Posted: 12/11/2010 10:29:07 PM EDT
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Im looking for a bag to use for short backpacking trips that can also double as a BOB.
What is more recommended a bag like Condor Assault Pack or more of a hiking style pack from REI? I need decent amount of room, comfortable for several mile long hikes, and below $150. Recomend me something else if you think it will better fit my needs. Thanks! |
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3 day diplomat bag from LAPoliceGear for the win...sub $30
ive got 2, they are WELL worth the money 3 day pack |
| I have a bag that is roughly 1300 cubic inches and its WAY to small for anything more then a day trip. Those are nice looking bags and you cant beat the price but I am still looking at only 2600 cubic inches. I want something in the range of 3500-4000+ cubic inches. |
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You're moving into the realm of actual backpacks instead of three day packs when you jump over ~3000cu inches. The Kelty Redwing gets good reviews in the forums and magazines; it's 3100.
You have to be very careful when you start looking for bags in this range- a large daypack should fit you, but most small backpacks don't fit men's frames well as they're designed for smaller statured people. The minimalist trend which includes brands such as GoLite has encouraged manufacturers to make some smaller packs that will meet your size requirements, but they're generally made from much lighter weight material- not what I'd want in a bag that's going to have stuff with edges shoved in it and still have to hold up for possibly a long time. |
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I am trying to work on a modular system of packs.
Tactical Tailor Removable Operator Pack will be my day pack with all the basics (this pack stays in my truck) Poncho/Poncho liner Blast Match Canteen cup kit Small head lamp Boo boo first aid kit Drinking Water Tablets Fiskars folding saw Compass and Maps Para cord Bandanna Toilet paper Small fishing kit Esbit Stove I carry a little food and water in this pack, but my area as a lot of water. My larger pack will be my Marauder G2, its a expensive pack, and you could always use a cheaper 2,000 CI + pack as long as it had PALS attachments on the front. Military Modular Sleep System (I do not pack all the components, but pick a bag depending on the climate) Sleep pad Extra clothing Extra water (in a Platypus) Extra food Hygiene kit and some more first aid Some type of water filter ? Light weight back packing tent (worth the weight?) The advantage of this system is the modularity, I can just grab the day pack for a short hike with my family, or grab both bags for a camping trip, or bug out type situation. When we get camp set up I can leave the Marauder at camp and grab the day pack and go. The down sides to this system are weight the Marauder weights 4.7 oz and the tactical tailor pack weights 3.0 oz (estimated weight as I do not have the bag yet), and military look (if this matters to you). I am still setting everything up, so there might be some things left out. Like everyone else I am fighting weight, I would love to see the over all weight at 25-30 lb, but realistically it will be around 35-40lb, but I have not really weight anything yet, and will try to cut down on some weight. Sorry for the long post, its more for me than you 
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Quoted: Im looking for a bag to use for short backpacking trips that can also double as a BOB. I need decent amount of room, comfortable for several mile long hikes, and below $150. Recomend me something else if you think it will better fit my needs. Thanks! how many days and distance. several mile hikes.... 7+ in and 7 out or 7 per day?BOB/GHB how far is it home. Plan on 10 miles a day to get a base "day" count. how many days. 1st- get your torso sized. 2nd- decide how much you plan to carry ( how many days) 3- buy a pack with an adustable suspension if #2 is over 28lbs. Strap adjustmenst are not suspension adjustments 4- pick a pack in your torso size that has the features and the correct a mount of cubes for what you need. 5- pack the ruck and go use it, re pack, use again, repack use again. on avg 900-1500 ci- day pack 1500-2500- extended day pack, 1-2 nights in hot weather(least down here) 3000-4500 ci- 3-4 day packs 5k-7k+ - 4-7 day packs/winter packs. for what your wanting your looking at the 3k to 7k mark.......from what youve posted. we'll help, you just gotta tell us more on how your gonna use it. I wont say go buy XYZ brand unless i know. sorry if you asked what was the best car with low gas milegae ,,,would you buy a smart car becuase i said so........ 
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| For short backpacking(5 miles), i would recomend something with a water bladder, enough room for for snackage, socks, first aid. Depending on the season, room for putting layers on and off. Anything of a longer distance(10+) or chance of adverse weather changes a larger pack for more gear/food/water. Overnite would require a full sized pack. I always consider water as my greatest concern at 8lbs/gal. Either carry it or filter it if available, your choice. Tactical packs/clothes never thrilled me in the field considering they are aways camo or black. I dont want SAR to miss me if i get hurt. |
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Quoted:
how many days and distance. several mile hikes.... 7+ in and 7 out or 7 per day?BOB/GHB how far is it home. Plan on 10 miles a day to get a base "day" count. how many days. 1st- get your torso sized. 2nd- decide how much you plan to carry ( how many days) 3- buy a pack with an adustable suspension if #2 is over 28lbs. Strap adjustmenst are not suspension adjustments 4- pick a pack in your torso size that has the features and the correct a mount of cubes for what you need. 5- pack the ruck and go use it, re pack, use again, repack use again. on avg 900-1500 ci- day pack 1500-2500- extended day pack, 1-2 nights in hot weather(least down here) 3000-4500 ci- 3-4 day packs 5k-7k+ - 4-7 day packs/winter packs. for what your wanting your looking at the 3k to 7k mark.......from what youve posted. The hike I usually do and want to do more of its type is 7 miles in all up hill, stay the night (or two) and head back out. In Vegas we dont have a lot of water so to be safe I will pack my own. The trail I do has a form of water but isnt a reliable source. 1. 38 waist 2. 1-3 days 3. with water and basics it will be over 28 lbs. I think the 3000-4500 ci will do for what I need. |
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Quoted: 3 day diplomat bag from LAPoliceGear for the win...sub $30 ive got 2, they are WELL worth the money 3 day pack I don't think I can recommend the 3-Day LAPG pack to anyone anymore. I have had mine for probably less than 6 months, packed it and put it in my truck toolbox, never really carried it anywhere. Got it out of the toolbox a few weeks ago and noticed that the seam is coming apart behind the hydration port flap. I have since gotten a SDS Large Assault Pack, and I like the way they reinforce their hydration port openings with a plastic template MUCH better. Also, I had a look on the LAPG website to see if it was returnable due to this seam coming undone, and basically, according to the FAQs, the answer is no. So, while the LAPG pack is made from a heavy fabric, and appears to be a good value, if riding around in the toolbox of my truck for a few months can make a seam come apart, it is not the quality bag I had hoped it was. 
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Many of THESE packs make great choices, and you can get them for 50% off right now on the site. I really like the Gregory Z65 and the Mountainsmith's as well.
The backpacking packs are much better IMO than the 3-Day assault packs. They don't look as "scary", are made better, and carry loads much more efficiently. |
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Quoted: Quoted: how many days and distance. several mile hikes.... 7+ in and 7 out or 7 per day?BOB/GHB how far is it home. Plan on 10 miles a day to get a base "day" count. how many days. 1st- get your torso sized. 2nd- decide how much you plan to carry ( how many days) 3- buy a pack with an adustable suspension if #2 is over 28lbs. Strap adjustmenst are not suspension adjustments 4- pick a pack in your torso size that has the features and the correct a mount of cubes for what you need. 5- pack the ruck and go use it, re pack, use again, repack use again. on avg 900-1500 ci- day pack 1500-2500- extended day pack, 1-2 nights in hot weather(least down here) 3000-4500 ci- 3-4 day packs 5k-7k+ - 4-7 day packs/winter packs. for what your wanting your looking at the 3k to 7k mark.......from what youve posted. The hike I usually do and want to do more of its type is 7 miles in all up hill, stay the night (or two) and head back out. In Vegas we dont have a lot of water so to be safe I will pack my own. The trail I do has a form of water but isnt a reliable source. 1. 38 waist 2. 1-3 days 3. with water and basics it will be over 28 lbs. I think the 3000-4500 ci will do for what I need. torso size when dealing with packs is not your waist size, nor is it realitive. Do a how to size your torso search you'll see how. Must and all backpacking rucks have torso ranges they fit. They are no different than shoes. You dont wear a 7 when your a 12 do you???
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Quoted:
torso size when dealing with packs is not your waist size, nor is it realitive. Do a how to size your torso search you'll see how. Must and all backpacking rucks have torso ranges they fit. They are no different than shoes. You dont wear a 7 when your a 12 do you??? Sounds like I got a bit to learn
What about internal frame vs external? |
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Quoted: Quoted: torso size when dealing with packs is not your waist size, nor is it realitive. Do a how to size your torso search you'll see how. Must and all backpacking rucks have torso ranges they fit. They are no different than shoes. You dont wear a 7 when your a 12 do you??? Sounds like I got a bit to learn What about internal frame vs external? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmovbRpXF3E 3 parts goes over 3-4 basic pack styles. |
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Quoted: I will recommend a low profile earth tone hiking pack every day of the week. They typically are more comfortable and more durable than most of the non-.mil issue "tactical packs" out there. this. reason i went with the kelty falcon 4k off their military line. best of both worlds and then some..with out the price or mandatory cool aid drink some offer coughkifarucough 
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| I am a big guy (6'7 280) and had a hell of a time trying to find a pack that fit me and was well made. I had a Maxpedition bag first. Great bag. Very well made but too small for me. Then I tried a cheap bag from Cheaper Than Dirt (should have known better). It was a huge bag with all the things I wanted but it was made like crap and before I even used it a zipper broke. Sent that one back also.. Finally went to REI. They don't have the "military" style bags I wanted but I tried out a Kelty Redwing 3100 and it fit awesome. They loaded it up with 30+ lbs and I walked around the store for about 30 min to test it out. I found it for less at EBags.com. So far it seems really well made and would hold everything I wanted. I could easily use this as a 3 day bag. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I will recommend a low profile earth tone hiking pack every day of the week. They typically are more comfortable and more durable than most of the non-.mil issue "tactical packs" out there. this. reason i went with the kelty falcon 4k off their military line. best of both worlds and then some..with out the price or mandatory cool aid drink some offer coughkifarucough That is what I am shooting for. I would rather not have a bright blue or red bag. That is my ideal bag but its twice my budget. Going to REI tomorrow. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I will recommend a low profile earth tone hiking pack every day of the week. They typically are more comfortable and more durable than most of the non-.mil issue "tactical packs" out there. this. reason i went with the kelty falcon 4k off their military line. best of both worlds and then some..with out the price or mandatory cool aid drink some offer coughkifarucough That is what I am shooting for. I would rather not have a bright blue or red bag. That is my ideal bag but its twice my budget. Going to REI tomorrow. Eberlestock bags seem to be on sale on several websites. |
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Kelty MAP 3500 seems like it would fit the bill. Or my stock answer, save until you can afford a Kifaru, its worth it.  If you don't mind the ACU pattern, I think the distributor for these packs has them for $75 or so. Solid patterns are still $99. Also, here is the arfcom review of the MAP 3500 bag. |
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Sportsmans Warehouse has the Kelty Redwing for 59.99 here.
Got mine ordered today. 
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