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Posted: 5/8/2014 12:55:10 PM EDT
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I am looking for a new backpack, as my current one is a permanent BOB. I am looking for something like an assault pack or 3 day pack, at around $120 or less. I have never really looked to buy a pack until now, and I don't know much about them, or my options. Mostly I am looking for:
- Ruggedness - Volume above 2500 cubic inches, or 1500 with spots to attach molle pouches - Comes in dark green or some kind of camo - Waist strap, or capable of accepting one - Some kind of stiffener in the back - Can carry 25-35 pounds My frontrunner is the 5.11 rush 72, but at $170, It is out of my price range. I also like the LAPG operator, but I am not very confident about the ruggedness over time. The ILBE is also an option, but by the time I add a several pouches, I am looking at a price near the rush 72 pack. I would appreciate any more ideas. |
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Saving your money, for now, is a good idea, because come Memorial Day, a lot of mfrs and vendors will be having sales on their gear. Keep a sharp lookout for sales info in the Tactical Gear and Survival Gear forums, have $ in hand, and be ready to pounce; some sale items, the really good values, don't last long because the items sell-out.
I would add that it is easier to make a big pack smaller, than to make a small pack bigger. Mostly this means horizontal and vertical compression straps. Sometimes these must be added, but this is usually not too hard, especially if PALS (MOLLE) webbing exists on the sides of the pack. Strap attachment points (or PALS webbing) on the bottom of a pack is a BIG plus, as such will allow strapping-on a sleeping bag or other item, if you add straps, if they're not there already. Considering your stated parameters, your ideal pack should also include some sort of frame sheet. Some do not, so you might have to buy some 1/16" black HDPE sheet from Graingers and make one. It's easy, just make sure to measure twice, and cut once. Round off all corners, and sandpaper all the edges to make sure there are no sharp edges or corners to poke through the fabric. Keep this frame sheet business in mind; having a properly-fitting frame sheet makes the pack a LOT easier when toting any sort of load. These frame sheets should be mandatory for all but the smallest packs Could you expand on the intended uses of your new pack? Perhaps saying what you definitely do not want will also give good info so that we can better guide you. ETA: At the moment, Tactical Tailor is having a (good, but not great) 30% off sale on all their gear. Their packs are here: http://www.tacticaltailor.com/backpacks.aspx, and you can find their other stuff if you rummage around. None of their packs come with frame sheets, but look hard to see if such is optional. If not, then make one. I bought their Removable Operator pack when they had a 50% off sale on foliage green/UCP stuff a while back, and it's top-notch construction and materials. Too small for your stated purposes, though. |
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Quoted:
Saving your money, for now, is a good idea, because come Memorial Day, a lot of mfrs and vendors will be having sales on their gear. Keep a sharp lookout for sales info in the Tactical Gear and Survival Gear forums, have $ in hand, and be ready to pounce; some sale items, the really good values, don't last long because the items sell-out. I would add that it is easier to make a big pack smaller, than to make a small pack bigger. Mostly this means horizontal and vertical compression straps. Sometimes these must be added, but this is usually not too hard, especially if PALS (MOLLE) webbing exists on the sides of the pack. Strap attachment points (or PALS webbing) on the bottom of a pack is a BIG plus, as such will allow strapping-on a sleeping bag or other item, if you add straps, if they're not there already. Considering your stated parameters, your ideal pack should also include some sort of frame sheet. Some do not, so you might have to buy some 1/16" black HDPE sheet from Graingers and make one. It's easy, just make sure to measure twice, and cut once. Round off all corners, and sandpaper all the edges to make sure there are no sharp edges or corners to poke through the fabric. Keep this frame sheet business in mind; having a properly-fitting frame sheet makes the pack a LOT easier when toting any sort of load. These frame sheets should be mandatory for all but the smallest packs Could you expand on the intended uses of your new pack? Perhaps saying what you definitely do not want will also give good info so that we can better guide you Is a frame sheet like the plastic or aluminum back stiffeners some packs have? Just to make it rigid and protect you from lumps? The pack is going to be kind of like an assault pack, 3 day, or GHB, to be used in conjunction with a chest rig and PC for fairly short and light trek's. Ill be sure to keep an eye out for Memorial Day sales too. EDIT: The aforementioned alice pack looks like a solid option, I am just wary of buying used/issued stuff over the internet sight unseen, and I would have to travel a ways to find a milsurp store. I will defiantly take a look though. It does offer a lot. |
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Is a frame sheet like the plastic or aluminum back stiffeners some packs have? Just to make it rigid and protect you from lumps? The pack is going to be kind of like an assault pack, 3 day, or GHB, to be used in conjunction with a chest rig and PC for fairly short and light trek's. Ill be sure to keep an eye out for Memorial Day sales too. EDIT: The aforementioned alice pack looks like a solid option, I am just wary of buying used/issued stuff over the internet sight unseen, and I would have to travel a ways to find a milsurp store. I will defiantly take a look though. It does offer a lot. Quoted:
Quoted:
Saving your money, for now, is a good idea, because come Memorial Day, a lot of mfrs and vendors will be having sales on their gear. Keep a sharp lookout for sales info in the Tactical Gear and Survival Gear forums, have $ in hand, and be ready to pounce; some sale items, the really good values, don't last long because the items sell-out. I would add that it is easier to make a big pack smaller, than to make a small pack bigger. Mostly this means horizontal and vertical compression straps. Sometimes these must be added, but this is usually not too hard, especially if PALS (MOLLE) webbing exists on the sides of the pack. Strap attachment points (or PALS webbing) on the bottom of a pack is a BIG plus, as such will allow strapping-on a sleeping bag or other item, if you add straps, if they're not there already. Considering your stated parameters, your ideal pack should also include some sort of frame sheet. Some do not, so you might have to buy some 1/16" black HDPE sheet from Graingers and make one. It's easy, just make sure to measure twice, and cut once. Round off all corners, and sandpaper all the edges to make sure there are no sharp edges or corners to poke through the fabric. Keep this frame sheet business in mind; having a properly-fitting frame sheet makes the pack a LOT easier when toting any sort of load. These frame sheets should be mandatory for all but the smallest packs Could you expand on the intended uses of your new pack? Perhaps saying what you definitely do not want will also give good info so that we can better guide you Is a frame sheet like the plastic or aluminum back stiffeners some packs have? Just to make it rigid and protect you from lumps? The pack is going to be kind of like an assault pack, 3 day, or GHB, to be used in conjunction with a chest rig and PC for fairly short and light trek's. Ill be sure to keep an eye out for Memorial Day sales too. EDIT: The aforementioned alice pack looks like a solid option, I am just wary of buying used/issued stuff over the internet sight unseen, and I would have to travel a ways to find a milsurp store. I will defiantly take a look though. It does offer a lot. A frame sheet is just that: a fairly thin plastic sheet that adds some stiffness to smaller packs. The best ones have sewn-in, bendable aluminum stays that can be bent to conform to the user's back. In looking at your latest revision of requirements, it would seem that the following would suit you best: 1)Large ALICE pack 2)1606 ABN, ALICE-compatible frame from DownEast, Inc. This frame is compatible with armor and PCs, whereas some frames are not. The USMC ILBE pack was surplussed because of armor incompatibility issues, although it is a fine pack otherwise. 3) MOLLE waist band 4) MOLLE Enhanced shoulder straps 5) MOLLE Modular Sleeping System Carrier The last three are available from www.unclesamsretailoutlet.com You can dye any of this stuff, using Rit Dark Green Dye to more-or-less resemble your pack's OD color. See this thread (worth reading in its' entirety) to find Enforcer's Hellcat ALICE mod, which gives a great tutorial on how to mate the pack frame and MOLLE items to the ALICE pack.http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_10/214382_.html |
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Quoted:
A frame sheet is just that: a fairly thin plastic sheet that adds some stiffness to smaller packs. The best ones have sewn-in, bendable aluminum stays that can be bent to conform to the user's back. In looking at your latest revision of requirements, it would seem that the following would suit you best: 1)Large ALICE pack 2)1606 ABN, ALICE-compatible frame from DownEast, Inc. This frame is compatible with armor and PCs, whereas some frames are not. The USMC ILBE pack was surplussed because of armor incompatibility issues, although it is a fine pack otherwise. 3) MOLLE waist band 4) MOLLE Enhanced shoulder straps 5) MOLLE Modular Sleeping System Carrier The last three are available from www.unclesamsretailoutlet.com You can dye any of this stuff, using Rit Dark Green Dye to more-or-less resemble your pack's OD color. See this thread (worth reading in its' entirety) to find Enforcer's Hellcat ALICE mod, which gives a great tutorial on how to mate the pack frame and MOLLE items to the ALICE pack.http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_10/214382_.html Quoted:
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Saving your money, for now, is a good idea, because come Memorial Day, a lot of mfrs and vendors will be having sales on their gear. Keep a sharp lookout for sales info in the Tactical Gear and Survival Gear forums, have $ in hand, and be ready to pounce; some sale items, the really good values, don't last long because the items sell-out. I would add that it is easier to make a big pack smaller, than to make a small pack bigger. Mostly this means horizontal and vertical compression straps. Sometimes these must be added, but this is usually not too hard, especially if PALS (MOLLE) webbing exists on the sides of the pack. Strap attachment points (or PALS webbing) on the bottom of a pack is a BIG plus, as such will allow strapping-on a sleeping bag or other item, if you add straps, if they're not there already. Considering your stated parameters, your ideal pack should also include some sort of frame sheet. Some do not, so you might have to buy some 1/16" black HDPE sheet from Graingers and make one. It's easy, just make sure to measure twice, and cut once. Round off all corners, and sandpaper all the edges to make sure there are no sharp edges or corners to poke through the fabric. Keep this frame sheet business in mind; having a properly-fitting frame sheet makes the pack a LOT easier when toting any sort of load. These frame sheets should be mandatory for all but the smallest packs Could you expand on the intended uses of your new pack? Perhaps saying what you definitely do not want will also give good info so that we can better guide you Is a frame sheet like the plastic or aluminum back stiffeners some packs have? Just to make it rigid and protect you from lumps? The pack is going to be kind of like an assault pack, 3 day, or GHB, to be used in conjunction with a chest rig and PC for fairly short and light trek's. Ill be sure to keep an eye out for Memorial Day sales too. EDIT: The aforementioned alice pack looks like a solid option, I am just wary of buying used/issued stuff over the internet sight unseen, and I would have to travel a ways to find a milsurp store. I will defiantly take a look though. It does offer a lot. A frame sheet is just that: a fairly thin plastic sheet that adds some stiffness to smaller packs. The best ones have sewn-in, bendable aluminum stays that can be bent to conform to the user's back. In looking at your latest revision of requirements, it would seem that the following would suit you best: 1)Large ALICE pack 2)1606 ABN, ALICE-compatible frame from DownEast, Inc. This frame is compatible with armor and PCs, whereas some frames are not. The USMC ILBE pack was surplussed because of armor incompatibility issues, although it is a fine pack otherwise. 3) MOLLE waist band 4) MOLLE Enhanced shoulder straps 5) MOLLE Modular Sleeping System Carrier The last three are available from www.unclesamsretailoutlet.com You can dye any of this stuff, using Rit Dark Green Dye to more-or-less resemble your pack's OD color. See this thread (worth reading in its' entirety) to find Enforcer's Hellcat ALICE mod, which gives a great tutorial on how to mate the pack frame and MOLLE items to the ALICE pack.http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_10/214382_.html I notice that some places sell the pack with the complete kit. Are the straps, waist band, and frame you mention upgrades to some deficiencies in the design? Or will the ones that come with it be just as good? |
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I notice that some places sell the pack with the complete kit. Are the straps, waist band, and frame you mention upgrades to some deficiencies in the design? Or will the ones that come with it be just as good? Quoted:
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Saving your money, for now, is a good idea, because come Memorial Day, a lot of mfrs and vendors will be having sales on their gear. Keep a sharp lookout for sales info in the Tactical Gear and Survival Gear forums, have $ in hand, and be ready to pounce; some sale items, the really good values, don't last long because the items sell-out. I would add that it is easier to make a big pack smaller, than to make a small pack bigger. Mostly this means horizontal and vertical compression straps. Sometimes these must be added, but this is usually not too hard, especially if PALS (MOLLE) webbing exists on the sides of the pack. Strap attachment points (or PALS webbing) on the bottom of a pack is a BIG plus, as such will allow strapping-on a sleeping bag or other item, if you add straps, if they're not there already. Considering your stated parameters, your ideal pack should also include some sort of frame sheet. Some do not, so you might have to buy some 1/16" black HDPE sheet from Graingers and make one. It's easy, just make sure to measure twice, and cut once. Round off all corners, and sandpaper all the edges to make sure there are no sharp edges or corners to poke through the fabric. Keep this frame sheet business in mind; having a properly-fitting frame sheet makes the pack a LOT easier when toting any sort of load. These frame sheets should be mandatory for all but the smallest packs Could you expand on the intended uses of your new pack? Perhaps saying what you definitely do not want will also give good info so that we can better guide you Is a frame sheet like the plastic or aluminum back stiffeners some packs have? Just to make it rigid and protect you from lumps? The pack is going to be kind of like an assault pack, 3 day, or GHB, to be used in conjunction with a chest rig and PC for fairly short and light trek's. Ill be sure to keep an eye out for Memorial Day sales too. EDIT: The aforementioned alice pack looks like a solid option, I am just wary of buying used/issued stuff over the internet sight unseen, and I would have to travel a ways to find a milsurp store. I will defiantly take a look though. It does offer a lot. A frame sheet is just that: a fairly thin plastic sheet that adds some stiffness to smaller packs. The best ones have sewn-in, bendable aluminum stays that can be bent to conform to the user's back. In looking at your latest revision of requirements, it would seem that the following would suit you best: 1)Large ALICE pack 2)1606 ABN, ALICE-compatible frame from DownEast, Inc. This frame is compatible with armor and PCs, whereas some frames are not. The USMC ILBE pack was surplussed because of armor incompatibility issues, although it is a fine pack otherwise. 3) MOLLE waist band 4) MOLLE Enhanced shoulder straps 5) MOLLE Modular Sleeping System Carrier The last three are available from www.unclesamsretailoutlet.com You can dye any of this stuff, using Rit Dark Green Dye to more-or-less resemble your pack's OD color. See this thread (worth reading in its' entirety) to find Enforcer's Hellcat ALICE mod, which gives a great tutorial on how to mate the pack frame and MOLLE items to the ALICE pack.http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_10/214382_.html I notice that some places sell the pack with the complete kit. Are the straps, waist band, and frame you mention upgrades to some deficiencies in the design? Or will the ones that come with it be just as good? You can use the original aluminum ALICE frame in order to mount the MOLLE shoulder straps and waist belt, however, if starting from scratch, get the PC/armor-friendly 1606 frame. The ALICE shoulder straps and waist belt, sometimes referred-to as a kidney pad, are JUNK. Buying them is a total waste of money. |
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You can use the original aluminum ALICE frame in order to mount the MOLLE shoulder straps and waist belt, however, if starting from scratch, get the PC/armor-friendly 1606 frame. The ALICE shoulder straps and waist belt, sometimes referred-to as a kidney pad, are JUNK. Buying them is a total waste of money. Ahh ok, thats very good to know, thank you. It looks like I can also get a very good used condition ILBE main + assault for around $100, do you have any opinions on that vs an ALICE with the upgrades? |
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The ILBE is NOT armor-friendly, so if you are wearing a plate carrier with plates, the ILBE is not for you. Other than that reservation, it is a fine pack. Plate carrier with soft armor inserts, probably OK, but I've not tried it personally The main ILBE pack is too large for your stated intentions, while the ILBE assault pack is too small, but YMMV.
Make certain that the vendor is selling the entire ILBE, and that it is not missing top lid, waist belt, radio pouch (not a deal-breaker), shoulder straps, or anything else. A lot of these packs are sold cheap because they are missing important components, or have been deliberately damaged. Pay close attention to the vendor's return policy and rules. If you have a big gut, the medium waist belt on the ILBE will probably be too small, and it's not easy to find Large ILBE waist belts. |
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The ILBE is NOT armor-friendly, so if you are wearing a plate carrier with plates, the ILBE is not for you. Other than that reservation, it is a fine pack. Plate carrier with soft armor inserts, probably OK, but I've not tried it personally The main ILBE pack is too large for your stated intentions, while the ILBE assault pack is too small, but YMMV. Make certain that the vendor is selling the entire ILBE, and that it is not missing top lid, waist belt, radio pouch (not a deal-breaker), shoulder straps, or anything else. A lot of these packs are sold cheap because they are missing important components, or have been deliberately damaged. Pay close attention to the vendor's return policy and rules. If you have a big gut, the medium waist belt on the ILBE will probably bee too small, and it's not easy to find Large ILBE waist belts. I see, looks like the ILBE is not what I'm looking for. Are there features I should look for to know if a pack is armor friendly or not in general? |
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Avoid the LAPG packs, they are cheap knock-offs of Eagle. I killed one in a week...
Wait until LBT runs one of their sales and pick up their standard three day pack ($59 when on sale). It's just slightly smaller than 2500cu in but it's rugged as heck, has a waist strap, a $20 ATS frame sheet will fit, and comes in OD green. Another one to keep your eyes open for is the Kelty MAP 3500, a very nice and comfortable pack. It'll run you $100-$170 though. For $30-$50 (sometimes as low as $20) I'm a big fan of the ILBE assault pack. It's on your lower end of size at 1500cu in but has plenty of MOLLE, has a small waist strap, has a frame sheet(make sure it's included), and is really a gem among surplus packs. ETA: Found some of these options in the EE - (none are mine) The Eagle or the Kelty - http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_7_90/1310463_Kelty__Eagle_and_Range_Flag.html LBT or ILBE assault - http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_7_90/1306338_Back_Pack_Blow_out__LBT__USGI__and_more__5_3_lower_prices_.html |
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I would say save up as well. Had some of the less expensive stuff and it just doesn't last. I really like the Camelbak packs, I have a Linchpin and its pretty close to bombproof. Its only 1800cu so its probably a bit small for what your looking for. They have GREAT harnesses that are easily adjustable and fit like a dream. Use mine for just about everything. Love it! Take a look at the Motherload or if you want monster sized the BFM. Its fricken huge |
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