Heavy duty backpack

Oil

Diamond Member
Aug 31, 2005
3,552
5
81
Need some recommendations for a new backpack for my upcoming month long trip to Colombia. Would like something durable that is less than $200. A compartment for a laptop (14") would be helpful as well. Looking to buy from either Amazon or REI.

I don't have any idea on what brands to look at so any help would be appreciated :cool:
 

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
17,082
136
5.11 is a good brand but pricey.
Check amazon for good deals. Also Swiss Pack.

HAVE FUN! BRING BACK COKE!
 

Oil

Diamond Member
Aug 31, 2005
3,552
5
81
Sorry guys, but I'll be working (not drug related) and won't have time for coke :'(
 

mattpegher

Platinum Member
Jun 18, 2006
2,203
0
71
5.11 is a good brand but pricey.
Check amazon for good deals. Also Swiss Pack.

HAVE FUN! BRING BACK COKE!

These military style packs aren't engineered right. Hip belts are totally nonfunctional. Not Compartmentalized to live out of. Poor pocket systems. The loops for modular additions is nice but means you have to buy additional componenents.
Military makes these style packs without any thought for the carriers comfort.
 

IronWing

No Lifer
Jul 20, 2001
73,738
35,609
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These aren't big on style or compartments but they are pretty much indestructible and hold a lot of stuff. Suited more for clothes than hard goods. I've stashed my laptop in mine for flights. I've used mine for two hundred plus camping (not backpacking) nights plus lots of hotel trips with no noticeable wear. Also, they are dirt cheap and USA made.

http://www.fire-etc.com/fssoutofcountybag

OutofCountyBag.jpg
 

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
17,082
136
These aren't big on style or compartments but they are pretty much indestructible and hold a lot of stuff. Suited more for clothes than hard goods. I've stashed my laptop in mine for flights. I've used mine for two hundred plus camping (not backpacking) nights plus lots of hotel trips with no noticeable wear. Also, they are dirt cheap and USA made.

http://www.fire-etc.com/fssoutofcountybag

OutofCountyBag.jpg

Yeah unusual sources are often the best place for solutions to your problems. Theres a lot of stuff on those sites generally considered emergency gear thats actually quite good in your day to day life.

An unrelated example: I took a titanium diving knife on a camping trip once cuz I didnt want to worry about rust and corrosion. Was so nice now its my tool for daily tasks and when I'm not carrying it around its in my trucks tool box. So useful even though I will never go diving in salt water. I also keep Rite-in-the-Rain pads and pens around for general use cuz they are so tough.
 

KillerCharlie

Diamond Member
Aug 21, 2005
3,691
68
91
Really the most important thing is how well it fits. The only thing to do is go to the store and try it on. Buying off amazon is extremely risky.... unless you try the exact model at REI first. However REI has their good return policy.
 

mattpegher

Platinum Member
Jun 18, 2006
2,203
0
71
No. No, they don't.

The backpack will be used as my 2nd bag (carry on)

So do you plan on carrying arround a great deal? What are you planning on keeping in it beside the laptop? Any clothes, any need as a sole bag overnight(s).
 

Capt Caveman

Lifer
Jan 30, 2005
34,543
651
126
Is this something just to take to the office or something you're going to be wearing all day long? To the office, it really doesn't matter, whatever that floats your boat. All day, I prefer the Osprey brand for their suspension systems. And for a laptop, I would just get a laptop sleeve, this will give you more options in backpack choices.
 

Pia

Golden Member
Feb 28, 2008
1,563
0
0
How much space you need? How much weight?
How much distance do you think you'll cover on foot with that pack?

A backpack with too much room is much harder to wield. The more stuff goes in and the more it weighs, the more you have to consider if the pack really fits your back.

I used to value having several individual pockets and direct, fast access to them. That's good for outdoors. For city, and especially a backpack, I would now prefer a structure that is not convenient to thieves. The main compartment should open almost all the way so you can load easier and get to stuff on the bottom while the bag is laid out.

Check out Tom Bihn. Their stuff is handbuilt, decently priced, great quality. Clean lines, functional and much tougher than they look. Choice of colors.

For "tactical" packs you have lots of choice. For example, Condor is on the cheap side and should hold up. Maxpedition gear is bombproof. I would go for some neutral plain color, not camo, because I think looking military/police can contribute to getting in trouble in some places.
 

Oil

Diamond Member
Aug 31, 2005
3,552
5
81
I guess my best bet is to visit a REI when I'm back on land and see what I like
 

velillen

Platinum Member
Jul 12, 2006
2,120
1
81
Really need more info. I use two packs for daytrips (skiing wise) but have also used them traveling (city wise) First up is a DaKine pro II. Decent size. Can fit my shovel and probe easily and still have room for an extra layer, two water bottles (32oz) and my lunch. Plus climbing skins. gets a bit of a tight fit but nothing bad. pretty comfortable as well. Durable too as ive done a fair amount of bush wacking with it.

The Mammut Eiger 36 is my longer day hike pack. Single compartment so might be a turn off. but fits plenty of crap. Shovel, probe, climbing skins, water, lunch, hardshell jacket, extra layer, heavy gloves, climbing rope, glacier gear. All that first easy inside.

Both can be found for ~100 bucks. My vote is to just got to REI and look at the packs. They have everything from small day packs (like the dakine one) to the longer daypacks (like eiger 36...i bought mine at rei) to even bigger packs.

and forget the idea of a "laptop pocket". unless htings have changed youll pay more for one and its usually a meh sort of deal. just get a laptop sleeve IMO. Accomplishes the same thing (ie not much physical protection but more scratch protection) and opens up more packs
 

mattpegher

Platinum Member
Jun 18, 2006
2,203
0
71
The are also a number of nice packs out there that have shoulder straps and hipbelts that fold up into a zippered pocket to keep them out of the way when you stow the pack in a vehicle, or are carrying short distances, becomes a duffle. I got one, that has a daypack that attatches as well, I will check on the make.
 

SketchMaster

Diamond Member
Feb 23, 2005
3,100
149
116
Define "heavy Duty"? If you are just buying this to be able to walk 100ft from your car to the office, then get whatever works for storage. If you are going to be walking around half the day with it strapped to your back then read on...

Buying a pack is like buying a shoe; you need to make sure it fits or you will be in pain with every step you take.

Do not buy online if you don't know what you're looking for! Go to a local camping store (REI or the like) and find someone who knows what they are doing to help you pick out a bag that will fit you; don't buy a bag just because it looks cool or has a million pockets and a fold out BBQ. You can look at the packs that have laptop compartments, but I would skip those and look at good 1-2 day pack that has a well built frame and hip straps.

A quick list of things to look for:

• A frame that fits your build. Most good packs come in different sizes from small to large, so you can find one that fits “just right”.
• Fully adjustable straps. A good pack will let you dial in the shoulder straps so they won’t rub or dig in; shoulder fatigue is no good. (Google some guides on backpack fitting, it will give you a better idea of what I’m talking about.)
• A hip strap that is comfortable. Hip straps take the load off your shoulders and place it at your lower core; also helps keep the pack from sliding around on your back (that can knock you off balance real quick, something you don’t want while on a ledge).
• Places to tie gear to the pack (Accessory Loops). In the off chance you need to carry a small tent or a sleeping bag with you, it’s nice to have a way to strap it down to your pack; look for them on the bottom and lower back of the pack. DO NOT buy a pack that has stupid metal crap on it like Oakley, those things are poorly attached to the bag and will corrode after a while (assuming they stay on that long).
• (Bonus) Hydration pouch. Every pack will have a spot for water bottles, but it IS handy to be able to slide in a camel pack pouch into your bag and not have to awkwardly reach for a bottle every time you want to take a sip.
• (Bonus) Built in rain fly. There is nothing worse than wet gear; doubly so when it’s electronic, so if the pack has a built in rain fly to cover the bag and keep it nice a dry you should take that over the bag that comes in your favorite color.

The guy's at REI will help you find something that works, be ready to spend a good hour at the store trying on packs; also, make sure you try them on with some weight loaded in them.
 
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