BerettaNut92
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Techbrute, 
Packs, Packs, Packs! What Pack Do You Carry?
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VaughnT
Member
What do you most experienced gentlemen think of the Eagle Industries line of packs? Their two-pocket hydration pack looks very nice for walking around in the woods, but I'm curious having just read Mr. Huang's thoughts on the matter. Truly, the weather can be most fickle and, rather rudely, give short notice on any changes. I can see how the EI pack might be too small.
Also, as Mr. Graff has brought up, relying on the bladder alone doesn't seem to be the best of ideas. I was just down at the local hunting store and noted that they have a BHI 3-day pack. I also noted that said pack has no external features other than a few straps for holding stuff to the bottom and sides. While certainly large enough for my needs, the lack of external fastening points makes me wonder where I might fasten a water bottle or such.
What I'm looking for is something large enough to take to work (holding clipboard, organizer, lunch and water bottles), but also good for walking around the woods. The BHI 3day would seem to be ideal, except that I'm forced to use the bladder system. If nothing else, the pack would look a lot better if there were a few daisy-chains sewn across the front panel.
To that end, I'm considering the CamelBack that Mr. Skunk (or is that Mr. Abilly?) has espoused. The lines are nice, but how does it work for everyday use.....especially those times when you just don't want a lot of stuff toted?
On option that I am now considering is the Hunter's Vest offered by Eagle Industries. While I'm not big into hunting like I have been in the past, I can see how something like this could work very well for walking in the woods. Similar to a turkey hunters vest, it looks good and would seem to support a lot of gear like a military LBV.
Like a lot of threads on this website, this one has inspired some serious cerebralization on my part. Spending money has never been difficult for me, and it looks like I just might be spending more in the very near future.
Thank you all for your input to date.
Also, as Mr. Graff has brought up, relying on the bladder alone doesn't seem to be the best of ideas. I was just down at the local hunting store and noted that they have a BHI 3-day pack. I also noted that said pack has no external features other than a few straps for holding stuff to the bottom and sides. While certainly large enough for my needs, the lack of external fastening points makes me wonder where I might fasten a water bottle or such.
What I'm looking for is something large enough to take to work (holding clipboard, organizer, lunch and water bottles), but also good for walking around the woods. The BHI 3day would seem to be ideal, except that I'm forced to use the bladder system. If nothing else, the pack would look a lot better if there were a few daisy-chains sewn across the front panel.
To that end, I'm considering the CamelBack that Mr. Skunk (or is that Mr. Abilly?) has espoused. The lines are nice, but how does it work for everyday use.....especially those times when you just don't want a lot of stuff toted?
On option that I am now considering is the Hunter's Vest offered by Eagle Industries. While I'm not big into hunting like I have been in the past, I can see how something like this could work very well for walking in the woods. Similar to a turkey hunters vest, it looks good and would seem to support a lot of gear like a military LBV.
Like a lot of threads on this website, this one has inspired some serious cerebralization on my part. Spending money has never been difficult for me, and it looks like I just might be spending more in the very near future.
Thank you all for your input to date.
Zip06
Member
Eagle Industries makes top notch stuff. Its also made in the USA. BHI, on the other hand, markets obvious copies Eagle Industry products and other equipment and sells at the same price but not the same quality. Go over to Lightfighter to read of the quality of the BHI made in Vietnam products.
Eagle Ind. Rocks!! But there is now a bit of a wait for anything they don't have on the shelf. They're pretty busy stocking up the troops. I have had nothing but sturdy well made products.
I'll give a thumbs up to Tactical Tailor too! He runs a good shop out in WA, he supplies alot of the troops out there.
I'll give a thumbs up to Tactical Tailor too! He runs a good shop out in WA, he supplies alot of the troops out there.
BerettaNut92
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You know...I ripped the strap on my Eagle bag on duty...and I'm a computer technician
I like their stuff though!
As for the camelbak, it has compression straps but still may feel dense and strappy if you don't have much stuff in it....
I like their stuff though!
As for the camelbak, it has compression straps but still may feel dense and strappy if you don't have much stuff in it....
jthuang
Member
My Eagle pack is my first Eagle product so I don't have enough experience with it to give an informed opinion. As someone else mentioned, there have been long wait times for Eagle gear. I ordered my AIII-L pack in May and received it in September.
I agree that relying on the bladder alone is not a good idea. IIRC there was a thread here on Nalgene water bottles or the Camelbak in-line filtration system earlier which had some good material on the same subject matter.
When camping I will take a hydration system and a Nalgene bottle. This is because if I need water for cooking, it is easier for me to go down to the stream and filter water into my Nalgene bottle than into my hydration system. My pUr Hiker's output valve fits exactly into the mouth of a Nalgene bottle. Also, you may need "pourable" water in a hurry (e.g. for fire suppression) and you can't easily pour water from a hydration system w/o removing the bladder from your pack and dumping it onto the fire.
I think there are two options here:
1. Buy a separate Nalgene water bottle pouch and attach it to your hip belt on a BHI 3-day or Eagle A-III pack. This is the one I use:
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=226&prrfnbr=48656
I use this system with my week-long pack and the aforementioned weekend packs.
2. Buy a daypack that has a hydration sleeve AND mesh bottle pockets on the side. You'll have to buy a separate hydration system but you can stick Nalgene or other bottles in the mesh pockets and have both hydration system and bottles readily available in a pack. This is the one I use:
http://www.kelty.com/Kelty/index.cfm?fuseaction=Packs.Home
(you'll have to click on the Velocity pack)
Two mesh bottle pockets, hydration sleeve, stowable hip belt and 1,900 cu in of capacity, for around $60 list. Add a standalone hydration system for $30 and you're still under the $120-140 you'd pay for a BHI or Eagle pack -- sans hydration system! Skunk-approved carbon-fiber type pattern is an added plus.
Not quite as tactical as a BHI or Eagle pack, but it gets the job done. It's not tactical because it has reflective tape on the sides (for nighttime biking) and there are no quick-release drop buckles so you cannot ditch the pack in a hurry if you need to do some fast E&E.
Sportcat
Member
I give... what's a Nalgene bottle?
VaughnT- Mark will do... even my father refuses to answer to Mr. Graff
Nalgene bottles are a product line of NEARLY indesructable placstic and lexan water bottles. I recommend Lexan due to the fact they do not hold smells and funny tastes as much as the other bottles. The old style plastic may not even be available any more I dunno. Here is the site.
http://www.nalgene-outdoor.com/
OK tactical keyboard commando types.... how about your own copy of the Navy SEAL's backpack Check out the BDSB. This was in the works 2-3 years ago when I stopped in the shop in Belgrade, MT. From what I gather Mystery got the contract. If anyone is looking for the ultimate large backpacking pack, or a great pack of any type check out this site, and most his designs will take a hydration system, for those that want it....
http://www.mysteryranch.com
here's the little bit of history as I know it for those that want it...do not take this as Gospel as it is just my understanding of things thru 1 or 2 converations with Dana's people and others in the industry.
Dana Gleason is the Dana in Dana Designs...which was sold to K2's parent company several years ago who despite an agreement with Dana at the time of sale took production out of the USA. At least that is what I was told by one of Dana's people, on the visit to his shop a couple years ago. So as soon as he was out from under his non-competion clause he started The Mystery Ranch Pack Works. When I saw his shop, it was a small operation, making super high quality products here in the USA, I'm guessing it is the same now. Ne uses really neat fabrics and materials stuff cost more but is really tough. To top it all off Dana is one of the best and most respected pack designers in the biz and he has been at it quite awhile. I do not personally own one of his Mystery Ranch packs but a hiking buddy does and I have carried it.... it is AWESOME! I think I will order one for next summer and a planned Wind River pack trip. Because God knows I need another pack.
FWIW
Mark
Nalgene bottles are a product line of NEARLY indesructable placstic and lexan water bottles. I recommend Lexan due to the fact they do not hold smells and funny tastes as much as the other bottles. The old style plastic may not even be available any more I dunno. Here is the site.
http://www.nalgene-outdoor.com/
OK tactical keyboard commando types.... how about your own copy of the Navy SEAL's backpack Check out the BDSB. This was in the works 2-3 years ago when I stopped in the shop in Belgrade, MT. From what I gather Mystery got the contract. If anyone is looking for the ultimate large backpacking pack, or a great pack of any type check out this site, and most his designs will take a hydration system, for those that want it....
http://www.mysteryranch.com
here's the little bit of history as I know it for those that want it...do not take this as Gospel as it is just my understanding of things thru 1 or 2 converations with Dana's people and others in the industry.
Dana Gleason is the Dana in Dana Designs...which was sold to K2's parent company several years ago who despite an agreement with Dana at the time of sale took production out of the USA. At least that is what I was told by one of Dana's people, on the visit to his shop a couple years ago. So as soon as he was out from under his non-competion clause he started The Mystery Ranch Pack Works. When I saw his shop, it was a small operation, making super high quality products here in the USA, I'm guessing it is the same now. Ne uses really neat fabrics and materials stuff cost more but is really tough. To top it all off Dana is one of the best and most respected pack designers in the biz and he has been at it quite awhile. I do not personally own one of his Mystery Ranch packs but a hiking buddy does and I have carried it.... it is AWESOME! I think I will order one for next summer and a planned Wind River pack trip. Because God knows I need another pack.
FWIW
Mark
BerettaNut92
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A nalgene tactical yuppie canteen in stealth black
I didn't know the wait on Eagle gear was that long.
jthuang
Member
Heh, I didn't know they made Nalgene bottles in tactical black. Mine is regular smoke-colored Lexan.
Mine is regular smoke-colored Lexan.Glad to me SOME of us use decent stuff when hiking.
Guys let me implore you: If you are going to carry 30 or more pounds on your back when out hiking etc, get a good pack.
Many to chose from but the ALICE packs arent on the list. Backpack technology has surpassed the ALICE pack and run rings around it.
I use a Gregory(they own Bianchi)Petit Dru for backpacking and a Camelback RimRunner for Mtn Biking etc.
As a reformed(My back and hips no longer hurt)ALICE pack user, I now step down off my soapbox.
Guys let me implore you: If you are going to carry 30 or more pounds on your back when out hiking etc, get a good pack.
Many to chose from but the ALICE packs arent on the list. Backpack technology has surpassed the ALICE pack and run rings around it.
I use a Gregory(they own Bianchi)Petit Dru for backpacking and a Camelback RimRunner for Mtn Biking etc.
As a reformed(My back and hips no longer hurt)ALICE pack user, I now step down off my soapbox.
BerettaNut92
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Justin, for night operations
TechBrute, CB Raid? I thought it was Eagle?
TechBrute, CB Raid? I thought it was Eagle?
Looky what Santa brought...
I'm a little pouch-challenged right now, but that will change soon. I have several on order that should handle everything I'll need. That's the nice thing about this pack, you just stick whatever you want on it.
I'm a little pouch-challenged right now, but that will change soon. I have several on order that should handle everything I'll need. That's the nice thing about this pack, you just stick whatever you want on it.
BerettaNut92
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Nifty! Any organizing pockets and whatnot inside?
Sportcat
Member
I like the fun meter!
Yes, there are two pockets and several lashing straps inside. I'll post more pics tonight when I get home.
There's also a matching suck meter.
www.fun-meter.com
Packs
My largest pack is a large ALICE. I took it with me when I was stationed at Fort Lewis, though I only used it during Air Assault school. My bad...it worked much better than my issued ALICE, whose frame was bent enough to leave pretty bad scars on my back trying out for EIB.
I have a Camelback MULE that I carry with me when out hunting. It carries water, a multi-tool, Steiner binocs, cough drops, an extra light, and a couple of extra rounds of ammo. And a book.
I find using a Camelback makes it MUCH easier for me to drink the water I need. When I began planning to go back to school this spring, I bought a Camelback HAWG, black. It's big enough to carry a couple of text and notebooks, plus sneak the water I want with me into classes.
John
My largest pack is a large ALICE. I took it with me when I was stationed at Fort Lewis, though I only used it during Air Assault school. My bad...it worked much better than my issued ALICE, whose frame was bent enough to leave pretty bad scars on my back trying out for EIB.
I have a Camelback MULE that I carry with me when out hunting. It carries water, a multi-tool, Steiner binocs, cough drops, an extra light, and a couple of extra rounds of ammo. And a book.
I find using a Camelback makes it MUCH easier for me to drink the water I need. When I began planning to go back to school this spring, I bought a Camelback HAWG, black. It's big enough to carry a couple of text and notebooks, plus sneak the water I want with me into classes.
John
45Badger
Member
Christmas was OD.
Not sure how tactical it is (or could be) but ver spacious and comfortable!
It replaces a medium ALICE pack.
Not sure how tactical it is (or could be) but ver spacious and comfortable!
It replaces a medium ALICE pack.
BerettaNut92
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45badger, is that a HAWG?
45Badger
Member
Skunk-
Spec Ops brand. T.H.E. Pack
Follow this link.
http://www.scoutrecon.com/SpecOps.htm
Sorry I got the OD. I know it's a sin. I'll get a black one. Really.
Spec Ops brand. T.H.E. Pack
Follow this link.
http://www.scoutrecon.com/SpecOps.htm
Sorry I got the OD. I know it's a sin. I'll get a black one. Really.
BerettaNut92
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Man...sportcat sent me pics of his BFM...THAT is a bad pack! I wonder if I should wait for next year's models because I kinda want one...right now.
C'mon Techie, everyone knows the Skunk prefers twotone black and white, so I can lay in the center of the road and be invisible
C'mon Techie, everyone knows the Skunk prefers twotone black and white, so I can lay in the center of the road and be invisible
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