Comments on: Buying a Survival Backpack: Military & Tactical vs Hiking & Hunting Backpacks

By: Numansafi

Numansafi — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 15:53:02 +0000

Beth Terry the plastics of biggest concern are the oldest ones like bakelite which are made with formaldehyde and continue to leech it into the atmosphere for years. Fortunately, they are now rare, but at one point formaldehyde-based plastics were even pumped into walls as insulation and would off-gas for years (they would be safe now)

By: Lily wadood

Lily wadood — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 08:37:27 +0000

Hi, sir, I’m a bag junkie. I collect bags like some gals (and guys) collect shoes. I almost got the Mystery Ranch, but in the end, it was the mil connection and the dog that got me to the GR1 and yes, it costs, but hell, it’s the best pack I’ve ever worn in almost 35 military years and you name the number of trails and cities I’ve packed in.

By: Lily Rose

Lily Rose — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 15:52:48 +0000

I’m a bag junkie. I collect bags like some gals (and guys) collect shoes. I almost got the Mystery Ranch, but in the end, it was the mil connection and the dog that got me to the GR1 and yes, it costs, but hell, it’s the best pack I’ve ever worn in almost 35 military years and you name the number of trails and cities I’ve packed in.

By: Lily

Lily — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 14:07:14 +0000

I agree with a lot of the comments and points made in relation to carrying a military-style pack, you do stick out in a crowd… but one of the things that we have to remember in a bugout situation is that you want to avoid crowds and mobs of people. Imho, I have tried a lot of civilian styles backpacking backpacks, but I find that they are not made with the same type of.material or offer the same amount of organization as a military-style pack. in my situation, I will need to be able to carry enough rations for myself and two kids which will put me at about the 30 something pound limit that I will have to carry.

By: Glenn

Glenn — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 00:22:13 +0000

In reply to Dark Space. I have the GoRuck 1 also but it for the stan and used it for almost 10 years in-country and love it. The thing looks new still even though everything has been thrown at it. I also have a backpack issue!!!!! 2 backpacks another bug out 72-hour bag and a shoulder get the hell home bag in the cars

By: Rob

Rob — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 19:14:51 +0000

I don’t think the pack is as important as what’s in it. As long as it has a good kidney belt and lumbar support.
There are too many ultra light sleep systems that are warm for most 30F temps that are 2lbs, and R value sleeping pads that weigh 1lb, and tents under 3lbs. I focus on that, and keep my big four items under ten pounds. As for food, I do a 100 calorie to gram of weight rule. That way I’m carrying the lightest possible food with the most calories. I use a simple alcohol tin can stove, and one quart ultra light pot, Poland spring water bottles, and water purification tablets. Use your head, many items can be multiple use. For instance I use everclear for fuel to my stove, So I can drink it, cook with it, or use it as an antiseptic or to sterilize things. Several items in one.
Because the contents are so light, I can carry a 16lb Alice pack that cost $20 and subsist for 5 days. You could carry a 16lb anything a lot longer than a expensive osprey pack loaded with 40lbs, the expensive suspension system will crush on you just like a cheap one.
Want to save your back? Get the contents of your pack down as light as possible, then choose the pack. You won’t need nearly the pack you think. A lot of the things in your pack you don’t use anyways, stop carrying those things, you run into that with “back up gear” be serious, are you going to lose your knife? Your flashlight? Your lighter? You can have a tiny pocket survival Tin with a razor blade, a magnesium fire starter, a tiny led light in it, heck you can pack a few more little things in there too like a needle and thread. Be realistic, if you lose your flash light you did something really stupid, but if you have a razor blade and a magnesium fire starter you can make fire, you can make light. Your back up stuff can weigh as much as your car keys. A small razor blade can be just as good as a heavy knife if you were to lose your knife. You don’t need a second knife, carry an extra amount of consumables instead if you want the weight, or a completely different tool. Most people haul all that extra crap and never even use it. Think about it, extra weight WILL make you suffer, lack of extra items only present a POSSIBILITY for you to suffer, and that’s largely in your control.

By: Oscar Bravo

Oscar Bravo — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 07:19:46 +0000

In reply to Jon.

Military backpacks* are usually built like that so a soldier can carry his belt kit, or other carrying system, as well as a backpack. Ergonomics are often secondary to utility.

See the Danish M84 or the British DPM webbing and rucksack system, for instance: A great pack that comes in two sizes. The shorter one was popular, because it could easily rest on your back pouches of your webbing kit. The taller one, while “better”, did not work as well with your belt kit. You ALWAYS had your belt kit on, while you often put your pack down. So the ergonomics and comfort of the pack was secondary to carrying your fighting load.

Also, military packs often have some sort of overpacking, lash-on or add-on capability. Someone will *always* show up and give you something big and bulky to carry, on top of your own stuff. So again – ergonomics are put aside for utility.

Unless you have a specific reason for wanting a military backpack, you can get along just fine with a civilian one. Hiking packs are usually nicer to wear than military ones, in my experience. One thing I really, really hate about civilian packs though, is that they often come in highly visible colours.

(* In this instance “military style” backpacks. The 5.11 Rush pack is a civilian product, and I doubt that any real military considerations went into the design. It looks military, though!)

By: Bob

Bob — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 06:48:10 +0000

In reply to Thomas. By "items", do you means little bags of white powder? That some sketchy dude convinced you to transport from someplace to another? If so, please stop doing it. It's illegal, man!

By: anonymous

anonymous — Thu, 23 May 2019 12:35:23 +0000

In reply to animalinstinct. I've heard of pool noodles being used to form a DIY sleeping pad, but never thought to use as cushion on backpack straps - GOOD IDEA !

By: Snickers

Snickers — Sun, 28 Apr 2019 03:34:44 +0000

Anyone remember some 70’s vintage mountaineering packs, specifically Yak packs?