I need to buy five packs

**Pict** · 05-08-2009, 01:13 PM

I need to buy five packs for my course in Brazil. I want to pick up some form of milsurp pack/ruck. My plan is to buy five of them that I can use for my course and leave packed all the time to cut down on my prep time.

They have to fit...

Shelter: Tropical bag, tarp, ropes, hammock, poncho, sometimes a bivy
Clothing: Night time change of clothes
Food Can: Starvation rations in a 1 liter aluminum pot
Water filter

Personal Gear (carried on person)

Machete & Mora
US Army Canteen and Cup
Compass & Whistle
Fire kit
Mini-mag light
Work gloves
Insect repellent

Keep in mind that I need to buy five of these so the latest release from Maxpedition won't work for me. Any suggestions? Mac

**Pal334** · 05-08-2009, 01:23 PM

Have you thought about the GI Alice pack? It is not fancy, some swear by it, others swear at it. There are two sizes, large and medium and a commercial variant that is small. I always used mine even after mil standard changed. Here is a site with some examples http://www.militaryclothing.com/IBS/...rchy/0301.html but I am sure you can find better prices with a bit of searching. I would think you can get a big bang for your buck with it.

**crashdive123** · 05-08-2009, 01:37 PM

Mac - frame or frameless?

**Pict** · 05-08-2009, 02:16 PM

I need to go frameless on these. I have been using an assortment of civilian packs some with internal frames some external, all way too large for the minimal amount of gear they carry.

Any opinions on the medium ALICE without the frame?

Mac

**Pict** · 05-08-2009, 02:41 PM

Some photos...
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Mac

**erunkiswldrnssurvival** · 05-08-2009, 03:03 PM

i hope you plan to get packs with a floatation device. i have an old army pack that has one and man its nice for swamps and other wet spots, i used mine as a raft once to cross a whtie water river,it did the job and my gear stayed dry. as for where to get 5 of em?mabe LL.Bean, or Cabellas mags.

**chiye tanka** · 05-08-2009, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by erunkiswldrnssurvival

mabe LL.Bean, or Cabellas mags.

L.L. Bean has a daypack called the Bigalow. It's been an editors choice award winner from Backpacker mag. for several years. They're roomier then the average daypack and cost around $80.00 I think.

**chiye tanka** · 05-08-2009, 03:17 PM

Just checked L.L. Bean. The packs are $89.00.
I don't know if that's a price range you're looking in, but hope it helps.

**Pal334** · 05-08-2009, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by Pict

I need to go frameless on these. I have been using an assortment of civilian packs some with internal frames some external, all way too large for the minimal amount of gear they carry.

Any opinions on the medium ALICE without the frame?

Mac

I have used a medium with and without the frame. In my experience, if there is not going to be a heavy load, without frame was good enough. However if you ever have to carry a heavy load, definitely use the frame. IMHO the medium is a good choice, and you can get used for good prices

**crashdive123** · 05-08-2009, 04:42 PM

For the amount of gear you're talking about a med. alice should be fine. You could probably go smaller, but if you can find a good buy on them (I've noticed some good deals on EBay from time to time) they may be your least expensive option for quality workmanship.

**crashdive123** · 05-08-2009, 06:00 PM

Mac - here's some med. alice packs http://west.loadup.com/military/surplus/330.html I haven't purchased anything from them, so can't give you a review of the vendor.

**mcfd45** · 05-08-2009, 06:18 PM

Medium ALICE here. Good bag to get you and your stuff where you need to get and then back.

**Schleprok** · 05-08-2009, 08:22 PM

Medium Alice, no frame.
I'v had mine for over 25 years, it's had a tough life - still going strong.

**Pict** · 05-08-2009, 09:06 PM

Originally Posted by remy

Have "your kids" make their own packs.
You could easily make shoulder slings and whatnot out off ponchos or who knows what...

One more skill...one more accomplishment to be proud of.

Remy,

We do actually do that, but more for hauling stuff on day hikes away from camp.

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I like to use the pack liners for this. They haul a lot of stuff and they pack down small in a thigh pocket when empty. I use this set up a lot to haul water in Platypus bags. Mac

**Pict** · 05-08-2009, 09:56 PM

Originally Posted by remy

Why not turn those into packs ?

Normally we hike in to an area and set up a base camp. Typically this will be a place where we can rig up five hammocks and tarps in close proximity. All the training takes place out of that camp on dayhikes. The packs are really only used to pack in their shelters (Tarp, ropes, hammock, tropical bag), minimal food, and night clothes (dry sweats for sleeping).

Everything else they do away from that camp and they have to carry all their gear on their person or in an improvised sling pack. They also use improvised packs for making water runs as we rarely camp near water.

Setting up base camp that first day is a real lesson in itself. Depending on where we are I often have them strip the camp on the first morning and cache it in the bush. In that case it all goes back in the packs for the day and only comes out again in late afternoon when we get back. Mac

**dezertdude** · 05-08-2009, 10:18 PM

Hey try this guy I don't know what he charges for shipping but he is pretty cheap I bought 4 50 cal. cans for $20 Most places out here in Calif. get 15 to 20 each!!
http://www.100dollarman.com/backpacks.html

**Rick** · 05-09-2009, 08:13 AM

That's a pretty good site. Those are inexpensive packs! Why not head over to our Introduction section and tell us a bit about yourself?

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...splay.php?f=14

Mac - Keep an eye on those liners. Once they start getting old the glue will begin to flake off the seams. They will stink like crazy and you'll get a yellow dust from the glue over everything inside. If you start getting a smell or a fine dust it's time to toss them.

**bulrush** · 05-10-2009, 05:50 AM

Last fall I bought a school pack for $10 at Big Lots. It's the right size for something like you are looking for, and it's surprisingly tough and well made for the price. Though it is red and black. Problem is, you can only get these deals in August to October of each year.

It has nice thick shoulder straps, and several pockets on the outside, including 2 mesh water bottle pockets on the outside.