day pack pics

[sniperbait1]

Hill people gear Aston house. This is the original version. I think its the best version seems to be just the right size for a day pack with a little room to spare. The ahbc is big and is great for a couple days out. The aston 3 is a good size but I had issue with the side pockets.

 

[NorCalBigAl]

I know Camelbak isn’t very popular in the bushcraft world but anyone into them? I have several and they’ve been great packs! I’ll dig some out and post up pictures later. I’ve been using my MULE for hiking and outings with my kids. I tried bidding on a few other models this week on eBay but lost out on them. I’ve been looking at the HAWG for increased capacity. Specifically the older ones, I like the style and simplicity better. Or maybe the Transformer, I like how it has space to between the main pocket and the removable one. Thats a nice spot to shove bulky things into like a jacket.

What started this all was my purchase of the first BFM way back when. It’s probably 20 years old and still going. It’s got a reinforced frame sheet also, I’ve done over nighters with it and it’s not bad.

 

[bikerector]

I know Camelbak isn’t very popular in the bushcraft world but anyone into them? I have several and they’ve been great packs! I’ll dig some out and post up pictures later. I’ve been using my MULE for hiking and outings with my kids. I tried bidding on a few other models this week on eBay but lost out on them. I’ve been looking at the HAWG for increased capacity. Specifically the older ones, I like the style and simplicity better. Or maybe the Transformer, I like how it has space to between the main pocket and the removable one. Thats a nice spot to shove bulky things into like a jacket.

What started this all was my purchase of the first BFM way back when. It’s probably 20 years old and still going. It’s got a reinforced frame sheet also, I’ve done over nighters with it and it’s not bad.

I find them just okay, but have 1 or 2 still. I usually gravitate to something else for a hydration pack but do like hydration packs quite a bit. Deuter and osprey have treated me really well, specifically.

 

[NorCalBigAl]

I find them just okay, but have 1 or 2 still. I usually gravitate to something else for a hydration pack but do like hydration packs quite a bit. Deuter and osprey have treated me really well, specifically.

I tend to use a Nalgene or other water container over the bladder on most outings. Personally I’d rather deal with getting a bottle in and out of the pack then cleaning/drying the water bladder after each outing. I will say a water bladder is priceless on backpacking trips though. Osprey is nice although I’ve never owned one, always wanted one though. Here is the MULE, the two pockets are a good size and the water bladder portion is alright if you don’t carry much.

 

[Oldguy59]

Here’s a few Camalbacs for you. The black and orange one is my favorite day pack. It’s the fourteener series 24 liters. Going on ten years old.

 

[bikerector]

I tend to use a Nalgene or other water container over the bladder on most outings. Personally I’d rather deal with getting a bottle in and out of the pack then cleaning/drying the water bladder after each outing. I will say a water bladder is priceless on backpacking trips though. Osprey is nice although I’ve never owned one, always wanted one though. Here is the MULE, the two pockets are a good size and the water bladder portion is alright if you don’t carry much.

Rinse, drain, and stick them in the freezer after each outing, take it out a little before you need it so it limbers back up. I learned that from a pro female mountain biker. Keeps the microbes at bay. Makes it much easier to keep using day-to-day if you use it more than once in a great while. I used to use them a lot when I still rode bikes in the winter, wearing them under the jacket so they didn't freeze up like water bottles tend to do.

Most of the time these days I'm with my kids so I'm hauling a bunch of water bottles around, and a hydration pack doesn't share as well, IMO.

 

[Self Reliantist]

2 liter & 3 liter :
Aquamira 3L Pressurized Reservoir, Water Filtration Reservoir, 100 oz. Capacity https://a.co/d/cqMtB5p
Just turn ‘em inside out & run ‘em through the dishwasher, or hand wash.

 

[NorCalBigAl]

Rinse, drain, and stick them in the freezer after each outing, take it out a little before you need it so it limbers back up. I learned that from a pro female mountain biker. Keeps the microbes at bay. Makes it much easier to keep using day-to-day if you use it more than once in a great while. I used to use them a lot when I still rode bikes in the winter, wearing them under the jacket so they didn't freeze up like water bottles tend to do.

Most of the time these days I'm with my kids so I'm hauling a bunch of water bottles around, and a hydration pack doesn't share as well, IMO.

That's a great idea, I never thought about freezing it. I’m kind of in the same boat, I’m always hauling 2-3 water bottles. Plus snacks and anything else my kids need.

 

[NorCalBigAl]

2 liter & 3 liter :
Aquamira 3L Pressurized Reservoir, Water Filtration Reservoir, 100 oz. Capacity https://a.co/d/cqMtB5p
Just turn ‘em inside out & run ‘em through the dishwasher, or hand wash.

Sweet, I never knew that existed!

 

[NorCalBigAl]

View attachment 2246612
Here’s a few Camalbacs for you. The black and orange one is my favorite day pack. It’s the fourteener series 24 liters. Going on ten years old.

If that desert camo one is a HAWG then it’s probably worth what you paid or more. Those are like 150-200 on eBay.

*edit* from a closer look I think it’s a MULE, it’s got a separate pocket up top. The desert camo is still rare though.

 

[Oldguy59]

These work well. Fill ,add tablets,soak and rinse.

 

[Oldguy59]

If that desert camo one is a HAWG then it’s probably worth what you paid or more. Those are like 150-200 on eBay.

*edit* from a closer look I think it’s a MULE, it’s got a separate pocket up top. The desert camo is still rare though.

Yes it’s a Mule from about 2007. I think I paid $25 for it.

 

[NorCalBigAl]

Yes it’s a Mule from about 2007. I think I paid $25 for it.

That’s cool, check the tag on it and see if it’s made in USA. Some of the military ones say “Fastrak Systems Inc” and just under it “Camelbak” Made In USA.

 

[NorCalBigAl]

Since I’ve been watching eBay for ever I finally pulled the trigger on another Camelbak. This time it’s a really early Motherlode, maybe even the first gen of it. If you’re not familiar with Camelbak they have a line called “Maximum Gear” which is all their police, military and other first responder products. This is before the pack started having MOLLE on it so I’m thinking early 2000s or even late 90s. Overall it appears to be in decent condition, just has two pieces of elastic webbing that are stretched and the inside water proofing is getting flaky. I’ll have a good time getting it dialed in and using it. Here are some pictures from eBay.

 

[NorCalBigAl]

Well the pack showed up, seems in decent condition with a few confirmed issues just how it was stated on the listing. There are two compression straps that are missing and the left side sternum strap is missing as well. There is some elastic webbing that’s seen better days but the biggest issue is the flaking coating on the inside. My plan was to clean it or maybe even stitch in a liner. The pack is a great size, perfect for day hikes with some extra room for kids stuff. In typical Camelbak fashion its got their common admin sleeve of the time. The pack doesn’t have a frame sheet or stiff insert but it’s decently padded. The hydration sleeve has simple velcro access and inside the large compartment it has a kangaroo pouch and a small mesh pocket. Other than that the pack is really simple, I love it. I did some searching on the internet and really couldn’t find information on this pack except this website.

CamelBak MotherLode 100 Oz

CamelBak MotherLode 100 Oz

webbingbabel.blogspot.com

On a related note anyone have a solution to cleaning up or removing the coating?

 

[NorCalBigAl]

Here is a closer look at the coating.

 

[mtwarden]

The coating only renders the pack water resistant, not waterproof (true of all coated Cordura)—I wouldn't sweat the coating personally, just get lightweight dry bags for things that you don't want wet (clothing, first aid, etc). I use the ones from Sea 2 Summit—very lightweight and come in wide variety of sizes.

 

[NJStricker]

If you flip the pack inside out you can knock off some of the peeling coating with a stiff brush

 

[NorCalBigAl]

Thanks guys, I’ll try the stiff brush after I wash it. I blew it out with compressed air just to see how bad it was. If it were a dusty type material I wouldn’t mind but it’s slightly tacky which makes it want to cling to stuff. I’m with you, I don’t really rely on water proof gear, especially packs. Even with my good backpacking backpack I still use stuff sacks. I’ve never really invested in super high end gear so maybe I’m missing out but even water proof clothes are annoying. I typically just carry a poncho that fits over me and my pack.

 

[NJStricker]

Some here have used talcum powder to address the stickiness but that might create a different mess

 

[mtwarden]

Tiny Elvis and I snowshoeing while my wife went skiing. Stone Glacier Tokeen

 

[NorCalBigAl]

Tiny Elvis and I snowshoeing while my wife went skiing. Stone Glacier Tokeen

It would be nice if we got some snow here, it’s been a really mild winter this year.

 

[Birddogs]

No snow in Central Oregon either. Been having temps 60-70 this week. Crazy.

My most used pack these days. Made by Bags x Bird out of Arizona. Waxed canvas and tangerine Ultragrid liner.

 

[mtwarden]

Montana hasn’t been much better. 20 degrees above normal and the lowest snowfall total for January ever recorded.

We need one heck of a Spring to save us from a brutal fire season!

 

[NorCalBigAl]

Had a few hours to kill to so I hiked about 7 miles this morning. Had a t shirt on and still started to sweat, can’t believe it’s early February in Idaho. Started at the bottom of these bluffs and then hiked up and around, then back to my truck. It was a good time! Used my Camelbak MULE on this one.