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Posted: 6/13/2014 12:49:28 PM EDT
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I am looking for a small day pack, something like the Platatac Echo or kifaru E&E. I was going to get the Platatac but its out of stock right now in the color I was after, the kifaru seems like a good option but I don't want to jump the gun yet before checking out other options.
I just want something I can throw a rain jacket in some mags and preferably carry a small water bladder and some snacks while I am out messing around. I would prefer molle on the exterior so I can put a double 5.56 mag pouch on the back. Budget is between $100-$200. If you have either the echo or E&E or any other small day pack suggestions, reviews, or comments I would appreciate any info I can get. Thanks. |
I have the E&E
E&E Review The E&E is a great small pack that allows you full access to your items as it is a panel loader. Another pack in this size that is also a panel loader but slightly larger is the S.O. Tech mission pack micro. This pack also has breathable padded back panel: 
Mission Pack Micro Review Another small day pack is the Maxpedition Typhoon. This pack has internal organization as well as molle for customization: 
Maxpedition Typhoon Review Other packs in this class are the HSGI M24P daypack and the Tasmanian Tiger Essentials pack, both have molle for customization. |
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Tactical Tailor removable operator pack. I have the lightweight version and it survived a deployment to afghan and got thrown around a lot still kicking.
The expandable hydration packs like the Eagle Yote or the Blackhawk version seem to be a bit smaller but get the job done. |
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Tactical Tailor removable operator pack. I have the lightweight version and it survived a deployment to afghan and got thrown around a lot still kicking. The expandable hydration packs like the Eagle Yote or the Blackhawk version seem to be a bit smaller but get the job done. +1 I snagged a foilage green one for 50% off, it is most used pack I have. |
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I am halfway tempted to just order the tactical tailor pack since everyone is so happy with it, but it appears a little bigger than I wanted. I have tactical tailor mag pouches and belt and love them so I am not surprised the pack is legit as well.
The spartan pack looks pretty great as well, What size bladder or bladders will it hold? |
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I am halfway tempted to just order the tactical tailor pack since everyone is so happy with it, but it appears a little bigger than I wanted. I have tactical tailor mag pouches and belt and love them so I am not surprised the pack is legit as well. The spartan pack looks pretty great as well, What size bladder or bladders will it hold? It is a bigger pack than what your intended use is for, and is why I didn't list it. For the items you listed, there will be a lot of dead space and the items will sag to the bottom unless you jerry rig compression straps to the pack (the pack does not have compression straps). 
Tactical Tailor Removable Operator Pack Review |
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I'll throw another +1 in for the TT/GreyGhost/MilspecMonkey Removable operator (adapt) pack. My review of the TT version
You also can't go wrong with the E&E, Kifaru gear is top notch and it's a great day pack size. A similar sized pack is the HSGI M24P Pack which SKD has on sale for $90. Just to throw another one out there 
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Consider this pack: http://www.supplycaptain.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=621&ParentCat=66. I have one. Read the review.
Easily dyeable, if you don't like UCP camo. Rit Taupe dye if you want a brownish tint. I also have the TT RO pack, and IMHO, this is a better value. Disclaimer: no financial interest. |
| I like the Maxpedition packs for a daily carry since they have great organization and slots for pens, multitools, etc along with smaller pouches for keys or any other miscellaneous items. Many of the military packs are nothing more than a cordura bucket that forces the user to empty the entire contents to get to items on the bottom unless you want to have it festooned in Molle pouches. |
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I like the Maxpedition packs for a daily carry since they have great organization and slots for pens, multitools, etc along with smaller pouches for keys or any other miscellaneous items. Many of the military packs are nothing more than a cordura bucket that forces the user to empty the entire contents to get to items on the bottom unless you want to have it festooned in Molle pouches. Condor makes a wide variety of external organization pouches, some fairly small, and some quite large. All in a good choice of colors/camo patterns. I would trust Condor pouches in low-weight/low-stress applications, whereas I would not trust their heavier-loaded packs. I have bought some of these myself. After a surprisingly small amount of loose thread-melting, so far, so good. The larger TnT (sometimes called T+T or T&T) pouch fits perfectly on the dorsal side of the LBT 3-day pacls now on sale, and I have one on each LBT pack I own for exactly the reasons you stated. Google around for different sources/prices. http://www.combatsportsupply.com/search.aspx?find=t%2bt&log=false&manufacturer=34 |
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I forgot to add, a huge plus one for the GoRuck Bullet 10. It's a great pack, tough as nails, and a lot more lo-vis, sleek, and metropolitan looking than some of the other "tactical" packs. Works just as well as everyday casual as it does on the trail or fun run.
They were going for $80 a few weeks ago, so I would wait until they go back down to that price again. http://www.goruck.com/en/bullet-10 |
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I find that if I have room I will find things to fill it with, so I vote for the E&E, room for the stuff you need and none of the shit you dont. Keeps me honest. No offense, but what one needs is practice in order to determine the relative worth of things. There are some experienced folks that can utilize a fairly small pack for a week, and others who would not last a few days with the same pack, but with different contents. Experience, and training make the difference. Again, no offense, but if one has not actually used one's gear then one cannot make good choices about one's gear. |
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Tactical Tailor removable operator pack. I have the lightweight version and it survived a deployment to afghan and got thrown around a lot still kicking. I lived out of mine for a few weeks and was only resupplied three or four times. I carried socks in a WP bag, water bladder, bivy & poncho liner, two spare mags, and a few field stripped MRE's on the inside; hygiene and an E&E kit on the outside. That being said, I recommend the E&E for what you want it for. |
| OP, you are going to get a lot of answers to your question, mostly from folks who have bought one or two packs and have seldom used them. I urge you to pay attention to folks who have at least used their packs in the field, and most especially owners and users of multiple packs. |
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I owned an e&e, sold it, regretted selling it. Great little pack. I recently picked up a mystery ranch ASAP. It's a nice pack, the futura harness system is incredibly comfortable and the tri zip opening lets you get stuff from the bottom of your pack easily. Having said that, I'm considering taking the scissors to my $245 day pack. The ASAP has two pockets that run the length of the pack on the front, and when used they really affect the way that the pack can be loaded.
I own a mysteryranch snapdragon which does not have these pockets, and owned and sold a mystery ranch 3 day assault pack which did I buy, try and sell a lot of different packs, and I'm really loving mystery ranch. Quality of materials and workmanship, the awesome tri zip access and super comfy futura harnesses make them worth the money. The kifaru e&e and mystery ranch ASAP are both very similar in size, but IMHO the ASAP carries much better. |
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Do any of you guys have experience with the TAD gear fast pack litespeed? I've been looking to pick one up and am interested in opinions. Overbuilt pack that has a lot of features, but has straps galore. Accessibility to the main compartment can be cumbersome. |
Well after thinking about this and looking at what feels like a million packs I hope I did the right thing, I ordered a Kifaru e&e this morning. I decided the TT removable operator was just a little too big for what I need. I now have an unjustifiable urge to buy a couple more packs though like the TT removable operator.  If you guys gave me some sort of backpack/ruck offshoot of BRD I am going to need to find a second job.
The kifaru will probably take a while to ship but in the mean time I need to figure out the water situation, for those of you that have an e&e do you run a bladder in it or carry bottles in or on the pack? If you run a bottle/bladder what brand/size do you use and if you use a bottle how/where do you prefer to mount it? You guys have been great so far keep the info coming. p.s. Raf, I was a long time lurker on this site before I finally signed up and you have helped me part with some cash in the past with all the awesome deals you find/post. |
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Consider this pack: http://www.supplycaptain.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=621&ParentCat=66. I have one. Read the review. Easily dyeable, if you don't like UCP camo. Rit Taupe dye if you want a brownish tint. I also have the TT RO pack, and IMHO, this is a better value. Disclaimer: no financial interest. I have a GHB in my truck. It is this pack, and I love it. I bought it much cheaper though |
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Regarding carrying water with the E&E: I have never cared for bladders. I ordered a couple of matching (Kryptek) mini-long pockets when I ordered my E&E. They will easily fit a large bottle of "store bought" water. I carry a 32oz. Liberty water bottle on each side (if you get the Liberty aluminum bottles.. don't pay the ridiculous price some places charge...you can find them online for $10-12 for 32oz. bottles).
Sometimes, if I want to keep it really "low profile", I carry either the Liberty bottles or 32oz Nalgene Oasis canteens in HSGI soft tacos..one mounted on each side of the pack. The soft tacos are super versatile and are not limited to just carrying hydration. Congratulations on your purchase of an E&E...it's a great little pack |
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