A lot of the older/established companies like Cabelas have "surplus" sections. There always seems to be a "surplus" store in every town, however sometimes their inventory can be "useless oddities" - dummy drop bombs?
"Skirt this issue" didn't come out the way I meant in the above post. There's always been a niche for those that want the durable gear that "our guys are using" - it's also where a lot of camping/climbing/hiking gear gets ideas and vice versa. Past few years however have seen a great deal of specializiation so there isn't aWWII pack that EVERYONE carried for this generation. Issue gear these days also tends to be HUGE(never mind the 5lbs of....quote) and did I say specialized? So companies like Maxped have come along and have products that meet that niche - not made to carry an NBC suit, elventy billion rounds of ammo, water and food for XX days but provide a peice of gear suitable to a day/3day hike. Some of the older simpler designs like messenger bags still have their place and always will.
ok, I'm done rambling.

I want one of the Duluth packs after looking at this canvas. There is no way I can justify the price though.

great thread Dmelone! im a bag freak except i use a proto TNF Lobster...i love it because it has all the attributes of a tough surplus bag but in a backpack style. and the stitching is superb! (ive had it since 98)

also thank you for posting that marbles compass link...i have some round compass with pin on my packs strap. its a bit cheap although still very accurate! but i was looking to upgrade.

oh no? think of it this way: you outlay a couple hun $$$$ on a Duluth pack. You then carry that pack for 20 - 30 - 40 50 years, and then pass it onto your chilluns....

I used to think certain wool brands were too pricy. BUT, after spending DOUBLE the money on fleece that failed in the field....i learned my lesson...

one word: MERINO <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I wish I could remember the name of the pack my brother used on his trip through Europe. When he returned he left the pack at my house for a summer and I used it. I sure hated it when he asked me to send it to him in Chicago--if he were close I could have "borrowed" it more, but shipping back and forth would not be fun.

Are you helping me take the jump? What wool do you wear?

These folks have a good selection of mil surplus bags.

http://www.shop.hassayampasurplus.com/ca...02?categoryId=5

Check it out.

They are also one of the few vendors I have found that carry the swiss volcano stoves (hard to boil water in a plastic hydration bag!).