Packs, Packs, Packs! What Pack Do You Carry?

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My day-to-day urban carryall is a Timbuk2, um, something or other... Don't remember the model. It's big, comfy, and hella durable.

My hiking pack is an old REI rucksack. Holds enough for a weekend trip (down bag, sleeping pad, food, water.) I've been contemplating an Osprey internal frame, but haven't been doing enough hiking lately to really justify it - maybe next spring.

- Chris
 
I don't understand what ya'll use your packs for.
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I am a member of a Volunteer Rescue Squad. This past summer we were taking FUNSAR (Fundementals of Search and Rescue, notice FUN is a mislabeling). Anyway part of the class is to hike into the woods setup camp and do several search exercises, then do a night search excerise spend the night and hike out the next morning. After looking at everything that was required for a pack (and yes they check you pack contents) the only thing I found that was comfortable and held everything was the Camelbak BFM.

My Hawg I intend to use as a range bag for outdoor matches where you are moving from stage to stage alot. Also I have another rescue class coming up in March that I intend to use the HAWG for.
 
L.L. Bean "Turbo Transit" pack. It was large enough to carry every book that I needed when I was in school. I keep looking for something else but have not found any I want yet.
 
Hiking and camping!

Pic is attached -- aforementioned Lowe Alpine pack on my back as I cross a suspension bridge in Glacier National Park, Montana. That's around 30-40 lbs of gear on my back -- it was a 10 day trip where you had to carry everything in with you. No civilization except for a ranger station halfway into the mountains.

It's a poor picture b/c of the compression ... pic was originally taken with a 35mm camera and then scanned at 600 dpi.
 

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jthuang, that reminds me of those pictures in those 'unsolved mystery' type of books and TV shows where they show some Sasquatch in a clearing....except they ain't Chinese :D :neener:

I am a member of a Volunteer Rescue Squad. This past summer we were taking FUNSAR (Fundementals of Search and Rescue, notice FUN is a mislabeling).
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Billy SParks, kinda like 'FUNeral'? :D
 
B_Scott, I use my pack for hiking, skiing and hunting--First Aid kit, binocs, water, ammo, dry socks, game bag. Sometime I combine all three, like going crow shooting or varmiting on cross-country skis.

Don't y'all carry stuff about when you are out tramping about?:confused:

Maybe fill the pack full of gumbo?:D
 
Well I do like the HydraStorm Force 5 and I don't know about gumbo, but I could put 100 liters of Pat O'Brian's Hurricane in there!
 
How are the Hydrastorm systems? I really should know, they use me to pose for their magazine ads all the time, but never took them out in the field.

HydraStorm_graphic2.jpg


Damn, I look good :cool:

:D
 
Skunk you sure do look studly. Looks like that pack is full of testosterone.
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Actually it's a blend of soju and protein drink. I actually have to put estrogen in it to balance out my off the chart testosterone levels.

Skunk - why is your finger on the trigger?
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Because I'm shooting raccoons, squirrels and those dastardly possums. Sic semper untacticalis!!! :cuss:

Hello?! Skunky, is that you in there?
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Not really :eek: I wear urban tiger stripes.

How much other stuff can you carry in the Motherlode pack? Does it work as a day pack for hiking? How about a bug-out bag?
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I've used it as a day pack for hiking but I think it's too big. Right now it's my bugout bag..instead of listing contents and boring everybody, I'll post a pic tonight with my bag and contents....
 
Re: whether the CB Motherlode is an "adequate" daypack.

It really depends on the user and intended usage. For me, I find that a daypack must carry at a minimum 1,800-1,900 cu in. This is because my daypacks are also used in the week-long assaults (such as the one pictured above). Sometimes I set up base camp and then strike out for day hikes -- obviously I don't need the 5,500 cu in capacity of my Lowe Alpine pack for a dayhike but I'll need something to carry gear for the day.

In the above situation, we got rain and or snow (in late June!) at least once a day. In those areas, the temperature would fluctuate wildly and suddenly -- sometimes I needed full gear (waterproof parka and pants with fleece liners) and on others I needed just a t-shirt and BDU pants (as pictured above). Thus, my daypack had to carry (1) Gore-Tex parka; (2) Gore-Tex pants; (3) lunch; (4) first aid kit; (5) water purification (there's giardia in Montana lake water); and (6) misc essentials. The first two are bulky items -- my old CB HAWG (830 cu in) will hold one but not both. Thus, it was essential for me to have enough space to hold everything -- and for me that means at least 1,800 cu in of space. My Kelty Velocity and HS Cyclone both fit this bill.

On the other hand, for some people who have different usages for a daypack (like Skunk) the Motherlode is overkill. In those instances, a CB HAWG (1,100 cu for the newer moderl, 830 for the older one) would be sufficent to carry a parka, lunch and binocs -- usually more than enough space.

Justin
 
Billy SParks, kinda like 'FUNeral'?
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Let's put it this way Skunk. The instructor got lost twice and we (the students) had to find him and lead him back to our camp.

How are the Hydrastorm systems
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I do not like Hydrastorm systems. The threads on the caps as hard to line up. I have spilled more fluid out of my Hydrastorm than I have been able to drink. I will no longer purchase Hydrastorm.
 
I carry Da Kine packs

Here are some new goggles. SUPER-TACTICAL OAKLEYS for skunk.

MF
 

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depends.

I have a black jansport that i use as an apack that was my book bag for nigh on a century (or so it seems) it'll get tan and green spray paint.

I have a larger black jansport with three compartments that i use as a book bag now.

I have an ALICE medium pack with frame that i used last time i went backpacking. the frame is bent. need another one.


I have a camelbak HAWG that's part of my second line gear.

I have a swiss daypack thinger that attaches on my swiss jacket.

I have a brit pattern 37 haversack/backpack that attaces on my pattern 37 web equipment (my enfield LBE)

I also have the brit pattern 37 cargo pack (also attaches to the pattern 37 stuff)
 
Osprey Packs...

Chris,
The Osprey packs are definately worth the money...I've got a Aether 60 that is ssoo comfy. Another of my favorites is the Granite Gear Precipe...My next pack though will be by Dan McHale... www.mchalepacks.com
 
Ok heres my modest opinion...
I spent alot of time working in ski and outdoor shops in the winter so I have owned and used more packs than I know what to do with! I own packs from...
Lowe Alpine, Marrmot, Mountainsmith, Gregory, old Dana Designs, Camelback, and a few others, in a range of sizes and styles.
Having said that the best day pack I own is... one a smokejumper buddy of mine stiches up for me. It is the pack they jump with. Great in the woods, carries the weight low on the hips, moves with you, an alows me to carry a slung rifle. I carried these packs for 10 years in the BLM fighting forrest fires, it is also my hunting pack GREATEST design going IMHO. I have never seen anything like them from the large commerial makers. It is designed to be carried like a huge fanny pack, not up high on your shoulders. It was designed by the men who use it, and it WORKS!

Hoggans packs makes as close a copy as I can find, and, having used this pack, it is a pretty nice.

http://www.hoggans.com/rescue.html

Hot Shot Ruck 154 model is close but not as nice as the one I have from the Jumpers. I have to say i have hiked more miles than most, in all sorts of terrain and these are great day packs and comfortable up to 50# my usual load working fire was 35-50# sometines more if I was running saw. For those of you who can't live with out the silly thing you can fit one of those hydration bladders in it. There is a pocket against your back (made for the shoulder straps to tuck into when they jump) one of the smaller bladders fits in it. The outer pockets will carry 2 nalegene bottles each, and you can reach them while walking. To top all of it off it will fit in overhead bins when flying. I love this pack!

Mark
 
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Good grief don't take things too seriously....
Hey in certain activities I use the silly things too! The trem is coined after a buddy of mine who thinks a mutal friend looks retarded wearing the thing to mnt. bike, as he is rather large and the pack is tiny. He always takes a jab like get that silly looking thing on and let's ride etc....Any how I was just saying it is not needed in a day pack if you can reach your H2O. I worked in alot of REALLY hot places and never had a problem with out a hydration system. To top it off, I have seen people put "all thier eggs in 1 basket" so to speak. A fellow I worked with had a fire pack designed to use a bladder system. His bladder sprung a leak and that was all the water he had for the day. Lucky myself and some others packed extra as it turned into about a 36hr shift. Just saying I do not NEED ONE in MY pack, they are a option. I use one when I ski, a Camelback Snowbowl, great little system cause it fits under my coat, which helps keep water liquid and keeps the legs moving til last chair on powder days. I think they really have thier place, any time it is difficult to stop and drink, ie the millitary, mnt. biking, skiing, or when you do not have a good place to comfortablely carry a Nalegene. I just don't think they are a make or break deal in a day pack. My brother used them in the Corp and loves them, but he also carries Nalegene or other ways to pack H2O. Because everything is breakable!

IMHO
Mark
 
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