I've been using the Badlands Whitetail Hybrid for 6 or 7 months and love it.



My dad's been looking for one and I think he's settling on the REI Flash 30.



I'm curious what everyone else uses for day hikes. Do you usually stick with one, or are there several you rotate through?

Tactical Tailor 3 day pack in MARPAT. Its one bombproof pack, extremely well made, stitching and attention to detail on par with Kifaru packs.

Is it comfortable?

I know that seems like a silly question but I tend to carry 15 to 20 lbs (9 kilos for you, Bushy <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />) and the Badlands Hybrid feels like a big hug.

kilos? whats that? i hate kilos. Gimmie LB's and inches anyday, but you Americans can keep your Fahrenheit though - i like Celsius

yes the pack is comfortable to wear, although when you start hammering thru woods on a hot day your back gets wet......no ventilation

That's why I wear more technical clothing when I hike. I figure most packs are going to make you sweat and non-cotton shirts will dry off within minutes.

love the expression on your face man.......lol

Thanks! It's covered in thick beard and less fat now. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

15 to 20 pounds for a day hike? YIKES! I've carried less weight than that on many of my two-night backpacking trips.

The Hybrid pack is 4 lbs (it's a tank) and with 4 to 5 lbs of water in the reservoir, 2 lbs for my PSK, some extra clothes and tools it can be 15 to 20 lbs total.

All personal preference of course. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I've got the Badlands 2200, the warranty pretty much sold me. All my Kifaru stuff has been sold.

Yeah, me too!

That's crazy about selling all your Kifaru, all I hear are great things.

MM: The other reason why I carry so much on day hikes...

I'm preparing for a 6-day, 50+ mile hike this summer. So extra weight on each day hike adds to my training.

For the last 25+ years it's been the same bag. A Chouinard climbing pack that was modded by a fellow by the name of Leon Greenman in Greenwich Village. I asked him to add a padded waistband and an internal frame, he did a fine job of it. I've been able to load it up with tent, sleeping bag&pad, cooking gear, knife, fire gear, food, water, collapsible saw(lighter than an ax,candle lantern, other asst. stuff. I had to replace the zipper once so far & the original leather lashing patches have torn so I will have to replace them.

I have a Camelbak HAWG it has been great for the fact it cost me essentially nothing. Though at times I think it is a touch small.

Not sure on the weight I carry but I usually have 3.5L of water between me and the dog, lunch, clothes of sorts and a knife.

Here is a pic it is an 100CuIn (18L) pack

MountainSmith Synchro.

I'm looking at the Mountainsmith Circuit 3.0 for an overnight to multi-day pack.

Mountainsmith makes some tough packs.

wow seriously, just checked out their site, its like the busse warranty of the pack world <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

the only thing i dont like is that it seems they only come in camo <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbdn.gif" alt="" />

The Badlands guys told me they are coming out with solid colors in the near future. They have a demand from hunters in Africa and camo is illegal there.

I may have to trade up if that goes down. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

sweetness!
do you mind saying how much you paid for yours? i didnt see prices listed on ther site

The only way to buy them directly from Badlands is at their factory store in Salt Lake City. I paid $180, I think. You can also get it here with two free items for a bit more. Not a bad deal, albeit still an expensive pack.

The only reason I paid as much as I did for a day pack was because I won about $180 in a "Biggest Loser" competition my office had last spring. Lost 30 lbs in 3 months. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Maxpedition Proteus....

I can squeeze more than I need in the ol' SDS.
Now even better with the new patch. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Nice truck, I used to drive a Z.

I love it. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I still need to pick up some more of those M-4 double mag pouches.
I use those for everything.

That is how I feel about my Super Duty.

Joe,

If you want a great backpack, look into Arcteryx, they make some awesome packs, expensive though. I have a Khamsin 52 been used since 2002 and still in very good shape. Osprey makes some nice packs also.

i love my maxpedition falcon II. built like a tank.

RAT Cutlery is releasing a pack that is very similar to the Falcon. Depending on the cost I may pick one up for my car GHB.

wait, so there no other way to order from them and have them ship? :[

Which pack are you asking about?

ultraday or superday.

seem to hug the body tightly and still enough space to hold the essentials

though i must say the whitetail hybrid is VERY nice, i think i need to try and find some video to see what they actually look like size wise

I wish I had better shots of the pack on me, but I'm 6'4", 250 lbs and it fits me great. You can't buy them directly from Badlands, but there are many retailers that carry them. Even Cabelas has some in stock so you can look at them in person.

They are a bit heavy (I don't mind the little extra weight) but one of the guys who worked there said they have to be in order to go through what hunters put them through. They are tough little tanks. I just wish they had solid color choices and hope they come out with them in the future.

I went back and forth between the Superday and the Hybrid. Both felt the same on my back, but the Hybrid is a bit bigger albeit more pockets then I could ever need, personally. Great packs and a great warranty from a great company.

im 5'8 135 lol

sometimes i wonder if i have a tapeworm because i eat...just about ALL the time lol

Canadian CADPAT Recon Rucksack augmented with surplus pouches on each side.
It has an internal frame, and I've been using it for about 3 years now.
The little stag knife is a 1950's era Robert Klaas and the other is 13 1/2 inch Golok.
The pack cost me $38CDN three years ago. The new updated ones run about $70CDN now.

Haha! I don't think the size will be an issue. You should also check out the Diablo, at $150 it seems as nice as the Hybrid, but weighs half as much, and has an awesome suspension system that takes the pack away from your back.

good lord is all that paracord?!

I'm trying to direct my dad to this pack now...



The REI Ventrui 30. Similar suspension as the Badlands Diablo...



But we'll see.

Nice pack DotD! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

hehe...if you're referring to my post, it sure is. I just put something together
for the golok last week when I had it out so that I could carry it easier.
Haven't taken it off yet. It's 100ft of milspec 550.
Didn't want to cut it just for this.

Cheers

thanks. I wanted to get something more "civilian" but now that I'm
unemployed, it's going to have to wait.

I like the looks of that Venturi!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Cheers.

I got a Eagle A-III and Maxpedition FatBoy both filled with all types of gear.

Maxpedition falcon 2 for the last year or so. Its holding up really well though I would like something bigger

I had that exact same pack, just too small.

yea if the falcon would just be a touch bigger.

hmmm. was trying to surf for some gear. i used to look at a web site all the time that had various types of gear, sold their own line of combat hoodies, all very high end stuff. lots of strider knives and survival gear.

this ring a bell to anyone?

Used to?

I have to admit, I'm liking their stuff. There's just this stigma that comes with that name. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

That and I can't justify spending $200 for a fleece hoodie, I don't care how many secret pockets there are.

Just a "tad" off topic but I thought I'd chime in on my experience with the company I think your refering to.

I have several hoodies, a hardshell, some watch caps, and some firestarters from them. They stand behind their stuff.

One of their hardshells had the "possibility" of some cosmetic issues after many washes. They contacted all who purchased the coat and offered to replace or offer a credit. Even if YOU did not have issues, they would honor their offer because there was a possibility of a manufacture defect.

I had a problem with one of their hardshells a year after I bought it. They had their team look at it to make sure that they knew exactly what was going on. Then they gave me a full credit.

I will continue to purchase their gear.

Their stuff usually goes on sale too. Just wait until a new line being introduced.

I had a TAD of a hard time getting ahold of anyone to get my dispatch bag fixed.

thanks, it took me a couple of minutes but i figured out what i was trying to figure out. i was just a tad off.

I have several, it depends on the activity. Here's the only pic I have of one, my biggest North Face one. I got it at Goodwill for $3. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

This is some gear I brought with me to the park when I was in school.

Here's a quick pic of my most carried pack. It's a Lightfighter RAID pack with my Yard Guard.



Here's another shot of my new patch and my new Novatac. I love it it's an awesome little light.

depends on the weather and how far im and how long i will be gone. if i need something bigger i take my blackhawk 3 day assault pack. if im traveling lighter ill go with my maxpedition condor.

I have been using a Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon II or a Jumbo Versipack (with a stabilizing strap through the belt loop). They are heavy for the size..but heavy duty materials. I don't carry much in them most of the time.

FWIW, the Falcon II and the Jumbo are offered now in a few "bright" colors.

I have used many packs over the years and really like Gregory, Granite Gear, and GoLite.

Since this thread was brought back up I might as well post an update...

My dad just got a Mountainsmith Approach 3.0, we'll see how it does next week.

His is red, the colors look so much better in person then on the web.

I cannot remember if i already posted this.....

Tactical Tailor 3 day pack in MARPAT, with twin 5.11 Med pouches on each side (one holds fire kit, water treatment, and other stuff, and the other holds a FAK)

btw, as much as CADPAT works in Canadians forests........MARPAT just vanishes..........i like it better than the CADPAT

For "day hiking" I use a Blackhawk 3-Day Assault pack (use to be called a "Force 5" when I bought it).

My BOB is a Tactical Tailor 3-Day Plus. The TT ruck is more comfortable than the BHI, but is too big for 24 hours worth of gear.

I created this graphic for another forum I spend a lot of time on.....

I've got the same badlands pack as you but I got it for Christmas so I haven't tried it yet.
My youngest brother has the Diabalo and it is designed to keep the pack off your back to reduce sweating. I think I should have traded for that one since I sweat so bad,
My nephew has the hypervent which he has used for the last 2 years and loves it. My brother loves his Diabalo but it is designed more for the bow hunter then the whitetail hybrid
Expensive packs with an iron clad warranty, a friend of mine burned the side of his pack when he dropped it near a fire while camping and it tipped into the fire. He grabbed it out right away, but it was burned on one side.
He sent it back to Badlands with a note explaining exactly what he did, he also asked how much it would cost to repair.
They sent him a new one at no charge.

Dave the local swap meet occasionally has a guy that sells new gerber packs with the profits going to a local charity. My middle brother bought one last October with a hydration pack. It seems pretty good quality.
PM me if you want to talk to me about picking one up for you if the guy makes an appearance before I head up to the Kamloops gun show next month

Badlands has a new pack out this year that uses the same suspension as the Diablo. It's their lightest pack and holds a bit more gear than the Hybrid.

It's called the "Sacrifice".



Quick review...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgqiUkE-V3U

I use old army shoulder back as my day back. I usually keep in there:
Matches (water proof canteen or similar)
Leatherman Blast
Metal wire
Plastic wire
Zippo
Diamond Sharpener.
Fenix L1T v1 flashlight
1 folded garbage pack
2 folded regular plastic bags
3 assorted minigrips (they're handy)
Miniatury prying bar
Compass
First Aid kit (with space blanket)
Some paper in plastic bag
Water canteen (2nd canteen is in belt if possible)

Enough me to survive in case of emergency 24 hours in nature. I usually keep clothes that are 100% cotton or natural materials in summer and as much wool as possible in winter with as little as possible synthetics.

My small daypack weights approximately as much as Empty AK-47. I usually have my Dumpster Mutt with Bill Sigle mod on belt and ZT 0500 MUDD folder in pocket. Two good knives and good multi tool and skills I learned in army about survival.

I learned in army how little man can survive so I kinda became minimalist but last years I've think to add something nice to have.

Mine's a TAD FAST pack EDC V.4. It's a good bag.

What size hydration pack are you using?

Three liters. It's a mil Camelbak. Works great. I trade it back and forth from the M.U.L.E. it came with.

Have you been using your Hybrid yet?

Just 1 quick trip so far

I've been very happy with mine. I can never wait for the next trip with it.

It calls to me!

Great Pic Joe!!!

Joe, that is a beautiful area to explore. How lucky you are!

Thanks! It was not an easy job getting to those falls. Nearly killed my father on the way up.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" />

It was very nice though and everyone had a great time.

Being unemployed makes it very easy to go out often. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

This is mine, at the moment
http://www.simplyhike.co.uk/products/Berghaus/Freeflow25Rucksack-JetBlack.aspx

Ordered this one and expecting it Monday. Can't wait to get to know it inside and out.

http://www.lapolicegear.com/511-tactical-rush-24-bag.html

Has 2070 cu.in. 34 l. capacity. Flat dark earth is the color I chose.

Just wanted to add a little update since I've had a change to use it on several hikes...

When I'm out on a short hike (usually to the hills near my home) I will only carry water, my PSK (which is basically a first aid kit and a few extras, nothing major) and rain gear. I will leave the Badlands Hybrid at home and carry this:



(Mine has a third row of MOLLE with loop Velcro in-between the webbing.)

It has worked beautifully as a small day pack. Very comfortable and will hold more than you think. I've added some light straps with side release buckles so I can strap a jacket on the outside if it's a bit chilly out. I'll get some pictures of my set-up tomorrow when I have a better backdrop than the floor of my office.

Anyway, I've found this pack online for as little as 25 bucks! The Mil bladder itself is worth $30. It's heavy duty with a bite valve cover and a quick-release insulated hose. I've been using the bladder in my Badlands (and a Mountainsmith Circuit) for 2 years now. It well is worth checking out!

Joe, what model is that?

Doh! Should have posted that, sorry.

It's the MULE. It's an older version but you can still find it. If you do a Google product search and then filter by "lowest price" you can find the one I'm referring to.

(Or PM me and I'll give you a link!)

I used it today and it worked great. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Thanks. I posted about a gerber one a few months back and by the time I got done messing around and tried to order it, OUT OF STOCK! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" />

been using this Condor II for a few years now and it still looks brand new. took it on a few 6-8 mile hikes on my honeymoon in Yosemite.