I did not want to hijack the "man purses (murses)" thread but it got me thinking about all the backpacks I have and thought I would list them here. I often wonder if others find that there is no such thing as only one or two backpacks they need. Over the years, I have found that multiple packs are needed....depending on what activity I am doing and the purpose of it.

Here is my list with some photos of the various packs.

I use this backpack the most for my EDC and go to work kit. 22 Litres capacity (1340 cubic inches)




I also have this backpack that is used for short trail hikes in the summer as it has just enough room for the essentials. 14 litres capacity (850 cubic inches)



This backpack is my favorite, it can pack a lot for it's size and has many internal pockets. The pack has held up well over the years from hiking in the far north to the Rockies. When I walk to work and need my laptop there is room for it along with my lunch an EDC. 30 Litres capacity (1830 cubic inches)



This bag is no frills with no suspension or padded waist belt. It can and has carried a lot of weight over the years. I once used it for multiple trips packing 60 lb loads of rock that needed to be analyzed 2 miles down a trail at 6000 feet. Nowadays, I use it for light 1-2 day overnight summer (cold meal) hikes due to its unhindered, one compartment carrying capacity. The pack is also used for grocery shopping and can carry four - 1 gallon milk jugs with a bit of room to spare. 32 Litres capacity (1950 cubic inches)



This pack I use for multi-day all weather hikes, it holds about 65 lItres (4000 cubic inches). I will taking this bag with us this summer when we hike the Canol Trail




I have one more MEC pack not shown here as it always kept packed and ready to go in the car trunk. 32 Litres capacity (1950 cubic inches)

My packs:

Backpacking - multi-day - Gregory Shasta, circa about 1985
Backpacking - fast'n'light - Dana Designs Racer X
BOB - Kelty MAP 3500
Deployments - MAP 3500

The Racer X is a "bagless" pack, just an internal type harness to which you attach the dry bag size of your choice.

I can't sing the praises of the MAP 3500 loudly enough, either. It is sized and configured like a very well designed day pack, but it has high quality, honest to goodness (removable) internal frame, hip belt, and shoulder harness just like a full-on multi-day internal frame pack three times it's size. It is amazingly comfortable and versatile. BTW, "3500" isn't it's cubic inches; it's a bit smaller.

It's not in Kelty's normal retail line, although you can find it for sale. It's apparently something they did for some military program. An ex-special forces friend turned me on to it, and told me it's quite popular with them (really). But it doesn't look the least bit military or "tactical" unless you get it in ACU. My tan model looks like an ordinary, everyday day pack.

Jeff

Jeff:

Is the Mapp 3500 pack you are referring to? If so, thats a nice pack!

Another question, is the waist belt padded at all?

Thanks

Yep! The hip belt is heavily padded, removable and contoured.

Jeff

Thanks....If I am ever in the need of a new pack, I will definitely consider this one.

Amron International has them on sale for $99.95, plus free shipping, so I just went ahead and bought another one!

Jeff

http://www.amronintl.com/products.cfm?Item=25904999

Ok, ok, I just emailed them to see how much the shipping costs would be to north of the 49th....

Great! What color are you looking at? I really wanted the "anaconda" (forest) green, but it never seemed to be in. So I got "foliage" instead. It will be my new BOB, so the old one can stay permanently packed and ready for DMAT deployments

If you are tall like me (6'3"), you will need to really let the shoulder straps out to get the belt to hip level for proper load transfer to your pelvis with heavier loads. The pack bag ends up riding lower than a typical day pack, but it really works. Fortunately, the shoulder straps adjust from both top and bottom ends, so you can place the padding just where you need it. The stays can be adjusted by bending, if needed, and there are adjusting straps on the belt to cinch the load in tight.

I'm pretty sure you will find it makes a fine SAR pack, if that's what you intend.

Jeff

I was looking at either the foliage or the coyote tan colors. I am 5' 10" and have never had much trouble with buying off the shelf packs without trying them on first. Sometimes a simple mod needs to be done and the fit is then ok. Once I hear back on shipping costs, I will decide on the color...

When camping and hauling I usually use an old external frame Camel. It is very adjustable for body size and can carry a lot of stuff. I once hauled four cases of beer with it and still had room to strap my personal gear to the top and my bedroll underneath. I bought it more than twenty years ago for about $70.

Hauling that much weight would probably kill me now. But the pack is still going strong. The hip belt and shoulder pads are still good.

In my vehicle I have one of two much smaller day packs of undistinguished origin and manufacture.