I was watching some U-tubes about Cody Lundin. In one of them I noticed that he went into the desert with some trainees and carried what looks like a meassenger-style bag. I wondered : Isn't a backpack more comfortable ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALUTDJlhKb8

Before posting the question here I imagined osme of you asking : the guy doesn't wear shoes and you are wondering about him not using a backpack ???

LOL... But really, do you see something I might have missed ? If he is doing what aboriginies (sp?) folks did , I think they did have home-made backpacks in those days.

Both "messenger" style and "backpack" style load carriers have a respectable antiquity, and are used in slightly different ways, much as today. Heavier loads tend to be carried on backpacks.

Cody is welcome to do things his way; his way is often not my way.

The thing I don't like about 1 strap bags is that they are unbalanced and make bending over a more thoughtful endeavour. I don't mind them for everyday urban life (my purse only has one strap) but won't use them again for off-roading.

In his book "When All Hell Breaks Loose" he makes a few differnet homemade packs, and did so on the show as well. I suspect he'd crank it up a notch if his was carrying more than EDC.

From Cody's book, 98.6 Degrees, The art of keeping your ass alive, page 134. "I carry my survival kit in a large capacity fanny pack...I don't like things hanging from my shoulders, so I rarely use backpacks."

Why doesn't Cody use a backpack? He doesn't like Food,though he isn't exactly skinny either is he? He seems to favor grubs,worms,& assorted vegetation & He's a fairly Big guy,see the post of our Sheriff Blast,posing for a picture next to him.Seeing that,one could ask the horizons,"Are there any grubs,worms,& prickly pears left in Arizona?I know I couldn't walk a mile in his shoes,lol!

Cody is not vegetarian. He eats meat all the time on the shows, plus there are recipes for mouse and rat in his books.

Who says he is veggie? Grubs and worms would be animal,not vegetable. Although not part of the normal western diet, they are quite nutritious (so I am told).

otzi ( the iceman ), one of the oldest mummies ever discovered - he lived about 5,000 years ago, continues to be studied. and more discoveries are made with each advance in science.
he had a backpack, as well as many other items that were his survival items. go here: otzi's equipment
surprisingly, some things haven't changed that much in 5,000 years.

I can hazard a guess: A messenger bag will make you much less sweaty than a regular backpack. Which probably is a huge plus in a desert environment. (Although I've never been to a desert I do know the sticky feeling of carrying a backpack in hot weather).

Personally, I wouldn't carry anything heavy and bulky in a messenger bag. YMMW. But I can understand why anyone would want to avoid carrying backpacks (unless the load/bulk makes it unavoidable).

I have carried a backpack in desert conditions - very often. The amount of sweating depends upon the individual pack. Some are very well ventilated and quite comfortable in hot weather. Of course, deserts are not always hot; they can be quite cold.

As far as I am concerned, the greater efficiency and better body balance of a well fitted backpack is more beneficial than whatever discomfort might result from perspiration.

While I have no way of knowing why or if Cody might prefer a messenger bag/haversack over a backpack, there are perhaps some advantages for his style of survival.

For example a messenger bag/haversack and be adjusted quickly to ride more on the back, side or front depending upon how you want to distribute the weight. It can be accessed without having to remove it from your back. If one is foraging, you can pull the bag to the front and place or remove what you want inside quickly. It can be moved from one shoulder to the other easily. It can be carried in a tumpline fashion.

The versatile nature of how a messenger bag/haversack can be carried makes me think that it would make a good choice for a minimalist survival style such as Cody’s.

Pete

I have more experience with carrying a laptop in a messenger style bag than a wilderness messenger bag but I know after switching to a backpack I'll never go back. No matter how I adjusted the shoulder strap a single strap bag just won't stay in place as well can't carry a load as comfortably as a two strap pack.

I'd have more questions if Cody did carry a backpack. Everything by the book and then (Bam!) no shoes, it just wouldn't make sense.

Carrying a shoulder slung camera bag for a few hours I will never go for that style. The uneven pain it caused was just amazing for such a light load.





I Cant honestly see one good point to messenger bags that gives them better use over a small backpack of the same rough size. Backpacks can be slung over one shoulder in front for easy access just like a messenger back and when foraging Im sure the messenger bag would more get in the way then anything when leaning down/forward. Ive Never had them "just stay put" when moving around like a backpack style pack does.

As For distributing weight where you want it, Ive never thought in my life when carrying something "Gee This uneven weight to my right would feel much better if it was uneven on my left". Even while Carrying it towards your back your now using one arm to hold it behind you locking it up from use and its still resting its weight on one shoulder.

Id much rather have a Small camelback backpack then a messenger bag. I very much believe the messenger bag style for him is all about "image" more so then anything. How Much of a barefoot nature loving person would he look like with a high end expensive sports water bladder pack on?

Too true. I like watching him and I place alot of value on his writing, but his way is not mine in certain respects.

What is interesting is that both CL and BG have written very rational solid books dealing with survival while their TV personas are considerably more gonzo and over the top. Perhaps it is just another example of the way that contemporary TV distorts reality.

I have used a "messenger" style bag while working in the field for years (almost always with a day pack as well). I am a geologist and it carries my field tools, sheet holder with maps and paper as well as my field book. Pete has enumerated the advantages well. Using a pack for such work is very much a hassle. It does not carry well in front if you are using it a lot. Carrying your "stuff" all on belt, slung separately, etc. is worse. It is also convinent to take it all off when you stop or are using a vehicle for transport from one area to another. I don't know anything about Cody or his use, but I find that there are some uses where that style of bag is superior.

Respectfully,

Jerry

+1

Ain't that the truth. You said a mouthful there.

-- b

Messenger bags, by design, work best with light loads. I had one that I would use when I was going to listen to lectures. Had a notebook, umbrella, a few pens, and my small water-bottle. It weighed very little, it kept my back from getting sweaty, and I just found it to be less cumbersome to use than a backpack for the little I was carrying.

Otherwise, once things start getting remotely heavy, I go backpack all the way.

Related issue, I carry a man bag (or "satchel") daily in an urban environment. I would not carry this same bag in a backpack setup - too inconvenient for how I use it.

I do see some people walking around with tiny backpacks, I guess the backpack equivalent to my man bag. This would not work for me. I keep my man bag on me while I'm sitting (including while driving), no removal necessary.

I also enjoy wearing my motorcycle helmet throughout the day because you never know. (kidding)

I prefer a backpack to a messenger bag, generally. The most important reason is that a properly designed and fitted backpack will not shift weight when scrambling or climbing and will generally slip through thick brush more easily than something carried sidesaddle.

On the other hand, it is perfectly possible to sling a pack on one shoulder when you will only carry it a short distance and then take it off. Basically, a backpack is more versatile and will carry a given weight more comfortably.

Agree. My EDC backpack is normally carried light and on just one shoulder. Loaded up for a more serious walk and both shoulders and a sternum strap and waist belt make it quite secure.