Friday, January 1, 2021

Does anybody have any opinions on backpacks?

 

Not what I am looking for. This is a TR-6 with bias-plies and wooden spoke wheels. I need the equivalent of a pick-up truck with steel wheels and off-road tires.

I carried a backpack the last few times we waked the dogs. Total weight with ballast (sand) was twenty-five pounds and the day-pack I am using isn't going to hold together if I go much above that.

I want to get up to at least forty pounds and I want a pack with a frame with a bottom shelf. The picture in my head is a pack-frame where I can lash a five gallon jerry-jug of water, whether for ballast or because I need to transport water and then carry securely. It would also be nice if I could use it to carry a laundry hamper (but not at the same time as the jerry-jug). Laundry hampers are the poor-man's pack-basket.

Our normal walk is three miles so it is not like I am planning to walk up-and-down mountains 25 miles-a-day for months at a time. Rugged and slightly heavier is A-OK.

Please spell it out. I got lost looking at MOLLE systems. The sellers assume the buyer already has a system and are selling components. I am starting from zero so I need very explicit recommendations. What are the relative benefits of ALICE and MOLLE and any other systems?

Hundreds of readers pour through the site every day. I am 99.999% sure there are at least a half dozen readers who can enlighten me.

21 comments:

  1. I am not a connoisseur of backpacks, but i do know that 5 gallons of water weighs almost 42 pounds, so that might not be the amount you want to carry. I purchased a small backpack that i can place a bladder of water in, and quite a bit of other stuff, for my car get home bag. On amazon it was about 40 bucks. I don't know about alice and molle, but most everything these days is going with the molle system, i think.

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    Replies
    1. If you were hauling real gallons, then that would be 50 lbs. I still think in imperial, the US then metric LMAO

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    2. 8.33 lb/gal x 5 = 41.65lb. If you want to augment your challenge, just add salt.

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  2. The pack you pictured might make a good grab and go for the car. I have something similar but without the molle that has basic first aid stuff, a change of clothes, a few days meds etc that I use for car trips to tow. When I used to back pack I had an internal frame pack that could hold about sixty pounds. That wouldn’t do what you want. I have seen pack boards with a shelf and a detachable bag that would work for the water can. You could use a military surplus pack board and add a pack like you pictured with a couple molle pouches for small items. Tie it on with paracord and use it as a front pack in an emergency that required water or a load of meat. I have carried quartered moose out with one years ago.

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  3. Replies
    1. Fred: Humping water from one of the local ponds is one of my water back-up plans. That is the reason for five gallons.

      Doug: A pints a pound, the world round. Is there an Imperial pint?

      Ken: I have two wheelbarrows. Carrying is still better on rough ground or snow. Sleds good on snow...and I have two of those as well

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  4. Hi ERJ Google authentic military molle back pack and frame. Can buy new to used at reasonable prices if you hunt around.Would be durable,depends on your price point. Thanks for all you do,appreciate your site,Allan

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  5. I think you want the older 80s era US Army ALICE pack frame.

    https://www.amazon.com/L-I-C-BackPack-shoulder-straps-waistbelt/dp/B000KD3GTE

    It can have shelves attached for packing Jerry cans or ammo cans.

    https://www.varusteleka.com/en/product/us-alice-pack-frame-shelf-surplus/253

    There is probably a site that sells both, these had the best pictures.

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  6. I really like the Swedish surplus pack with frame.

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    Replies
    1. Allan: Thanks

      Unknowns: Alice pack with cargo shelf looks like a strong contender. Pretty much what is in my mind's eye.

      Ron: It looks like Sportsmansguide.com is the source of most of these and they are out. Good looking unit, especially if a hip belt can be rigged.

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    2. Sportsmans guide ain't what it used to be. Gary Olin could not be found for comment.

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    3. Gary sold the company (again) several years ago to a French conglomerate. Local news for me, I've worked in the call center.

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  7. Most of the backpacking world has switched to internal frame backpacks. Kelty was always the big name brand in external frame packs. You can find loads of them on EBay for $30-$80. A high end Kelty was a very comfortable pack for a heavy load, especially if it has or if you add a sternum strap.

    Kelty also made an optional add-on shelf that fastened to the bottom of the frame for exactly what you have in mind. Not sure where you would find one of those, perhaps directly from Kelty?

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  8. Saw this at Wal-Mart:
    https://www.walmart.com/ip/Allen-Company-Rock-Canyon-Lightweight-External-Backpack-Frame-Aluminum-Tan/55552241?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&&adid=22222222227083161313&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=195019212874&wl4=aud-393207457166:pla-312319567185&wl5=9027837&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=55552241&veh=sem&gclid=Cj0KCQiA0MD_BRCTARIsADXoopZhHGw151D7VQSVh-vcdcBZwDbE8xLcvDYjvx7JKVXadNkE9D3r1CgaAsO5EALw_wcB

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    Replies
    1. George: I will keep my eyes open. Something might pop up on eBay.

      Beaner49: That is a fairly cost-effective solution. It also helps me out to see it called a "Hunting backpack frame". That gives me one more search term to zoom in on what I am looking for. Thanks.

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  9. Here you go.

    https://www.amazon.com/ALPS-OutdoorZ-Commander-Coyote-Brown/dp/B07RS4X1MG/ref=pd_sbs_468_1/145-5911958-8265828?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07RX253Y7&pd_rd_r=b4a51b59-b47a-40af-86d9-e7a0346ae596&pd_rd_w=6gTu4&pd_rd_wg=SZ0Iy&pf_rd_p=ed1e2146-ecfe-435e-b3b5-d79fa072fd58&pf_rd_r=2M04RJ93D2FRJGDV8V73&psc=1&refRID=2M04RJ93D2FRJGDV8V73

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  10. random notes...
    - for your specs ALICE set is most economical start. buy in, use it, after that you'll have more knowledge of what works/doesn't
    ALICE packframe, kidney pad, straps, shelf, large/medium packs all easily avail. and you can get original made in 'Murica gear.
    however...ALICE frame is one size fits all. ALICE gear carries load way up too high (I'm 6'2")for any extended carry. but for 3 miles/rugged/slightly heavier, you're good to go.
    - MOLLE is good also, but more $$. However, it will be more comfortable if you're doing long range rucking.
    all military packs put the load up high because you're carrying belt gear, mags, etc. you may need to get to.
    - commercial, in-frame packs fitted to your size *much* better. did Philmont with a Kelty, week and a half hiking 45 lbs plus, zero issues.

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    Replies
    1. Stuart: Thanks. I will take a closer look.

      Alan: Thanks for the been-there-done-that. High carry makes it easier to balance load over my spine. Too low or too far aft becomes a fight with my core-strength. The pond is a half-mile-to-mile depending on the pond. The shelf for the Alice looks sturdy compared to the folding shelf of most commercial units. Your advice about ALICE being a way to get inexpensive experience is a point well taken.

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  11. Alice pack frame for the win. One of the few things the gov designed besides the ammo can and p38 can opener that were genius.

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  12. I've allowed enough time to pass for you to have lots of pertinent responses. By now you realize that my reply's here have a definite sideways aspect to them. While I don't have any packs with frames to worry about I do have day packs for everyone in the family. After loading said packs, I noticed that they were not particularly light. Even without the constant wear and tear of frequent use I find that a loaded bag puts stresses on seams and such. Having played chess with Murphy before I have determined that your best chance is to shoot him before he makes his first move. I've been told that in some circles that is considered bad form,but whatcha gonna do? Getting the bags two to four feet off the floor is ideal but that puts you back to seam stress(or is that seamstress). In any event just hanging the bags from a hook begs Murphy involvement. Reinventing a wheel(not the wheel) appeared to be called for. Laying the bag on the floor I measured two equal lengths of webbing(seat belt preferred) to a couple of inches per end longer than anticipated. Next a strap to support at the bottom, followed by two more to be placed partway up the front and back. I then realized that some moron(me) could some how dislodge the pack to either side,causing it to fall, and cut appropriate pieces to prevent that. As I got ready to sew this kludge together I heard Murphy muttering something behind my back. This worried me as I had no firearm handy to fix that problem. And so, sewing was postponed a couple of days. The design, while not what you would call elegant appeared to be adequate to the task. Sure the braces blocked the pockets on the sides but it isn't like the bag can't be moved,then I figured out that Murphy wasn't muttering, he was snickering. If I had to resort to using my go bag it was likely that taking this newly constructed support with me had merit so as to hang the bag when sleeping or whatever. But if I really needed the bag that would be when it would fail. I re positioned the webbing to allow stitching the support structure directly to the bag. Sorry for the over the river and through...but it occurred to me that this solution could help with your "old"bag. Also if you really need your bag to go, to have to empty the ballast from your old bag in order to use it for an emergency then Murphy says what you need to be in your bag... won't be there.

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  13. Bull Pacs of Idaho makes some serious frames. Pricey, but carry a lifetime guarantee you'll never need. https://bullpacs.com/product-category/frames/

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