I had just found it was available at our local walmart, was going to stop there tonight, but you just saved me $20 and some heartache down the road when the pack falls apart, thanks for the heads up. If i'm gonna get a pack this size i think i'll go with the $30 LA police gear pack mentioned in the daypack thread (no affilaitions, just looks like a good pack and comes with ETS members recommendations to boot).

I am intrigued at the extent to which this thread has focused on the tactical type of day pack, which in my experience, aren't all that great. I bought a Maxpedition Vulture 2 a few years ago,drawn by its sturdy construction and adaptability (all those molle patches). Can't say I am too impressed, however. It is clunky and rather heavy, burdened with a bunch of features which only add to the weight, like load lifter straps which can't perform as such, but which look dreadfully cool. Its capacity is rather small,at 2800 cu. in.

If one is looking for a good, versatile, tough pack, seek out something that is designed for climbing and summit use. There are lots of packs available from brands like REI, LLBean, North Face, Kelty, Gregory, Patagonia,(among others) which will be well constructed and designed and will last for years of hard use (like the Camelback that Ben mentioned earlier). For a given capacity, they will be reasonably light. Don't let the lighter fabrics fool you. I have carried a Lowe "Alpine Summit Attack" (how's that for macho?)for many years and used it a lot. It features light weight fabric, and thin straps and outstanding durability.

Realistically, I don't think you will get a decent back pack for twenty bucks these days. Plan on spending more and doing the research and trials. You will be glad you did.

Hikermor, I just don't think you appreciate the importance of being "Tacticool".

In packs, there is well made, full featured, and cheap. Pick which two you want. Or, as the old saying goes, "You get what you pay for!"

Hey guts

Tactical has absolutely nothing to do with it. If anything I avoid things with tactical in the title because the word is so over used.
I liked the design, size, organizational abilities and the price. Yes the molle webbing might come in handy some day. The clerk told me that he bought one of the smaller ones for his son after he had worn out three normal daypacks and the "tactical" was still going strong. I'm going to test it hard and if it fails take it back. Fieldline's lifetime warranty is all hit air, but Wal-msrt should make it good.

Just add a PALS Molle Water Bottle carrier on each side of the pack.

http://www.flyyeindustries.com/ArticleShow.asp?ProdID=0166

These Flyye pouches are handy, they will also take an 81mm Mortar Bomb as well..

PALs Molle kit can be heavy and not very space efficient, but it is very flexible and modular. I think that these Heavier packs can be useful for folks especially in the USA so as to keep kit and things adequately organised. i.e. different pouch/zipped compartments can be used for various uses such medical kits, shelter kits, cooking and stove kits etc. (Although for some reason rarely a sleep system kit ) The weight is a secondary after thought as walking carrying heavier load outs will be secondary to just slinging them in the back of a vehicle.

There is quite an influence on users of these military inspired back packs, whether they are cheaper Chinese made knockoffs or some rather overpriced backpacks such as Maxpedition Vulture 2, probably due to the numbers of Youtube BOB videos out there. Most of the back systems on the Military influenced backpacks do fall quite short compared to the likes of a good Lowe Alpine adjustable back system and full hip belts to load transfer to the hips etc. They are backpacks not Bergens. These military back packs should really be used with appropriate webbing systems such as a Molle battle belt harness to better distribute the loads being carried etc.

Most of these folks, who produce these BOB videos are also well armed so press ganging a few civilian Sherpas into action to carry their uncomfortable and inadequate 60+lb packs during SHTF really shouldn't be a problem..

MOLLE and similar tactical style gear is a very specialized adaptation, primarily for military uses. It does have advantages for those folks.

However IMHO, the vast majority of civilian buyers of this gear would be much better served with a simpler, lighter design. Most all of the really skookum outdoors people I know prefer a much cleaner exterior for their pack. Less excess material to add weight, and less pockets, flaps, buckles, and other crap to snag on brush. Organization is usually better achieved by sorting your gear into several stuff bags, inside the pack. The newer silnyl stuff bags are strong, waterproof, and weigh nothing.

That is the "Tacticool" effect. Don't you know...you automatically become a lean mean tough machine when you put on a coyote colored pack with lots of MOLLE stuff attached?

I'm enjoying this discussion. We have about nine backpacks in our house, none of them tactical or with molle. So I better get one. And the LLBean basic rucksack is still a great and versatile deal.

It's likely because you don't see a lot of non-infantry uniformed military sporting expedition grade packs. These tac-packs were carry over from war, which we've been exposed to continuously now for over a decade. Like I said, we had these as go bags in Baghdad in 2005; every mainline contractor seemed to have something like this over there. I kept mine hanging on the wall beside my body armor next to my door, or at the end of my cot facing the tent opening. When the whistle blew, you slid on your boots and your helmet, grabbed your bag and your armor, and ran for the bunker. If you had to be evaced, you had the basics you needed with you; the rest you left for later, assuming you could get back. Since then I've augmented the pack, and yes, it is awkward compared to my external frame hunting/hiking pack. If I were planning on going cross country, I would grab the framed pack. But for day to day stuff, the Motherlode is adequate.

Funny, except for the self defense/E&E stuff, my loadout for the big pack for bug out (or whatever) is strikingly similar to what I'd take for a two week hiking trip for recreation.

I have a similar setup at my house, Benjammin! Not much of a "go bag" but armor hanging on the back of my door next to the "zombie guns" that I keep in a state of readiness.

I like MOLLE on a pack to a degree since I like having certain things on the outside. But my True North Gear SERAC SAR is the best daypack I have yet found. Sadly it seems to be have discontinued. I've got a Double Diamond from TNG too, and it also seems to have been phased out. A real pity.