Posted: 9/22/2009 6:28:49 PM EDT
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I'd like to get this right the first time since these things arent necessarily cheap. budget is unlimited....that being said, I dont want to spend 2-300 dollars if i can get a nice bag for 100 that will work just as well.
I live in florida so heat is a major concern, I plan to carry a fair amount of water as well as filtration since there are lakes scattered about. So far I have made a list of things i need, and would like to bring. anyone care to point me in the right direction ? perhaps a good website to purchase things from as well? -sorry, I know this has been likely beat to death |
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honestly consider how often you will carry/pack/unpack it. if it will see a lot of wear and tear, get a good bag. if it's truly just a BOB, you'll find plenty of options under $50.
and read protus's thread on BOB - what it should be. |
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Consider Maxpedition's as an option. There built to last and have excellent features. I find my Condor II very comfortable besides, but a bag does need to fit the person and their needs. Everyone's got their opinion of what's best but that's just their opinion. I suggest you look around at your options before making a discussion.
Maxpedition |
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Hey truculenity,
I know opinions are like, well you know... We all have one - I say check out Tactical Tailor... I just posted a short review on their company! Kind of an intro as I will be doing various product reviews as well. Check it out... Prepper Nation These guys happen to be a local company so I get to go in and actually check the stuff out before I buy, side benefit! The gear is top quality all the way, I've been a loyal customer for over a decade! Prepper |
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as I'm not on my third, I applaud you for asking first.
Several things to ask yourself - 1. Where will this be stored and how will it be used? I started out with a gearslinger type, then a backpack type, then an attache type...Now I rotate depending on the need of that week. Whatever it is, be prepared to carry it with you and carry it on you.... 2. What can you really carry weight and design wise? Some of the BOBs I've seen on this page would make an active Ranger smile - because he's the only one who could carry it day after day. This leads to... 3. Make a pile of everything you'll need, then start sorting through to get what you really will need. This will all help to decide size and style. Unfortunately, it has been my experience, that if you go cheap you'll be going back....to buy another. Yes, certain brands may be expensive, but not as expensive as doing it over ––- I now carry a Maxpedition. They are built tough and I love them for it. No broken zippers pulls or zippers that go off-track HTH O75 |
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For $200 budget you should consider 2-3 bags. A decent backpack will set you back $125-150. See Dick's Sports, REI, or many online stores. Stick with a name brand and you will be fine. Then order a couple of army surplus duffle bags for $10-15 bucks to pack extra stuff. (cheaper than dirt usually has them)
The reasoning is a backpack can only hold so much. But sometimes you may be bugging out in your vehicle, so having an extra bag with additional food, water and other essentials will be very important. Or you may only need to go a few miles, or along your trip you decide to cache some extras in case you need to head back. Lots of reasons for multiple bags and price should not be a problem. I have an aluminum frame backpack I bought in the 80's and except for minor fixes is still in really good shape and I still use it. Gear doesn't always have to be expensive to be quality. A small repair kit, with sewing supplies, wire, zipties, and shoestrings, can fix almost anything on a backpack, throw that in and you will be better prepared for equipment failure. I have even had a North Face pack have a strap come loose. Good luck |
| I will attest to maxpedition. They make FANTASTIC milspec plus gear, but they are VERY prowd of it. IT is extremely expensive, even second hand. Keep in mind that every maxpedition bag I have ever gotten was smaller than I thought it would be when I received it. |
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I will attest to maxpedition. They make FANTASTIC milspec plus gear, but they are VERY prowd of it. IT is extremely expensive, even second hand. Keep in mind that every maxpedition bag I have ever gotten was smaller than I thought it would be when I received it. Agree for sure!!! They are awesome, but smaller than you you think. I just got a falcon 2 and its a perfent EDC and BOB. |
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I will attest to maxpedition. They make FANTASTIC milspec plus gear, but they are VERY prowd of it. IT is extremely expensive, even second hand. Keep in mind that every maxpedition bag I have ever gotten was smaller than I thought it would be when I received it. Agree for sure!!! They are awesome, but smaller than you you think. I just got a falcon 2 and its a perfent EDC and BOB. +2 I got the VULTURE-II back in 2004 been to Iraq a few times and it still looks like its new to this day and it has been used a lot in the past 5 years from holding all my gear that the crap pack the Marines issued to me could not hold to being a pack that my family used when ever we go somewhere for a day to camping its done everything. |
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I'd get a backpacking pack with proper hip support if you plan on walking far. IMHO, it is less conspicuous than a molle bag with military patches and camo. If SHTF, you would want to look like a hiker than a soldier. Think about it. REI makes some pretty good stuff at an affordable price. Did you have a size you were looking for? I would suggest you try one on with some weight in it and walk around for 20-30 minutes before you buy something. |
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Quoted: honestly consider how often you will carry/pack/unpack it. if it will see a lot of wear and tear, get a good bag. if it's truly just a BOB, you'll find plenty of options under $50. and read protus's thread on BOB - what it should be. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmovbRpXF3E you can watch the film version of it here. BOB's do one thing get you from point A to point B. That disatnce and what your prepare for warrents the style and size of the pack you will need. While packs such at TT ,BHI,Max,Cbak, are all top quality made packs many really are not suited for long range "bug outs" 50-100 miles. Reason being is lack of a true adjustable suspension system and frame needed to haul the weights involved with a non stop haul of that distance! Now your only having to bug out 30 miles, you can get by with most any pack out there. YMMV |
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I think the term BOB gets tossed about a bit....I think it breaks down a lot further.
-Your GHB. ( get home bag version, like from work to home, and most likely your every day carry ). For me this is only a 6 mile walk, generally cross-country and I don't have to go through town. This can be a pretty light and small bag, if I wasn't such a gear nut this could be what I have in my pockets and some way to carry water, and/or perhaps some warmer shoes/clothes. -Your BOB. ( bug out bag ). In general I view this as the ability to get from point A to point B. This can be a greater distance, but I would guess that most imagine that at point B there is going to be more gear, family, food, etc. I think this is what most people are planning for....kinda. Your XXX ( I don't think there is an anything to describe this yet ). I think what comes beyond a BOB is something that would allow you to pick up, walk away, and live indefinitely as possible in a remote location. I don't think many people are trying to plan for this. |
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I think the term BOB gets tossed about a bit....I think it breaks down a lot further. -Your GHB. ( get home bag version, like from work to home, and most likely your every day carry ). For me this is only a 6 mile walk, generally cross-country and I don't have to go through town. This can be a pretty light and small bag, if I wasn't such a gear nut this could be what I have in my pockets and some way to carry water, and/or perhaps some warmer shoes/clothes. -Your BOB. ( bug out bag ). In general I view this as the ability to get from point A to point B. This can be a greater distance, but I would guess that most imagine that at point B there is going to be more gear, family, food, etc. I think this is what most people are planning for....kinda. Your XXX ( I don't think there is an anything to describe this yet ). I think what comes beyond a BOB is something that would allow you to pick up, walk away, and live indefinitely as possible in a remote location. I don't think many people are trying to plan for this. Your XXX ( I don't think there is an anything to describe this yet ). I think what comes beyond a BOB is something that would allow you to pick up, walk away, and live indefinitely as possible in a remote location. I don't think many people are trying to plan for this. I am... 4 sure! It's my life support bag, re-location bag, camping bag, hiking bag. I take my BOB on every hiking, camping trip fully loaded to "become one"  with my equipment and skills.
This has really helped me to see do's and don'ts, wants and needs and functionality. You REALLY start to scrutinize your gear when your sweating your ass off, or low back hurts. Recently I've been going out with just some raw meat and a little water to test my ingenuity. OR I get a few ideas from my SAS survival guide and just go do them. YEP! I'm planning, training for a post apocalyptic end. IF it never happens then THANK GOD! And I've had a lot of fun doing it and learned skills that I pass on to my son. If it does happen then survival might be a bit easier, I think most of the population is totally screwed any way but at least I would have had a chance.... 
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Your XXX ( I don't think there is an anything to describe this yet ). I think what comes beyond a BOB is something that would allow you to pick up, walk away, and live indefinitely as possible in a remote location. I don't think many people are trying to plan for this. They're referred to as "INCH" packs.......I'm Never Coming Home |
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Your XXX ( I don't think there is an anything to describe this yet ). I think what comes beyond a BOB is something that would allow you to pick up, walk away, and live indefinitely as possible in a remote location. I don't think many people are trying to plan for this. They're referred to as "INCH" packs.......I'm Never Coming Home BRILLIANT! |
| thanks for the discussion guys, I talked with my uncle. hes an experienced hiker for time periods greater then 3 weeks on the appalachian. he suggested a non-military bag for comfort and weight savings. he also straitened out a few of my ideas, as mentioned before...I want to look like a hiker, not a militia man. |
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I think the term BOB gets tossed about a bit....I think it breaks down a lot further.................. ........Your XXX ( I don't think there is an anything to describe this yet ). I think what comes beyond a BOB is something that would allow you to pick up, walk away, and live indefinitely as possible in a remote location. I don't think many people are trying to plan for this. I'm starting to think that this is the bag that I need to start prepping. |
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The "indefinitely" BOB is bullshit. You can only carry so much for one thing and most everything with the exception of a few things like a high quality knife if you take care of it, will wear out eventually. What you can plan for and pack is a BOB with the best choices of gear and tools you feel will last you the longest and go the farthest. But no matter what, you're going to have to find new supplies, clothes, tools, shelter and other necessities in time. |
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Your XXX ( I don't think there is an anything to describe this yet ). I think what comes beyond a BOB is something that would allow you to pick up, walk away, and live indefinitely as possible in a remote location. I don't think many people are trying to plan for this. They're referred to as "INCH" packs.......I'm Never Coming Home BRILLIANT! AhhhhGREED! gotta write this down, that was good. .. |
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thanks for the discussion guys, I talked with my uncle. hes an experienced hiker for time periods greater then 3 weeks on the appalachian. he suggested a non-military bag for comfort and weight savings. he also straitened out a few of my ideas, as mentioned before...I want to look like a hiker, not a militia man. share the wisdom bro... What did he have to say? |
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Used ALICE packs are GTG. Think about it, It served the .Mil for 30 yrs. Is it high speed low drag....no really...does it work...YUP my BOB is in a med. frame ALICE. my GHB is in a regular old backpack. but I'm only 14 miles from work, so I don't need it to last that long... |