#85143 - 02/08/07 01:14 AM
Looking for a new backpack for my BOB
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Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 12/26/02
Posts: 2995
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I'm wanting to replace the old backpack that is my bob, its a basic school book carrying style and looking a little worn in spots. I want something like a plain black laptop backpack though my laptop I carry in a slipcase and its about book sized in the case so it doesn't need to be laptop specific. I would like a zip open front flap with at least three larger pockets behind it to put things like my scanner and other handheld held radios. I really like the Voltaic solar backpack, but don't like the battery pack being right in the front and I bet it won't hold up long term as its probably more a gimmick than quality. Any favorites or suggestions?
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#85144 - 02/08/07 03:22 AM
Re: Looking for a new backpack for my BOB
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Geezer
Registered: 09/30/01
Posts: 5695
Loc: Former AFB in CA, recouping fr...
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You know, there are soooo many backpacks around, with the prices running from $20 (or less), thru $200 (or more), all similar yet very different, that it may very well be impossible for one person to recommend one to another. You will just have to decide what capacity you want, how much you want to pay, then go to a lot of outdoor type stores and try a bunch on 'til you find the one that is right for you. Good luck in your search...
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#85145 - 02/08/07 01:54 PM
Re: Looking for a new backpack for my BOB
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Old Hand
Registered: 09/12/05
Posts: 817
Loc: MA
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My favorite (reasonably priced) brand is Camelbak. Second would be Maxpedition. Both of these can be found on ebay at good prices if you keep your eyes open.
If you want to go high quality, look at ATS and Kifaru.
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It's not that life is so short, it's that you're dead for so long.
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#85146 - 02/09/07 07:12 AM
Re: Looking for a new backpack for my BOB
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Newbie
Registered: 12/04/06
Posts: 45
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Which is better-something with compartments like this to help organize stuff or the more common backpacker style (one big main compartment which usually extends about the head)? Noobie myself.
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#85147 - 02/09/07 04:11 PM
Re: Looking for a new backpack for my BOB
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Geezer
Registered: 09/30/01
Posts: 5695
Loc: Former AFB in CA, recouping fr...
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You are kindasorta talking apples and oranges with your comparison. The Falcon is more daypack sized, the REI is a full blown backpacking type pack (I couldn't get the REI link to open to get the size of the REI, and I am too lazy right now to go straight to their webside, but any "backpacking" type of pack that will extend about your head is gonna be BIG). I have both many compartment type packs (in fact, I am currently playing with an el cheapo, made in BFE, rip-off of the Falcon) and single compartment ones. I love both, and hate both. The ones with many compartments are neat, at least on the surface, because you can put different type stuff in different compartments. The rub, at least in my experience, is that 1) you tend to forget what is where, and 2) all that extra material and zippers adds weight to the base weight of the pack. The one bag type bag, on the other hand, can weight less than the other type, but no matter what you want, it is going to be on the bottom of the bag. Always. So again, the best way is to try each out, then go with what works best for YOU...
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#85148 - 02/09/07 04:45 PM
Re: Looking for a new backpack for my BOB
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Addict
Registered: 06/08/05
Posts: 503
Loc: Quebec City, Canada
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That's right. I think you'll be better served with a large compartment backpack in which you put small silnylon sacks to organize your gear.
I own three Osprey packs myself so I can tell you that there are top-of-the-line backpacks. Maxpedition packs are bombproof but heavier. If you think you might get to enjoy long hikes and backpacking, you are better served by the Osprey Atmos 50 you looked at. It's a high-rated pack.
Like others have said, there are hundreds of packs out there. When I choose a new pack, I consider the features of the pack that I want, the brand and the price.
I own expensive Osprey packs for snowplay and day hikes. However, for long treks, I bought a 129 $ CAD Karrimor backpack which gets the job done, but its not as feature-packed or sexy as the Osprey.
At the end of the day. Buy something you like and you can afford, then just go... go enjoy it. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> If it gets damaged or anything. Buy another one... Repeat.
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#85149 - 02/10/07 05:27 AM
Re: Looking for a new backpack for my BOB
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Newbie
Registered: 02/07/07
Posts: 36
Loc: Salt Lake City, UT
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I've been looking for a backpack for my BOB too. A guy on another forum I frequent posted a link to a closeout sale on this MOLLE 3-day assault pack. He took a chance on it because of the price (less than $40) and was pleasantly surprised. I figure that if the price is that low, I might as well do the same.
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#85150 - 02/10/07 10:48 AM
Re: Looking for a new backpack for my BOB
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Registered: 03/14/06
Posts: 1
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My impression is that Kifaru is just about the best there is.
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#85151 - 02/10/07 01:08 PM
Re: Looking for a new backpack for my BOB
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Enthusiast
Registered: 12/16/06
Posts: 203
Loc: somewhere out there...
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I'm a bit of a heretic. I agree with OldBaldGuy in that the extra pockets seem convenient for a while, but in the thick of an emergency or in the dark, become a liability, and as time passes. You do have a good chance of losing track of which pockets have which items and lord help you if you're barking instructions to someone else to pull items from it. It's much easier to keep track of fewer pouches IMHO...and they end up being more adaptable to various uses.
That said, I am HARD on packs. I have a number across all years and styles and keep going back to the same ones...LL Bean bookpacks. Here's why:
1) They have the right mix of small pocket/organizer area and large pocket space for me. The small organizer pocket has enough space for the items I'll need right way and/or frequently. I prefer the model where there is one large pocket, one smaller, and the organizer pocket.
2) They have a large Scotchlite reflective strip that works exceptionally well. I use a lot of my packs at night, in caves, etc. I've also used a couple of the packs as road signals when broken down in the midlle of nowhere at night. They shine back VERY well. The strip is also highly durable.
3) Want something special? LL Bean will build the pack to suit you (see their site in the bookpack section)
4) padded straps & back, all seams taped, durable as anything, heavy zippers, decent stitching, heavy duty luggage handle, etc.
5) They can also be had at yard sales...at some point they're not "cool" any more. Fine by me.
6) If I was buying one pack new, and it wasn't one of the LL Bean customs, it would be the stock Super Deluxe Book Pack...
7) Convenience and replaceability. I can order a pack and have it sent anywhere...they're fast shippers. I don't have to bother with learning where stuff is in a dozen or so different packs.
8) They come in loud colors...I'm not crazy about "actical" colors for emergency situations. I understand why those who like those colors get them. For me? I'll take neons and garish colors any day. Easier to spot and oddly enough, don't stand out the way a mil-spec or tactical looking system would.
I use them for BOBs, FAKs, Car Kits, gear packs, and daily use. I beat mine against rocks and trees, wash them when needed, etc. I've had a single strap fail in 20 years or more.
BTW, they do have packs with more compartments.
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#85152 - 02/10/07 03:32 PM
Re: Looking for a new backpack for my BOB
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Geezer
Registered: 09/30/01
Posts: 5695
Loc: Former AFB in CA, recouping fr...
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Some of the prices on that site look pretty good, but in noticed that there is no brand name on any of the gear I looked at. If they are the maker, I am not familiar with their name, if they are just a clearing house for gear, not listing brand names scares me a bit. There is a ton of 'tactical" gear on the market, a lot of it junk made in sweatshops in BFE.
So, let the buyer beware...
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#85153 - 02/10/07 04:01 PM
Re: Looking for a new backpack for my BOB
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Addict
Registered: 09/08/05
Posts: 662
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I saw a 7016 Long Range Bugout bag on a UK site and it converts to a backpack or use it like luggage, but I don't know if it's any good. If you were doing any long range hiking it would probably be uncomfortable, but it had 6300 cu. in of space. Anybody had any luck with these packs? Bug Out Bag
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Failure is not an option! USMC Jungle Environmental Survival Training PI 1985
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#85154 - 02/10/07 04:26 PM
Re: Looking for a new backpack for my BOB
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Stranger
Registered: 02/04/07
Posts: 17
Loc: Bardolino (Lake Garda) Italy
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How about a parachute reserve pack with a shoulder strap but without the parachute inside of it? Make a nice conversation piece as well as a novelty item
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ArmyRangerRick
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#85155 - 02/11/07 03:32 AM
Re: Looking for a new backpack for my BOB
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Geezer
Registered: 09/30/01
Posts: 5695
Loc: Former AFB in CA, recouping fr...
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Be real easy to unpack too, just pull the ripcord...
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OBG
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#85156 - 02/11/07 03:40 AM
Re: Looking for a new backpack for my BOB
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Geezer
Registered: 09/30/01
Posts: 5695
Loc: Former AFB in CA, recouping fr...
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If I am doing the math correctly (and I was never very good with big numbers), that sucker goes for about $250, plus shipping. For that much I would expect it to carry itself...
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OBG
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#85157 - 02/11/07 03:49 AM
Re: Looking for a new backpack for my BOB
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Addict
Registered: 01/04/06
Posts: 586
Loc: 20mi east of San Diego
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This is the type of pack I use for my BOB and my local hicking pack, the lower porton is detachable and contains all of my normal short or day hike gear. http://www.firecache.com/prodinfo.asp?number=60.3820
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Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know "why" I look this way I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved
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#85158 - 02/11/07 04:29 AM
Re: Looking for a new backpack for my BOB
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Geezer
Registered: 09/30/01
Posts: 5695
Loc: Former AFB in CA, recouping fr...
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Interesting pack. If it is like the other wildland fire gear I have seen, it is probably pretty bombproof.
And the sleeves for flares should make firestarting pretty easy...
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OBG
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#85159 - 02/11/07 05:14 AM
Re: Looking for a new backpack for my BOB -- size
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Old Hand
Registered: 12/14/05
Posts: 988
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I'd advise getting a bigger pack for the reason that there always seems to be a few extras to thow in and not much time to pack. Mine's a biggish daypack. Photo if you like
Teacher
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#85160 - 02/11/07 05:24 AM
Re: Looking for a new backpack for my BOB -- size
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Geezer
Registered: 09/30/01
Posts: 5695
Loc: Former AFB in CA, recouping fr...
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Good idea, up to a point. It seems to be human nature to fill a pack to capacity, so if you go too big, you end up lugging around more weight than you need or can handle...
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OBG
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#85161 - 02/11/07 01:14 PM
Re: Looking for a new backpack for my BOB
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Stranger
Registered: 02/10/07
Posts: 18
Loc: århus, denmark
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Personally i hate packs with too many zipper pockets, too many things to break. I saw the Karrimor Sabre 45 on the Net (with the side pockets it 60 liters). Has anyone used these packs?
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The meaning of life is; to give life meaning.
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#85162 - 02/11/07 01:43 PM
Re: Looking for a new backpack for my BOB
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Old Hand
Registered: 03/18/06
Posts: 1032
Loc: The Netherlands
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I really like the Karrimor Sabre 30l
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''It's time for Plan B...'' ''We have a Plan B?'' ''No, but it's time for one.'' -Stargate SG-1
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#85163 - 02/11/07 02:10 PM
Re: Looking for a new backpack for my BOB
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Pooh-Bah
Registered: 04/08/02
Posts: 1821
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i have one for a few years, it's kinda wide and short, when you have the sidepockets mounted. The backlenght is non-adjustable. The hipbelt, is nice wide and has a good close cell foam padding. Back can be sweaty on warm days. Not as basic as, lets say the berghaus munro, but certainly not complicated. Very sturdy and durable.
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#85164 - 02/11/07 05:54 PM
Re: Looking for a new backpack for my BOB
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Addict
Registered: 01/04/06
Posts: 586
Loc: 20mi east of San Diego
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Yup it's bullet proof, (forget the pun officer) I used it for two years prior to the crew getting new packs ( butt pack type ) but I liked this better, And it has become my bob and hicking pack. There is plenty room for everyday stuff in the lower pack, and if need be I just attach the upper portion and I am good for a week or more.
_________________________
Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know "why" I look this way I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved
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#86715 - 02/26/07 02:00 AM
Re: Looking for a new backpack for my BOB
[Re: yeti]
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stranger
Registered: 02/26/07
Posts: 1
Loc: NJ
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I am HARD on packs. I have a number across all years and styles and keep going back to the same ones...LL Bean bookpacks. Here's why:
1) They have the right mix of small pocket/organizer area and large pocket space for me. The small organizer pocket has enough space for the items I'll need right way and/or frequently. I prefer the model where there is one large pocket, one smaller, and the organizer pocket.
2) They have a large Scotchlite reflective strip that works exceptionally well. I use a lot of my packs at night, in caves, etc. I've also used a couple of the packs as road signals when broken down in the midlle of nowhere at night. They shine back VERY well. The strip is also highly durable.
etc...
I also like the LL packs. Could you or anyone say how waterproof they are? How are the compartments set up (pen/phone/id slots)? I'm thinking of the Super Deluxe Book Pack. Anyone have one? How do you like it? TIA Julian
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