cmon fellas... lets hear it.. what backpacks have you purchased that have served you well. i am kinda a backpacker/backpack-fan... i have kelty, ll bean, jansport, outdoor, vaude, and osprey.

the best backpack i have bought has been my osprey.. these packs are just second to none IMO. here is a pic of the one i bought recently. i love this thing. it rides great when i am on my bike and it makes for a good pack to carry in the urban sector or in the sticks...

bundeswehr
army mountain ruck+the square sleeping pad/frame and you have an award winning combo for about 14.99 if you can find the pad in the US
I also have the giant backpack for the bundeswehr that uses the same pad/frame system

From what I hear, Kifaru packs are the best.

i have heard that these packs are very good too <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

i will post a pic when sometime soon when i am a little more sober but i just got this 3-day pack made by "battle lab" at diamondbacktactical.com and i'll tell you it is the bestest,most thought out pack i've ever had and believe it or not i collect 1000 denier packs like i do knifes.i thought my spec-ops "the pack" was good.this is the best pack i've seen to date although i have to admitt i havnt gotten my hands on a kifaru yet but i also didnt have to wait for this pack

i ordered it and had it at my door in a few days.i'm serious,i collect back packs like i do knifes.camebak,blackhawk,spec-ops,eagle,tactical tailor,USGI MOLLE packs and all that good stuff aint got nuttin on this one.

i'll posts pics this weekend

I have got the Cerro Torre Rigi 28L
http://www.trailspace.com/gear/cerro-torre/rigi-28l/
I love it it is a great day pack lots of neat little things about it and the price was darn good too. I have a 3000+ cu Jansport pack too for bigger outtings, I would like a kifaru, but I can't come anywhere near that price justification point, but they sure look nice.

here's the pack i was talking about.....i absolutely LOVE it.

Battle Lab's 3-Day Assault Pack they sell at Diamondbacktactical.com
here's the front with my Emerson Knives skull patch on it.



the back has a material like Blackhawks HAWK-TEX that is very gripy so the pack doesnt slide around on your back,except this material is a bit better.i removed the sternum strap.



......and it even has molle/pals webbing on the inside of the main compartment.i've never seen that in any of my packs.




i dont think this pack can be beat for $170.00 and no waiting period like the kifaru's.

here's the rest of my "collection"

this is my big one for when i'm carrying for two people or just lugging a bunch of unnecessary crap

Blackhawk S.O.F. Ruck.....almost 6,000 cubes.i'm 5ft 9in for size comparison.



an ALI-PAD from HSGI is a must when carrying a load like that.




this is my main B.O.B.,it is a Spec-Ops "T.H.E. PACK"....its a great pack for the money.




this is my secondary B.O.B. tha i keep in the trunk of my car.
Blackhawk FORCE-5 which is identical to their 3-day pack.i got this on clearance for $42.00 when it was around $160.00



this is a Blackhawk 3-day pack and it is where i keep all my knives....it is heavy.i figured it beats a box.



this is the best fanny pack i have yet to handle although i'm interested in one Maxpedition makes.it is made by CSM Tactical.they arent very well know outside of the S.F. and SWAT communities.it is top notch gear which is why those guys use it,made by hand with only a 1 week waiting period and very,very affordable.i've got 2 of these i like it so much.

also in the pic is a great tiny little Northface pack that is just perfect for my 7yr old boy for hiking.

[img]http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/dave9431/image3-6-1.jpg[/img]

Eagle Industries 3-day pack that doesnt scream tactical.no camo,no molle,just a nice pack to blend in with sheaple.


[img]http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/dave9431/image8-2.jpg[/img]

genuine USGE MOLLE ASSAULT pack with sleeping bag pouch on the bottom.i had 3 of these.i got rid of one,am trying to get rid of another and plan on keeping one for me.

[img]http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/dave9431/image7-2-1.jpg[/img]

Camelbak AMBUSH and Blackhawk STRIKE.i got this STRIKE fo $32.00....crazy.

[img]http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/dave9431/image10-2-1.jpg[/img]

Camelbak H.O.A.G.
[img]http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/dave9431/image0-8-2.jpg[/img]

i just got rid of htese two this week.

Tactical Tailor DAY PACK and Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon 2.

[img]http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/dave9431/image4-4-1.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/dave9431/image1-6-1.jpg[/img]

.....and on the way to me as we speak is a Tactical Tailor 3-day MOLLE pack and a CSM Gear ASSAULT PACK.

hopefully next will be Tactical Tailor MALICE-3 pack.

i also have a million different molle pouches to go with all these packs.i get'em cheap by shopping around the Fort Drum ARMY base, home of the
10th Mountain Division which is about an hour from me.

^Wow nice packs.
I finally found someone with as much as me. I have about 15 mostly surplus but with some gems.
Its my other, other, other hobby.

... I'll take a pic of sick pack later.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

i like that......

other,other,other hobby.

i have a few of those.

oh yeah,i forgot i have a med. USGI ALICE pack too.

any of you guys ever hear of Badlands Packs???

they make incredible packs that are mostly geared towards hunting.they really have some incredible designs and are [censored] inovative.they are made in Israel which i found interesting.i really suggest checking them out.they are unique.

here is their warranty statement from their web-site.


BADLANDS UNCONDITIONAL LIFETIME WARRANTY

like most consumers,we have a great distrust for warranties.it would be so simple if everybody just wrote the truth when telling about their so-called lifetime warranties,but then again not everyone can be as straight forward as we are.

we dont care what happened or who's fault it was,we will fix it for free,for ever.we could care less if you bough it at a garage sale or a gear swap,as long as it says Badlands on the pack its covered.all we ask is that you use and abuse your pack as much as possible so we can learn how to make better products.

NOW YOU SEE WHY WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A SHAME TO HIDE A WATTANTY LIKE THIS IN THE FINE PRINT.

THOSE OTHER PACK COMPANIES WARRANTIES

"We are putting a lifetime warranty on this product not because we believe it to be worthy of such a thing but because we figure most people will forget about it after and simply throw the crap we make away.However,for those trouble makers amongst you who attempt to hold us too our word we do promise to him-haw around and do everything in our power to place the blame on you for actually using our products,and then we'll try to weasel out of any responsibility if at all possible,unless of course you are rally pissed and we will see what we can do"

PRETTY HARSH,BUT YOU KNOW ITS TRUE.BADLANDS MAKES IT EASY AND DOESNT LEAVE ANYTHING TO VAGUE INTERPRETATION.

i like the way they do business.it sorta reminds me of the busse kin warranty.

if you hint these packs are the best.they have packs that have slots for a rifle like the Eberlstock packs do but these guys also have one that will hold a bow for archery hunters like me.

those badlands packs are pretty cool, to bad the dont have OD green

recently as a shoulder pack I have been using a old para reserve bag for reserve parachutes
I got it from ranger ricks
I'll take a pic later, the thing is sweet.

yeah,i wish they had other colors.thats why i say their geared towards hunters.
the comfort level is through the roof though.

i wanna see this thing you talking about.

Here is Rick sporting it.


I will take pics tomorrow of mine.
The thing kicks maxpeditions butt in durability, it has a stainless steal frame for gods sake.
Really really really cool.
It cost the government like $500 or something to make. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

where do you get'em,how much and who's rick???

I would love to know more about Rick's? pack?

I like that black Eagle and the Tactical tailor packs. They look not so tactical as to draw attention but are also better made. I believe Tactical Tailor is a Canadian company or at least have a lot of Canadian users.

I am currently using a nice civvie Alpinstars Vader pack. It is good looking and comfy but the design can't bear to much weight or the zipper will give out.
It is an OK city pack but I need a better one. I also have an old MEC pack that is just one huge compartment. It is good for packing big pieces of equipment but not great for daily use.

I need a heavy duty 1 day or assault pack ,preferably black or at least not camo.
If anyone out there has one or knows of a good one new or used send me a PM?

Unsub, Tactical Tailor is in WA lakewood (about hour south of Seattle) I came very close to getting there 3-day pack

I'm an Osprey Convert. I got an Aether 70 last year and love it. It hauls a ton and is (by far) the most comforable pack I've ever owned. Price/performance (especially load carry per weight and comfort) definitely exceed my expectations for a multi-day pack.

That said, I like my Dana Alpine (pre Mystery Ranch / K2 split) even though it weighs a ton compared to packs made today - even for a 5500ci capacity pack. For what it's worth, I think Dana Gleason found it more profitable to sell his bomb-proof designs to the military than to compete in the cutthroat 'outdoor gear' industry in the near term.

Back on topic, my all-purpose day hike pack is an REI Talus 35, which is low-cost, high-comfort, and right-sized for virtually all of my NW spring-summer-fall activities... I might even call it a heavy-duty 1 day pack that isn't camo!

i tell ya what,i keep finding myself roaming around the kifaru site and if i know me its just a matter of time before i order my first kifaru.i just gotta sell some of these old ones first.

my only regret with kifaru is the wait.i am not patient.i have learned to be somewhat following the busse crowd around though.

the accessories that kifaru offers is whats really talking to me.each pack is like a transformer.the add on capabilities are sweet and considering what i spend on knives they arent that much.

northern1,
any particular reason you sold the pygmy falcon 2?

cause i have the first one & the 2 & i love them. never had an issue.
imho it makes a great daypack

i guess what im asking is...
were there any issues ? or anything i should look out for?

or did you just decide it didnt suit your needs?

thanks

Rick is Ranger Rick and the writer of the rangers digest and make of the survival necklace. He is ex-ranger and did private "work" in bosnia and kosovo.
He had them for around $40 on his site but he doesnt have them any more.
I would check aviation suply and colectable stores, ask them because those guys have everything.

Kifaru, Eagle, and Blackhawk. Imho.

wow northern1.... you have lots of packs. nice pictures man.

That ruck is a monster.

+1. It is def. a beast! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I love Eagle packs. Tough as hell and comfortable. Blackhawk is crap made in china from some cordura imitation called nytaneon or whatever that [censored] is.

I got a nice Blackhawk pack on the way thanks to a great fellow Dog. I am really looking forward to it. I am going to put in a new hydro set up so I can drink while on the quad.

everyone has an opinion.

my is that while blackhawk is made in vietnam......not china......it is still a good pack,bottom line.

nytaneon is not a generic form of nylon,it is a corny,hyped up bs name for the nylon they use which is still 1000-D cordura which is all that matters in that field

what is the difference between a eagle and BH 3-day pack other than where its made as far as materials are concerned???they both use 1000-D cordura,National Molding SR buckles and YKK zippers.

the materials are the same but i do admit that the customer service at eagle is probably better and being made in america gives it extra points.

i just sold my force-5 and i'm gonna miss it.i would've taken that over my eagle if i had to pick one.i only kept the eagle because it was black.

my BH cyclone is one hell of a pack.there is no way you could hold that pack in your hands and call it junk.i admit that it is older though and i do wonder about current BH products.

i am not some BH lover,just giving credit where it is due.i have given that ruck some tough treatment and it has worked great.

my overall opinions and i have used a lot of packs a lot of hours.......

i am currently waiting on a KIFARU ZULU and E&E pack.i am sure they will be my best packs.

currently my battle lab pack is by far my best pack.i can not say enough about it.to me quality is something that has to be felt.you can feel the quality in this pack is incredible and the design is also incredible.

i just got done overloading my spec-ops pack this weekend for some backwoods camping.its a descent pack but is showing signs of where prematurely.great pack but could last longer.

i just got a tactical tailor 3-day pack and i dont really like it.i shoul've gotten the eagle 3-day molle instead.

dont know why but i never fell in love with the maxpedition and i have heard some discouraging things about larger camelbaks failing.

all in all the eagle probably is the best bang for the buck since it doesnt look like battle lab is making a 3-day pack anymor

1000D Cordura is manufactured only by Dupont. Blackhawk do not use 1000D from Dupont but an imitation nylon made overseas which is not the same quality. I have heard many reports that the Blackhawk stuff does not hold up, especially the stitching. I'm not sure about the buckles, the BH packs I've seen did not even have National molding buckles. In my opinion, Eagle has better materials, workmanship and top notch customer service (which I'll probably never use). Besides, I have more respect for american companies who stay at home and offer people jobs instead of selling out to the commies for the almighty buck.

This 3 day pack???

http://www.diamondbacktactical.com/Three...CU-P856C27.aspx

Years ago, I used a North Face pack and it was very sturdy. Mine had an internal frame and leather bottom.

My favorite company is Eagle, as they are still made in the USA.
USA numba one, GI.

My main pack is a coyote Eagle 3 day. Both my brother and I have one.
I also have the maxpedition pygmy falcon, which is my main go-to bag for dauily or overnight useage. It is probably the best bang-for-the-buck pack I have.
I like it enough to also pick up an OD baby condor. I have not used it much, yet, except to tote around my loot at militaria and gun shows.

I have a couple of blackhawk packs, among them the phoenix. It is like a 4-5 day assault pack. With the add-on side pouches, it can hold a roo's worth of junk, for a 3 day trip during the winter. That's when weak roo's need lots of clothes to stay dry and warm, plus bigger rounds that go thru thicker things.

I havent had a good backpack since I moved out, been using my gym bag for most walk arounds. However I've never heard a bad thing about T.H.E. Pack from spec ops, so decided to order one of those in over the weekend, I'll update on how it is when it arrives. Awesome collection btw northern1 <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

My pygmy falcon:

The pygmy falcon is my main daypack, for short adventures like hunting Mothman.
This is my Eagle pack. My Mom got it for me for Christmas a few years back; one of the best presents I have ever received:

My Countycomm B.O.B. I like the color a lot. Very low key, compared to any camo, or SWAT black. Also attracts less Sheltie hair:

I'm gona get myself a falcon2.
Anyone have one.

I just got the Blackhawk a couple days ago and I am very happy with it. It is an older style than the one in the link without the Molle or the bottom zipper.
It was also a third the price of the new one and one 6th the price of an eagle.
Now that everyone has stuck Molle webbing on all their packs it is a great time to find an older model on sale.

You have to be honest with yourself about why you need a pack. I use mine everyday but not very hard. If you want a serious outdoors pack that you can carry a lot of heavy gear day after day then spend the cash and get a top loading Kifaru(or similar quality) with a good padded waist belt and an internal frame. I actually have a civilian pack like that and it is awful for the day to day holding my wallet and books in the car stuff.

The Blackhawk would be horrible for having to haul stuff up a mountain but it is perfect for on my motorbike or being used as luggage. It has good (not excellent but good) stitching and nylon. The buckles aren't the greatest ,they are "kifco"
and I will probably swap them for some excellent Canadian army ones I have hundreds of. The main zipper is huge ,it is not a YKK but it is a good zipper and the design is very well thought out. Other than the sage colour it could be a decent civilain pack.

Now that I think about it it is really just a first rate college bookbag with a hydration sleeve in a "tactical" colour. I can see how someone buying this as a serious assault pack would be disappointed but they probably should not have cheaped out. For a really good military pack you are looking at about 250 to 300$ but I bet if you really shopped around and were not picky about colour or which good brand you could get a really good nonmolle one on clearance for 150$ maybe even a bit less.

maybe.........

national molding arent the only quality buckles out their.as i'm sure you know denier refers to the thickness of the material and it abrasive resistance and 1000 is the industry standard for higher quality nylon.

i have an old blackhawk 3-day that has to be around 10yrs old.it is their old style and design.i got it from a 10th mtn guy who had used it while in the army so he did use it.

you may be right about the stitching.it did have a spot where the stitching loosened where one of the side straps came out of which is a weak spot.i do think that could happen to any pack though after years of being tightened to much.

i have a spec-ops pack that is 2yrs old.it is a great design and made of codura.where the pack rides against my back and in other spots it is all fuzzy and faded.i really havnt used this pack much.

the nylon on the older BH pack has worn better considering the amount of use.

i really dont know what this means.

i definately agree about shipping jobs over seas for the "bottom line" and i know BH customer service isnt as good as some of the american made companies.

all in all though i think they still make a good pack.

why is some cordura backed with a water proofing coating that makes it really stiff and some isnt.i like the coated better.

BH,EAGLE have the coated but i got something from CSMGEAR and the coating was out of this world thick.

what do you think of tactical tailor.i like their pouches but arent sure how i feel about their 3-day.it is not coated at all.

on a side note.logan coffey the founder and owner of tactical tailor died 3 days ago.i havnt heard how though.

in the TT catalogs it tells the story of how he created the company and i always found it very inspiring.

never mind.i just googled it.it says he and a passenger died when he was in a crash with his ferrari.

it also states that his brother will take over the business at their web-site.

Man, that is sad news. The only tactical taylor item I have is the pistol pouch that my Thunder Ranch revolver came in. I like it a lot; very high quality.

Roo that is a nice looking bag. I just got done ordering a countycomm EOD UTILITY BAG.

http://www.countycomm.com/minebag.htm


Can't wait to get it. Man i hate waiting. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

hey ROOIKAT.

is that m14 the sprigfield socom version???

either way \,just for the record it is one thing i want more than anything else in this world.i dont know why i just do.

i have a crush on it you could say.maybe an infatuation and havnt even shot one.

WOW!!!!!!

Anyone ever use a TAD gear "FAST pack EDC"?
http://tadgear.com/x-treme%20gear/packs%20main/f_a_s_t__pack_alpha.htm

Looks nice, but so [censored] expensive! They have this package right now that's tempting, but I'm financially tight. http://tadgear.com/what_are_you_packin'_promotion_b!.htm
That comes with the backpack, jacket, undershirt, and tad gear special edition ZT0300 knife. That puts everything at about $134/item...sounds like a good deal, but I still can't afford it.

i have long drooled over everything T.A.D. GEAR makes especially their packs and jackets.

a lot of it is in limited runs and hard to aquire.

now i am still waiting on my kifaru so i cant speak bu i have to wonder how much better it can be built than battle labs gear.i'm sure it is more versatile and maybe innovative but after really studdying and looking over my battle lab pack i dont think something can be built better with strength in mind.

i layed it down next to similar sized packs by blackhawk,eagle,spec-ops and tactical tailor.it hac extra re-enforcing stitching in all types of places that none of those packs have.

on one of their bigger packs the drag/carry handle actually wraps around the entire pack for added strength and durability and i love the molle/pals webbing on the inside of the pack which my kifaru will have.the bottom access opening is nice too.

this is one of those things you have to se and feel in person to actually appreciate and fully understand.i am totally blown away by this pack.i will wait untill i get my kifaru to say it is the best but other than that it completely blows every other manufacturers packs out of the water of the three listed above in design,quality,durability and strength.

much of it is because they are newer but battle lab tactical nylon has gotta be the best kept secret in that industry.i will be getting more.




pictures cant do it justice.the thoughtfulness is mind blowing

the addiction continues to grow...first knives, second flashlights, now backpacks!

northern1, which kifaru you ordering?

I think something in the 1500-1800 cubic inches size is what I'm looking for. Just getting into this and haven't done much research yet, but I'll so far the ones I'm looking at are Maxpedition Condor-II/Falcon-II, TAD Gear FAST Pack EDC, and Kifaru X-Ray. I gotta look into the other brands mentioned.

I was just looking at those TAD gear packs last night MRpink. They look realy good but yes realy steep price. I realy want one of there jackets but at almost 400 bucks i think it can wait.

northern1, is this the battle lab 3 day assault pack? http://www.diamondbacktactical.com/Three...CU-P856C27.aspx

It looks exactly like the one you posted, but no where in the description says it is a battle lab product. Is yours the coyote brown or camel tan? It's on sale right now...I think I may have found my first pack. Do you have any shots with it on your back?

I will be in the Ohio militia in a year so I have been thinkin of a tactical vest.
what do you guys think of this
http://www.actiongear.com/cgi-bin/tame.e...2Fresults%2Etam

listen up my friend.i said i couldnt say this was the best pack out their until i got my kifaru buy i sure as hell can say it is the best pack out their for $150.

another thing.i just got the BATTLE LAB catalog and the 3-day pack is not for sale in it.i think they discontinued it and that would explain why its on clearance at their site.

if i wasnt cutting it close on BLADE funds i would buy another one in a second.

also on their site you will see advertisements for M.A.R.S. GEAR clothing.all M.A.R.S. is is a tactical line of PATAGONIA clothing which is very good stuff.

if you want T.A.D. GEAR clothing check out the M.A.R.S. line at diamondback tactical.they seem to be the only place to find this also.

here is a pic of me wearing the M.A.R.S. R1 FLASH PULLOVER 2.this is my most favorite piece of clothing in mt=y entire life.i had to by 2 of them.for $55.00 it is incredible.

Do you guys know a paint to paint backpack nylon?

huh???.......paint to paint.

as far as that camelbak it is something i thought of for hunting.i want to incorporate the MOLLE/PALS system into my hunting gear but i dont know about UV brighteners in that stuff.i know clothing made for hunting doesnt use any since deer pick up on that.

all in all i have herd some good reviews on them.i got a good look at the spec-ops brand one last weekend at the gunshow in CB,not bad.

you can find interceptor vests around in good condition too.

MRPINK,

here's a pic of the BL pack on my person



i think it looks a little big to me in these pics.i'm 5ft 9in,170pnds for size referance.

as far as which kifaru i'm getting i chose the zulu and i got the E&E pack for an add on.i also plan on getting the XTL {extreme top lid} and a whole slew of other pieces of kit for it.

its a 2800cu pack that i could make a 5500cu or more if need be with all the "DOC'N LOCK" options and pouches.

i can spend 2 hrs on that site drooling.their packs are so versatile.you can havw so many different configurations with just one main pack.

i would suggest getting the omni belt with any bigger sized pack like the zulu.

i figure i'll have it in a month or so if they are true to their 4-6 week delivery time.i ordered 2-3 weeks ago.i cant wait.i hope to lug all my BLADE bounty home in it.

this summers off to a great start and i orderd my first RMD last night.

Thanks for the pictures. I'm going to call them tommorrow morning and ask some questions (like how the BL belt attaches to the pack, warranty, etc.), if all works out well, I'm going to order.

I can't tell from the pictures, but does the backpack have a chest/sternum strap?

it does have a sternum strap.i just had mine off when i took the pic.

i also am planing on buying the belt and wonder how that attaches.

Is there a pouch in the "red circle", where you can slip the belt through? Like the green Kifaru pack.

I was going to order it right now, but came home and saw your post, which states the opposite of what they said. When I called and asked them if it had a sternum and waist strap, she said, no to sternum and yes to waist. Now their office is closed and won't open until Monday so I can't call back and confirm with them. Sucks, because I was ready to order. I hope they don't sell out over the weekend...

Right now the TAD Gear Fast Pack EDC (only Coyote Brown) is on clearance for $185 and I could pick it up since I don't live to far away, but I'm liking the Battlelab better.

well i've been wondering how the hell the waist belt attached.i just went upstairs and really checked mine out and i finally found it.

its not the middle piece you circled.if you look at the black material on both sides of the piece you circled,right where the black ends on both sides is where it is.

see where the bottom section of the shoulder straps connect to the pack?,right around where the SR buckles are?

that opens up at both ends and has velcro in it.

other than that they dont know what they're talking about.it definitely comes with a sternum strap and not a waist belt unless things changed in the last month.the waist belt is sold separately on their site for around $33.00

i think they got it backwards.

if you talk to them again ask them if the 3-day is discontinued.

other than that........BUY IT!!!!

Since they're not open, I emailed them. Hopefully they check their emails even when the office is closed in the weekend. I also asked if they are discontinuing the 3-day backpack. We'll see.

Yeah, I saw the belt they sell, the price is nearly the same as the Kifaru Omni belt. The Kifaru belt just seems more well designed. I'm thinking I should just order the pack and worry about the belt later...

Screw it. I ordered it!

northern1, thanks for all the help.

northern1 makes me want to spend of money.

northern1 made me spend money. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I've been wanting a good backpack, I just got one sooner then I thought.

I can't wait for it to come in. Now I'm trying to decide what patches to get for it.

Hey N1 what size is your M.A.R.S pullover?

you wont regret spending the money,i promise.

i would buy their larger packs but i got the kifaru coming and i only need so many bigger packs.

BFN,

the size is large and fits me perfect.i'm 5-9,170.
hope that helps

again,M.A.R.S. is really PATAGONIA.go to patagonia's web site and type in "flash r1 pullover" and you can get a better look at it.

they only used to have bad color selections in this like really ugly oranges and yellows but now they have the alpha green and the alpha green only and their selling it for $58 instead of $115 like originally.

I got the email back from DBT.

"The 3-Day has a sternum strap, but no waist strap. It can be worn in
conjunction with the BLPF80-2 for waist support. As far as we know,
the 3-Day is NOT being discontinued, it just wasn't featured in the catalog."

northern1, thanks for recommending the battlelab 3-day assault pack. I compared it to some other packs at my local military surplus store and this one is built a lot better. I really like it, but it is a little smaller then I thought. That picture you posted does make it look way bigger, but it should be okay, there's a ton of webbing everywhere so I could get some straps and mount things onto it.

Let us know how it compares to the Kifaru. I'd like to get the x-ray some day.

Nice packs fellas.

Ok gents... I know that this thread has been pretty well explored however I am going to swallow my pride.

I have been camping and hunting all my life. I have been in the Army Reserves now for 14 years. To say the least I have used a TON of different bags but....... here it goes.......I would like to get help in deciding which bag would be perfect for a 3 to 5 day hike. Keep in mind I will be hauling enough gear for myself and possible some for another. Also packing a side arm as well as a rifle. Tent, sleeping bag, knives, food....ect. I hate to ask for help but the choices out there are mind blowing!!

hrmm i guess im BTT'ing this thread...

i take a different approach than the most of you i guess. i have a gossamergear mariposa plus pack made of mostly all ripstop nylon. it has a 3600ci worth of space, top loader only and weighs 23ozs. its the main pack i use for my outdoor activities...ive found i dont really need bomber materials(i usually go for less is more) for my pack as i dont really throw it around...its either on my back or set off to the side. i have field tested it all over the southern US and the only damage it got was from a darn chipmunk trying to eat my muffin!!! if anyone is interested in a lightweight approach to backpacking shoot me a PM!

but this isnt to say i dont have a bomber proof backpack <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> my beloved TNF Lobster. i think it was a prototype model because i cant find ANY info on the web about it. ive had it since junior year in high school (almost 10years ago). and its as good as the day i bought it! id say its around 2000-2500ci of space and a total canvas bomber with heavy YKK zips sternum strap and a thin wasit strap. i like it more than those sling sacks because i can glissade down rough terrain hills without having to hold on to a bouncing pack (ie sternum and wasit strap). its super bomber proof...only bad part is the water bottle holders on the side have stretched out. stitching is SUPERB!! i dont really care for TNF stuff but if you find a Lobster its a keeper!

this mariposa pic is a stock pic not mine as my pack is in my "camping box". but the pics of the TNF are mine! i love packs! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />







EDIT: ok some companies i like: gossamer gear, Zpacks, Dana Designs, mountain laurel designs

Badlands packs have a no questions asked warranty much like the Yards. I have one and am very happy with it for its intended use.

Just checked out thier website the bags have really cool features....just would like more color offerings.

now I wnat a good pack.

I would need a pretty inexpensive one that would fit a smaller person (I'm around 5'8" and 150Lbs) but is still high quality, comfortable and able to carry a fairly signifigant amount of gear.

asking for tyoo much maybe?
I would think their would be a good option out there somewhere.

around the 100$ range?

EMF check out this REI pack: http://www.rei.com/product/778437

Looks like the frame and aluminum support can be removed for lighter weight if you didn't need the reinforcement.

The warrarnty is bar none the best.

I just picked up a day pack made by Gerber. The pack has a rigid type 100 oz bladder that acts like a semi-frame, large resivor area, mesh side pockets on each side, and MOLLE lace so another pouch can be added. The straps seem to be very well padded and there is a waist belt.

I have not had a chance to try this out yet, but I hope to soon. I was able to put all my other walk-about supplies in it and a few other things that I probably don't need but nice to have. I gave 28 bucks for mine at a surplus army <a href="storehttp://www.gerberstore.com/index.php?xpage=itempage&xid=807" target="_blank">storehttp://www.gerberstore.com/index.php?xpage=itempage&xid=807</a>

cool

I was checking out Badlands website and discovered they're right here in Salt Lake City!

I called them and they have a factory store about 10 miles from my office. So yesterday I paid them a visit.

I agree with most of you that I wish they had other color schemes than "real tree" but they are the MOST COMFORTABLE PACKS I HAVE EVER TRIED ON!

No joke.

I am really considering getting one.

However, if someone can show me a pack with the same level of awesomeness in suspension systems then I'll bite.

I'm not a hunter and don't need a pack with a "meat shelf". <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I'm just a sucker for there warranty.

this is sort of off topic but it seems that the TAD GEAR packs are really made by MAXPEDITION.TRIPLE AUGHT DESIGN which is TAD GEARS personal line of gear just designed it.so for a heavy price like that your only getting a more intricately designed MAXPEDITION for 3 times the amount.

TAD Gear stuff is expensive. I got the Dispatch Bag from them and have been very happy.

It is different material than on the Maxpedition stuff I've had(Pygmy Falcon II and Jumbo Versi-Pack).

Just looking at all the sweet packs in this thread and found this while poking around on dbt.Looks like a pretty good day pack.On sale too.

http://www.diamondbacktactical.com/BattleLab-Hydration-Patrol-Pack-OLIVE-DRAB-P2612C2.aspx