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Budget is up to $100. 5 people total. Three young kids under 5. They have little mini backpacks with some comfort and snack items, flashlights, clothes, etc. Wife will have a pack, but will probably have to carry the youngest, so she probably has a limit of 20-25lbs for a pack. I will be the main supply mule.
We also have a jogging stroller, one of the BOB strollers. May or may not use it depending on the scenario.
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If you have to carry it, you might as well be comfortable. What is your budget? Have you considered the Mystery Ranch line of packs and their NICE frames?
How many people are in your family? Any reason why everyone can't wear a pack and help distribute at least some of the load?
Budget is up to $100. 5 people total. Three young kids under 5. They have little mini backpacks with some comfort and snack items, flashlights, clothes, etc. Wife will have a pack, but will probably have to carry the youngest, so she probably has a limit of 20-25lbs for a pack. I will be the main supply mule.
We also have a jogging stroller, one of the BOB strollers. May or may not use it depending on the scenario.
Okay, here's my take on this.
I like external frames for packs meant to carry large loads or be used in non-traditional purposes. They become scalable. You can grow or shrink for the size of the load by changing the pack size or adding on/removing compartments (ie, sleep system carriers, rifle scabbards, etc). You can also remove the pack and lash items directly to the frame using shelves, load slings, pack baskets, etc. The frames are important for load distribution and stabilization, especially as the weight grows or the load shape becomes awkward. Internal frame packs force you to have to purchase a new pack as the situation warrants or deal with what you have. External frame packs make it easier for you to modify your pack to better fit your needs.
It's no secret I'm a fan of Mystery Ranch because their stuff works and it's comfortable. It comes at a price though. If it's outside of your budget, a DEI frame or Alice frame works well too. Practically anything that fits on a DEI or Alice frame can fit on a MR frame, so if you keep that in mind while shopping for your new pack, you can always upgrade to a MR Nice frame at a later time when the budget allows without having to buy a new pack.
Surplus packs are a great resource. I like where your head is on this. The Alice pack has been the standard for so many decades because it just plain works. These would be a great start for you and your family. Read the link to the hellcat pack posted above.
IM me your address and I'll send you two very gently used alice pack bags no charge. You'll need to purchase Alice frames, molle pads, and molle shoulder straps for these, but they're inexpensive and easy to find. Follow the instructions for the hellcat mod and you'll be happy with the result. This will get you started. Your kids are too small for the Alice packs now, but these will hold you over until you're ready to move into better packs for you and your wife and then the Alice packs can be given to your kids.
For the money, I like the surplus FILBE packs. It's a MR-inspired design that shares similarities with a large Alice pack. It's issued on a DEI frame, but can be mounted on a MR Nice frame at a later time if you choose. It's a large pack. It can be purchased in your budget. Either run it like it's issued from the USMC, or look up the devilcat mod for additional ideas. Run your Alice pack until you get one of these or something else if you choose.
Your kids are too young to make any reasonable overland movement. They'll have difficulty navigating obstacles in the hill country over long distances or for long stretches of time. You can have them walk for a while, but once they tire, they won't have the same motivation to keep going. You'll also sour them to hiking if you push them too much once they've become tired or lost motivation. I like the idea of a off-road capable wagon with large wheels and tires. Something you can use to carry you and your wife's packs while the kids walk, yet once the kids tire, will allow you to pull the kids in while you wear your pack. The wagon can be used around camp for general utility such as firewood or water collection. It can also be used in the yard for general hauling of leaves, yard tools, firewood, etc when not "bugging out". Two kids can sit indian style in a wagon and be pulled relatively easy. You can also rig a structure around the side that allows you to hang your kids packs on once they stop walking so they aren't cramped in the wagon. There is nowhere you'll go with 3 kids under 5 that you can't pull a wagon. Your wife can still push the jogging stroller. There are mods for jogging strollers that allow you to mount rifles along the side. Modify the jogging stroller so you can carry your rifles and a kid, yet cover the rifles so they aren't obvious. This keeps them readily available without looking ominous. All of your family's packs in a wagon under a tarp, you pulling a wagon, your wife pushing a kid in a jogging stroller, and a couple kids walking looks like just another normal family out for a hike, not a family running away from something. Over time, your kids will get bigger and then you can work on a load distribution plan between all of you so you don't have to be the family pack mule.