New Hiking/Commuting Pack

Rexxar

Rexxar

Rexxar

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13 May 2010
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Not sure where this goes really, it's more related to the outdoors so i thought sports would be a good start...

I'm After a few opinions on the different colours available, I'm thinking black would be best as although it'd be used for camping and hiking, carrying a tent and the essentials, I would also use it for commuting.

What are your thoughts? I think camo could look a bit "wannabe" 'ish ?



Sandstone/Coyote Tan
smmil-tec_us_assault_pack_large_coyote_amazon_1.jpg


ACU Digital
smmil-tec_us_assault_pack_large_at-digital_amazon.jpg


Black
smmil-tec_us_assault_pack_large_black_amazon.jpg
 
How many miles are you going to walk with the pack? I use Deuter packs and they are very comfortable for long walks and are very good quality.

IMHO those look very tactical, the sort of things those strange doomsday preppers use.

Also a tactical pack in an urban environment may look out of place and could get you stopped by the police (I have seen that happen in London at Euston Station).
 
Good point, don't particularly want undue attention.

This was recommended as a good bag to expand with pouches for extra kit if I'm walking..


Will be walking a good few miles, is there anything else people would recommend?

If I go for any of the above I think black makes the most sense as it'd blend in...

One school of thought I'd if camo attracts people's eye on the train, there's a likelihood thieves will be attracted too!
 
Then i would definitely look for a proper hiking rucksack. You do not want to be carrying any sort of weight for a long period of time in a sack that doesn't have proper support. Figure out what you would need to take, what you would want to take and from that you (or we) can figure out roughly what size you need. From there, go to a shop and try out a few, see what you like. I think Vango have a few good ones around that price, but there is a lot to choose from.
 
The biggest thing I'm looking for is multiple compartments, keep phone, food, map, clothes, wet jacket /wet clothes all separated.... Also the ability to keep things like sleeping bag/tent slung on the outside without it touching the back of my head or swinging around throwing my balance off
 
I use separate packs for work and hiking.

For work I use a bag I can move around my body depending on the situation, ie on an escalator or packed train you do not want a backpack as anyone can just unzip it from behind and take what they want. You want a bag you can easily put in front of you or can be carried low down.

With hiking security is not really an issue so go with a pack that feels comfortable.
 
Good point, I'd like something where the bag can be fully opened out, not filled from the top down as well...

Starting to think I need something that's either expensive or doesn't exist!
 
Best bet is to go into a Cotswold Outdoor/Ellis Brigham and ask for advice. That way you can try the bags on (fit is important) and see them in the flesh. Unfortunately £60 isn't much for a good hiking bag so you may have to settle for the cheapest ones available. I'd usually recommend Osprey or Deuter but both will be out of your budget (About £100+). You may find a cheap Berghaus or similar for that price range (they do good bags and have a lower end as well).

Size wise you'll probably be looking at 35-50L for overnight/long weekend hiking depending on how light you pack and quality (size/weight) of your other equipment. A good shop, such as those mentioned above, will help you decide.
 
Actually got a similar tactical bag pack from Amazon over a year ago and thing has been brilliant, only downside is the rather conspicuous looks but can't fault it otherwise. Taken it as at carry on on over half a dozen flights too, only once got asked to step to the side for extra searching :P

Thing is very versatile, backpacked across Europe with it and currently have bricks in it as I'm training for an endurance race. Back of it as also padded for comfort which actually means you can use it to carry a laptop and not a stitch loose anywhere, infact despite being soaked on more than one occasion can still pass for new! Lot of pockets, nooks and crannies although never bothered with buying any expandable bits.

Basically if you can live with the looks and don't need huge capacity, it will do a lot for they are selling for right now which is circa £20 to £25 depending on the capacity you want.

EDIT: Mine is coyote tan and in hindsight only thing I would do differently is get it in black!
 
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neoboy said:
Actually got a similar tactical bag pack from Amazon over a year ago and thing has been brilliant, only downside is the rather conspicuous looks but can't fault it otherwise. Taken it as at carry on on over half a dozen flights too, only once got asked to step to the side for extra searching :P

Thing is very versatile, backpacked across Europe with it and currently have bricks in it as I'm training for an endurance race. Back of it as also padded for comfort which actually means you can use it to carry a laptop and not a stitch loose anywhere, infact despite being soaked on more than one occasion can still pass for new! Lot of pockets, nooks and crannies although never bothered with buying any expandable bits.

Basically if you can live with the looks and don't need huge capacity, it will do a lot for they are selling for right now which is circa £20 to £25 depending on the capacity you want.

EDIT: Mine is coyote tan and in hindsight only thing I would do differently is get it in black!
Click to expand...


Cheers for that, I had thought camo looked a bit silly but given your opinions on sand too, think I'll get this in black & if it's no good, I'll sell it on!

Cheaper option than the osprey I have my eye on...
 
ramdrive said:
Also a tactical pack in an urban environment may look out of place and could get you stopped by the police (I have seen that happen in London at Euston Station).
Click to expand...

Any kind of rucksack will potentially have that happen - been stopped by police at charing cross and waterloo, etc. half a dozen times or more between ~2003 and 2006 with a run of the mill rucksack and sports bags (albeit was mostly around the time of the 7/7 stuff).

ramdrive said:
I use separate packs for work and hiking.

For work I use a bag I can move around my body depending on the situation, ie on an escalator or packed train you do not want a backpack as anyone can just unzip it from behind and take what they want. You want a bag you can easily put in front of you or can be carried low down.

With hiking security is not really an issue so go with a pack that feels comfortable.
Click to expand...

Potentially good point especially around London, I used to have my phone on a strap as so many people I worked with had theirs slipped out of their pockets on busy platforms during commutes - annoying thing was none of them ever learnt from it and tried to put them in inside pockets, etc. instead.

EDIT: I have the mil-tec 36L in Olive Drab surprisingly well made and value for money but for general use I'd have gone for black rather than camo, green or tan, etc. (sadly couldn't justify 5.11 for something I use 1-2 times a year).
 
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