Pack set ups

Gossman Knives

Gossman Knives

Edged Toolmaker
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Apr 9, 2004
Messages
9,439
I know alot of us are gear whores needing the lastest new thing on the market. :D My question is how many have settled on one pack set up or do you have several for different outings and weather? I'm trying to get it down to one set up for most of the trips I go on. I can understand more for an extended trip but mine are usually no more then two nites. I think I have it where I want it with a Maxpedition Jumbo versipack with two accessary items malice clipped on. What about you guys?
Scott
 
Day pack = Kifaru Tailgunner II
3 Day pack = Eagle Industries A-III (I would cry if I lost this pack! I've had it since 2001)
Extended trip/Winter pack = Kifaru Zulu with XTL

I had the opportunity to try countless packs and set ups while working at Eastern Mountain Sports for years. In all that experience, the A-III was the best built pack I found. The Tailgunner and the Zulu are also two of the best packs I've ever seen. The Tailgunner for how it rides out of the way and the Zulu for its main body "zipperless" construction.

Noteworthy Runner Ups:

Dana Designs Terraplane (Pre-Marmot buyout)
Eagle Industries Becker Patrol Pack
 
Gossman Knives said:
I know alot of us are gear whores needing the latest new thing on the market. :D My question is how many have settled on one pack set up or do you have several for different outings and weather? I'm trying to get it down to one set up for most of the trips I go on. I can understand more for an extended trip but mine are usually no more then two nites. I think I have it where I want it with a Maxpedition Jumbo versipack with two accessory items malice clipped on. What about you guys?
Scott
Click to expand...

I LOVE my Jumbo! I'd love to see pics of your setup. Please share
 
Day Pack - Osprey Eclipse 32 or Arc'teryx Khamsin 30
3-Day - Spec-Ops T.H.E.
Longer - Dana Design Redirect

At some point I plan to replace the Spec-Ops, probably with either the ULA Conduit or Circuit.
 
Scott, I'll bring my Jumbo and Devildog when I pick up the Keps. My Jumbo is my "man bag" for everyday stuff (shuffling junk between cars is always fun, Jumbo makes it a helluva lot easier). I got the Devil Dog for day hikes. Tried it out at home, and it is very manageable. Nalgene bottle of water in the pouch, bottle of Gatorade, cell phone, small sketchbook, digital camera in case, trail map, compass (not necessary on the trail, but a learning tool), small binoculars, multitool, fixed blade depending on the area, SPEC OPS Wallet JR and some more useless crap.

My father has an ancient ALICE pack that I have used camping, when I was a kid with him, and that was comfortable (I used my mothers ancient pack).

Don't laugh, but I have an LL Bean backpack that has seen a lot of use. It is falling apart now, gotta call them to see if I voided the warranty by drawing all over it when I was in high school.
 
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i have a basic hunter's lumbar style pack that i have been using for an overnight bag for going more minimalist.

it fits shelter, water and food easily, with some room left over for some other gear as well as a blanket. it also has outside straps, so i guess i could try attaching my sleeping pad to it. i like it because it puts zero weight on my shoulders and is pretty comfortable to wear. i have carried loads around 20 pounds comfortably.

for heavier loads, at the moment i'm using a vintage aluminum external frame backpack with the original pack, straps and hipbelt. it carries well and puts most of the weight on my hips. its a bit heavy (about 3.5 pounds) but it works.
 
Day hikes: Maxpedition Jumbo, or TT 3day pack, or Swiss Army rubber pack with leather straps, or Blow Out Pouch ultralight kit, or HSGI drop leg subload EOD pouch.

multi day hike: TT 3 day pack for most hikes. If winter and snow shoeing i use a light sled. Either one i still have the HSGI drop leg pouch.

- week long outings: Truck

I have been experimenting with a HGSI WARLORD 4VBravo for the last few months and it is incredible. No heavy pack on the back, no sweaty back, i can hike faster and with less fatigue, very precise organization of gear, and the modularity of it is very nice. I added a row of three mag pockets , one for gps, the rest for Powerbars (4 in each mag pouch). Added a water bladder to the back on the side. One is never separated from their gear.

going to be picking up my own very soon
 
I have a few smaller bags for day hikes (Maxpedition is in the lead with their older Devildog, the Sabercat and Jumbo Fatboy); the Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon II is a great small day pack but I need to make a grommet access hole for a water bladder (it does have the two water bottle pockets on the outside though).

For work, I keep an HSGI modified large Alice ruck (it's a monster!) loaded for the field or deployments.

In the truck I usually keep my Kifaru Scout set up for a simple get-home-bag.

For full bugout, I have my Kifaru EMR packed.

For overnight hikes and bouldering/climbing, I have my Osprey Kestral (38 Liter) pack.

For colder weather backpacking I do have a nice Arc'teryx pack that I'll load up if I need a little more room.

ROCK6
 
Scott, I am following this thread closely I really need a new pack.

I use, and have been for the past 20 years, an Army large Alice with frame. Partially because it's free, it's hella tough, has plenty of room and I am required to be able to carry a 35lb load 12 miles in 4 hours in that pack so I might as well use it for my personal use as well. The Army is fazing the Alice out and replacing it with a more modern design, I have been issued one of the modern molle packs but the few times I have used it I don't like it very much so I have been sticking with the Alice.

For all the good points I listed for the Alice it is also heavy as a chunk of lead and puts a lot of strain on your shoulders, even using the waist belt.

I think it is time for me to part with some cash and buy a decent pack and retire the old Alice. Chris
 
runningboar said:
For all the good points I listed for the Alice it is also heavy as a chunk of lead and puts a lot of strain on your shoulders, even using the waist belt.

I think it is time for me to part with some cash and buy a decent pack and retire the old Alice. Chris
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I really agree! My large Alice has been extensively modified by HSGI including the Ali-pads for the shoulder straps. They really make a difference, but any Alice-frame ruck isn't comfortable and they aren't the steadiest with the external frame. Once retired, it would make a great vehicle kit bag for emergencies!

ROCK6
 
I've recently picked up a 55 litre Arc'teryz Khazri 55, it hasn't been used a whole lot yet, other than one two day trip, but I carried it about 40km through some pretty thick bush in the pouring rain. It was extremely comfortable and felt already "broken in" (aluminium stays are definitely the only way to go). I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Arc'teryx to anyone looking for a well constructed, comfortable pack. This is from their less expensive line made in the Philippines (quality is still high), their standard more expensive line is made in Canada.

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My larger pack that I've had for must be 18 years or more is a MEC North Twin, about 100 litres. I've taken this on hiking trips of up to two weeks. They don't make this model any more, but it is very similar to the Alpinelite model below. The North Twin is a simple top-loader with lots of space, one large main compartment, and a smaller flap compartment. The Alpinelite model has a full length zipper (I'm not a fan of these zippers, one more thing to break).

5013822_v1_m56577569830714935.jpg


The MEC gear is built to last, comfortable, and reasonably priced, and MEC has a great warranty.

LGpack_11.jpg


For a day pack, I've have a Spec Ops T.H.E. pack. It's not all that comfortable to carry, mainly because it doesn't have an internal frame. I am going to order the plastic frame insert for it and that should make a big difference. It is certainly well constructed. My only other complaint about this pack is that the chest strap when done up is at about my throat level level which is no good.




.
 
For dayhikes I use an Eastern Mountain Sports daypack with a hydration pouch. Can't remember the name right now, but it does the job adequately.

For overnights I use my super-comfy and tough as nails Arcteryx Bora 80 without the top pocket and the sleeping bag compartment sectioned off and cinched up tight. This way it keeps my gear all in one solid section. It's a bit heavy, but it fits me so well I don't mind.

For longer trips I put the top pocket back on and put my sleeping bag in the bottom section. It's worked very well for me for years.
 
I've looked at the Tailgunner more than a few times and would appreciate any pics of this pack being worn or otherwise in-use if possible.
 
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My REI Traverse has been all over with me. It's excellent for long dayhikes, and up to an over nighter. Longer than that, and it's too small. But it fits about 80% of what I do and is really comfortable.
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I have a Jansport Carson 90 I've never used
A Kelty Trekker 4300 external frame I've used a lot, but not much lately.
A Mountainsmith internal that is 3000 cu in
A Mountainsmith Approach 2000 cu in

I use the Approach a lot in summer, the others it depends on temp.

I have a Camelbak Hawg for a daypack.

I try to get by with as small a pack as possible depending on the temp and possibility of rain.
 
Personally I have too many packs to count. EMS Blackfoot monster when I use to winter camp with the wife, a Lowe Chinook 60mid sized pack for a week for me, a Lowe Sirocco for my wife, and a Lowe Summit. In the end, these days anyways I am using a Med Alice pack for winter, a USGI 3 day assault pack for my BOB/Get home bag, and a Maxpedition Typhoon as my general use pack. And of cource my Comm County Bail out Bag for my ARES/CERT work.

The Alice pack works great, no complaints. It doesnt fit nor it as comfy as my Lowe packs, but it takes one heck of a beating, and carries all I need. the Typhoon is a great pack, very comfortable, and packs an amazing amount of stuff. The 3 day assault pack is a school pack with USGI stamped on it, but it does a good job.
 
Daypack/weekend: Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon II(I prefer nalgene bottles over bladders)
Looking for a longer excursion pack now....
 
Day Pack - Kifaru Scout and Mountain Smith Day
Overnighter - looking for a better one!
Multi-day - Mountainsmith Auspex

I've not found one pack setup than can do it all. But most of my outings are day hikes and one-nighters anymore, so I am looking for a 3000 ci or so pack that can handle both those tasks. I'm looking at the Kifaru Zulu right now, because with the ability to attach pockets, I'm pretty sure it could handle 3 season multi-days as well. But the price! :eek: But I ascribe to the 'buy once, cry once' philosophy whenever I can.

I have looked at lightweight packs without a frame, but I like to carry the weight on my hips, and a frameless pack is useless in that regards. For me, makes carrying even 20 pounds feel twice as heavy. I'll carry a 5 pound pack with an excellent internal frame any day, because it makes that 20-30 pounds feel like 10 to me.
 
I use a Maxpedition Collosus for most hikes/trips. I am looking into the Vulture II for longer trips. Not to hijack but if anyone has this pack please tell all.
 
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