Great info & pics Matt.

I have always had the same reservations about the military-oriented gear: weight. I know, they need durability. But there is a flippin' limit, people. A pack that size weighing 8 lbs empty? Insane.

I think the military mindset is "I'm carrying 85lbs of stuff plus ammo, what's another couple pounds?". They don't seem to understand the SERIOUS performance penalty that extra weight invokes.

Am I saying they should carry their gear in a 3.2 ounce sil-nylon totebag? Of course not. But the heavy-as-hell trend set by Kifaru and Maxpedition is ridiculous IMO.

It's not the weight that bugs me. It's what you get for the weight. My old ALICE with the USGI frame was about that heavy, and it could have eatten this Kifaru with room left over. The bigger version of their Becker knock off that Blackhawk makes (the Sortie?) looks to be about this size, and IIRC it's lighter. OK, so it IS BHI, not Eagle, but if Eagle was to make a copy it wouldn't be any heavier.

The problem with sport packs is that a lot of are just one big "dump" pocket with a little pouch for your sunglasses and one or two nalgene pouches that rely on elastic and/or neoprene in the walls to keep the bottle in.. All the little stuff ends up at the bottom ten minutes after you start, and if you slip and land funny, when you get the wind back in you, you get to go looking for your water supply.

Give me pockets, any day. Just not built this heavy.

Matt,
I purchased a Tactical Tailor 3 day pack, since it was lighter. It is tough, but with such a big main compartment, everything can move to the bottom while hiking. I use stuff sacks of different colors to keep things sorted, and then tighten the pack compression straps to keep the stuff sacks from moving to the bottom. I do like the flexibility of changing outside pockets to modify the bag for the intended hike, commute, travel, etc.

Could you comment on how you obtained and purified your water while on your trek? I occasionally travel to less developed countries, so I am always trying to learn better ways to deal with the need for drinking water.

Spud

Minimum with all of the internal organizers he had in it, I think.

Stats for the Marauder 2,500. c.i. 4 lbs. 7 oz. 2.13 kg.
For the base unit... Still double that of the TAD GEAR F.A.S.T. PACK ALPHA but it IS nearly a third bigger.
And I wonder which one will last longer <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Plus, you do get that warranty <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />
Kifaru does not seem to have ANYTHING in the 1,800 c.i. range... They go right from the Scout at 1,300 to the Express at 2,300...

I'm a big fan of the kelty packs. Between the pair of zippered side pockets, the huge top pocket, and the multi-compartment front pocket, you can keep things fairly organized. The internal hydration pocket is also useful if you're not using a hydration pack. There's also a pair of side mesh pockets that are good for holding energy bars and such. They can also hold nalgenes, but as you mentioned they can pop out when running or other sudden movement.

If you're looking for something the size of a daypack, the Serac is basically a mini version of the larger packs like RedCloud, with all the same features except the sleeping bag compartment, with the addition of small pockets in the stowable waistbelt( just the right size to hold a cell phone, leatherman, etc.). Kelty doesn't make the Serac anymore, but you can find it online.

I have the Serac, which I use for most everyday stuff, and the Redcloud 5000, which I use when backpacking or whenever I need to carry a lot of stuff. I actually find the Redcloud much more comfortable, because it has more support and a stiff waistbelt (the Serac has an internal frame, but the waistbelt is just fabric and can provide some stabilization, but not support.

The Kelty Serac:

Actually, I was looking to move to an Eagle Becker by the end of the year. I have a knock off the BHI knock off of it, and I like the size and organization but I'm afriad to fully load it. Either that or an SO THE.

I respectfully disagree. For basic backpacking/hiking, sure, but not if your pack is dumped on a pallet with 50 other packs and loaded into a cargo plane. Then dragged/humped from here to gone. Not every person here (or anywhere) has the same uses as the next. Hence, the range of gear available.

How is your mt climbing pack going to do strapped to the outside of an amphibious armored personnel carrier & driven through the brush & pine trees?

A lot better than you might think. They get a lot of abuse being dragged up cliff faces. Of course, having an APC means that you don't have to carry the damn thing anyway. I simply make the point that in a treking environment, the ultra-light ethos has a lot to commend it. And speaking as an ex-light infantry man, Light is nice.

Thanks for the review and the great pics making me very envious of your adventure. Your review makes us realise that our choice of pack & testing the gear before needing it is very important. Much of the oudoor gear sold today will do a great job for the next 10-20 years. By then, you'll want to upgrade and benefit from the new materials & techology.


Good point - fact is most of us don't ride up to Everest Base Camp aboard an APC <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />



My point exactly, but if you're gonna carry it - light weight becomes a priority for me .