Help Me find the "Perfect Pack"

[Boghog1]

I admit it I am a back pack junkie, I am always on the lookout for the perfect day pack, I always seem to fall short in looking for it.
I am looking for something a little more robust than my current pack a Gregory Advent Pro, it is also a bit on the large size for a day pack
I like the looks of the Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon II
But the attached water bottle mesh pockets I would prefer to not have
The Level III Assault pack by Rothco and others that is a knock off of the Maxpedition Falcon II. is too deep I mean that sucker sticks way out there off your back, the Sitka Gear slinger is nice but the single strap is a deal breaker.

My Ideal pack should be at the absolute most stick out no further than 8" from my back, two shoulder straps and not a sling style. a waist belt and sternum strap. should be rugged but doesn't need to be 500 denier courdura nylon

The TAD (Triple Aught Designs) are nice packs but I can't see me spending $200 for a "day pack" I will store a multi tool, a flash light, poncho, canteen or stainless steel water bottle and a Nalgene "canteen" cup, my esbit Ti wing stove, a survival pack of my own creation. I should be able to lash on stuff as needed without too much cursing. room for some spare clothes like a fleece shirt and a spare pair of socks

I found this one but it seems like it is one of those funky wholesale sites
http://www.myhikingbackpacks.com/product/75330416
This is an interesting design but lacks a belt
http://www.amazon.com/Molle-Patrol-...TF8&colid=1FM7SVSNEYMFH&coliid=I35X4YKZ6YDJG7

It doesn't need to be a "Tactical" pack either
I have looked at the likes of
http://marmot.com/products/ultra_kompressor?p=116
and
http://marmot.com/products/kompressor_summit?p=116

But it would be nice if I could also throw in my laptop or at least a tablet, I know there has been a number of recent threads on packs and it got me thinking about a new pack

 

[KMM696]

Looked at Camelbak yet? I've been beating up on a Motherlode for about a year now, and it's held up well. That one is probably bigger than you're looking for, but they've got a range of sizes. Or look at the line of Kelty's that Amron Intl. sells, the Perigrine or Strike might be in your size range.

 

[GMwhiteguy]

5.11 makes a nice looking pack or two. I think they list them by days IE; 72 hour pack. They have good waist support, molle on the front, and compression straps to keep it close to your back. And of course have all kinds of little pockets and such.

 

[Midnight412]

Maxpedition 3-day assault pack. I have one since 2009 and love it. Super rugged, MOLLE webbing on sides, back and straps. Separation for Hydration bladder. Chest strap clip and belt. I wear it for hiking. It's been to the top of many mountains in MA, NH and AZ. Lots of room with 3 zippered sections along with a couple internal pockets. I normally hike it with about 35-40 lbs of gear and it stays plenty comfortable. (I don't need all I carry when hiking. It's more for the exercise of added weight)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[msdamato]

I'm on the same exhausting search myself. Take a look at this http://www.nrastore.com/nrastore/ProductDetail.aspx?p=SA 361 I think I may go with it.

 

[OCB]

I have a Lowe Alpine Cirque 35 Aire that I really like a lot. I'm not sure if they make it anymore, though. It's held up really well through all of my random trips. I also have a large backpacking bag by Lowe Alpine that has held up. Good quality gear.

 

[richc]

A good friend recommended Eberlestock packs:

http://www.eberlestock.com/Tactical Master.htm

Bought one for my son and he loves it. I suspect in twenty years it will look just like new. The build quality is fantastic.

 

[GunGrey]

A good friend recommended Eberlestock packs:

http://www.eberlestock.com/Tactical Master.htm

Bought one for my son and he loves it. I suspect in twenty years it will look just like new. The build quality is fantastic.

That cherry bomb pack is sweet but holy shit stain is that expensive.

 

[Boghog1]

dropping this hear so I can find it again, links are blocked from work
http://www.mainesecurity.com/Contractor_Tactical_Gear.htm

I agree as soon as you add the word tactical the price goes up a factor of stupid, the NRA pack looks interesting, I may just have to modify and old LL Bean pack it is slim like I want but missing some features I would like

This is interesting
http://shop.sandpiperca.com/index.php/gear-packs/soc-5035-gth-iii-3-day-pack-black.html

Another interesting company looks to be american made too
http://www.jtqgear.com

 

[EC1]

Take a look at the REI website. They have a pretty good selection and most are extremely durable.

 

[AllaSnackbah]

i have the TAD bags, they are pretty nice. the $ you spend not so much

 

[Bando_Red]

I've been looking for a new one for awhile. I have one pack I've been using for school or weekend trips for the past 2 years or so. Its held up great, but its too bulky to be handy and too small to carry much more than my laptop and 2 textbooks. Overly compartementalized and really a pain to get onto your back with a jacket on. My small frame and giantass laptop probably doesn't help matters. Its not thats it a bad pack, just not for my needs. I've been looking for a smaller, more plain bag with a single compartment. maybe a duffle that can be worn as a backpack.

 

[Boghog1]

if you are wanting a shtf pack, make certain that it is large enough to conceal your longarm, and have a longarm that can be taken down enough to be so hidden. You can't know if that will be a necssary option, and once shtf, it will be too late to change.

thanks so much for your invaluable input

 

[wyatt1881]

What are everyone's thoughts on hydration packs? Overkill? Carry water bottles?

 

[not new guy]

I have the Pygmy Falcon II too. Those mesh pockets on the side stay out of the way once the tops are cinched, and the bag's slim profile pretty much make them non-issues anyway. It's a nice little pack for hiking. I originally got it to take on a vacation where we'd be walking around a lot, but it has since replaced my other non-overnight hiking backpacks.

 

[Boghog1]

I have the Pygmy Falcon II too. Those mesh pockets on the side stay out of the way once the tops are cinched, and the bag's slim profile pretty much make them non-issues anyway. It's a nice little pack for hiking. I originally got it to take on a vacation where we'd be walking around a lot, but it has since replaced my other non-overnight hiking backpacks.

Thanks for the first hand experience. I wish I could find it local. Also have you found the mesh to be less than durable

 

[derektrance]

Condor "Urban Go Bag"

I Have the Condor "Urban Go Bag" in Multicam :

I Really like it, It has enough space for everything I'd need and is pretty comfortable to wear with a moderate load.
This is what mine holds :

Only thing that is missing is the food besides the cardboard ration bars (Some powdered pancake mix in the top right! lol) which is what I was swapping out when I took these pics.

 

[not new guy]

Thanks for the first hand experience. I wish I could find it local. Also have you found the mesh to be less than durable

No, the mesh is pretty tough, like everything they make. It's relatively heavy - I can't imagine you ripping it unless you're trying to (with tools). The bottoms of the pouches are actually lined/cupped with the same coated nylon material that the rest of the bag is made of, and the way they have it sewn in, they sort of fold up and taper the bottom of the pouches until you jam a bottle in there and unfold them. Without a bottle, and with the tops cinched, the side pockets are fairly low profile.

http://65.48.65.168/images/Hordeviews/pak1.JPG

 

[Boghog1]

I found the perfect pack
http://techcrunch.com/2011/10/17/pr...-cobbled-together-by-soldiers-in-afghanistan/
Now to get a 240B

 

[Nuke8401]

Another Pygmy Falcon II user here going on 2 maybe 3 years? I perfer water bottles over a bladder so I use the bottle holders. It is my go to pack. I have carried as much as 30lbs in it but its not the best choice for that much weight. What I like: expandinble, tough, bungy cords on the botton are good to carry a light jacket. I can't think of any negatives.

 

[Boghog1]

why do you guys all have to be down south.