Backpacks?

[metal0321]

I second the Kelty MAP as well. Kelty makes gear on both ends of the quality spectrum...the MAP being one of their better items. The SEALS were and maybe still are wearing these. In the right color, they don't look too tactical. For what it's worth I own one and they are made overseas out of Kodra, which seems to be pretty good stuff. Still not quite on par with the THE Pack in quality but they do ride better, have a good hip belt and ventilation, and look better(my opinion), and tougher than anything you will find at REI....don't know how tuff you need a bag to be. I need them tough.

 

[MeanBeaver]

Which is more important? Comfort or durability. If comfort, I recommend Kelty. I love my redtail. If durability, go with 5.11 or maxpedition.

 

[metal0321]

Which is more important? Comfort or durability. If comfort, I recommend Kelty. I love my redtail. If durability, go with 5.11 or maxpedition.

I've got quite a few Maxped packs including the Vulture II and Kodiak....had a 5.11 72 and I wouldn't put them anywhere near as durable as the Kelty. Maxped has the impression of durability because of their stiff fabric but they don't last as long as Cordura packs and the 5.11 is even worse. Both imports. Kelty is as well but they use good quality nylon stitching and Kodra is just as good a fabric as Cordura in my experience. Maxped uses good stitches as well, but both of the packs I have from them had defects. The Vulture was where the shoulder strap met the pack and on the Kodiak they botched up the taping on one of the inside seams. I have absolutely no confidence in anything 5.11 makes, and what tops it all off is they charge what a lot of good packs cost, like Tactical Tailor, Eagle, etc, and sometimes even more, only because they have cornered the market. Sorry if this is a rant.

 

[neeman]

I second the Kelty MAP as well. Kelty makes gear on both ends of the quality spectrum...the MAP being one of their better items. The SEALS were and maybe still are wearing these. In the right color, they don't look too tactical. For what it's worth I own one and they are made overseas out of Kodra, which seems to be pretty good stuff. Still not quite on par with the THE Pack in quality but they do ride better, have a good hip belt and ventilation, and look better(my opinion), and tougher than anything you will find at REI....don't know how tuff you need a bag to be. I need them tough.

The Kelty Redwind 32 ($100) or 44 ($120) are both very good packs
The 32 is excellent for a day pack, the 44 is larger for an overnighter
Good padding and very well made, pockets and stitched well
They are again non tactical and therefore invisible but you can get them in earth colors like Caper (Coyote) or Forest Night (OD)

I use for many years an older 40 as my day pack for hiking
And the 50 for a multi day hike

 

[Mannlicher]

I have carried this CamelBak HAWG pack for many years now. I believe it's a 23 ltr pack. Added two little MOLLE pouches to increase small item storage, and get it a little better organized.

 

[Zoomie517]

Real field time I use a Rush 5.11 72. Bomb proof and for my needs, incredible design.

For playing in weeds during the day, of all things I have fallen in love with the little SoG packs that WalMart was blowing out. The perfect amount of room for daytime running, rain gear, plus survival gear for those times I've temporarily been lost.

If you haven't gotten lost, then you haven't been to the woods !

 

[leghog]

An addendum to my previous post as I realize it was short on details.

I bought the Eagle Industries airborne assault pack for use in Iraq and Afghanistan. I've used it there and throughout the Shenandoah and other places in the Old Dominion. Bombproof and tough. USA made to boot.

It's a good pack:
Main compartment = 2,108 cu in/34.324 L
Front pouch = 530 cu in/8.734 L
Large side pouch = 84 cu in/1.341 L (fits one 1L Nalgene bottle or a Svea stove with more room available). This is the pocket on the right (as looking at the pics) in the pics above.
Small side pouch = 40 cu in/0.632 L (good for fuel bottle).
Radio pouch (stitched to on same side as small pouch) = 81 cu in/1.339 L (can stuff a rain shell in this pocket). This is the large pocket on the left (as looking at the pics) in the pics above.

I'm now checking out some other 45L-50L "three day/overnighters" for fit and features and leaving the Eagle Industries for travel to Afghanistan and such (which, again, is why I bought it). I'm looking for another because as MeanBeaver implied above, comfort is paramount. I no longer need to practice misery and too many of these small packs just aren't that comfortable for hours on a trail. I'm considering the Gregory Stout 45, the Marmot Kompressor Verve 42, the REI Traverse 48, and Kelty Redwing 50, but need to try them for fit when weighted.

 

[olybears57]

Osprey.

 

[leghog]

Osprey.

Osprey packs have been designed and made in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for ~20 years now. COO is one of the reason I have yet to replace my 3-day pack.

 

[LostViking]

If tough is what you seek. Search out anything made by Dana Gleason.

His current company Mystery Ranch supplies tough packs for tough applications.

I have the 3DAP, it fits well into the tough category. I would not hesitate to use it as my BOB or INCH or what ever the cool term is this year. Solid kit.


But in truth, every pack he has ever made fits that category. Look to the Auction site for Dana Designs. I used a bomb pack in a previous life with great success. And I had its larger brother the Bighorn set up as a S.A.R. Pack.

The terraplane is probably too large for your needs. But back then Dana made tough packs that carried their model name and the term Overkill after it. They were super tough. And can be had for a song sometimes. If my life depended on it. I'd rather have a used Dana pack than most of the new ones I have seen.

One thing to keep in mind. With strength comes weight. Dana packs can feel heavy, even when empty. But his suspension works wonders. The weight of the pack and the heavy junk you will load in it just disappears when it is on.

For equally tough and equally expensive options. Look to Kifaru and Hill People Gear. MR, Kifaru, and HPG are all expensive. But they are quality gear made right here in the U.S.A.

Another option is Tactical Tailor. Also have a look at the Karrimor Sabre line of packs. The Sabre 45 is regarded as a togh pakc by tough folks. At present I believe it is being made here in the states by Tactical Tailor.

Right now, the Sabre 45 is about the only pack that I could see surrendering my 3DAP for.

Some day I may build out a HPG Ute or Lindi they are quite modular in the design.

 

[lukeeson111]

Where do you work? Almost all these suggestions are packs that will make you look like a crazy person to your fellow employees, to most people in this forum you would be normal but not the majority of people you encounter. I wouldn't get a military looking pack.
Look into the following...I've had or have some of them and they are solid packs.

Topo designs daypack
Arcteryx blade 21
Arcteryx arro 22
Mystery ranch Java
Dsptch daypack
Goruck gr1 ( some molle but doesn't look very militaristic )
Kelty map 3500
On a budget I've had a jansport superbreak through HS / college / years after, and its still fine for $20.

 

[JV3]

what kind of work do you do and budget? very pricey but one of the best for carrying heavy loads (bug-out in your case) and berry-amendment compliant (literally everything down to the threads is 100% made in usa) checkout kifaru...i have several of them and used them for awhile now and can wholeheartedly recommend the brand.

Osprey packs have been designed and made in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for ~20 years now. COO is one of the reason I have yet to replace my 3-day pack.

you sure did change your mind pretty quick about osprey - about a month later, complete turnaround...from this thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1344694-Traditional-daypack-recommendations.

Klettersacks are great. I've had one from NorthFace for over 20 years now. They really come into there own when hauling rope. If I were buying a new daypack today, I'd definitely look at what Osprey offers. For a medium packpack (45-50L/2500-3000 cu in) I have the Osprey Kestrel 48. It was the most comfortable one I found. I'm now all about functionality while comfortably carrying a load. At this stage in my life, I no longer need to practice misery. You don't carry an Osprey. You wear it.

For day packs, I definitely try Ospreys offerings: http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/segmentation/backpacks

The number indicates volume in liters.

Ospreys best selling day hiker: Daylight (13)

In day packs/day hikers, Osprey also offers:

Escapist
Tempest 20/16/9
Talon 22/18/11
Kestrel 28
Sirrus 24.

Ospreys can be pricey, and you rarely see them for sale used (that says something right there). Shop around as it's not uncommon to find online vendors who will sell them at 70% of retail. Osprey's warrantee is also second to none and truly is a no BS lifetime (of the product) guarantee. They'll repair or replace your product regardless of how old it is or how many hands/owners it has passed through. It just needs to have their logo on it. Should you ever need it repaired while you wait, Osprey has sewers and machines at events like the annual Trail Days in Damascus, VA.

 

[metal0321]

I don't think that it matters where you work. I work in an industrial setting and I travel the world for work. I go from living in a conex in Afghanistan to the lounges in Paris and the military backpack doesn't make you look all that crazy. I see them all the time, and it's usually seasoned travelers that have something similar. I've even carried my THE Pack into my interview, wearing a tie. I got the job. I just don't think a tactical backpack is all that much of an eye sore. Most are pretty well built(the best actually) and are very practical for just about every scenario.

 

[metal0321]

I even went to Malabo Africa where they warned me about taking my backpack. I decided to take it anyway. No one batted an eye at it. After a six week trip there, 3 more of the guys ended up getting the same pack, and threw their typical packs in the closet. Nothing wrong with a typical Osprey-like pack if that's your flavor, but I think the whole "sticking out like a sore thumb" scenario is getting blown out of proportion. I travel for a living, and I'm always treated professionally and I've received nothing but compliments on my pack and have never had a negative reaction to it.

 

[lukeeson111]

You have a unique job! I agree your not going to get looked at strangely , but I've worked at places as many have where a military looking pack would make people uncomfortable and seem out of place. Many would agree that conforming to the normal attire at your job is more beneficial then looking out of place, so that's why I mentioned it.

 

[metal0321]

You have a unique job! I agree your not going to get looked at strangely , but I've worked at places as many have where a military looking pack would make people uncomfortable and seem out of place. Many would agree that conforming to the normal attire at your job is more beneficial then looking out of place, so that's why I mentioned it.

And I don't totally disagree....maybe in an entirely office scenario....but I would still rock my backpack. I get to do a lot of people watching and you see so many people that just don't even put the slightest thought into their gear, or what they carry. Just whatever they could get their hands on.

 

[metal0321]

If tough is what you seek. Search out anything made by Dana Gleason.

His current company Mystery Ranch supplies tough packs for tough applications.

I have the 3DAP, it fits well into the tough category. I would not hesitate to use it as my BOB or INCH or what ever the cool term is this year. Solid kit.


But in truth, every pack he has ever made fits that category. Look to the Auction site for Dana Designs. I used a bomb pack in a previous life with great success. And I had its larger brother the Bighorn set up as a S.A.R. Pack.

The terraplane is probably too large for your needs. But back then Dana made tough packs that carried their model name and the term Overkill after it. They were super tough. And can be had for a song sometimes. If my life depended on it. I'd rather have a used Dana pack than most of the new ones I have seen.

One thing to keep in mind. With strength comes weight. Dana packs can feel heavy, even when empty. But his suspension works wonders. The weight of the pack and the heavy junk you will load in it just disappears when it is on.

For equally tough and equally expensive options. Look to Kifaru and Hill People Gear. MR, Kifaru, and HPG are all expensive. But they are quality gear made right here in the U.S.A.

Another option is Tactical Tailor. Also have a look at the Karrimor Sabre line of packs. The Sabre 45 is regarded as a togh pakc by tough folks. At present I believe it is being made here in the states by Tactical Tailor.

Right now, the Sabre 45 is about the only pack that I could see surrendering my 3DAP for.

Some day I may build out a HPG Ute or Lindi they are quite modular in the design.

I can second this pack. I have one in black and it doesn't look too tactical, and it's a good pack. I use it as my 14'er pack because of it's decent suspension and small size. And he's right, once you get 30lbs on your back the design of the pack more than makes up for the 3 extra pounds of pack weight. The only thing I've found is with the Mystery Ranch packs(the 3day assault pack in particular) is that they are a little technical for my liking when hauling them through airports, constantly needing to go for your ear buds, etc., and hauling them through planes and stuff. This is where the simplicity of a "sack" like pack comes in handy. The 3 day assault pack, even though they market it as an every day carry, has load lifters, an adjustable suspension, adequate waste belt and a semi-stiff frame, not to mention a zipper system that takes a little to get used to along with buckles that are there for lashing but mostly protecting the zippers. I find this, along with it's limited space (2000ci) to be just border-line too small for being so technical. I don't think anyone makes a better pack though, not even Kifaru, but I've got this one and a huge Mystery Ranch Overload that I use for big hiking and elk hunting, and I think they are better suited for more specialized carry. They are also very cool. Very expensive too, but worth it if you have the need. I'm a professional traveler, and I've found that a very simple-to-use backpack is the way to go and then some nice, easy to handle rolling luggage comes in a distant second. Duffles are a pain, and so is a backpack that is overly technical for simple travel. A year ago I backpacked what seemed like half way across South Korea and that was a nice job for the Mystery Ranch 3 day assault pack.