What's in your pack?

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

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Feb 2, 2005
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Scott, I've asked you what kind of pack you carry, I think it would be more pertinent to ask what you carry in it (I know I've asked before, just roll with it :foot: ;):D). I actually have two of Scott's packs, one an ALICE style pack I won last year and the other a smaller Maxpedition bottle holder. This general question is for everyone.

To start off with sizes, I am looking at what you put in a daypack, like my Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon, or what you put in a smaller hike pack, like my larger Maxpedition water bottle holder. I'm interested in what you put in your camping/long hike packs too, but primarily interested in dayhike and overnighter packs.

Hydration is a must, whether you use a Camelbak or a water bottle. I'm guessing all cutlery is carried on your belt or in your pockets. Medicines, first aid equipment. Lunch :D.

What do you carry with you? I almost always have my Nalgene water bottle holder with a little side pouch. Been carrying the Maxpeditions I have off and on, gonna try out the full size Max bottle holder this weekend on a hike at Turkey Point lighthouse. Not far at all, but want to check it out.
 
I don't do many day hikes. When I use a pack it's usually for an overnite trip. My favroite pack is the Kelty Redwing. I carry my sleeping bag, pad, cooking gear, food, water bottles (two), first aid items/meds, survival kit, extra socks/underwear, trash bag, stove, inside the pack. Strapped on the outside is my tent and tarp. Side pockets, axe and a large knife. I carry a saw, usually folding inside the pack along with a flashlight/headlamp. Other small items for fire starting in my pockets. I may have missed a few things but that is the basics.
Scott
 
On day hikes I use a small Arc'teryx bag...maybe the Arro something? I probably carry too much in it, but I usually carry a change of clothes, at least socks and shirt so that at the end of the hike I can take the sweaty stuff off. I carry water in the bladder it will hold. Usually some food then in a couple of grocery bags I can later use for trash, and also a small folding bowl for the dogs to drink out of. My big knife usually goes in the main compartment as well, and then in that compartment and the outside one I usually have two small bags each with survival gear (space blanket, fire starting, water purification tabs, flashlight, multitool) that I probably won't need and would probably be even luckier if I could put to good use if I did need them since my knowledge is very lacking :/
 
Kelty redwing for day hikes overnights, the contents remarkably similar to Scott's. However when I'm bringing my tent I usually opt for my larger Kelty pack, I think it's a coyote. Soon I'm gonna have a nice bivy sack and I'll only bring the tent when I'm with the wife
 
I still think the bottle holder is the best piece of gear in a long time.
For most hike, water, a snack and my binos are what I need and use most. Too much is placed on gear and less on adventure these days.
Last year hiking the Bitteroots in Montana, I had less then most of my day hikes back home. Sleeping gear excluded, from that.
In reality most of us don't live that far out and here in the east, save for the 'daks, parts of Maine and various pockets here and there, it's hard to be in a truly remote location anymore.
In the military we had a level system of gear, with level 1 being pocket or on person gear. You can figure out the basics of this carry. We went up to level 4 with that being anything transported be vehicle or the like. I've seen some guys that must have 14 levels from all the keychain kits, to tins to other amounts of gear carried.
Once you get out there it all becomes weight and weight needs to be trimmed so carrying 3 and 4 different knives gets old quick. Sometime ago my friend and I did a canoe trip in Quentico Park. That was the best I ever packed for a trip. When you have to fly to your location the gear gets left home quickly.
Dan, sometime when I'm down yours and Scott's way I'll bring my bottle holder along and let you see what I pack in it. Nothing exciting by any means.
Too many people let the Fantasy of what MAY happen cloud the reality of what probably will...
That said I still shoulder a Mystery Ranch or Kifaru or Duluth pack for a day trip, mostly for the exercise and not for the need of gear inside it.
 
Day pack is a Camelbak Blowfish/100ml. My personal preferences that I like to have on me regardless is one of those contractor debri bags as a emergency bivy, my custom and sizable first aid/trauma kit, and I always like to have a 4-6" fixed blade.(CS SRK right now)
 
Day pack depends on who is coming and how long a hike... Camelback OUtlaw, or Arcteryx Bora 40...

Always Contents: goretex xhell, first aid kit, Petzl XP2 headlamp, water or water filter, "survival kit- mylar sheet, thread, needles, one handed firesteel, Fox whistle, compass, Amsteel line", hat, maps

Sometimes contents: Hammock, polar fleece, snacks, machete, stove, pot, GPS

All knives, are on my belt or in a pocket
 
Thanks for the replies. Keep them coming. It's always interesting to see what people carry.
Scott
 
I have a outdoor research bivy sack in the mail, it's going to cut the weight of my pack by 4 lbs! My Kelty Teton 2 weighs 51/2 plus footprint, this bivy only weighs 2 lbs
 
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