Posted: 5/28/2009 3:06:09 PM EDT
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Hey gang
can someone clue me in? What are the benefits of having a military style backpack (Camelbak BFM) over having a traditional style backpack that you might find at REI or Campmor? This would be a BOB for myself, but would get regular use. Most of the guys I see have a military style pack for their BOB and as I am going to buy a new pack next month, I was wonderin why. Thanx P.Smith |
| I would think it has to do with how cheap a ruck sac can be found at most military surplus shops and online. I would also say I am more used to the ALICE pack and frame and that other former military are the same way. Not that the other framed hiking packs are bad...in fact they are probably very comfortable, for the hundreds they cost. |
| I've got a camelbak MotherLode that I use when I'm in uniform (AF Reservist), but I use a Gregory or Osprey pack in my civilian life. All are fine packs. The camelbak's military style adds durability, but at the cost of weight. I never hang much in the way of doo-hickeys on the ladder stitching, but could. For me, light weight wins for something I'll carry around for days. |
| Durability and optional mounting of other bags is the biggest reason. Snag one of those super lite sports store bags on some nasty thorns and your stuff will be all over the trail, walk through the same with the BFM and you will not even be able to tell it left a scratch. I've been humping my BFM all over the world for the last 3 1/2 years and it's never had even the smallest issue. One of the biggest advantages for myself was being able to fit the upgraded 6 liter/200oz bladder in the pack. That gives you a solid days water even in my extreme AZ heat! |
| The higher end civvie packs that you can find at REI are just as durable as the mil. packs. Gregory, Dana Design, Arcteryx, Osprey, etc... are designed to hold up to AT thru hikes and climbing Everest. The civvie packs are also usually more "fitted" than mil. packs are. They do usually come in some in some crazy colors and can cost serious $$$ for the top end models. |
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keep in mind that the durability factor often comes at a price (weight)... every pound your bag weighs is a pound less useful gear or food you can carry... it's an important tradeoff. I have quite a bit of non militaresque gear that I haven't managed to tear up yet, and I tend to be hard on stuff.
there are a lot of people who go for the military style bags for the style factor alone, I think. The option of lots of little loops to strap more shit on is also attractive for some folks. It's all a question of what you're looking for. I'm (obviously) a "less is more" kind of guy. If you want to lug a lot of stuff (my definition of this is anything over 30-35 lbs), you'll probably need a heavy bag for it. If you want to travel light, go light. I find the latter a lot more fun. |
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I ordered a Kifaru pack a few weeks ago...
My decision was based on the full internal frame of the "Pointman" pack, the wide belt, amazing service life, large capacity, and the huge array of pouch/mod options. I woulnt get a military pack unless it's an internal frame... which is why post people go with civy packs. Just not enough full frame military packs for cheap. |
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depends on your needs i would say. i just got a osprey exos 58, but i plan to do more light wieght two to three day camping trips. and not so much rural combat.
should i need to bug out, i'd personally like a kirafu zxr, hsgi rifle scabbard, and a decent chest rig. but then your talking about leaving and fighting while your on the move, and never coming back. |