Sorting it all out

[sqoon]

So, after two weeks of waiting, my Falcon II finally arrived. It is everything everyone says it is and then some! smaller than I thought, which is a good thing, but also stiff as hell. Straps galore. In my head, I thought having a bag like this would mean that things would just stick to it like magnets and everything would just sort itself out inside, but sadly I'm left with the reality that nobody is going to fill this thing up but me. Work, work, work.

Anyway, I wanted to get some feedback regarding how you all sort out your bags. My main idea was to sort things out by category. Fire, clothes, shelter, water, first aid, kids, work, hygiene, food, etc.

I then was planing on packing each category into respective ziploc bags, either small or gallon sized. On days where I don't know where I am going or what is going to happen, the bag would be more or less BOB and ready to go. On work days, the fire, shelter and other "scary" packs would be removed and the work related bags would go in. On days out with the fam, kids bags would go in. Hikes, then the fire, water and other fun stuff would go in and useless work crap would be out. Ideally, some items would end up always being in the bag and would therefore migrate to an EDC category. I don't plan on ever keeping the bag packed without first aid supplies or a change of clothes, for example.

With this system, my intention is that I would have pre-packed bags ready to go in and out easily so I don't have to constantly pack and repack the bag depending on the day. I could just throw in whatever bags I need. Does this idea seem sound? Does anyone else do it like this? Do ziplocs hold up to such use, or is there another material/solution I should look into? Cheap and practical would be nice.

 

[daizee]

I don't actually keep a full BOB, or spend lots of time on walkabout, but the problem you're facing is common: how to keep it organized and workable without losing and forgetting stuff.

I resolve this by keeping my usual bag packed most of the time.
In your case, I'd probably suggest TWO bags (I know, you JUST bought one!). One as a BOB, more or less permanently packed. The other with a full set of duplicate stuff as in the BOB that you use on a daily basis. Try to reduce packing/unpacking as much as possible, because that's when things get misplaced and overlooked. How often are ladies losing things simply because they're always switching between half a dozen bags?

If maintaining two full bags isn't really an option, at least you can identify the problem and allocate a single, reliable landing strip for your pre-packed components so that everything is always exactly where you know to find it when shuffling between scenarios. So you'd have a versatile EDC bag, and a BOD (Bug-out Drawer).

That's my $0.02.

Post some pics, I'd love to see this thing for real. I've got 2 maxped cell pouches (on messenger bags) and a pair of larger belt utility pouches used as bicycle toolkits that ride along on said messenger bags. (one for me, one for the lady)

-Daizee

 

[Bladite]

i'm sorta facing this dilemma but i have a "lot of bags" (more now ) and am thinking that i'm going to build several kits...

kit 1) all the gear i'd normally bring camping, esp tailgating, but organized finally to be more mobile for FAST pickup and go. sometimes it might be nice to just get away, and not dick around for an hour finding stuff. also, i'll know RIGHT where it is if i need it (like if the power goes out)... not really a BOB... it'll have all sorts of nifty things, like the jetboil and spare fuel, space bivy, dried food, spare/best compass, storage containers, first aid, radio, ..., batteries, lights, lanterns, tactool, rope, knives, ...

(which reminds me, if one could bring *a* book with you for all purpose camp/survival reference, what would you pack? i have the SAS book, and many more as PDFs, but was thinking something to read for fun, and have useful reference for when you might be stressed and need PICTURES to look at, not a blurry memory/etc)

kit 2) my MURSE small man bag... typically has a lot of the little things i'd want with me all the time. everything from spare cables, batteries, flashlights, some e-gear for EMT type chores and first aid (tape, scissors, allergies, headaches, life...) and well, a water bottle (with water), protein bars, book lamp, tape, string, stuff... you know? VERY handy stuff. easily grabbed with #1

kit 3) my daily commuter bag - huge courier back (super ego)... holds all my daily to work nonsense, plus room for whatever i pickup on the way and back; overlaps with #2 a little, but #2 is what i'd want in my car on a trip, where #3 only has raw carrying capacity with a few less items.

unfortunately, #1-3 so far are not "airport compliant" and would be need to be stripped for any flying and such, which leads to #4

kit 4) is less a kit, than a basic do it all bag, that's easy to strip, and throw things into, that i might want for a trip on a plane, and end destination - but doesn't have "bad things" hiding in there to trip me up. basic personal gear that might be handy could be left there, as well as the small containers they require now, either filled, or ready to be filled in a single large ziploc - that can be transferred as needed.

being a bag whore, i have other "kits" already made up for various purposes... gym, range, circus, skill toys, wood crafts, and so on. in some most cases, it's a matter of tossing bags of stuff into larger bags, and setting out.

 

[Bladite]

I don't actually keep a full BOB, or spend lots of time on walkabout, but the problem you're facing is common: how to keep it organized and workable without losing and forgetting stuff.

I resolve this by keeping my usual bag packed most of the time.
In your case, I'd probably suggest TWO bags (I know, you JUST bought one!). One as a BOB, more or less permanently packed. The other with a full set of duplicate stuff as in the BOB that you use on a daily basis. Try to reduce packing/unpacking as much as possible, because that's when things get misplaced and overlooked. How often are ladies losing things simply because they're always switching between half a dozen bags?

If maintaining two full bags isn't really an option, at least you can identify the problem and allocate a single, reliable landing strip for your pre-packed components so that everything is always exactly where you know to find it when shuffling between scenarios. So you'd have a versatile EDC bag, and a BOD (Bug-out Drawer).

That's my $0.02.

Post some pics, I'd love to see this thing for real. I've got 2 maxped cell pouches (on messenger bags) and a pair of larger belt utility pouches used as bicycle toolkits that ride along on said messenger bags. (one for me, one for the lady)

-Daizee

i was trying to avoid the duplicates, esp for bigger gear, which i know, hard...

but one advantage at least for me of moving the easily found and organized but not OFTEN used gear (like a jetboil kit), camp food, etc, is that i know where it IS for sure *and* it clears up all that other space i was using (shelves in kitchen etc)...

since i do have spares, and no so much duplicates, as "a multitude of methods", i'll probably end up creating a more packable system for those items, than just idling stored in boxes/etc.

 

[Guyon]

I have some things I can update on my Falcon II, which I want to use as an overnighter in the summer, among other things.

My hammocks arrived yesterday, and the hammock + canopy puts the Falcon in a more "expanded" condition.

And I just got a matching long sheath for my BK-7 today, thanks to a forum member.

Also, my chicken was finally able to locate some Spec Ops short sheaths in olive drab. Two are on the way, one for my Ritter blade, one for my Crewman.

 

[Guyon]

With this system, my intention is that I would have pre-packed bags ready to go in and out easily so I don't have to constantly pack and repack the bag depending on the day. I could just throw in whatever bags I need. Does this idea seem sound? Does anyone else do it like this? Do ziplocs hold up to such use, or is there another material/solution I should look into? Cheap and practical would be nice.

A good deal at WalMart are the Outdoor Products dry sacks, 3 for $10. They come in a set with a small, medium, and large sack.
They're good for storing items, and they also provide a barrier of protection if your pack gets soaked.
I've bought a bunch of these things, 3 or 4 sets at least. I use them for hiking and kayaking. They're great for storing stuff on long kayaking trips.

Here's a review page:
http://reviews.walmart.com/1336/109...t-of-3-ultimate-dry-sacks-reviews/reviews.htm

And here's a YouTube review. He talks a lot. You can start in about 1:30:

[youtube]-Y801JjP0xc[/youtube]

 

[obsessis]

I think bagging some things is a good idea....or square zip-lock containers that you can put in or out depending on what you'll do. Front bottom pocket for EDC-type items - ink pens, flashlight and things you generally need. Front top - who knows. You can exchange the bags/containers in the far back compartment with thinner things in the middle compartment.

I want some short black spec-ops sheaths.....you got a plug?

 

[Guyon]

Nope, not really. I paid full price. But for a reason. Spec Ops discontinued olive drab.
I spent a week or more trying to track down some olive drab shorts still in the pipeline.
Most everyone, and I'm talking a lot of vendors here, had sold out of them already, but I finally found a vendor with some.

If he ships promptly and everything looks good, I can give him a recommendation, but the jury is still out.
He's communicated pretty well though.

 

[Guyon]

So, after two weeks of waiting, my Falcon II finally arrived. It is everything everyone says it is and then some! smaller than I thought, which is a good thing, but also stiff as hell. Straps galore. In my head, I thought having a bag like this would mean that things would just stick to it like magnets and everything would just sort itself out inside, but sadly I'm left with the reality that nobody is going to fill this thing up but me. Work, work, work.

Anyway, I wanted to get some feedback regarding how you all sort out your bags. My main idea was to sort things out by category. Fire, clothes, shelter, water, first aid, kids, work, hygiene, food, etc.

I then was planing on packing each category into respective ziploc bags, either small or gallon sized. On days where I don't know where I am going or what is going to happen, the bag would be more or less BOB and ready to go. On work days, the fire, shelter and other "scary" packs would be removed and the work related bags would go in. On days out with the fam, kids bags would go in. Hikes, then the fire, water and other fun stuff would go in and useless work crap would be out. Ideally, some items would end up always being in the bag and would therefore migrate to an EDC category. I don't plan on ever keeping the bag packed without first aid supplies or a change of clothes, for example.

With this system, my intention is that I would have pre-packed bags ready to go in and out easily so I don't have to constantly pack and repack the bag depending on the day. I could just throw in whatever bags I need. Does this idea seem sound? Does anyone else do it like this? Do ziplocs hold up to such use, or is there another material/solution I should look into? Cheap and practical would be nice.

I think the sort-of modular system you describe makes sense if the bag is pulling double duty.

My break down? Well, here's what I have in my Falcon II at present:

- a dedicated first aid kit
- a dedicated mess kit (JetBoil PCS and Alpha Lite long spoon)
- a dedicated water filtration kit (Aquamira Frontier Pro filter and .5L Platypus compact bottle)
- a hammock (Hennessy Explorer Ultralight)
- a modular survival kit (can quick transfer to belt; contains signal mirror, whistle, Photon light, space blanket, ESEE fire kit, matches, K&M match case with compass and matches, Victorinox Outdoorsman)
- paracord (50 yards)
- a Suunto MC2 compass
- rain jacket in a dry sack

Cutting implements will vary, but I will always have at least a good fixed blade and a saw or hatchet. I'm thinking of ordering the GB Wildlife Hatchet and a Bahco Laplander to test out.
And I'll have to work out some details on clothing and on a pad/blanket for the hammock.

 

[hagusofnwn]

I think the sort-of modular system you describe makes sense if the bag is pulling double duty.

My break down? Well, here's what I have in my Falcon II at present:

- a dedicated first aid kit
- a dedicated mess kit (JetBoil PCS and Alpha Lite long spoon)
- a dedicated water filtration kit (Aquamira Frontier Pro filter and .5L Platypus compact bottle)
- a hammock (Hennessy Explorer Ultralight)
- a modular survival kit (can quick transfer to belt; contains signal mirror, whistle, Photon light, space blanket, ESEE fire kit, matches, K&M match case with compass and matches, Victorinox Outdoorsman)
- paracord (50 yards)
- a Suunto MC2 compass
- rain jacket in a dry sack

Cutting implements will vary, but I will always have at least a good fixed blade and a saw or hatchet. I'm thinking of ordering the GB Wildlife Hatchet and a Bahco Laplander to test out).
And I'll have to work out some details on clothing and on a pad/blanket for the hammock.

AWESOME!!! Get those Snake Skins on the Hennessy and you will have camp setup before anyone can even get their tent poles together. How will you store the Hennessy? Inside the Falcon or external....

 

[Guyon]

AWESOME!!! Get those Snake Skins on the Hennessy and you will have camp setup before anyone can even get their tent poles together. How will you store the Hennessy? Inside the Falcon or external....

Don't know. I'm totally new to the hammock game. Right now it's in the pack as it arrived from Hennessy.
Do folks store their hammocks in the skins? Seems like you'd need to be sure you've got a bone dry hammock for any kind of long term storage.

 

[Guyon]

Do ziplocs hold up to such use, or is there another material/solution I should look into?

Just another thought. The cheap sandwich/snack bags are pretty fragile. But the heavy duty bags meant for the freezer are thicker and more durable. They also tend to have the nice sliding latch at the top. :thumbup:

 

[paperairplane]

Another bump for the Outdoor sacks - they are easily found at Wally and are cheap. I have taken a 2 day kayak trip with one strapped to the outside of the boat and it never leaked a drop. Cheapest dry bag out there.

 

[DerekH]

Just another thought. The cheap sandwich/snack bags are pretty fragile. But the heavy duty bags meant for the freezer are thicker and more durable. They also tend to have the nice sliding latch at the top. :thumbup:

Be careful with the Ziplock brand ones, the double zip ones anyways. For some unfathomable reason, there is a weird zig zag perforation between the zippers, making them really weak there.

Guyon, you figured out how to suspend your hammock yet? I ordered a buttload of webbing and some whoopie slings today hoping it will work out pretty well.

 

[sqoon]

Just another thought. The cheap sandwich/snack bags are pretty fragile. But the heavy duty bags meant for the freezer are thicker and more durable. They also tend to have the nice sliding latch at the top. :thumbup:

Yeah. I'm packing things up right now and they are not going to work well at all. Those sacks in the video look great. Exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for. Cheap and easy.

At the moment, I'm not thinking too much about sleeping solutions, but the hammocks seem like a good way to go.

The bag is certainly going to play double, if not triple duty for a while. At $100, I need to make it stretch and this system I'm working on should do the trick.

Thanks for the input. Keep it coming.

 

[hagusofnwn]

Don't know. I'm totally new to the hammock game. Right now it's in the pack as it arrived from Hennessy.
Do folks store their hammocks in the skins? Seems like you'd need to be sure you've got a bone dry hammock for any kind of long term storage.

You are correct about wanting it to be "bone dry" for long term storage, but a microfiber cloth can get the moisture off of the hammock pretty easily and then you just slip the snakeskins down and pack it away.

I keep the rainfly attached and it is the only piece that really collects moisture, when I use it.

 

[hagusofnwn]

Be careful with the Ziplock brand ones, the double zip ones anyways. For some unfathomable reason, there is a weird zig zag perforation between the zippers, making them really weak there.

Guyon, you figured out how to suspend your hammock yet? I ordered a buttload of webbing and some whoopie slings today hoping it will work out pretty well.

The Hennessy ships with webbing (Tree Huggers) when you buy them. You can buy longer ones if you need them. The videos on the Hennessy site really show you how to get them setup.

 

[Bladite]

I have some things I can update on my Falcon II, which I want to use as an overnighter in the summer, among other things.

My hammocks arrived yesterday, and the hammock + canopy puts the Falcon in a more "expanded" condition.

i have a Safari... BIG hammock. might have to lash that outside

had the original model, that would fit in the front pocket

hah

 

[tradewater]

You are going to love the Hennessys. Best nights sleep you'll ever get outdoors. Durable too. I still use one of the first ones made.

randy

 

[JV3]

i just use various sized stuff sacks. i like the "outdoor research" ones since they're a well-known quality outdoors brand but at the same time they're not outragiously expensive - their stuff sacks are $10-30 depending on size.

when i used my falcon ii as both my edc and hiking pack, i just empty out the contents in one of those giant rubbermaid clear containers - one labeled "hiking" and one labeled "edc" so there's no way i'm going to forget something when i'm swapping contents.