Before You Ask About A New Pack........

[Ken]

We get frequent requests for advice regarding which pack a member should buy. I propose that we use the following “inquiry” as our guide to answering such questions. Any comments or suggestions here?

Okay, you’re looking for a new pack and you want us to recommend one to you. We get these questions all the time here. The more information we have, the better our recommendations will be. Before we recommend a pack for your consideration, please provide us with as much of the following information as possible.

1. What is the gender, height and build of the person who will be using this pack?

2. How much do you expect this pack to weigh empty?

3. Will this pack be carried or worn as a backpack?

4. What do you intend to carry in this pack?

5. What is its intended use? BOB, Backpacking, Backcountry Ski Trips, Mountaineering?

6. Do you prefer a MOLLE or ALICE type pack? Do you know what they are?

7. Where, in terms of terrain, do you intend to use this pack?

8. How long do you expect to carry or wear this pack each day?

9. Do you want a frame pack or a frameless pack? Internal frame or external frame?

10. Are you looking for a pack made of a specific type of material?

11. Do you know your volume requirement in cubic inches and/or liters?

12. Do you require hydration compatibility?

13. Do you require water bottle pockets?

14. Do you want a waist belt and/or sternum strap?

15. Do you want a torso adjustment?

16. Do you prefer top-access, rear-access, or bottom access?

17. Do you require multiple pockets? What kind? How many?

18. Should your pack have a detachable day-pack or fanny pack built in?

19. Do you need a sleeping bag compartment?

20. Do you need a tent compartment?

21. Do you need a rain cover? Attached or removable?

22. Do you need a shovel pocket?

23. Will you be carrying a snowboard?

24. Will you be carrying skis?

25. Do you require gear loops?

26. Do you require ice axe loops?

27. Do you require a built-in Avalung?

28. How much are you prepared to spend?

[crashdive123]

All good questions to answer for one that is looking for a pack.

[Rick]

I agree. It deserves a sticky......stuck!

[Sarge47]

And that, my friends, is why Ken is in "Quality Control"!:sneaky2:

[Sarge47]

Now let's see what you can do about the "survival knife".:cool2:

[Ken]

Now let's see what you can do about the "survival knife".:cool2:

This could take a day or so......... :innocent:

[crashdive123]

If you do, just make it is the 1,188th post of the knife sticky.......since the first 1,187 posts have not seemed to answer anything definitively.

[SARKY]

The question pertaining to external or internal frame packs should be based more on wether you will be on trail or going cross country. If you are going to exclusively on trails, then an external frameed pack works just fine. But if you are going to be hiking cross country in rough terrain and climbing over things (like debris after a disaster) then an internal framed pack is prefered as its center of gravity will be closer to your natural center of gravity.

[vthompson]

That was a very nice post Ken, with all of the right questions.

[Ken]

The question pertaining to external or internal frame packs should be based more on wether you will be on trail or going cross country. If you are going to exclusively on trails, then an external frameed pack works just fine. But if you are going to be hiking cross country in rough terrain and climbing over things (like debris after a disaster) then an internal framed pack is prefered as its center of gravity will be closer to your natural center of gravity.

I agree, Sarky....



5. What is its intended use? BOB, Backpacking, Backcountry Ski Trips, Mountaineering?

and

7. Where, in terms of terrain, do you intend to use this pack?

[chiye tanka]

Now let's see what you can do about the "survival knife".:cool2:

Hey, hey, I'm working it. Jeezzee!:tongue_smilie:

[notlost]

If it's ok I'd like to wake this conversation up.
First I'd be willing to bet that none of you own "a" pack, and right here I'm willing to lighten my soul and confess that I have on occasion owned as many as five backpacks at one time ,A frames, internal frames no frames... . So I guess what I'm saying is that there may be no (at least I haven't found it) one pack if you do a lot of different stuff that requires portage by oneself. I don't know about now but back in the day places like R.E.I that operated out of old warehouses and didn't sell frills, rented outdoor gear and that was one way to try out different stuff, you could find out if it was a backpack , a backache or a pos
Peace

[Ken]

First I'd be willing to bet that none of you own "a" pack, and right here I'm willing to lighten my soul and confess that I have on occasion owned as many as five backpacks at one time....

I have about 20.

[Rick]

Too true. Do I include vehicle bags in that count? Sheeesh.:blushing:

[doug1980]

Looks good but wouldn't it just be easier to tell them to go down to the store, try some packs on, fill them with some weight and see how it feels? I'm just saying. :)

[crashdive123]

Full sized, medium, small, bob, vehicles - yeah 20 sounds about right.

[Ken]

Now duffel bags are another story. There always goin' on sale someplace, and Ocean State Job Lot is always gettin' really neat new ones in, and they're only a couple of bucks, so figure, maybe, 100. :blushing:

[notlost]

Looks good but wouldn't it just be easier to tell them to go down to the store, try some packs on, fill them with some weight and see how it feels? I'm just saying. :)

Well sure, can I do that for 4 or 5 days, throw in some rain, scoot around some dead fall and walk some slippery rocks ?
peace

[Jonesy]

Maybe the admins should lock the "Stickys" so they don't end up full of...stuff

[doug1980]

Well sure, can I do that for 4 or 5 days, throw in some rain, scoot around some dead fall and walk some slippery rocks ?
peace

No you can't but asking someone else how it works in those conditions won't be much more help either. They all fit each person differently.

[Mountain Man]

If it's ok I'd like to wake this conversation up.
First I'd be willing to bet that none of you own "a" pack, and right here I'm willing to lighten my soul and confess that I have on occasion owned as many as five backpacks at one time ,A frames, internal frames no frames... . So I guess what I'm saying is that there may be no (at least I haven't found it) one pack if you do a lot of different stuff that requires portage by oneself. I don't know about now but back in the day places like R.E.I that operated out of old warehouses and didn't sell frills, rented outdoor gear and that was one way to try out different stuff, you could find out if it was a backpack , a backache or a pos
Peace

I have packs for different occasions and at least two with duplicate items... gotta be ready to go, and multi-use :)

[Lorna]

Thank you Ken, the questions are great. It's made me reevaluate what to look for in a pack. Your da man. :clap:

[finallyME]

If it's ok I'd like to wake this conversation up.
First I'd be willing to bet that none of you own "a" pack,

I don't have very many. Right now I only have 4 that are working, and one that is not complete. I am also making one for my son, and I gave my baby sister one of my better packs to use (it is an old habit of mine to look after my baby sister). The army gave me a few, but I never owned them, just used them a lot.

So...how much are you "willing to bet"?

(Hey I know he posted this a year ago and hasn't been back for a while, I am just sayin'......)

[Rick]

Two complete molle packs arrived today. It's the MOLLE II Standard Backpack including a Gen-IV lightweight External Frame, Enhanced Shoulder Straps, Waist-belt, Rucksack, and Sleep System Carrier. I've also picked up a couple of sustainment pouches for each pack. I'll have to see how these guys rate against the ALICE.

[dragon383]

I believe that when one asks about a pack its like asking about the best knife... they want it for survival. thats my understanding on the questioning, that seems to be the norm..... mostly everything is about survival. I find that a lot of times people want to be told what to get. any knife can be used for a survival knife... any pack can be used as a survival pack, there are knives and packs that work better than others. I say... grab a knife and pack that you feel will work for you, use it. get to understand what works and what doesnt, then keep what you like, and change what doesnt work. because a pack costs 600 dollars, doesnt make it the perfect pack, same with the knife.the individual needs to research, research, research. take a survival class or 2, and when you have the understanding, you can answer your own question

[hunter63]

Yeah, you pretty much have summed it up.......
Get what works for you.

[Wildthang]

How about the color of th back pack? There is something about a bright color backpack that just drives me crazy....................pet peeve I guess! I only own backpacks that are a natural color and right now they are camo and olive drab. I guess I just want to be able to travel as much under the radar as possible!

[BENESSE]

How about the color of th back pack? There is something about a bright color backpack that just drives me crazy....................pet peeve I guess! I only own backpacks that are a natural color and right now they are camo and olive drab. I guess I just want to be able to travel as much under the radar as possible!

I tend to go for under the radar stuff in most things except on the slopes and prefer that Mr. B do the same. It's kinda nice being able to spot each other across the way among multitudes of skiers if we get separated.

[Rick]

Being under the radar depends on the environment. I have more danged packs than Carter has liver pills. Most are dull colors but some are not. My get home bag is just plain black to blend in no matter where I am. For my Alice and Molle bags I also have white covers for winter.

[Wildthang]

I bought an old Army issue medium Alice, and the straps on those things are something of a mystery until you finally figure them out. Now I still need the waist strap because it did not ccome with the pack. Considering that I got an Alice in good shape for $10, I really can't complain!

[waynemanning84]

I have a large molle rucksack now Ive had ultralights and a few others. I have to say the molle is really comfy at least for me but as you guys have said its what works for you. I really like the lower compartment for sleep system I use a down sleeping bag so it leaves room down there for cloths and other stuff. I did pick up a couple of sustainment pouches for things I want easy access to. As for the alice pack I like mine it was a large alice but it was no where near as comfy as my molle

[Tokwan]

Well...as inexperience as I may be...I'm only used to the army back pack..as that type has been on my back when I was in the Service for a number of good hard years..without any frames...I own an army green military style Lowe Alpine for many years. Its still good and made of cordura. I have a rain cover which i bought for the backpack if it rains...or just wear my poncho over the bag..no frills. Lately, I found that I do not use this pack often as this pack can take anytime about 60 lbs of packing...as my packing are now quite less.
I use a day pack for my sub 10lbs worth of packing if its for a 2 nighter. I use a Camelbak Mule if I am just hiking for a day with kits inside. The Low Alpine is only used when I am really going for about a week.
When I ride my dirt bike up the hilly trails, I pack everything into my Giantloop Coyote Saddlebag. My survival kit still in a hydration pack on my back.. So...to me..just get that one back pack for long hiking trips and simple day packs for that short trip.. Sometime,, a 5.11 PUSH sling bag is good enough.