#86870 - 02/27/07 10:35 PM
Thoughts on Packs & Bags
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Pooh-Bah
Registered: 01/21/03
Posts: 2203
Loc: Bucks County PA
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As a self-professed "Bag & Pouch Addict" I have tried over the years to find the perfect bags and pouches. For the most part I have been disappointed in most of the packs and pouches I have owned, and of late, I've been getting rid of bags and pouches that I simply don't use. I've found that what's left all seems to share these basic design principles:
Simple Construction - minimal, if any, interior specialty structures, key fobs, pen pockets, ipod sockets or other apparently task-specific construction elements. Some days I need to carry more than 2 pens. Other days I need to carry more than one laptop. Simple construction lets me organize the interior as I see fit.
All Chambers Close with Zippers - Not velcro, latches, snaps, buckles, buttons, turnbuckles or lashing - just good, high-quality, sand-proof, user-proof Zippers.
No Open-Top Chambers. Inversion, dropping and throwing a bag should not cause any contents to come out.
Very Strong Materials & Durable Bottoms - My bags get dragged, thrown, dropped and rolled on cement, dirt, rocks gravel and snow. I don't like it when a simple drag over 12" of cement leads to a ruined bag.
At least water-resistant, if not water proof. - This is a tough standard, but for me, it's grown into a must-have, I'd even settle for a single dry-section of a "normal" bag, but I don't want to have to find out that the bag I tossed up under the bow of the boat 3 hours ago during a body recovery search on the lake ago rolled back and landed in the bilge and now my maps, camera and batteries are soaked. A fully waterproof bag is a bit heavy and expensive if you have waterproof zippers, but a dry section would be great.
Porta-Brace brand products are the closest I've found to meeting these requirements, Pelican also makes some really good bags these days.
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#86873 - 02/27/07 11:13 PM
Re: Thoughts on Packs & Bags
[Re: MartinFocazio]
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Geezer
Registered: 09/30/01
Posts: 5695
Loc: Former AFB in CA, recouping fr...
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I'd never heard of Porta-Brace, so I did a google and checked them out. They look pretty use specific, primarily camera type gear. Do they have any regular old backpacks that I missed???
I agree with your requirements above, tough and simple usually win out over fancy...
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OBG
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#86876 - 02/27/07 11:45 PM
Re: Thoughts on Packs & Bags
[Re: MartinFocazio]
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Geezer
Registered: 01/21/04
Posts: 5163
Loc: W. WA
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Water-resistance being as important as it is, has anyone here regularly applied products like Scotchguard to their bags? I understand that you have to do it every few months. But does it work at least reasonably well under the conditions that Marty mentions?
If not Scotchguard, what?
Sue
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#86880 - 02/28/07 12:09 AM
Re: Thoughts on Packs & Bags
[Re: Susan]
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Old Hand
Registered: 11/25/06
Posts: 742
Loc: MA
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I have found that, for simplicity & ruggedness, tactical tailor makes good bags. I have a daypack that I've used for several years, and not in the most hospitable environments. The one I have has 4 pockets: an outside pocket, sorta like a map pocket; a middle pocket, whic is designed to put in stripped MRE's about 3 days worth (easily); and the main compartment, that can hold enough gear for several days. I have an older version of the one on this page: http://www.tacticaltailor.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=294Mine has side compression straps, where you can also attach a couple of bags. there is an inner sleeve for a hydration system as well. It isnt waterproof, but, it is definitely rugged.
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#86884 - 02/28/07 12:50 AM
Re: Thoughts on Packs & Bags
[Re: oldsoldier]
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Addict
Registered: 01/04/06
Posts: 586
Loc: 20mi east of San Diego
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Martin you might look into Fireline gear.try www.thielsen.net or www.firecache.com That will give you a good Idea of what is out there. The Hotline pack is the one I use. The bottom part for most of my Basic gear with room left over for addins, and the top part for longer deration problems (my BOB)
_________________________
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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#86900 - 02/28/07 03:23 AM
Re: Thoughts on Packs & Bags
[Re: big_al]
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Addict
Registered: 03/01/04
Posts: 478
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#86912 - 02/28/07 05:15 AM
Re: Thoughts on Packs & Bags
[Re: duckear]
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Addict
Registered: 11/24/05
Posts: 478
Loc: Orange Beach, AL
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I have several small to medium size Sealline dry bags that I use inside my primary packs. I have rain flys for my packs that get used for backpacking/climbing/etc but I use the Sealline bags when I have more than rain to be concerned with.
_________________________
"There is not a man of us who does not at times need a helping hand to be stretched out to him, and then shame upon him who will not stretch out the helping hand to his brother." -Theodore Roosevelt
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#87084 - 03/02/07 01:18 AM
Re: Thoughts on Packs & Bags
[Re: 7point82]
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Registered: 02/13/07
Posts: 17
Loc: NJ, USA
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I use a Kelty ( www.kelty.com) multi-day internal frame pack for my bug out bag (BOB). It holds 2800 cubic inches, has a 2 liter hydration pack, and has an exterior shovel pocket and loop that can hold an ax, walking stick, or my rifle--although I don't ever use it for that because it bumps me on the bum when I walk It has some mesh pockets on the side that I stick my ditch kit in. I adore it.
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#87086 - 03/02/07 01:24 AM
Re: Thoughts on Packs & Bags
[Re: Susan]
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Geezer
Registered: 09/30/01
Posts: 5695
Loc: Former AFB in CA, recouping fr...
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I have sprayed my good ole M-65 field jacket with Scotchguard, and am not really impressed with it. Leaves a funny odor, and I didn't notice any big difference in water repelancy (is that a word?)...
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OBG
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#88452 - 03/15/07 05:37 PM
Re: Thoughts on Packs & Bags
[Re: MartinFocazio]
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Registered: 02/07/07
Posts: 9
Loc: MD,USA
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REI - I feel makes the best bag for the bang. Much like you, I have gone through plenty of bags, and the ones that offer the most room and compartments are made to last for that day.
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Better To Have It and Dont Need It. Then To Need It And Dont Have It.
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