Practical hiking/tactical pack recommendation

El Bandit0

El Bandit0

Gold Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2013
Messages
1,278
Howdy all!
I have done a lot of thought on what kind of pack to invest in within the next few months, have several that just don't do the trick for me... as such they are listed for sale in the exchange. Anyway, here are my requirements. If yall know of anything that will do the trick, please share your knowledge!
- Pack MUST be between 1800(absolute minimum) and 3200(absolute maximum) cu. in. in capacity.
- MOLLE webbing on back of pack and sides.... I don't pouch up much, but I do paracord all sorts of sheaths and such to my packs.
-Multicam preferred, foliage green close second. Army Digicam and Airforce ARPAT suck... don't blend with my environ at all.
- 1000D cordura construction preferred.
- Must accept a 100oz. Camelbak bladder
- Must be less than $250 in price.
- Padded waistbelt & shoulder straps, MOLLE or not, doesn't matter.
- Quick-Release buckles on shoulder straps are cool and preferred, but not absolutely necessary.
- Compression straps on sides: the more, the better, and any vertical straps are useful also.. used for lashing.
- Uncluttered interior... this isn't a laptop pack.

So far the best thing I have found is a Condor 3DAP in black... really like that pack, but WAY too hot in the summer, temp gets up to over 100 here in the summer, but humidity often passes 80% X(
Ready, set, GO!
 
Nice pack, but no MOLLE. In my experience, polyester packs fall apart pretty quick.
 
What kind of terrain are you in that digicam and ARPAT don't work?
What packs have you used that failed you(just to get an idea of which ones not to recommend)?
Never owned a Mystery Ranch, but heard lots of good things.
Wish you luck in finding a pack :)
 
Maxpedition or Camelback should work.

I use a Camelbak HAWG for dayhikes. I need a bigger one, like a TriZip, for overnighters. I like the HAWG because the back area is made from a slippery material with air channels to keep my back cool.

Maxpedition backpacks are different model to model. The Pygmy falcon, for example, has an open foam back that soaks up sweat and picks up dirt and debris. It is miserable to wear when it's hot out. The Falcon II, however, has a slick, closed back closer to the Camelbaks and isn't nearly so bad.

Edited to Add:

Did not see this:

- Padded waistbelt & shoulder straps, MOLLE or not, doesn't matter.
Click to expand...

Can't help you there, I despise padded straps on a small hiking 'pack. The first thing I do is cut off (or remove) the crappy waistbelts that come with my backpacks, because I rarely carry so much weight I need a hip belt in the first place.
 
I think I'm gonna save up for a CB Motherlode... Meets all my requirements with ease. As to my environment, I live in the Edwards Plateau in South-Central Texas, mostly mixed Oak & Cedar wooded hills, with lots of brush. Also a good amount of mesquite and dead grass as my location is a transition zone from the hills to more desert-y terrain... and it's always hot and humid. ACU and ARPAT are too light to blend in with the dark green of the cedars, and plain forest green or FDE/tan sticks out too much in the wrong zone. Multicam can blend easily into the more arid areas, and is also at home in the cedar brush in the summer. This will also be used as a hunting pack, probably should have mentioned that. For extended stays/ really long hikes I have a USMC ILBE surplus pack.. cheap, strong, and holds more than I'll probably need.
 
Maxpedition makes REALLY nice gear, but their packs are a bit too specialized for me... I stick to their pouches.
 
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