Backpack

[snelo85]

Have a look here:

http://www.endicotts.co.uk/component/vi ... it-bags-92

I thoroughly recommend this store.

HTH

TAG THIS!!!

[bettersafethansorry]

let me know what size u are after i still have some military surplus left over.

[lonewolf]

I don't think he's on here anymore, never heard back from him about the backpack I offered.

[preppingsu]

I don't think he's on here anymore, never heard back from him about the backpack I offered.

His account is still active and he visited the forum on Saturday.

[munchh]

Ignore me for a min

[Fallschirmwomble]

Hey guys im looking to get a decent back pack or B.O.B.

I am looking for something that will do an over nighter. Be able to carry a sleeping bag or bivi bag, small tent, among my other equipment. First aid, food, basic tools, extra clothing, stove etc etc.

For a BOB, I use a self-customised medium US army "Alice Pack" without frame - more to keep all my bits together than as use as a load carrier. I don't know the capacity but it holds the essentials. Genuine ones are made in green and US woodland camo.

IMO, it's excellent as a BOB: three large pouches on the outside with the original "PALS" method (MOLLE / Osprey) for attaching accessories. I keep water bottle/mug/brew kit in one, comfort first aid & firelighting in another and shelter sheet & cordage in the 3rd. Lightweight doss bag, bivvi bag, food, etc, goes inside.

Because it's PALS, I can add Molle or Osprey pouches to the outside. The Osprey pouches I fit to the outside is my "survival pouch" (my avatar here), a medical pouch and a customised grenade pouch (for cellphone). All these pouches are secure but come off easily and quickly for fitment on any waistbelt, rucksack or whatever.

If required, it can even take my "Golok" machete because it also has the hanger grommets for British '44 (and obviously US army) webbing. It can even carry an axe which would simply hang through the back of any of the three large pouches.

As I say, it's customised: a half length kipmat fits to where the frame would go (padding the back) and the shoulder straps are knocked up using some very cheap straps I encountered on eBay. I've also improved the original closure straps to proper quick release.

Without the frame, it's terrible as a load carrier 'cause it's too short to be carried high on the back. This means that you're forced to have it low on the back or you can have it high but then it stresses the lumbar region of your spine. I have better rucksacks for hiking, etc: I keep it purely as a BOB at the most.

The one I have been using for a little practice is a 35L Camo backpack. It does it's job well but not big enough to last for a night. With my gear in it already no room for the tent or bag.

I am looking for a camo backpack. I like my Woodland camo and prefer to have it for blending into the forest.

My ALICE pack is an imitation, being in the US "MARPAT" scheme - I call it my "Malice Pack" - but it works very well. You can do what my generation of soldier used to do: dye or spray paint a green version. I'll shoot some pics in the daytime then post here later.

There were only two sizes of these issued, the medium and the large. The large needs the frame.

Alternatively...

There's the 95 Patt PLCE "Other Arms" rucksack (OAR) in DPM camouflage:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291069964461
http://www.amazon.co.uk/PLCE-Other-Arms ... B00GPSMREI

(It's a rucksack, not a "Bergen"...)

Without side pouches:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231142642886

Side pouches with correct yoke:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141182902453

You can often get these without the side pouches for ~£10. At some time, I intend to get one, sew PALS loops then sell my Malice pack.

Benefits:
1) The side pouches detach to make a light scales daysack. (Yoke required) This means that you can stash the pack at a base and go light OR share some of the weight with someone else.
2) It stores nicely as a BOB bag: the shoulder straps are covered with a roll down cover, effectively making it look like a large, heavy duty, closable shopping bag.
3) It uses the same shoulder/waist strap "harness" and internal frame as the PLCE Infantry rucksack which is a good load carrier.
4) Though a lesser capacity than the Infantry ruck, it's designed to accept rolls on the top and (from memory) bottom. There are quick release straps for this. You can attach your tent on the top - being a square shape, it'll sit nicely.

Disadvantages:
A) It has a lesser capacity than the PLCE Infantry rucksack.
B) It's probably not as comfortable, not having the capacity to load above the shoulders (unless you attach a tent as a roll). (That said, last time I was hiking in Snowdonia, I saw another mountain hiker happily using one of these!)
C) Designed for carrying in vehicles with the option to be quickly converted into a rucksack, it comes in one size. (The Infantry version comes in Long or Short back, depending on the wearer's height.)
D) For ultimate stormproofing, you'll need to attach a roll of some sort to the top because it has a zip closure at the top which is covered (I think - from memory) by double baffles.
E) (I think from memory) there are no compression straps behind the side pouches. To stabilise loads and attach kit.

Side Pouches:
These can be carried singly or in pairs. You will need the CORRECT yoke with it's "Support Straps". The yoke looks very similar to the "Main" yoke which is designed to fit to a waistbelt.

Support Straps (if you need to buy them separately):
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271373365233

Correct Yoke:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121267560973

WRONG Yoke:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121267562969

[metatron]

TK Maxx has some fairly cheap well made name brand packs and Millets has some North Face packs discounted and they were offering an extra 10% off in stores today (I think they're closing a lot of stores). Always buy packs in person, you need to try them on.

You might want to avoid military packs as they draw attention, if you don't mind people wondering what your up too they're very good for the most part.