College for me is just around the corner and my course load has intensified greatly this semester. I’m taking close to 21 hours with of credit, plus being called on as a supplemental instructor (and it’s my sophomore year). What’s worse, it is between two colleges that are spread out about 30 miles from each other. (No, I’m not planning to hike to each one). My schedule has me trekking both ways twice for three days–not in a row, however.
My current pack is something of a hold over of me being a part-time student/truck driver lap-top holder. It has served me well, but I don’t think it is mission ready for the coming semester; especially since Kempo is part of my curriculum. I’m also doing guitar lessons and a jazz lab, so hauling other equipment (no, not the amp; just effects, tuner, cables. etc) is something to consider.
I’m also looking for this pack to be dumped out and used as a BOB bag, so the customary military colors is part of the idea. Like I said in the title line: multi-use; hydration balder pocket, rugged. But I’m not wanting something that is too cumbersome, and stands out to create too much unwanted attention. Looking for something like a low profile operator pack.
Here is the catch, though: I can’t spend a small fortune for it. Say under $100-120. I’ve shopped CTD for many moons now, had in fact a small pack from them and it did fine, though it was indeed small. I’ve looked at the larger packs, but some of the reviews said that the packs started tearing apart around 50+ pounds. Have any of you seen text books lately?
Dude you wanna spend a little more money on something you may have to live out of. A hundred bucks isn’t going to buy you a new bag, your best bet would be to look for a used pack from a quality maker. Eagle, SoTech, Kifaru etc.
Hit ebay for a LT, Eagle, or TT pack. You can find new to lightly used packs for under $100.00. LT has released their 3-day assault pack in non-mil colors, including navy, burgundy, and forest green. Very useful.
Food for thought: While on a large university campus last week, I couldn’t go a block without seeing Timbuk2 messenger bags in various sizes. They seem to be popular this year.
I got a very nice used but new condition Lowe Pro Mountain 55ltr pack off ebay for around $50 … ninja black;) , ok, ok so less of the ninja but a nice clean black color anyway.
A group of mates did a group buy on this and the insert. It looks a lot like the TAD Gear pack…only cheaper. They all seem happy with their purchase.
Seems there is so much “gear” out there, it’s making my head spin. Hell, just bought the latest AR-15 magazine today and was instantly floored that piston uppers were really coming on the market…and with choices. Seems like yesterday when HK released their M4 back in 2003.
Took a small trip to a local surplus store today. They had a Condor “Ultimate” pack, and a Blackhawk Level III. The Level III was nice, ninja black (and have done enough martial arts to know full black isn’t). $179.00. Wish i could. It also looked a bit cumbersome.
I’m thinking of going with the Paladin Level III. Priced right and enough storage space I need, so far. Haven’t made it official yet. Can’t seem to find one that isn’t Coyote tan.:blink: Mind y’all, I had a pack in the same color and loved it. But not sure of the blending applications (these days I’m so far out of the game) here in Tennessee.
Oh, the abbreviations; could you all kindly spell the companies. Going on a learning curve.
Sorry if I sound like a noob. I seem to be plague with getting lagged behind a generation in something.
The 5.11 Tactical “Rush 12” backpack looks like exactly what I am looking for, for my daily bicycle rides to work. Unfortunately it only comes in BLACK right now. Hopefully soon they will have it in coyote. If black is what you are looking for, the “Rush 12” may work.
There are a lot of quality packs on the market there are even more junk packs on the market. Be sure to get a pack made from 1000D Cordura fabric and it will be good to go.
On the low end of bags, and I know I’ll catch hell for one of them, I’ve had great luck with Maxpedition and of all things, Condor bags (this is where the hell comes from).
Since you’re a student and just want something to beat on, there’s nothing wrong with a $30-50 Condor bag. Maxpeditions, at least the small one I got for weekend hikes have worked well. They’re not the sexy Kifaru, SOTech, Eagle stuff but they’ve held up.
Heck…I bought too backpacks when I did my 2nd trip to Iraq and subsequent trip to A-Stan at the PX from Bug Out Gear and the small tan pack I still use as a school backpack. The bigger ACU one was what I packed for R&R trips and/or longer weekend trips and both are still intact clickin’ along.
They’re probably not going to survive WWIII or when the zombies come, but for now…they’re just fine.