedition falcon II waist straps work well to take the weight off your back?
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nowhere near close. it's only good for side to side stability.


hakaitenshi said:
hm, I think i'll try to attach a tactical taylor duty pad belt to the falcon ii waist strap and see if it provides some support. I saw a guy do it on another forum but he never physically attached the belt to the pack.
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the pack's length might be a problem as well depending on your torso length. the waist strap on my falcon ii ends up being around my belly button so even if it came with a big, padded waist strap or aftermarket one, it's still nowhere near my waist/hip bones to support the load...try it and see. it might work out for you.
 
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