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  • sobi1998

    Well-Known
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Mar 18, 2016
    1,134
    66
    I want to know what y'all think I should buy. I'm interested in buying a new pack for hiking/SHTF etc. I've looked into 5.11 and camelbak but can't decide. It needs to hold at least 3 days of stuff. Water, food, clothes, shelter, tools/fire starters, and possibly rifle/pistol + ammo. Price point is $80-$150 within reason. Would be nice to have plenty of attachment points
    Thanks


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    DK Firearms
     

    DwnRange

    Active Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jan 5, 2015
    276
    26
    Maxpedition Gearslingers come in a variety of sizes....... (excellent quality and reviews, I own several of their products and they have held up well)
     

    Gilgondorin

    Active Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Apr 21, 2012
    242
    11
    San Antonio
    Although I don't practice backpacking for SHTF scenarios specifically, I do a lot (A LOT) of general backpacking practically every other day, the reason being is I don't have a vehicle so I go grocery shopping, run errands, etc. etc. and otherwise generally exist almost exclusively on foot.

    My favorite pack was a Swiss Gear internal-frame pack that had a storage compartment 2,500 cubic inches in size. Larger than most standard packs (I just checked the guy above me's suggestion and it already crushed the largest GearSlinger offering, which was only 1,460 cu. in. storage space), it held up to the daily carrying of sometimes up to 45 lbs. worth of stuff for roughly 8 years before a bottom seam finally failed. Although I could have probably had a local seamstress fix it with super heavy nylon thread for like $15 and kept going, I instead chose to upgrade to the mac daddy of all packs earlier this week:

    Size comparison (!):
    https://image.ibb.co/eL5X2c/Ruck_7.jpg

    Size comparison (!!):
    https://image.ibb.co/hPQFNc/Ruck_6.jpg

    Plastic frame (the newest Generation IV!!):
    https://image.ibb.co/hcat8H/Ruck_5.jpg

    Strap thickness:
    https://image.ibb.co/cy2vNc/Ruck_4.jpg

    Strap width:
    https://image.ibb.co/iNHUhc/Ruck_3.jpg

    Main cavern:
    https://image.ibb.co/np5t8H/Ruck_1.jpg

    The ENTIRE old backpack inside the new one's main storage compartment:
    https://image.ibb.co/gJ4mTH/Ruck_2.jpg

    Like... This thing is a freaking tank; the US army and Specialty Defense Systems f***ing knew what they were doing when they adopted/designed this pack. I had less trouble carrying 75 lbs. worth of stuff in the main compartment of this thing than I have carrying 45 lbs. worth of stuff in the Swiss Gear -- the key reason is the padding of the shoulder straps and the plastic suspension system. As you can see, they are twice as thick, twice as plush, and twice as wide as the Swiss Gear, whose straps would really cut into my shoulders pretty much immediately when shouldering a heavy load.

    This puppy has -- at 5,000 cubic inches of storage space -- fully twice the storage space as my Swiss Gear, which is amazingly luxurious. Although you could probably not conceivably survive carrying it for very long, this backpack is (from what I've concluded) apparently able to carry up to 200 lbs. in an extreme pinch. The plastic frame evenly distributes the weight of the load across one's back and shoulders, and the lumbar padding really helps reduce pressure strain on any one singular point on the back.

    Because it incorporates the MOLLE system, the exterior is basically a giant panel of MOLLE mounting loops. Before I got the pack, I foolishly misjudged how big it would actually be and ordered the two optional "sustainment" pouches that can be mounted like side saddle bags. They have 432 cubic inch storage capacities each, which we found holds two unopened loaves of bread, some boxes of spaghetti, and maybe some candy bars' worth of stuff in one bag (to give you an approximation of size).

    There are a bunch of other features I've omitted for time/length and because I only got it earlier this week and you may feel like that's premature for a rave review of this caliber. Sufficed to say though, I personally am thrilled with it and since it's also made from 1000 Denier Cordura and nylon thread like the Maxpedition packs and my Swiss Gear, I have no doubt this rucksack will be able to go the distance as well.

    (Bonus points: Although I paid extra, it was well worth it to get this thing in the svelte "3 Color Desert Camo" look rather than the digital ACU pattern, which while cheaper, just doesn't look as cool.)
     

    Gilgondorin

    Active Member
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    0   0   0
    Apr 21, 2012
    242
    11
    San Antonio
    Damn it, I knew I was forgetting something.

    Unfortunately this particular pack is for some reason very ambiguously named: "M.O.L.L.E. II Equipment Pack, Desert Camo". If you enter that you get a bunch of different packs that are often much smaller, so, the link where I bought mine is right here:

    http://www.armygear.net/ag/store/01001e.html

    Their price often beats the $149 I see the pack going for elsewhere. If you want something cheaper and don't care about looks, this appears to be the identical model in ACU I mentioned:

    http://www.armygear.net/ag/store/01002.html

    You can probably also find used/beater packs online starting at $40+ from other outlets (make sure it's the fully assembled pack and not just the bag portion of it).

    The underside of the top closing flap has a large mesh pocket for use as a map storage compartment and the rim of the top of the bag can be cinched shut like a drawstring bag with a para cord and the little retaining device they include with it. Also IDK if you noticed but in the pictures of the inside there's a pair of flaps there where you can partition off the inside of the pack into two sections if you need to keep your gear separate from your sleep system. The one thing I liked most about this pack is that when I tried it on for the first time, the contoured plastic skeleton seemed to compliment the curve of my back like it had been made for me; here's no mistaking quality -- why, I had some guy try to buy the damn thing right off my shoulders yesterday afternoon.
     

    crzy_mike

    New Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Aug 20, 2017
    33
    11
    US
    Badlands just put out 2 packs that would be great and they have the best warranty in the buisnes.

    Sent from my 2PS64 using Tapatalk
     

    crzy_mike

    New Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Aug 20, 2017
    33
    11
    US
    I have 2 badlands packs and love them. Also there is a guy in Austin selling one for 150 over on the green screen.

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    jjkukla

    Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Sep 9, 2013
    125
    11
    Richwood
    I bought my son a pack from MidwayUSA (Delta Tactical Backpack) for $25 and I really like it. Seems to be holding up well so far. I'll probably use it as a carry-on piece when I fly. You may want to look into this brand.
     

    HKaltwasser

    Well-Known
    Rating - 100%
    8   0   0
    I would give these guys a try, I use one of their Mavrik bags as a truck GHB. I wouldn't think twice about trying one of these, I believe their stuff is Made in Waco too.

    I use a 105l Miltec 1000D Troppentarn, internal aluminum frame with built in rainfly, and two detachable side pouches. It carries decently.

    5.11 Rush 72
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/5-11-Tacti...hash=item3b04ef0f4a:m:mx_IxwLdPWthCuCOAMJI56A

    Man, now you've got me looking at packs again now.

    I'm liking this https://uspatriottactical.com/eberl...fxojNoeQKbe8Xz9eyJTJBvGKR9W5m2DRoCF78QAvD_BwE

    The wallet says this, I know it's half the size but it looks nice and convenient: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Maxpeditio...758072&hash=item5907a5a2aa:g:AhYAAOSwXEdagy4x
     
    Last edited:

    Ole Cowboy

    TGT Addict
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    May 23, 2013
    4,061
    96
    17 Oaks Ranch
    As a Infantry soldier for 26 years of my life, I will tell ya straight up, military gear is hard to beat. Now a major complaint by the hiker crowd is how much is weighs. Yea its heavy as compared to a like of REI type gear. On the other hand its make to mil spec combat level standards, its TOUGHT stuff. How tough, I sill have my ALICE ruck I got back in the 70's and its seen many a mile, I used to run 5 mi with it loaded w 50 lbs of sand every Wed. But skip the ALICE, its a hard wear I ought to know.

    Go with the MOLLE II and you will never look back. It is big and if you want something a bit smaller then take a look at the '3 day Assault pack' https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/us-military-surplus-3-day-assault-pack-new?a=2175566.

    I have spent a LOT of time in the outback, since I was 10 years old. Mil gear is good stuff. I wear USMC Danner RAT issue combat boots almost every day here on my place, most comfortable boots I have ever worn. Got 2 pair, one is GoreTex lined for waterproof the other is unlined for these hot summer days. You grab a pair at the Danner outlet store for $135 shipped, they are regularly $340.
     
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