What's in your Versipack?

Sufler · Jul 3, 2011

Just curious to know how you use your Maxpedition (or any other brand) Versipack style shoulder bag. I just sold an E.D.C Jumbo and replaced it with a Camelbak MULE... but wondering now whether that was a good decision. For those short, unexpected hikes... having a lightly loaded Versipack in the trunk seems like a good idea.

Pics would be great too.

Thanks!

Skrapmetal · Jul 3, 2011

Here during the summer you'll probably be better off with the MULE... more water.

I have a HAWG for the same reason... had a jumbo versipack in the past but sold it, I did just pick up a KISS versipack for impromptu short hikes. It isn't packed at all yet though. My guess is a nalgene with a nesting cup, a frontier pro filter, small first aid kit, a mora 510, and whatever I want for the individual hike (like binoculars, for example).

culpritish · Jul 3, 2011

I was given a Maxped Manta Versipack a couple of years ago, and after trial and error, i.e. adding and removing various pouches and such, I found the configuration that works for me.
It now wears a Blackhawk! butt pack and a G.I. one-quart canteen; a nice size for dayhiking, holds all my basic survival and first aid stuff with some room to spare, and it looks innocuous. On a recent adventure in the Golden Valley in AZ, I used it as a holster for my CZ-52 (got to love Maxped for that gun pocket idea!)

dayhiker1968 · Jul 3, 2011

I don't carry all that much...

Sawyer filter bottle, coffee can billy

FAK, couple of cereal bars, oatmeal, cup with drink mixes, instant soup, spork

bandana, compass/whistle, match case with pjcb's inside, piece of fatwood, bug spray,tissues

Poncho/tarp, cordage, heatsheet

Don't really need anything else. Always have a sak and lighter on me. Plus I add an F1 with a firesteel when head out.

jds1 · Jul 3, 2011

Jeff

Sufler · Jul 4, 2011

Hey, Skrap.

After some of the suggestions you had made about the Camelbak HAWG vs. Maxpedition Pygmy II... I decided to go with a military version of the MULE (coyote/desert color to keep it civilian w/out the ninja look) instead. I just found it to be more along the lines of what I had been looking for in terms of capacity while still being relatively low profile and small-mid size pack. We did a day long hike the other day w/my MULE on for the first time and the water capacity/easy access made it very practical and useful. Remember that this is my first Camelbak... and to think what I had been missing out on all this time. I picked up a civilian LUXE for my girl too - she likes it also.

With the Versipack... it's the fact that I can't find a simple small backpack out there that has an outside pocket big enough to fit a 32 oz. Nalgene. The Versipack seems to fit that niche nicely although I'm not so confidant about the pressure the strap would cause if I loaded it up over 15 lbs. - guess the key here is keeping it light with basic gear.

Thanks.

Rockywolf · Jul 4, 2011

I have the same one dayhiker1968 shows above. Very nice as long as the hike/walk isn't too long. I carry a daypack more often because they are just more comfortable.

Skrapmetal · Jul 4, 2011

Sufler said:
Hey, Skrap.

After some of the suggestions you had made about the Camelbak HAWG vs. Maxpedition Pygmy II... I decided to go with a military version of the MULE (coyote/desert color to keep it civilian w/out the ninja look) instead. I just found it to be more along the lines of what I had been looking for in terms of capacity while still being relatively low profile and small-mid size pack. We did a day long hike the other day w/my MULE on for the first time and the water capacity/easy access made it very practical and useful. Remember that this is my first Camelbak... and to think what I had been missing out on all this time. I picked up a civilian LUXE for my girl too - she likes it also.

With the Versipack... it's the fact that I can't find a simple small backpack out there that has an outside pocket big enough to fit a 32 oz. Nalgene. The Versipack seems to fit that niche nicely although I'm not so confidant about the pressure the strap would cause if I loaded it up over 15 lbs. - guess the key here is keeping it light with basic gear.

Thanks.

Glad you're enjoying the hydration pack. I don't think I can ever go back to bottles alone now... not for long hikes anyway.

You're right on with the Versipack. My plan for mine is to basically keep it with me most of the time when I leave the house (and I'm not working, I have another bag for that). I always take a bottle of water with me everywhere anyway, this way I'm loaded up for those times when I'm near the woods and just can't help myself. There are some short one hour trails nearby that are perfect for the Versipack. And if for some reason it becomes more than an hour I'll have what I need with me to work that out.

Weight was the issue for me with my Jumbo Versipack. I was trying to use it for an all day hike bag and it was way too heavy and uncomfortable. This time around I went with the KISS (25% lighter than the regular Jumbo), and I'm being smarter about what I put in it to keep the weight down. I'm guessing I can keep it well under 10lbs with a full water bottle and still be well prepared.