Deleted

[YAFretter]

Deleted

[Nurseandy]

I used a lowe alpine sting (ex Dutch police) for several years for wild camping. Very robust. 50litre main compartment, double pockets in lid and you can get 10litre rocket pockets that zip on either side if you want more capacity. It has a rudimentary frame adjustable back length and I typically carry 25kg which I feel is about its limit.
Covered in molle to strap extra shite on. Mines in black (don't like camo) but they also come in assorted camo.
Surplus stores often have them for £70 plus ~£20 for the rocket pockets.

[Adjee]

It maybe worth considering buying your pieces of kit first.

If you buy the bag first you may end up buying your kit to fit the bag rather than the bag that will be able carry and house your kit.

Just a thought (if that makes sense).

[Frnc]

35-40 litres is a bit small. I think mine is a 50, but because it's a longer back length, it's rated as 55. It has two side pockets, a front pocket, lid pocket. It has a large U zip so you can easily get to stuff. Behind the side pockts is a gap, so you can slide trekking poles etc down. There are small mesh pocket below, to slide them into. It has a bit of molle on the front and bottom. I would strap a closed cell sleeping mat on the bottom, probably.

This rucksack is a Kelty Redwing 2018 version.

I also have a discontinued Decathlon 90 litre rucksack that in many ways is similar to the Kelty.

BOTH SACKS ARE QUITE LIGHT IN WEIGHT. Every gram counts. I think the Kelty is about 1.5kg. Don't buy a rucksack that weighs more than 2kg. Even my 90 litre sack is under 2 kg.

Good makes are the ones sold to climbers and backpackers. But most of these don't have much in the way of pockets, nor the big U zip which is useful for a bugout bag, as it makes it quicker to find and extract items from inside.

Redwing is black, and Decathlon is grey.

This is the newer Redwing 50.
https://wildbounds.com/products/redwing ... ck-asphalt

[Adjee]

Forgot to mention, my main back pack now is the Savotta Jääkäri with several additional pouches making it flexible to suit the situation and what I wish to carry (that is the advantage of PALS/Molle webbing). Rock solid but slightly more expensive. Only issue for me was the shoulder straps but that was easily resolved with some extra slip on on padding.

[Frnc]

Question is, what are you expecting to be carrying? Multi-day camping gear and food, or just survival basics.

Mine has camping gear. It's pretty minimalist. I have a small single skin tent with a double skin porch. Sleeping bag is not very thick (Primaloft though), only comes just past my waist (sleep wearing insulated jacket), and packs down to not much more than the size of my fist. I have a 1.1 litre pot, and the stove and gas fit inside. I have the lightest airbed you can buy, short version (shoulders to knees for me).

[pseudonym]

Try before you buy.

Hit a military surplus store or a Go Outdoors and try them on for fit and comfort. Get an idea of cost, then try ebay for a good deal.

I like Berghaus, had one in the Military for over 20 years until I and it were retired, replaced it with a Vintage one that predated the original one.

[Frnc]

Try before you buy.

Hit a military surplus store or a Go Outdoors and try them on for fit and comfort. Get an idea of cost, then try ebay for a good deal.

I like Berghaus, had one in the Military for over 20 years until I and it were retired, replaced it with a Vintage one that predated the original one.

Berghaus (9).JPG

Scorpion.jpg

I used a 60l Berghaus for backpacking and climbing for about 15 years. But they don't make large packs now, unless they do special ones for the army. They only have 30 litre ones on their website. I have two of them actually, a Freeflow and an Arrow. The Arrow has no frame. I use this one for groceries shopping. It doesn't have much padding either, so can end up with something sticking in my back. Fortunately it's only a short walk.

The Freeflow has no pockets. I got this one for my bike, but I use a pannier now, so it doesn't get used. This has a frame and as the name implies, a gap between the pack and your back. Maybe I should swap, and use it for shopping. These are £160 list price, quite expensive for the size. I only paid £54, in 2020.

[YAFretter]

Deleted

[pseudonym]

Snip> I keep seeing cheaper Highlander gear on army surplus sites. I take it that this is just creative marketing and the packs aren't actually ex-forces.

Units will buy civilian packs and clothing for Adventurous Training Courses.