Recommend to me...

md02geist

md02geist

Joined
Feb 8, 2010
Messages
2,823
...a backpack for outdoor use. I have some cheapy winchester camo bags I got from Wal-Mart that I use right now (you've seen them before I'm sure, they're like 30.00 and I got em at 50% off so it was a pretty well spent 15.00 I think) but I'm looking for a solid, beat-em-up bag.

What I'm considering:

-I would like it to be able to hold enough supplies for several days. I do not routinely camp for multiple days at a time since I left the service, but I wish to have that option if I want to go that route. In addition, I would like it to double as a bail out bag (though the Winchester backpacks will likely become that permanently) if necessary.

-I would like it to be molle compatible. I have many neat little accesories and several knives that have Molle straps but I don't have a molle compatible backpack. I would like to use all the features of things I have, or at least try them out.

-I am not particular about color, however I WOULD prefer it to be relatively subdued. OD/Tan/Camo would all be fine, as would black or even other earthtone colors. I'd simply prefer it to be relatively low-vis.

-I would like it to be sturdy.

With that in mind, the closer we can keep it to 100 or under the better but I suppose 150 or so wouldn't be entirely out of the question for the right thing. I've seen neat ones that were 200+ and while I'm sure they are great, I can't see spending that much on a backpack.


Up to the challenge? :)
 
OK, you're gonna get a heap 'o questions about what size you want, exactly how many days you think you'll be out with it, how far are you going to schlep it, etc etc etc.

Ultimately, you'll be pointed to a MOLLE bag of some sort and probably a Maxpedition.

You've shown good, solid budget restraint capping at ~$100. If you DO stretch it out to ~$150 you will have quite a but more flexibility.

However, if you're going to use the bag as a "camping" backpack, it's tough to find a one-size-fits-all pack. If you're going out for a few days, your supply list will generally exceed the capacity of an EDC pack. It's a tough balance.

http://http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-ALICE-ALCE-Pack-Medium-w-FRAME-STRAPS-BELT-NR-/200480087570?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ead8b5e12

This looks like a great price for a pretty capable pack, but this is a pretty personal decision.
 
Thank you fmajor but the link doesn't seem to work.

With regards to the size I want -- this will NOT be an EDC bag. I do not have an EDC bag, and I do not intend to carry one as I'm not a student nor in many situations where something like that would be appropriate. I do have my own EDC items but it's usually what I can fit in my pockets and/or keep in my vehicle.

I am specifically looking for something that will do for a day's hike in the woods, but will also be able to handle 2-3 days for a single person or 1-2 for two people.

I hope that clarifies a bit :)
 
Probably need more info to actually give you a good recommendation.

You say that you want to hold enough gear for a couple days. What kind of gear do you bring for a couple days? I have seen people bring 70lb packs for an overnight trip before, and I have seen people bring 20lb packs for 3-night outings.

Do you prefer external frame or internal frame? Somebody recommended Maxpedition, and while their packs are high quality, none of them have a frame of any kind (that I know of) which means large loads are going to be uncomfortable.

Do you want top-loading? Or do you want front-loading?

Off the top of my head, I can personally recommend:

MOLLE II USGI pack (say what you want about the plastic frame, I have put some 100+ miles on mine with heavy loads, and it has been literally thrown out of many a HMMWV and it is fine).

Camelbak BFM. Pretty much all of the Mil-type Camelbak packs are great quality, but the BFM/BFM 500 is the largest and I think would be your best bet if you want a pack that size.

Eberlestock Half-track. Doesn't hold that much gear, but it's pretty comfy and has a lot of options for organisation.
 
Top loading would be nice. I'd call a few days probably 40 pound give or take. Never used an internal frame only externals, so not sure which I'd prefer.
 
Ah the oldschool alice pack. Had one of those for years, not a bad little pack. :) Thanks for the suggestion!
 
I *never* thought i'd use an ALICE again, but man, for a short, over-nighter it's pretty nice. The fabric is tough as nails, the frame is *sturdy*, but needs help with the hip-belt. Like a complete re-work, but for the price i'm considering one. If a good hip-belt solution could be made, it may be a truly excellent solution.

I use a now discontinued Jack Wolfskin Fjell Runner II. Its around 60 liters (maybe 4,000-4,500 cu.in) and it's my summer-time pack. However, it's rare and discontinued, but by far my favorite pack. I can't even find a pic of it on the web.... I'd give you all the juicy details, but since they can't be found.....
 
I'm going to go over your price range, but I think it's worth it (plus there's at least one poster here that gets all wired up when I say it:

G1 Kifaru Zulu: http://www.kifaru.net/MGzulu.htm
They are on sale right now (the G1) and they only have black left.

Here's a pic of mine (they don't come with a Battle Mistress)
100_0094.jpg


It works as a 4-season bag here in FL, and I can't see it being less than a 3-season anywhere else. If you need a lot of extra space for winter gear, they have pods and external pockets available. I believe Kevin Estella uses his in the winter in CT.

I can easily have a very comfortable weekend, or stretch it to a week here. There's so many compression straps, you can cinch down a small load or let it all hang out for a larger load.

The other suggestion would be the ESEE Junglas Laserna pack: http://www.eseeknives.com/laserna-pack.htm

Although it's the same price as the G1 Zulu.
 
That's a really sweet looking pack but at 200.00 I just can't see purchasing it just right yet. It's certainly very tactical style and I like the molle system but it doesn't seem to have pocket division like I'd want in a pack that costs that much. Beautiful though, and maybe down the road I'd pick one up. Just trying to keep it a bit cheaper atm, money's a little tight from an insane amount of blade purchases lately lol.
 
The reason I recommend it is that you can add as many pockets to organize as you want.

I use GI MOLLE sustainment pouches on the wides for carrying extra clothes when I'm out for a long time.

For organikzation, I use a "Claymorganiser" -- one of their Claymore pouches with an Organiser on the front. It takes all of my "survival" gear and small items. It can be attached to the outside and the lid with MALICE clip;s, or more frequently, I just oput it inside the bag (fits like a glove), on top of my sleep/shelter gear that rides below it. Very versatile setup, and I can also use the claymorganiser as a shoulder pack to hike around a basecamp setup, which is how I work most of my excursions.

I know it's pricey (keep in mind, that's the sale price, I paid almost $100 more for mine) and I choked on the price at first. But when I finally got it, and realized how comfortable it is, and how versatile, I figure it's worth it, because I'll never need another pack.

The other things I like about it, is that it can be used with or without a hip belt, it has no zippers to blow out, and there's slip pockets on the sides and front where I like to put my axe and e-tool, an my tarp folded flat in the wide front slip pocket.

It's your decision, but you may want to look hard at Kifaru, Mystery Ranch, etc on the "buy once cry once" methodology.
 
I'd say look at hiking packs for hiking, instead of concentrating on MOLLE compatibility just so you can hang crap all over the outside of your pack that you don't need, or have access to, with it on, anyway, and have more stuff to get hung up on.
I had no set budget limit when I bought a pack recently, and got a Mountainsmith Lookout 45 that you can get for under $130 shipped, and is built better than most of the bigger name brands' packs at double the cost-and that's something that's rarely true, no matter how often we hear it.
Mystery Ranch didn't have a pack I liked in the exact size range I wanted, so I decided to try the Mountainsmith, which turned out to be pretty nice(got three other Mountainsmith products, so I figured it would be).

You said you wanted an "outdoors pack", and then start talking about BOBs and MOLLE...if a tactical bag is really what you want, and MOLLE is that big a deal, I'd suggest you snatch up that black Zulu Cpl Punishment linked to.
Better than buying a cheaper bag and being disappointed with it.
 
Molle would simply be a plus, I'm ex military so I'm sorta used to it. It's not a necessity though.
 
Just a thought,I picked up a very nice pack that was a last years model from Moosejaw.com for about a third of the original price. You can easily add velcro & loops with all the money you save. Stores like that are always having end of season closeouts, and blowout of the last years stuff. If you can get by just a couple more months you'll likely have lots to choose from.
I picked up a Dana Designs for about what you say your wanting to spend.
 
both Maxpeditoion and Camelbak make some nice gear, much of it has MOLEE, and most of it is available in earthtones.

but i don't really have anything like what you're looking for. i do have a Camelbak HAWG, and a MULE (mil spec versions, which are completely different than the civi versions with the same name). really like them, but they're day packs, hard to stretch it to anything longer.

unless i was on a super tight budget, i wouldn't be using a $15 pack from wally world for a BOB..

the ESEE Junglas or Kifaru packs have good reputastions, and while they are spendy i expect you get what you pay for.

but i think from your description, you might be better served by two packs. one for single day stuff, one for weekender trips.

i also wouldn't suggest one pack for two people. even if you have a petite GF, se'll need at least a Camelbak type pack for water, snacks and essentials.

+1 on "buy quality, cry once"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top