Prefered daypack for you wood-stompers?

steve-in-kville

steve-in-kville

Joined
Dec 25, 2001
Messages
1,139
Looking to upgrade from an oversized belt pack to a shoulder pack of some type. Has to be big enough to hold gear for an 8 hour hike along with some medical supplies and equipment. I belong to a local SAR team and we are required to have a certain amount of stuff with us. I'm looking at the Lost Creek brand of caving bags as meeting my requirements and budget.

Any other suggestions?
 
I'm sold on Osprey Packs' backpacks and daypacks. I've got a total of 5 in various sizes. The daypacks will carry a heavy load in comfort and under control. They WORK really well.

Scott
 
steve-in-kville said:
Looking to upgrade from an oversized belt pack to a shoulder pack of some type. Has to be big enough to hold gear for an 8 hour hike along with some medical supplies and equipment. I belong to a local SAR team and we are required to have a certain amount of stuff with us. I'm looking at the Lost Creek brand of caving bags as meeting my requirements and budget.

Any other suggestions?
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For an 8 hour pack, I like to use a cheap backpack like the kind kids use for school. I have one that I've literally carried every day for the last two years. I've had to repair a seam where the zipper caught a thread and unraveled itself, but 10 minutes with a needle and some dental floss fixed it up. Other than that, the thing has really taken a beating and held up fine.

I know that there is better stuff out there, but if you only plan to carry 15 or 20 lbs of equipment, a cheap backpack is all you really need.
 
I love my Lafuma 4807. Most comfortable pack I ever owned. Not too heavy, yet pretty tough. I carry some dental floss and needles anyways ;)

Cheers,

David
 
CHECK CABELAS CATALOG OR THEIR WEBSITE, CABELAS.COM. THEY HAVE QUITE A SELECTION. :cool: :D
 
I would use one of the german surplus backpacks,I have one and it is good as ones that are real high priced mine was 9.95 for a used one and they had new ones for alittle more.
 
I use my 'lucky' backpack. A 60s vintage Boy Scout pack. Basically a bag with shoulder straps. It was pretty far gone so I got my wife to fix and repair and patch the holes. I usually grab a 3" souvenir patch when I go places. She sewed them all over it.
Your local 'Army Surplus' store will usually have a great assortment of packs. Some specialized ones like the medics packs with lotsa pockets can be found.
 
Cheaper Than Dirt always has great deals on Mil Surp packs - I had an old Sweedish mountain pack until my dog chewed it all up; great pack, durable, decent looking & very cheap!
 
For a backpack my favorite is the CamelBak Peak Bagger
Capacity: 100 oz / 3 litres
Dimensions: 20 in x 8.5 in x 5.5 in
Cargo: 1587 cu in

Peak Bagger
 
I've done a tremendous amount of hiking over the last 14 years and tried many packs. The two I've found to be the most comfortable are the Cranktank made by Ultimate and, when the weather worsens and you need some extra capacity, the Osprey Kestrel. The Osprey pack especially is incredibly well designed. Doesn't seem to matter how much you load it down when it's on your back you pretty much forget it's there. Whatever you do spend the money for a good quality well designed pack. The only thing worse than a poorly designed pack on a long hike is a pair of crappy hiking boots.
 
I've been very happy with my Arcteryx Bora 30. I usually haul my full over night setup (around 25lbs) even when day hiking (extra exercise). It keeps the load tight to your back and distributes the weight well.

-- Dizos
 
I just got my Lost Creek pack. This pack is available in three sizes and I got the smallest and I have plenty of room. Very unique adjustable straps, can be worn as a back-pack, shoulder pack or waist pack. Cinch-tight closure on top and then the opening rolls down and is strapped closed. Can't wait to take it on a hike.
 
I'll add another vote for Osprey. I liked my Eclipse 42 so much that I bought a spare! (I wear out a pack in about five years) They also make the Eclipse in a 32 liter version. Best pack I've ever owned, and half the price of comparable quality packs from Dana or Gregory. I recommend finding someone who knows how to fit a pack to get you into the right size(torso length) and get it adjusted.

Gordon
 
TAD gear has some Maxpedition stuff on sale. ( I dont work for them)

I like the older Dana packs. I have a Terraplane and a Humbug Spire. Wouldnt trade those for the world. I feel that the newer Dana are not as well built as the older ones. Dont like the colour combos either, too flashy for me.

I have been looking at the Osprey packs lately. Not that I have any time to go hiking anymore...
 
Check out the Maxpedition gear. I own several of their products. The Condor backpack is very comfortable and has a place designed for a hydration bladder. Looks good in the pics and ten times better in person. Price is reasonable if you shop around on the net.
 
I would check out SOE,SPEC-OPS,or Eagle Industries.Good gear made right here in the USA!!
 
If you want something simple that will last longer than you will, I'd take a look at Jandd's bags (www.jandd.com). They usually have a good selection of stuff at great prices in their closeout/specials area. They do not have a huge distribution, but I own probably a dozen of their products and never been less than ecstatic about any of them.
 
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