What do you think of this bag?

I'm putting together a survival kit and need a bag to put it all in. I'm thinking of using one of these bags . This kit would be something I can grap and take on camping trips, day hiking, etc. What do you think about using this bag? Know of another, better suited bag?

Thanks

I've got several of these. Fully loaded, they tend not to hang from the strap properly. They're OK, but I think a decent fanny pack setup would be more comfortable to lug around.

Albireo, are you going to carry this kit on the outside of a backpack or daypack, etc, or put it inside of it?

I was in the same boat a couple of years ago, trying to find the answer to the "which bag" question.

Take a look at Maxpedition and Spec-Ops Brand. Both make some good bags, pouches, packs, organizers, etc. Plenty of dividers, pockets, and elastic loops to have a place for everything.

http://www.maxpedition.com
http://www.specopsbrand.com

Some of their items aren't cheap, but I wish I had known about them in the beginning. Would have saved money in the long run.

Also, another good place for gear is TAD Gear and CountyComm:
www.tadgear.com
www.countycomm.com

Good luck in your search! (It's a never-ending quest.) <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

I'd put it inside. If I used this particular bag, I would remove the shoulder strap.


cedfire Thanks, I'll check out those links

Maxpedition bag here.. Love it super strong and great waterproof/resitence.

I also think that the bulk of this bag, just because of the way it is built, will be a real pain for you in the long run. While not as easy to locate stuff in, a single compartment bag will hold the same amount of gear in a smaller size...

I just recived my Mountiansmith Day Pack, which can be a Lumbar pack or a small back pack 1000 cu.in. interior storage with water bottles. I like you checked all over before buying it. check out www.mountiansmith.com

I have my first aid kit in one of those M-3 Medic Bags, divided up into categories in seperate aloksak bags, and while I thought it would be a great set-up in theory, in practice it turned out to be a bit of a hassle.

All of the zipped compartments are a pain to dig through if they're even moderately full. If you're not planning on stuffing the bag to the gills (is that a mixed metaphor?), you might be happy with it.

As someone else noted, the bag tends to hang awkwardly from the shoulder strap, but since you're not planning on using it, you're fine there.

A bag that zips open with the "box lid" design may allow you to browse the contents without unpacking them and if it's comparmentalized as well might work better.

In the end, whether it's a PSK or FAK, I prefer to be able to leave the contents I'm not in immediate need of in the container while retrieving what I do need rather than have to dig everything out and repack.

Maybe I'm looking for a man-purse instead... <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

If you do buy one, check ebay. I got one there for cheaper than most places listed online.

Is your plan to use this as a BOB? If so, I think it's a bit too small.

I used one of these as my first survival kit carrier that was bigger than an ammo pouch. I don't know how medics can stand it- it rides/hangs badly, the pouches are too big in that there is no way to really organize small items and too small becuase there is no space for really big items. I found that snow, mud and sand also had a knack for getting into the middle of the thing, so anything in the slip pocket between the big and middle pockets would be full of ice and/or gunk if needed, if not just destroyed by the moisture.

While it is more expensive, the CountyComm "EOD" bag currently fills the role that the M-3 used to fill for me. Tough, light, easy to organize. And it is easy to access- one big zipper across the top, a pocket along the front and two small velcroed pockets along the back, with a lanyard mounting point in each corner. I've laced to to several packs by thier compression straps through the MOLLE channels, and even worn it as a buttpack. It also comes with a much better sling that what the M-3 has.

Going up from there in the same catagory, I have to be another vote for SpecOps Brand (their Buttpack) and Maxpedition (any versipack), and I'm going to toss Tactical Tailor (thier larger utility pouches) and Emdom USA (Wideload and Fatty Wideload) into the mix as well. High Speed Gear Inc as a maybe (thier Waistpack), I'm trying to get ahold of them with a question on a seam failure, but thier reputation is impecable (this is the very first failure I've heard of with thier gear). I wouldn't recommend these brands for all people and places becuase it is hard to make this gear NOT look tactical, but that's hard to do with the M-3 as well.

If you want quality gear that isn't above and beyond mil-spec and/or doesn't look too tactical, Mountainsmith and Kelty are very highly thought of. Suprisingly, LL Bean has had some pretty good items in the past, but I'm not as familiar with thier current line; Cabelas has some very good stuff in thier line up right now.

Oh, and I do still have my M-3. It isn't utterly useless, it just wasn't field tested I think. It makes a great little over night bag to stuff in your car's trunk.

Ironraven is right on with his review (IMO). I have one that is in servcie as an extended stay toilietry kit, has my toiletry stuff with snivel stuff added (OTC meds, blister care stuff, bug spray, etc). I found mine is garage sale for $2 and it was worth it... dunno if I'd pay more.

There are so many good bags out there, I also agree with Ironraven about the EOD bag, I have one that is my Shotgun SHTF bag. Well built and cheap. The others that have been recomended are good choices also. NARESCUE's Fanny Pack is a good design for a medium to large size survival kit. It is small enough to use as a pullout from a larger backpack and big enough to build a decent kit in. They make one in Orange too if that is you cup of tea.

Your options are limitless... and you are in a good place to bounce ideas!

Don't overlook the Camelbak BFM. I'm in the market for the perfect EDC type bag to carry not only PSK and FAK but also extra warm clothes, food and water. I'm leaning toward the BFM but I'm still looking. Can anyone chime in with a critique of the BFM? Compared to the say the Kelty 3500, Maxpedition Condor2, Spec-Ops "The Pack"?
Can anyone suggest a bag of similar capacity, features and quality that does not have a tactical bag look?

How much do you EDC?

I ask becuase they are all a little on the big side as an EDC pack. I am not as familiar with the Kelty, but I've looked over the Condor very closely and I think it is every bit as well made but a tad smaller than the the THE Pack. My BOB is a THE Pack with one of thier SAW (holds two nalgenes perfectly) and X-4 pouches on each side, and my ditch kit (in the CountyComm bag) stuffed in the lower pocket. Still haven't gotten it perfect, probably never will, but 100 hours is a conservative estimate as to how long I can live from it except for water. And when I get around to adding a 100 ounce bladder, two days without even having to get water could be a real possibility.

Next step is to move the ditch kit onto something like a MAV, along with some water, and free up that pocket.

No, I'm not a gear nut or anything.

Albireo:

Nice name <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Stargazer

I have a Camelbak BFM, and asolutely LOVE it. It is a HUGE pack... for an idea of how HUGE, look HERE at what I ahd in mine when it was my search kit.

The airforce leans toward vest carrying systems for survival stuff, as did the venerated Heinlein. The reasoning might be enhanced maneuverability, or weight distribution, or just having it with you all the tiime-packs get hung on trees or stowed in the bow of the canoe and part company with you. Wear a vest under a coat and you look pudgy, not tactical. I struggle with vests because I am already the size of a domestic refrigerator: add a vest with stuffed pockets and I have to put vaseline on the doorways to get through them...Anybody out there a vest kit fan?

Wow, thanks for all the options. I will take a look at them all. I'll have to admit, I'm new to this so I dont know what all the acronyms mean, BOB etc...

BOB means Bug Out Bag. Here is a list: Acronyms.

Maybe this has already been asked and answered, but can we make the acronym thread a sticky?

No, just a small kit I can toss into a hiking day pack.



Right now, not much. Knife, flashlight, compass. My goal for this is to create a small kit I can toss into any pack, day pack I carry.

Romania,

You just found the perfect item for my Christmas Wish List. I'm just going to email the link to Santa!
<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Well, I'm leaning towards the Emdom USA 4x4 SUV GP Pouch. Seems to be about the right size for what I had in mind...

Ah, so what I call a ditch kit. It is the bag you always have loaded, even if you have to break BOB down for some reason, and if you have to leave BOB behind and are allowed to take ONLY one (1), single, solitary item, it is going to be that bag.

And the SUV is a good one if you have a tall, skinny kit. I can't imagine that you'd be unhappy with it, just with the wait if they are sold out when you place the order. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I keep a forester's vest loaded all the time. Mine is an LJ (I think they're out of business now), but they're all pretty much the same - custom made, hundreds (just kidding) of pockets (foresters carry so many cool pieces of equipment in the field!), including a BIG pocket on the back of the vest that is more like a small knapsack. These vests have proven themselves in thousands of miles of timber cruising and I love mine. It's not my main BOB or anything really, but it's what I reach for most often when I go to"play in the woods!"

I've owned the BFM for a while now and been out for several extended stays with it fully loaded. Did one extended hike fully loaded and let me say - I LOVE IT! It's my main stay BOB and I'm convinced of its complete dependability. Workmanship and materials are top drawer. Many nice features inside (elastic straps on some pouches, for instance). Attachment points are functional and well thought. Initially, I wasn't impressed with the design of the back pads - but I am now! Perfect comfort on a five day, tough hike - and I've always been an external frame man. The water cell is the big plus and it will (supposedly) support 200 oz. in onboard bladders - that's a lot. I would gladly recommend it to anyone.

Well, if anyone is interested I went with the Emdom USA 4x4 SUV GP Pouch. Fits everything just perfectly. Here's a couple pix:





I think I will make a cargo pocked sized kit next. After that will be bug out bag, then a earthquake/disaster sizeed kit for the house.

Looks good- what's in it?

I'll make an inventory of it soon and post it for review..

Ok, here's the inventory of the bag (not in any order). Opinions welcome...


1 Portable Aqua - Bottle of tablets
1 Water proof match holder with REI Storm Proof matches (about a dozen)
6 Safety pins
1 Military style can opener (says US Shelby Co. on it)
1 Carabiner
1 Sliva type 7 NL Compass
1 Leatherman multi tool
1 Colibri lighter
2 SaftyBright 6" chemical lightsticks (1 red, 1 green, sometimes called cyalume sticks)
1 Coghlan's Survival Signal Mirror
1 Mini-Mag Solitare light
20 Antiseptic alcohol swabs
1 Coghlan's Emergency Tinder box (removed and sealed in 35mm film canister)
1 magnesium bar with flint side
1 WindStorm whistle
1 fishing kit (in a plastic water proof match keeper):
-10lb line 20ft
-15 small split shot weights
-15 small hooks
-15 medium hooks
-5 medium swivels
1 Adventure Medical Kits Pocket Medic
1 Adventure Medical Kits Wound Closure Kit
1 20 sq ft aluminum foil
1 small sewing kit
3 Oral Rehydration Salts packages (makes 3 litres)
2 Packages Grabber Mycoal Heat Treat hand warmers (4 individual uses)
1 Stansport Emergency Pancho
1 Wire Emergency Saw
1 MPI Outdoors Space Emergency Blanket

Aside from this I will have at least 2 knives on my person, usually 1 folder and one fixed blade, a 1qt water bottle, at least 1 Bic lighter, a handheld gps unit, local topo map, l.e.d. headlight and be wearing climate (weather) defined clothing. The above kit is intended for day hiking, and anytime I go outdoors (meaning hiking, camping) I have a first aid kit that will go along too.

What do you think?

Looks good. The only thing I might do is think about swapping the Solitaire for a Gerber Infinity, but that being said I EDC an Infinity but keep a Solitaire in my ditch kit just because of the size advantage.