Why do BOBs resemble an apocolypse trading bin instead of a backpacking pack?

Political atmosphere's, environmental, geological and geographic conditions, and proximity to friends and family are different for all of us. In 2011, when a tornado destroyed a tenth of my town, Tuscaloosa, I was left with half a house, my wife, and at the time, four month old daughter huddled in a bathroom closet. Car travel was impossible due to downed trees, power lines, and gas leaks. Although emergency services were stretched beyond their limits, government infrastructure was still in place. Our goals were simple, get to a secure location, readily accessible by friends and family, and wait. We grabbed our wallets, keys, two days worth of clothes, insurance information, and the cats and hiked to the hospital about a half mile away so family could come get us. I guess my point is, is that while everyone's situation is different, keeping it simple and being even-headed are the two most important things in my experience.
 
Part of my family has now been unable to venture out of the house for two days due to Typhoon, Heavy winds and constant rain. Most offices, stores and transportation is shut down. Water is creeping up from lower part of neighborhood. They are now moving documents, food, bottled water, small electrical appliances and sentimental items to small second floor area. Anything that is water damageable is being put up high on shelves.

As much as I like to think I am prepared, my being warm dry and safe does them no good. They have already survived the things I "think" I am prepared for as a normal part of life.

Not many places to "bug out" to for them.

Bill
 
To answer to initial question. Because most people have never lived out of a backpack or put in any distance with one to know what is really need to thrive in the outdoors. Mom's basement is not a good test ground.
 
Macchina said:
To add to my original post: In what world is a used ALICE pack good for anything, let alone transporting 100 pounds of your essential gear across a zombie wasteland. I see people recommend this pack more than anything else! I bought one a while back and it was INCREDIBLY uncomfortable and squeeky. It also came with broken parts I had to repair before I could find out how bad a pack it was. They are robust and work great to fill up and leave in a corner, but backpack technology has progressed do far since the 60's. For the $50 they cost, far more suitable packs can be found...

Their constant recommendation proves how few people ever even put their BOB on...
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I've always wondered this too. You factor in the other benefit that a modern pack blends into a crowd and it doesn't make sense. I also find it odd to see bushcrafters paying a couple hundred bucks for what is essentially 100+ year old backpacking technology. That's cool if they're doing a reenactment thing but when they start to get into the versatility etc of the pack, my eyes gloss over. I just don't buy that those packs are better at anything other than looking "woodsy." Maybe it's the same for preppers. They're obviously newbs so maybe they want alice packs so they can look the part of the mutant zombie biker slayers that their lack of skills, training, fitness(they're usually chubbier than I am:eek:) and worth while gear has prepared them to be.:D
 
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Yeah, those Alice packs are pretty horrible compared to modern backpacks. Small, uncomfortable, and unstable.

But they sell like hotcakes when properly marketed as Bug Out Bags. :D
 
panzertroop said:
To answer to initial question. Because most people have never lived out of a backpack or put in any distance with one to know what is really need to thrive in the outdoors. Mom's basement is not a good test ground.
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Was thinking the something.
 
Paws said:
Political atmosphere's, environmental, geological and geographic conditions, and proximity to friends and family are different for all of us. In 2011, when a tornado destroyed a tenth of my town, Tuscaloosa, I was left with half a house, my wife, and at the time, four month old daughter huddled in a bathroom closet. Car travel was impossible due to downed trees, power lines, and gas leaks. Although emergency services were stretched beyond their limits, government infrastructure was still in place. Our goals were simple, get to a secure location, readily accessible by friends and family, and wait. We grabbed our wallets, keys, two days worth of clothes, insurance information, and the cats and hiked to the hospital about a half mile away so family could come get us. I guess my point is, is that while everyone's situation is different, keeping it simple and being even-headed are the two most important things in my experience.
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Wait? You didn't have a 50 cal rifle and some explosives? How did you protect your family from the enemies go were coming to kill your family and take your supplies?!
 
MALL NINJAS. They are in every forum. They are the AR15 users with every attachment possibly. The ones with decked out knife sheaths worth hundreds with blades obviously never used before. And like you mention those with no sense what a BOB should be
 
Despite the fact that I have a lot if gear, guns and stuff, I came to a realization a few years ago..... I can't eat bullets. Now I'm learning how to can and preserve foods. I've backed off of daily prepping practices and now prepare the necessities for life. I have no doubt that surviving at the home will be how my family will roll for awhile before we are faced with the decision to leave. That could be a long time. Having some food and clean water in the basement is like having flood insurance near a river, mandatory.

I will say that the mall ninjas do keep me entertained though. I especially like the knife/equipment reviews on the tube made by youngsters that seem to have more money than me and somehow convinced their parents to buy them that 300 knife. Wish I had their money....
 
Some people like to use what they're familiar/comfortable with, to include the Alice packs. I don't see why it bothers some of you anyways. Some guys used them in the military, and they don't want to change. I saw someone post it earlier, but I'll reiterate, a properly set up Alice pack will work just fine and is plenty comfortable. Durability is also something that I've found them to excel at. I used one in recruit training as well as RIP, and I didn't have any complaints. I don't personally use one because I have other bags that I like more, but I don't see a problem with others using them.

Now, paying the same or more for one as you would a newer (better?) pack, I will agree is completely insane.
 
I have nothing against an alice pack. I own a few and they work great if you rigging them right. They are cheap, durable and customizable. I would take one over a 5.11 pack for sure.
 
Some people like to use what they're familiar/comfortable with, to include the Alice packs.
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I can sure understand that. :thumbup:

I don't see why it bothers some of you anyways.
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It only raises an eyebrow that I see them being recommended so often.

I bet most people who wear them regularly are being made to, by their government. I have a hard time believing anyone would visit REI, try on every single pack, and in the end choose an ALICE. ;)
 
Haha, no room to carry a 50. My arms were full with cats in carriers and infant formula. Now I can't say there weren't some isolated incidences of people trying to loot or take advantage of the situation, but they were few and far between. There was at least one "You Loot We Shoot" signs around town. But the vast and overwhelming majority of the time people came together to help each other out. I cannot say how many times random cars stopped by the house to offer us sandwiches and bottles of water, or guys carrying chainsaws clearing roads and driveways.
 
Bob W said:
I can sure understand that. :thumbup:


It only raises an eyebrow that I see them being recommended so often.

I bet most people who wear them regularly are being made to, by their government. I have a hard time believing anyone would visit REI, try on every single pack, and in the end choose an ALICE. ;)
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That's reasonable. I'd never recommend one as the best pack money can buy.

I think there's a mix. Some use them because they used one in the military, or back when they were a great option, and are stuck in their ways. I do agree that there is the other crowd, that wears them to maintain an appearance. Believe me, I've run into enough of those types on the trails or the water.
 
I do agree that there is the other crowd, that wears them to maintain an appearance. Believe me, I've run into enough of those types on the trails or the water.
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That type is also prevalent in the hipster backpacking crowd. Hey look at my $300 backpack and Ti cook gear. Blah!
 
I thought hipsters were anti-establishment? Shouldn't they be using knitted packs and eating their food uncooked?
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I have no idea, I am old and don't like anybody young. :)
 
I didn't know hipsters went backpacking. Trendy yuppies, sure. But Hipsters??? :eek:

p.s. I'm over 40. ;)
 
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