Good backpack made with Cordura and similar hard wearing materials

S

Sid Post

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Oct 14, 1998
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My last $100 backpack failed due to thin materials on the base. I'm not calling out the brand specifically because it was a higher quality backpack which could easily have been Gregory, Mountain Hardware, Osprey, etc.

I want something in the 30L~40L range that is pseudo-rectangular for carrying things other than clothing and similar soft gear. I expect to pay ~$100 or more for the right backpack so, Jansport and similar 'school bags' are not under consideration.

Durability and comfort with a heavy load matters as well!!!

TIA,
Sid
 
Have you looked into military surplus? My main pack was a Medium Rucksack. I've had it for over a decade. Only recently going to a Wal-Mart pack. With a max load out of 10 pounds. I primarily use my pack hiking to fishing spots.

With the only reason for switching them was due to weight. The military pack weighs over 5 pounds empty. I didn't use a frame but they're available.
 
For a more conventional design in this size and price range, I particularly like the REI coop ruckpack 28 daypack. I like that one can access the contents from both the top opening and through a side zipper, and the very comfortable top handle. The pack overall is very comfortable with a brushed exterior that has a nice old-school look and feel. 28 liters, $100.
 
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Some ideas depending on features you want and where you live, I've been running a Fjallraven pack everyday for around 7 years now, including international travel, and it's only lost a couple small seams that were easily home repaired. Granted, it's not cordura but their G1000 fabric takes straight coated nylon for a very solid run, essentially a waxed canvas, plus some better wear resistance. Another company worth looking at is Cotopaxi, they do some very non-tactical designs, but adventure travel oriented. I have one of their carry-on bags in their "Del Dia" format which is one of their normal designs but done from a patchwork of leftover fabrics. It's goofy as hell, but I love it, and no one will ever think they can snag it and not have me notice. So kinda depends on your style. My Fjallraven is a smaller barrel backpack, kinda similar to a mini rope hauler bag, just an open bucket with a simple closure, since I sub-pack all my stuff anyway, My cotopaxi is basically a soft folding suitcase with straps, which makes it a great carry-on, not an edc pack, but they have other designs. they are not cheap, but they are not marketed on being light.
 
I recommend a SPEC-OPS brand T.H.E. Pack. $250. 1000D Cordura. 41 Liters/2550 cubic inches. High quality, brand-name zippers. Comfortable. Hydration bladder and man-pack radio antenna compatible. The whole package deal. I've been using the same one for 17-18 years across a few continents and it's worn like iron. My 16 year old has the smaller T.H.E. Pack EDC size. His isn't nearly as old as mine, but he has a good five years on it with no problems either. Made in the USA.
 
Sid Post said:
My last $100 backpack failed due to thin materials on the base. I'm not calling out the brand specifically because it was a higher quality backpack which could easily have been Gregory, Mountain Hardware, Osprey, etc.

I want something in the 30L~40L range that is pseudo-rectangular for carrying things other than clothing and similar soft gear. I expect to pay ~$100 or more for the right backpack so, Jansport and similar 'school bags' are not under consideration.

Durability and comfort with a heavy load matters as well!!!

TIA,
Sid
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Depending on how much you plan to abuse your packs, you might also consider canyoneering packs such as the Rodcle packs listed on the adventure.plus website.
 
barleywino said:
Depending on how much you plan to abuse your packs, you might also consider canyoneering packs such as the Rodcle packs listed on the adventure.plus website.
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Canyoneering packs feature big drainage holes... they are usually meant to wear over a neoprene suit in a wet environment which means that the cushioning of shoulder straps, hipbelts (if there are any) and back... are not going to be breathable at all. I have carried them on the approach to the canyons with only a tshirt (I usually suit up at the begining of the canyon) and... well... I wouldn't like to carry that kind of backpack during a regular hiking trip.

Mikel
 
Mikel_24 said:
Canyoneering packs feature big drainage holes... they are usually meant to wear over a neoprene suit in a wet environment which means that the cushioning of shoulder straps, hipbelts (if there are any) and back... are not going to be breathable at all. I have carried them on the approach to the canyons with only a tshirt (I usually suit up at the begining of the canyon) and... well... I wouldn't like to carry that kind of backpack during a regular hiking trip.

Mikel
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At least over here, People wear canyoneering packs in dry canyons as well. The OP didn’t specify how much exertion he would be doing while wearing his pack, only that he was interested in durability of the bottom and comfort. If he was concerned about sweating on his back, he could always go with packs with ventilated suspension like the Osprey, but it sounds like he has already considered traditional “big” brands like Osprey or Gregory and they weren’t durable enough for his purposes. Anyway, he can look at the pack descriptions and figure out what would work best for him.
 
I live in East Texas today and spent 15 years in Tucson, AZ hitting single-track off-road motorcycle runs a lot of weekends and camped and hiked all over the Southern and Western US.

I hate busted zippers but, worse are the tears and busted seams that drops everything miles from my vehicle. I need something that will stand up to reasonable rock and thorn exposures without falling apart that will make it across or through a barbed wire fence too!

My brand-new Gregory pack lasted only ~2 weeks before the frame stays poked out the bottom. Osprey have been decent packs but, aren't terribly rugged in my experience either. My Lowe Alpine I got ~30 years ago with 1000D Cordura is still a solid pack and the double layer bottom has seen thousands of concrete benches, sidewalks, etc. loaded to 100lbs along with slightly lesser loads all over Europe and North America. It is simply too large for my current needs at this point in time. My knees also give out these days if I load that Lowe Alpine pack to a reasonable capacity for its size so, I smaller pack makes this a non-issue.

I don't know if it due to recycled water bottles used for the thread or some new age "green initiative" but, finding a $200 (or $300 or $400 these days) pack that will stand up to reasonable use seems to be pretty hard.
 
When it comes to toughness with backpacks, you need to look more towards "tactical" rather than "outdoors". Stuff like Gregory and Osprey, for the most part, is made for being as lightweight as possible. Least amount of material needed to hold your gear, riptstop to keep it from bursting open, but won't hold up well over time in the rough and dirty. You need to look more at brands like Condor, 5.11, First Tactical, Direct Action, Maxpedition, Camelbak Maximum Gear, etc. 5.11 might give you the most bang for your buck.
 
SOE tactcial gear is what you’re looking for. Gear and back packs hand made in American by real people.
 
Spec Ops Recon Ruck sounds like a good fit. If you’re still looking and this interests you, contact me.
 
Blue Sky said:
Spec Ops Recon Ruck sounds like a good fit. If you’re still looking and this interests you, contact me.
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I recommended the Spec Ops brand T.H.E. Pack a few posts above. The Recon Ruck is also an excellent choice! Both are around the $250 mark which is more than the $100 mark S Sid Post was wanting, but they’re quality and will last.
 
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