Need a Bushcraft Backpack


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everglade blade

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i'm looking for a new bushcraft backpack. i want something light, durable and that will be for mostly dayhikes, along with 1-3 day trips. I like the traditional looking bushcraft backpacks. Any suggestions?
 
How much do you want to spend.

Small enough for dayhike, big enough for 3-days (excluding very cold weather), traditional looking, and CHEAP, will almost certainly give a response of: Medium ALICE pack.

There's a lot of options, depending on how much you are willing to spend.
 
everglade blade said:
i'm looking for a new bushcraft backpack. i want something light, durable and that will be for mostly dayhikes, along with 1-3 day trips. I like the traditional looking bushcraft backpacks. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Duluth Pack makes several "traditional" (i.e. canvas) backpacks and daypacks you could choose from, although they are quite pricey ($200-300+). Being canvas, they might fail your idea of "light", though.
 
At the lighter end of the spectrum, the ULA Circuit or Conduit may be what you're looking for. GoLite Jam or Jam II might also work. Not cheap or traditional looking though.

Croatoan just did a review of his new Frost River pack, iirc.

edit: maybe i didn't recall correctly... it was KerriTM
http://bushcraftusa.com/forum/showpost.php?p=977840&postcount=1
 
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I made one of these http://www.primitiveways.com/pack_frame.html and added a couple of cross members.

I already had a soft back pack and a fanny pack so I just lash those on in whatever combination I need along with a bed roll or whatever.

One nice thing about it is that I can use each piece individually. I only use the frame to carry it all at once.
 
It isn't traditional looking, but I have the Kelty Redwing 50. 3100cu in, 3lbs 9oz, internal frame with removable waist strap, and alot of pockets. I got mine from Campmor for about $90
 
+2 on the condor, but that Frosr river that KerriTM was sporting has caught my eye!
 
It may be a bit of a challenge finding a pack that will do daytrips and 3 day hikes both well. I have an REI Lookout 40 that I have used for multi-day summer trips.
I will second the recommendation of the Redwing. I've borrowed one from a friend a few times and that is a great pack.
 
I'm still using the ALICE rigs here. I have 2 packs, a large, and med, as the frame fits both packs. The med can be carried using only straps. The large MUST use the frame. These things are light enough, cheap enough, and sturdy enough for any situation that I run into.
 
For low $ and just about endless ways to mod - can't beat the old girl ALICE. :)
we use a bunch of 'em in our family - even works fine w/o a frame if you learn to pack it right!

Maxped is well built stuff - and you'll always have good resale

I like the Molle ii stuff a lot - and it comes in great colors for the woods already! lol.
(my stuff is woodland camo)
.
 
What's your budget I have a few things from frost river that id highly recommend and know a few guys on here that have other products from them that they highly recommend and if they don't have what you want duluth pack is very similar both are brands that come highly recommended. Of course there's always the milsurp alice pack that caan be used for day hikes all the way to a week living in the woods. A nylon ruck will be the lightest out of these but I don't think my giant canvas bushcraft pack is all that heavy empty either
 
I agree with what a lot of others have said. Can't go wrong with ALICE.
I also tend to agree that a day hike bag will likely be separate from a 3 day bag. Give us some more info and we can help you get it narrowed down. : )
 
Take a look at the traditional style rucksacks made
by Cooke Custom Sewing. Reasonable price, modern materials, light weight and traditional design. Also the 'canoe packs' by Granite Gear.
 
I'd go for an LL Bean Bigelow Mountain Daypack. I bought one of these last autumn and have been using it all winter, it is an exceptional pack for the size and price.
 
I have a maxped falcon II, great for day trips but for 3 days it would be tight. I could do it because im in Florida so clothing is light along with sleep gear , northern climate in the cold, no way for 3 days. But they are modular so you can add small packs to the molle to add compartments and additional storage.
 
x39 said:
I'd go for an LL Bean Bigelow Mountain Daypack. I bought one of these last autumn and have been using it all winter, it is an exceptional pack for the size and price.
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That Bigelow pack just went on sale, fyi. Now only $60.
 
I love my Italian rucksack! Don't know if there's really enough room for a 3 nighter, but certainly overnight or day hike. Mod it with a few different buckles, add some flair to it, whatever! They're very traditional looking, and run about $20-&30.

Good luck!
 
Scour your local flea markets, goodwill, and salvation army for an old ALICE pack. Should be under $10 and will last the rest of your life :D
 
I'll recommend the surplus Italian rucksack that's been floating around for about 25 dollars. I got mine from SwissLink. Fantastic design and construction, made from treated canvas. Very traditional look.
 
this is what i use for everything. Work , bush, man purse my wife calls it. paid 50 bucks for it on ebay mildly used.

bagkd.jpg
 
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What did you pick?

Let us know what you find. I am like you---torn between light and fast & more traditional materials. Haven't found the perfect thing yet. Using a Granite Gear Ozone pack for most things.
 
I use an ALICE Pack, and supplement it with a water bottle holder similar to this on shoulder strap:
0325g_117_general.jpg


I paid $24 for my complete Medium ALICE pack. Thats hard to beat for a good pack.
 
German or Swiss canvas packs.

I gave seven dollars each for 5 German canvas packs that had waterproofed bottoms etc. They are wonderful for 3 days or less. With skills I can go to the woods with that pack and a blanket tied to it and stay about as much / long as i want.

The swiss ones are nice also. sportsman guide had them for cheap not long ago.
 
if you want a traditional pack, check out Frost River. They are very expensive, but, you will never have to buy another pack, probably in your lifetime.
http://www.frostriver.com/

If you want to go a little cheaper but still withing the traditional category, check out Alder Stream Canvas
http://alderstream.wcha.org/packs.html

And lastly, though these are anything but traditional, check out Maxpedition. They make bomb proof nylon gear. Its very durable and water resistant, they have packs and bags of all sizes, and each piece of gear is highly customizable because they all have Molle straps, loops, tie downs, compression straps, etc... on them.
I own a Maxpedition Condor II, and i love it. Ive attached another Maxpedition pouch to the front, and some USGI gear that fits on perfectly with Alice clips. I highly recommend Maxpedition.
http://www.maxpedition.com/
 
everglade blade said:
i'm looking for a new bushcraft backpack. i want something light, durable and that will be for mostly dayhikes, along with 1-3 day trips. I like the traditional looking bushcraft backpacks. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

I am in the process of making one for myself out of a couple pair of old jeans.
and the pants seamed pretty durable when i was wearing them.
 
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