Hey guys,
I’m looking for a small pack. I have a blackhawk R.A.P.T.O.R 100oz X-1 pack and I love that pack, I’ve but that thing through the ringer conus and oconus and it has never failed me, but its a bit big for day out and about things here at home and hanging out with the family.
If I can find something like that but a bit smaller it would be perfect.
Thanks.
R.
Kelty Shrike.
Small bag for daily carry in a civvie environment? Jansport, LL Bean, REI, etc.
“Tactical” bag manufacturers certainly have a higher standard of quality to my mind, but you’ll look at least a little outdoorsy if not conspicuous walking around town with one. If you dont care about that, Maxpeditions pretty reliably rugged and they make a variety of compact packs for daily carry.
Kelty Redtail is also a good one, in addition to the Shrike. You can usually find last season’s model for cheap online.
I picked up an Arc’teryx Mantis at REI, which has replaced my Eagle A-III for daily use. If I don’t need the room and the PALS, I use The Bird.
The Shrike is a really good suggestion, too, especially for the price, and you can practically swing a dead cat over your head at REI and have it hit something really worthwhile.
A couple years ago I bought a Northface Recon for use as an actual bookbag while I was in college. If I remember it was $60-80. It has been a good bag and dosen’t scream “tacticool”. Lots of pockets on the inside for small stuff, water bottle holders on both sides, and a decent amount of room. I have used it for school, day hikes, and travel and have not been disappointed.
I have two that I use frequently, an Eagle Industries 3-day pack (in black, no PALS which scream “military”), and a LL Bean pack, bright-freakin’-yellow, both of which are several years old.
North Face, LL Bean, Jansport, Gregory, et al., take your pick. REI.com has a great selection, and REI’s outlet has some awesome deals.
May I be so bold as to suggest a Blue Force Gear DAP pack?
I’m really interested in the organizer capability of this little gem.
The site is down for a rework right now, but Grey Ghost had some lightweight removable operator packs for $60. I have one of the larger packs and it is good to go. http://www.greyghostoutlet.com/
There is a review of the pack here: http://lightfighter.net/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/2756008371/m/20320049663
I have a Kelty Peregrine 29 and it is great and does not scream “TACTICLOOL”. (Link Below) It is not too big yet is comfortable to wear and has held up very nicely. You can find them on the internet for about $50-$60. So price wise it is not bad.
http://www.kelty.com/p-265-peregrine-29.aspx?category=backpacks
I carried a Camelbak Hawg around Disney for a week. Small & comfortable.
I have one of these coming. http://www.argear.com/salomon-xa-10+3-pro-backpack.html Not really tactical, but it was a pound lighter than the comparable Camelbak I was looking at.
5.11 COVRT 18 looks like it might be a good option. I don’t have one, but have had my hands on a couple, and they feel pretty solid.
Kelty Sling Bag. Small looks civy, carries a gun.
I use a North Face Borealis quite a bit. It’s fairly rugged, weighs nothing, an keeps at least some water out when it rains.
This is what I was looking for approximately a month ago and ended up going with the Gregory Packs Wasatch 12. It has an extremely comfortable suspension system which keeps the pack snug to your back. So far I’ve only taken it on a couple of day hikes (3-6 hours) but I am impressed.
http://www.kelty.com/p-264-map-3500.aspx
The Kelty 3500 MAP - it will have you looking like you might be ‘that guy’ without looking like ‘That Guy’. Go with Coyote or Ocean Grey.
Or, look into some of the small light scrambling/bouldering packs. All of the usual makers have several flavors of these. Go to an REI/HTO/EMS and check a few out.
Funny, I just spent a recent weekend there with my HAWG strapped to my back. Just enough capacity to keep myself equipped but small enough that you rarely feel it back there. Mine easily holds a jacket folded up inside and more, in addition to the 3L of water.
Check out the GoRuck Radio ruck
www.GoRuck.com