backpack for hiking / bugout what do you have ?

I've been thinking about buying a new day or overnight size pack. Have looked at Cabelas hybrid hunter 2-in-1 pack and the maxpedtion packs. Can't afford to field test different models. would appreciate your input.

Maxpedition gets my money, but folks seem to be having good luck if Camelback products.

i got a karrimor sabre 30

Depending on how large a pack you want, there are hundreds of manufacturers and configurations. My advice would be to look at what you want to carry and then take a look at packs in your price range that will carry the cubic inches. I currently use a Kelty for regular hiking..I have a Coleman Exponent for minimalist hiking and the good ole medium ALICE among an assortment of smaller day packs.

One thing to remember is no matter how big a pack you get..you will fill it up. So consider that, but otherwise have fun. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Has anyone used an external frame pack. In the last few years as I have become preared/organized everything I have is migrating to different bags. I'm thinking of buying/making a small frame like the external packs so I could just strap on what I want.

Tried a Camelbak Ares; didn't like it and sent it back. The shoulder straps were uncomfortable. But I haven't tried any of the newer Camelbak stuff.

Had an older North Face "Hot Shot" (with a split compartment in the front for two 32oz. water bottles - neat!). Wouldn't have parted with it, except the other half needed a daypack.

So, with an excuse to go shopping, I bought an OD green Maxpedition Condor. Seems to be a good pack, VERY well built, with good organization and layout. Although I will say the waist strap seems to ride a little high -- but that can be removed anyway. I was on a quest for something with dividers and pockets inside for BoB/hiking gear; something most daypacks have very little of, if any at all.

Sierra Trading Post has a good return policy & low prices; if what you order doesn't work for you, you can return it.

REI may have something similar, but the real fun with REI is you can go in their store and test the packs.

As far as Maxpedition, I ordered mine from TAD Gear, who has great pricing.

Here's an old thread about the Condor pack (some great photos about 1/2 way through the posts):

http://www.equipped.org/ubbthreads/showt...;sb=&o=

I absolutely love my Deuter Futura 32. It's in the size category I'd call "a large daypack, or a small overnighter". Works for both uses for me. Deuter makes several different sizes, but the 32 is what I have. This pack is the most comfortable I've ever used.

Check out some reviews of the Future 32 ... Reviews

I'm using a Eagle A-III with 2 side accessory pouches. 2500 ci for the main bag. Sleeping bag and Thermarest pad in a compression stuffsack on the bottom.

Eugene, do you mean a frieghter's pack? These are usually heavy duty frames with a fold down bottom shelf. There are occassionaly surplus military units avaialble and a german Company makes a VERY expensive unit with detachable pack. I think one canadian company imports them. They aren't known for comfort, but if you have something very awkward to pack work well.

That is, one of these things?

Globetrotter catalog page for Lastenkraxe (packframe)

Kind of pricey, and then there's the optional backpack that fits the frame and ups the price another 50%.

Still, it'd be just the thing for door-to-door sales of kegs of beer, wheels of cheese, or very modestly sized millstones.

Interesting timing, for me. I spent 2 full hours looking at every pack in a very large, good store today, and walked out empty handed, having walking in prepared to spend around $150-200 if I liked what I found.

I saw some great packs -- they had the entire Dana line, among many, many others. But they were traditional/conventional backpacker packs or days packs cum book bags. I am looking to replace my MaxPed Condor, which was criminally removed from my possesion.

Right now, I have bulky gear stashed in a ALICE medium on a frame (re. external frames, Don't, unless you need to haul out quarters of elk) and my grab and go stuff in a light commercial bag that is little more than a book bag.

This store is going to get in for me the 2 largest Cameback packs (2000 and 2500 cubes or so) and if I don't like them, I'm just going to go back to a MaxPed Condor which was entirely satisfactory. Without being presumptuous, I think that where we (this forum and like minded individuals) are coming from is best served by paramilitary' tactica' or 'assault' packs. That's why I will probably go back to another Condor. Oh -- the other thing -- my EDC outdoor kit is carried in a Max Ped Fat Boy -- and the Fat Boy and Condor straps do not conflict, at least on my body (6' 1", 145#, 29" waist)

Right now, I am re-doing my bug out bag and moving everything into a Blackhawk Hydrastorm Matrix Pack

http://www.blackhawkindustries.com/product_detail.asp?product_id=1840&d=

I think this will hold all I need except for my huge separate fak

"at least on my body (6' 1", 145#, 29" waist)"

Wow! You could hide behind a piece of rebar! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

And have! At my size, I've got to either hide, or fight real dirty. I'm pretty good at both.

Not sure if thats another name or not, I see a lot of references and debates on internal vs external frame backpacks and I wondered if anyone though of using an external, that way I could tie on a few differet configurations. Have a basic bob on the main pack then if I had to leave on foot I could stap the small bob from my truck on or when I got too tired from walking could drop off a bag.

I currently use a Camelbak Peak Bagger (1587 cu in -- 100 oz reservoir) but i find it a little small for what Iike to have on hand in my BOB. I always keep it in the vehicle. I am a bit disappointed with the layout.

I also keep a Maxpedition Fatboy in the front of the SUV, but it's just for the bare essentials.

Looking for another BOB, maybe around 2000 cu in.

I've been wanting to start another thread about pack design and layout ... sort of an "If you could build your pack from the inside out, how would you design it?" I know that can be dependent on what you need to carry, so I've been trying to think through the wording to prompt useful discussion. I'll try to post it by this weekend. I like the thought of multi-use, so for me, I consider my BOB as my main kit (though I also keep an extra bag in the vehicle that has items like extra water bottles, extra gloves, a few tools, power inverter, etc.) as here in midwest, I'm rarely far from my vehicle. Realize that might not work for urban areas where people rely on public transit.

Michael

Smaller, like these
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=exte...amp;oi=froogler

My understanding is that external frame packs work fine as long as you are on stable terrain. On uneven terrain the internal frame packs perform much better. Where I live, the terrain tends not to stay stable, so internal frame packs rule.

Note that some of the military style packs have lots of places to tie in gear. The main downside is that most of these packs don't have support systems (AFAIK).

-john

I'm with you. I just can't get excited about the stuff that I see out there. The 'let's design the perfect pack' exercise might meet with some response from a manufacturer if we could get some folks behind it.

My BOB is a trusty old LL Bean Continental Rucksack, in grey. All of the accessory pouches below are black.

It has a large, panel type pouch attached by the straps that adjust the storm flap. (If I had more money, I'd go with a new one and just run the straps through MOLLE webbing.)

A sleeping bag is attached to the top of that by cinch straps in it's compression sack (different bags for different times of the year). A 6x8' blue tarp and my poncho are also there, so they can be grabbed quickly.

Velcro wraps are in the tie downs above the side pockets. Those are empty and ready to recieve a pair of 1 liter water bottles. I keep a filled, 2L military square canteen inside.

A SpecOps single pouch Super Sheath is strapped around the right shoulder strap to carry a light, which would be added there at the last minitue. The other shoulderstrap has a smallish (4x6x2") pouch attached similiarly.

There is a pair of black dyed, military surplus 2-liter canteen pouches slipped onto the waist belt for additional storage.

It doesn't look super-military, IMHO, but I've found this pack to be built like the proverbial brick outhouse. I"ve had to rewaterproof it with a silicone seal, but for a pack I've had for 15 years, that isn't suprising. IT started off a book bag and overnighter, and it has since grown with me.

The bag I used to use was a large ALICE pack, and I'm always debating going back becuase it is better suited for winter use IMHO. To keep it from looking military (the least of my worries) and to improve it's visability and water proofing, I modified a red vinyl tire cover that was meant for a jeep, and I picked up at a yard sale.

I'm also looking for a backpack, for hiking or BOB.
I'm looking at different brands, Deuter being one of them.
But I want something around 40/45 liters.
I presently have a 30 liters, with a very good waist strap, but it is too small (if you want to carry some extra clothing, that take space !)
And my old 55 liters is too big and not a good carrier for such a size.

My Maxpedition Condor is fine for EDC (computer, documents, a few tools, cables etc.. + PSK + lights). BUT I would not use it for heavy loads and long journeys : the waist strap cannot be used to balance the weight on your haunches; the pack is way to short.
The waist strap is just made to hold the pack close to your back. Maybe with an additionnal Maxpedition waistpack, the Condor can then "sit" on it ... I guess it's designed to be used that way, in conjonction with another pack. Anyone (with a military experience?) can confirm/deny this opinion ?.

Randjack,
Did you NOT like the Camelback Commander 2500cu??? I was thinking about one of these.

I had honestly overlooked that pack, for some reason. Thanks.

I like the looks of some Osprey packs, I don't recall which models. I like the mesh back that holds the pack a couple of inches off your back, and the compression straps cover the entire pack, so the whole thing will squeeze way down.

But I'm 6'4" with a 34" inseam - long body. A pack long enough to ride on my hips is either going to be too big (=carry too much stuff) or look like one of those foam tubes that holds a six-pack end-to-end.