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Post by NamelessStain on Nov 24, 2013 19:49:05 GMT
For those who don't know, I currently use an Eberlestock J51 Warhammer (2050 ci) and a military dry sack in the load carrying area for my clothes, hammock. and 0 degree sleeping bag as my INCH bag. Option 1: I debated adding the G1 Little Brother ( www.eberlestock.com/J79%20Skycrane%20II.htm#G1%20pack ). It would increase the volume to around 3800 ci total, but the total weight of the 2 bags is roughly 12.8 pounds. Option 2: So I start looking at Eberlestock hunting packs and found the Team Elk pack ( www.eberlestock.com/M5%20Team%20Elk%20Pack.html ) at 3100 ci and part of that (around 500 ci) is taken up by a scabbard. It weighs in at 6.8 pounds so I'd be cutting my weight by 6 pounds over the other option. The scabbard would be useful for hunting imo. Option 3: I also looked at a Granite Gear Blaze A.C. 60 (3660 ci) which rei is carrying ( www.rei.com/product/824361/granite-gear-blaze-ac-60-pack ) which comes in a 2.14 pounds and that's even more weight saved. I just don't want a bag that screams "HERE I AM" so I don't want flame red or neon yellow, and the Blaze is was I call Nature Neutral colors. So what do y'all think? I would be using it as an INCH as well as a hunting bag. |
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Post by Gingerbread Man on Nov 24, 2013 21:05:21 GMT
I like the looks of option C. Simple, rugged and a good 40 lbs load. My Kelty Coyote 90L is 40 lbs all in.
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Post by NamelessStain on Nov 24, 2013 21:29:39 GMT
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Post by Gingerbread Man on Nov 24, 2013 23:09:38 GMT
65L is a bit small, IMO. Mine is 90 and about just right. I'll blow it out next trip.
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Post by NamelessStain on Nov 26, 2013 17:36:37 GMT
I'm amazed OM hasn't chimed in yet  |
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Post by doc11 on Nov 26, 2013 19:35:14 GMT
He was in the woods with me! I'm currently looking at the Mountainsmith Lariat. Currently I am running a Lowe Alpine Concourse, a pack that is about 20 years old. It is still an awesome pack, but it's 20 years old. Compared to the new packs, it's heavy and tries to do too much--which was what all packs did then.
I'll say what OM will tell you; military packs are shit. Not The Shit, but shit. Get a good commercial pack, go to REI or your local camp store and try out as many as you can put on your back. What works for me, may not work for you. OM is running an Osprey Altmos, which I like a lot, but the Mountainsmith has a detachable day pack that can be used as part of the pack or left off.
Get more pack than you think you need. You don't have to fill it, but it is hard to find extra room in a pack that is too small. I have a Jansport that is *that* pack. It is a great car pack, a summer over nighter, but for real camping, it lacks space for extra things like more food, spare clothing, the little things that make a winter camp happy.
Good luck with your hunt. If you do it right, this will take you about two months of searching!
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Post by omegaman on Nov 27, 2013 14:28:34 GMT
I'm amazed OM hasn't chimed in yet I'm here! Finally thawed out after some mountain-top hammocking with the doc-ster  And, as doc mentioned (we just had this conversation not to long ago), military-style packs have their place...mostly because ILBEs, Molles, etc are solid pieces of gear that can be found for cheap. However; they have their drawbacks...mainly weight and overkill. Now, I love me some Elberstock packs. They were just coming around as I was getting out of the Marines and if I were still in I'd probably have a few. That said, my kick-ass Kifaru from that era never saw any use in a civilian role. 1000d Cordura rucks made for jumping out of airplanes and carrying up to 100lbs of gear, including mortor and SMAW rounds, M240 barrels, etc are, in my opinion, just overkill for civvy use. REI, Gregory, and Kelty all make very solid packs (i.e. not ultralight fanboy) that come in at decent prices. My favorite is Osprey, but they tend to come in a little pricey unless you catch last year's colors on closeout. Speaking of color, most of the above mentioned packs offer at least one subdued color-scheme in their offerings. A mostly gray pack will blend in or at least wash-out in a variety of environments (that is not to be taken as a "gray-man" concept). My lime-ish green Osprey actually blends in very well amongst the rhododenron and mountain laurel where I often hike. Also, when I'm out bushwhacking, I hear other hikers long before I see them in their bright colored gear. Lastly, there's always pack covers if concealment is an issue...or mud or spray paint  My priorities for a pack are a)does it hold all my shit? and b)is it comfortable and properly fitted? And, for what you want, you need at the very least a 65L pack. |
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Post by NamelessStain on Nov 27, 2013 17:25:21 GMT
REI deal of the day is a "Osprey Argon 85 Pack - 2012 Closeout" for $180
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Post by omegaman on Nov 27, 2013 18:11:09 GMT
REI deal of the day is a "Osprey Argon 85 Pack - 2012 Closeout" for $180 Damn nice pack. Also, Kelp Green...how's that for a tactical color scheme?! Can't beat that price, either. Actually, I was fingering the same pack at REI a few weeks ago  |
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Post by nxp on Nov 27, 2013 20:50:51 GMT
Osprey makes some kick ass gear. Spendy up front, but comfortable. I'm not a huge fan of all the pockets, etc, but then again wait for my favorite knock around pack below...
The GG Blaze is another great choice. Suspension on it is a little different, though, so try one out and see if it fits you.
My longtime favorite, knockaround pack (and it's still kicking along just fine with seamseal and handsewn patches)is an old Mountainsmith pack from before they were Kifaru - still has the "Made In Golden CO" patch on it. I think it's a Firestorm 2 or something, I can't recall - either way, it's a cavernous top loader with sleeping bag zipper and 28" stays. One of the old expedition packs, and it's way big, heavy (5.5#), and can fit the kitchen sink. Great for winter trips, and can compress down to the frame for summer trips. Way overkill, and for some reason I thought I'd need a MR pack, so I bought one. Now both of them sit, and that's dissappointing.
I'm actually thinking about selling off the MR NICE/bag, and getting a UL style toploader. I'd get a 100x more use out of a pack like that, vs the MR which could be replaced by the old favorite Mountainsmith.
Shame to have such a nice pack sitting idle.
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Post by NamelessStain on Nov 27, 2013 21:01:56 GMT
Just picked up the REI daily deal backpack. Saved about $210 between the sale and shipping.
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Post by Ten Eight on Nov 29, 2013 23:46:13 GMT
Option C. I'm in the same camp as GB and omegaman. I was all about 1000D gear, but after carrying it around some I decided neutral civvy packs were the way to go. Muchhhh lighter, and plenty durable for what I need. I'm a fan of Paradox Packs. 100% Waterproof, and one of the finest heavy load bearing platforms around. With the too frequent douching I get when outside in Florida, the waterproofness is worth the price. |
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Post by nxp on Nov 30, 2013 15:43:46 GMT
I'm a fan of Paradox Packs. 100% Waterproof, and one of the finest heavy load bearing platforms around. With the too frequent douching I get when outside in Florida, the waterproofness is worth the price. 
I've found that flipping it inside out and hosing it down in a carwash with a few squirts of Dawn works great for me, but whatev's. Think you meant "dousing". Kevin's new frame system is pretty hot, though. I've been meaning to see about trying one out - I've heard nothing but great things about them. The VX fabric is currently all the rage right now, and it does work great for it's weight. A LOT of UL bags are going that route for the wear points/bottom. I did get excited when I saw the ASAT pattern on his tan bag, but then figured out it was a coat. Guess I'll just have to suffer with all the Multicam ninja's out there... |
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Post by Ten Eight on Nov 30, 2013 22:12:26 GMT
Yes, dousing lol.
I wonder if I can have a base Talon custom made in grey to match my pack instead of black.
In regards to new bags in general, you folks in other states are really fortunate to have REI, Cabelas, etc. where you can even try on packs. Here in south Florida, we don't have places like that to experiment with outdoor gear before we buy it. We have a lousy Bass Pro that seems mostly to cater to fishing, and a Take A Gander At Our Prices Mountain about an hour north.
Sucks. I'd love to have an REI nearby.
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Post by nxp on Dec 2, 2013 2:23:04 GMT
Come up north - we've got an REI (well, a much better one in the Twin Cities, but Mad-town's is okay), 3 Cabelas, at least 3 Scheel's that I can think of, Gander's all over, FF's (seriously, you'd never think a farm store could rock so much, but it's called the Man's Mall for a reason - if they don't have it, you don't need it), all kind of outdoor crap.
Interestingly, we have no BassPro. Huh. Was not impressed with the one down in IL....
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