What is the base of your bug-out-bag / survival pack / outdoor pack?

T

ThirdEdge97

Joined
Feb 8, 2013
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105
Alright guys, recently i was watching a video of a guy who does really good videos about bushcraft i guess you could call it, he's got a nice setup
got me thinking, what do other guys who aren't on youtube have?

i'm interested in having a medium size pack i can throw on when i go into the woods, would have the basic's in it
not a super complex huge pack with everything i would need for month long stays in the woods


I currently don't have a pack right now is why i'm asking and i'm also curious about how you guys have them set up
I don't need a list of stuff to put in my pack when i get mine, I've seen more than enough threads and videos about "what's in your bug out bag?"

i have had a bug-out-bag/survival but i got rid of it because some of the buckles broke (i paid a decent amount for it too).


Here's what i would like to see:

Brand and Model name of the pack, Pictures of the pack, what the soul purpose of the pack is.
Also, do you have more than one? do you keep a small one in your truck/car?

Thanks to anyone who participate's in this thread! :thumbup:
 
May I point you towards my thread here?

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...estock-Halftrack-review-with-lots-of-pictures

The Eberlestock Halftrack is my answer to a medium sized pack that I would use (and do) for that sort of thing. In a nutshell, its purpose is to carry enough kit to satisfy my needs for a day out on the hills/in the woods, and big enough if necessary to carry enough kit for my wife too.

The sack stays packed with the basics and just needs things like food and fresh water adding, and other necessities specific to a trip. It's not my bug out bag, although it could make a good one depending on your needs in that area.

It would also be plenty big enough for a night or two under a tarp or in a bivibag. I would classify it as a 3-day pack.

Previous to that I was using a G1 Kifaru Zulu for a similar role, but it's a bit on the large size for that (I can do a full backpacking trip with the Zulu) and I prefer the panel-opening of the Halftrack for general ease of use. I had a Maxpedition Vulture II intended for the role but didn't like the way it fit me.

I also keep a larger pack (100l Berghaus Vulcan) packed as a bug out bag, although my perceived needs in that respect are probably different to most.

I did used to keep a Vango Hot Earth in the car as a get home bag (far more likely than bugging out) when I was travelling a lot. Now I'm not, so I don't.
 
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What exactly are you thinking of when you say bug out? It means many things to many different people. Also about how much weight will be in the pack?

For a daily user and a dayhike pack I use a Jansport Tulare. Plenty of room, doesn't stick out like some of the molle/pals type packs, really comfortable. You may want to be careful with how much you put in though, no frame so it may not be as comfortable under heavy weights. Max I have carried in here is about 25 lbs. I think if I did keep a BOB or Go bag, I would probably use this one.

If you want to carry more, I use a Kelty Redwing 50 for 2-3 day trips. Has an aluminum stay and plastic back insert to keep its form under heavier loads. Very similar organization-wise to the Jansport, and also very comfortable for me with 30-45 lbs.

Really take into consideration capacity, durability, and sizing when purchasing. Best of luck with your search.
 
foxyrick said:
May I point you towards my thread here?

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...estock-Halftrack-review-with-lots-of-pictures

The Eberlestock Halftrack is my answer to a medium sized pack that I would use (and do) for that sort of thing. In a nutshell, its purpose is to carry enough kit to satisfy my needs for a day out on the hills/in the woods, and big enough if necessary to carry enough kit for my wife too.

The sack stays packed with the basics and just needs things like food and fresh water adding, and other necessities specific to a trip. It's not my bug out bag, although it could make a good one depending on your needs in that area.

It would also be plenty big enough for a night or two under a tarp or in a bivibag. I would classify it as a 3-day pack.

Previous to that I was using a G1 Kifaru Zulu for a similar role, but it's a bit on the large size for that (I can do a full backpacking trip with the Zulu) and I prefer the panel-opening
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You sure can point me towards your thread!
thanks for that info.

that looks like a really good pack, i will defiantly look into that more.

from my experience (that's not a whole lot), i agree with you about the panel opening packs, much easier to open and get at what you need.


Crone said:
What exactly are you thinking of when you say bug out? It means many things to many different people. Also about how much weight will be in the pack?

Really take into consideration capacity, durability, and sizing when purchasing. Best of luck with your search.
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i didn't just mean bug-out bag, i was looking to see peoples bug-out bags what they would consider a bug-out bag, grab bag, exploring pack, whatever pack they use to go into the woods with.

i'm not really sure what weight i'm willing to carry, once i get a pack (it will probably be something like a 3 day pack) ill load it down and see what a good weight for me is.
 
Seconds on the Kelty Redwing. I use it as my "get home" bag. Filled with stuff I (over time, it's a dynamic bag) feel that I might need should I end up in a situation where I need to hoof it back to my house. It's a great pack and comfy to wear.
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The little zipper pocket in the front holds a full size m&p perfect. Side pockets hold a ton as well. I have the waist strap wrapped backwards because it's only at about 23lbs right now and comfy without it. The sleeves? between the pockets are great for larger knives as well. I don't even really use the main pocket.
 
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Tankerwolf said:
Seconds on the Kelty Redwing. I use it as my "get home" bag. Filled with stuff I (over time, it's a dynamic bag) feel that I might need should I end up in a situation where I need to hoof it back to my house. It's a great pack and comfy to wear.
Click to expand...

just curious, can you put say an axe on the side of the pack? maybe a machete?
 
Bugging out, survival and day out in the woods all have a different meaning at least for me. My go to pack that rides in my truck, goes with me on car trips and what I hike with on planned day hikes is a Mountainsmith Lumbar DAY. Holds two water bottles, the basic fire starting kit, med kit and some food for the day.
 
ThirdEdge97 said:
just curious, can you put say an axe on the side of the pack? maybe a machete?
Click to expand...

Yes. you can rig it many different ways. The handle you see sticking out is a Busse NMFBM. The sleeve has a Velcro strip at the bottom so you can run things all the way through or not. I would be cautious of an axe head being right next to your head though.
 
Just to clarify that is not my day hike kit. Although I do bring it with sometimes just to carry weight. This is my day hike kit. Altoids tin with
Tampons
Chicken flavoring
lighter
bandades
Children's and adult Claritin
wet ones
advil
and a firesteel

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I have a five y/o and we really don't travel far enough away to be in survival situation.
 
ThriftyJoe said:
Sorry, was actually talking to the OP, trying to get him to focus on just one specific mission at a time for his pack. ;)
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i don't really have a specific mission for my pack just yet, i'm sorry if i didn't make it clear

want a pack i can have emergency stuff in, fire starter, medi-kit, cook can, water filter.. etc..etc but still have room for either an axe or machete, maybe both (depending on what i'm doing in the woods), a sleeping bag or blanket, room inside of outside to take off a coat or put on an extra layer

if at all possible something with outside straps or MOLLE so i can tie something onto the backpack if i need to.
 
ThriftyJoe said:
Sorry, was actually talking to the OP, trying to get him to focus on just one specific mission at a time for his pack. ;)
Click to expand...

No apology necessary. I was just reiterating what you were saying to clarify to the op and to second the fact that more than one pack is ideal.
 
i was recently at a sporting goods store and found a 20 degree bag that compacts down the the size of a football, ill try to find out what the brand was to share with you guys
 
My do everything pack is my Osprey Kestrel 32. If I had to have a pack just for bugging out I would want one that is just as comfortable to wear but bigger maybe something around 50-60 liters. For a pack just to keep with me as a "get home bag" I would pick something from Camelbak, as I think they are still fairly comfortable to wear but a bit more duable.
 
ThirdEdge97 said:
i'm thinking one of these packs is going to be a better pack for me than the eberlestock halftrack
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I had a Vulture II, hardly used it and eventually sold it in as-new condition. If you pack it to the capacity it allows, it is too heavy for the (lack of) harness design. There is no back stiffener or frame so the waist belt will not function as a true hip belt to take load off the shoulders. I found it quite uncomfortable when loaded up after a few hours of carrying.

Also, if you actually use the bladder sleeve to put a full bladder in, it pushes the back of the sack into your back. It feels like trying to strap on a barrel. I have a thread on here about that, and making an aluminium frame sheet to mitigate the issues, but I bought the Halftrack instead before I really tried it out like that. The Halftrack is far, far better than the Vulture II and well worth the extra cost. That said, the Vulture II is still a very nice design other than the back system and I really wish Maxpedition had put a proper harness on it.

The smaller Maxpedition sacks, that can't really be packed as heavy as the Vulture, are nice. I use a pygmy falcon II for a small daysack when I don't need to carry much more than a flask, sandwiches and basic kit. It's great.

Edit to add: A sack that was near the top of my try-out list was the Camelbak Trizip. Everything I've read about it is positive, especially about how well it fits. It was designed in collaboration with Mystery Ranch. I just decided that the Eberlestock would suit me better so I went for that instead. I made the right choice.
 
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When it comes to the trizip the Mystery Ranch harness is awesome. My old Linchpin had the same harrness and I found it was one of the best balances of comfort and toughness a side from the Osprey packs.
 
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