Luggage Bags and Packs
-
@Cutlasshound , nice write-up! I'm sold. How thick are the spade lock pouches? I'm curious how much interior space they take up. I'm also planning on getting the Stick It, outside pouch/pocket. I've sent an inquiry to MR asking about the lead time for ordering.
Hey mate apologies for delay! Pockets take up a little less than half the pack I would say….. Used it to take the lil man to gosport today and both the pack and the pouches performed exceptionally well!
My mate, who is six feet seven, carried the pack for a bit and said it was the most comfortable pack he has used (and he owns the Tad gear Fastpack litespeed).
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
^Thanks. The first picture is hilarious. You really need to get on edcforums and post it. A little bit of a change from the other pictures of the pack with ammo, radios, and other 'assault' gear. Sometimes I miss my kids being in the baby stage but I don't miss carrying all the stuff.
-
^^^ seconded. but i do prefer carrying my son's stuff over the ammo, comms set and fast ropes that i used to..
-
Just picked up a Tumi hanging travel kit in leather. Did some research and it had the best combination of features. Super nice if anyone is in the market for a wash bag.
-
@Cutlasshound my MR ASAP with Stick-it Pocket should be delivered tomorrow! I got lucky and they had both (black) in stock.
-
@Cutlasshound my MR ASAP with Stick-it Pocket should be delivered tomorrow! I got lucky and they had both (black) in stock.
Glorious news old chap. Damn that's quick! Let me know your thoughts when you get it!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
Big fan of the ASAP. Very versatile pack and the Stick-It has been invaluable. Great place to stash shoes, jacket or smaller items (water bottle and IH hat) clipped to the pals webbing.
-
Big fan of the ASAP. Very versatile pack and the Stick-It has been invaluable. Great place to stash shoes, jacket or smaller items (water bottle and IH hat) clipped to the pals webbing.
Glad you're enjoying it bro!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
I got rid of a lot of bags before moving, and could really do with something new for travelling. As I've said before I've got a profound dislike of wheeled bags. So here are the things that I'm currently considering.
Fjallraven Stubben
The Stubben is a clever looking pack. It's got a steel internal frame, so that it can be used as a seat, and with the side pockets attached it's about 37 litres capacity, and a couple of centimetres (about an inch) wider than the hand luggage "box". It's front loading, which will make it easier to find things.
Without the side pockets it's 27 litres, putting it into the big daypack category. I'd probably get a lot of use out of it as a general bag, whereas some other options would be for holidays only. The downside is the metal frame makes it relatively heavy. If an airline is being strict about hand luggage weights, then, at 2.2 kg, it might eat a quarter or a third of the limit. I'm also not sure where it's manufactured, probably in China, and I prefer to support smaller companies.
There's also a video showing off all the features.
Topo Designs Travel Bag
I like basic bags, and the Travel Bag is one of the simplest carry-on style travel rucksacks I've seen.
It's part of a system, and Topo Designs also sell the Trip Pack, which is a small daypack that attaches to its front.
Plus there are packing cubes that are sized to fit it as well.
Topo Designs are made in Colorado, which appeals, and the size would work well for me. Normally I travel with a 30 litre rucksack. The downsides are that I'm not sure how much it would get used on a day-to-day basis, as it'd probably be a once or twice a year sort of bag, and it's not exactly attractive.
De Bruir Parachuter Bag
Both @trail and arrow and I really like the Parachuter Bag. It's made by a small company in Ireland, and is a really unique design.
It comes in a variety of sizes, ranging from a smaller daypack through to maximum carry on. I'd probably go for the second largest model, which is about the size of the Topo Designs Travel Bag, and then get a stack of their packing cubes to use in it.
The downside is again the same as the Topo Designs bag, namely it's probably an awkward size for day-to-day use. But I think that's just me trying too hard. And it's expensive, at around €600.
Trakke Krukke and Mule
Trakke are a small Scottish company making outdoor gear. They offer the Krukke, which is a 30 litre waxed cotton backpack, inspired by classic, alpinist rucksacks. It'd be a good size for travel, but its smaller sibling, the Arkaig, would be a better daily bag.
The Mule is a large courier bag.
At this stage I'm not sure what I'll go for. The Stubben is the current winner, but I'll probably change my mind at least three times before I order something.
-
Topo is sick.
-
I found a few more interesting brands whilst digging around.
Alpine Luddites Alpinist
Alpine Luddites are a one-man brand that builds reproductions of sixties and seventies Karrimor rucksacks. If you're desperate for a new Alpinist, in purple only, then you know who to call…
I'd go for something a bit smaller, though.
Rivendell Mountain Works Mariposa
RMW have been restarted as another made in the USA microbrand. The Mariposa is a large daypack, and can be ordered with detachable pockets.
@Snowy will be relieved to see that they've got a more individual style for their leather patches.
Truce Designs Large Drop Liner Backpack
The Large Drop Liner is built out of recycled sails or other materials, and is lined with offcuts from drysuits. They can even use fabric you supply - perhaps I should ask @Giles for some of the subpar 25 oz denim…
Once again, made in the USA by a small company.
Modern Industry Drive Rolltop
A bit more high-tech this time, and probably a bit small for what I'm after. But the Drive is a cool bag.
-
You should also check out bedouin foundry….. Hand made in England. Full grain leather, rhino wax canvas, hand screen printed lining, mil-spec cobra buckles. I have the Genghis messenger (first one down in the pics from the website below) and its a beautiful piece of kit.
The roll top backpack they do is also lovely and I will be getting one at some point for sure. If memory serves, all hand made in Lancashire.
The chap who founded the company bikes across India with a brown version of their large messenger. Some pics showing how the fabric aged after been slung on his back all that time….
Article on them here….
http://www.carryology.com/reviews-2/road-test/road-test-bedouin-barbary-messenger-bag/
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
On the topics of bags, I'm interested in a solid cycling backpack. My Timbuk2 Custom's going on 3-4 years and is starting to fray in spots. Certainly harder to handle a life time warranty from the other side of the work instead of just dropping it off.
I've been looking for something large-ish (30-40l max), that can carry a laptop, and is fully waterproof (to carry said laptop).
Mission Workshop
ChromeAre what keep coming back, but am not sold on anything really. Any other ideas???
-
@Cutlasshound I'd seen the Bedouin Foundry bags earlier. I like the Deleris roll-top, particularly in the pimped out SE form, but it's a shade on the small side for what I need.
The messenger bags are interesting, though…
@Snowy I'm not sure if any rucksack is 100% waterproof. The Fjallraven Stubben (and also theirRucksack No. 21) and Trakke Krukke use waxed fabrics, which are water resistant. The Trakke bags are beautifully made too.
That said, there are dry packs. I saw the Boreas Bootlegger in one of Melbourne's outdoor shops yesterday, and that includes a dry bag as one of its three modular options.
