Bag Recommendations?
Posted by Mountain-Status569@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 18 comments
I've started gathering prep supplies and right now they're just... sitting there. The next step is to buy bags, but there are so many options out there!
Do you guys have any favorites that you've used? I'd love to know your trusted bags since online reviews don't have a lot of feedback on long-term use, and the "best of" lists are just advertising bullpoop.
Any recommendations are appreciated, but if you're interested in what I'm specifically hoping to buy:
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Small bag for DIY first aid kit
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Prefer ones that have multiple sections so I can avoid one big messy pile in the kit
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Would be primarily stored in the car so size/shape is just a secondary concern, but would also be interested in a small one for inside a purse
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1-2 night backpack
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Comfort and weight is a concern due to spinal issues
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Multiple large compartments are ideal since again, I want to avoid my messy bag tendencies
Looking forward to hearing your recs! I'm not prepping a BOB but if you want to drop those I'm sure other newbies may be interested.
Trail_Breaker@reddit
A medic recommended this brand to me. I almost got one, but opted for a different brand for myself. The nice thing about these ones is that it's much easier to keep things organized, which is why I thought you might like them. Even the empty bags are a little pricey though.
https://jumpmedic.com/
I'm still trying to find a backpack which is better than the one I currently have and doesn't break the bank.
Mountain-Status569@reddit (OP)
Really cool that they let you build your own kit! And I like the organization. I wish they showed photos of the cheap bags in the build-your-own option.
Thanks for sharing!
Disastrous-Horror699@reddit
JumpMedic is what I use. Their cheap bags are just the smaller ones that come with the larger premade kits. They have great customer service too. I have built a couple and bought an Elite from them.
RedBear408@reddit
Been using Kifaru packs for many years now and been happy with them. Not the lightest bags, durable and good for carrying a load. Long lasting packs. Even when abused they hold up. Still have one or two from the early 2000s. Also their frames can be interchangeable with some bags.
Mystery Ranch is another brand I've used. Several people I know swear by them.
For cutting weight, Kuiu is probably the one I'd go with. Their clothing is good too. Light yet still durable.
Those three are the ones I come baxk to even after trying other brands like Gregory and Osprey. Didn't have as good experiences with them. Whether they weren't as comfortable or not as durable. Over all they were okay. Just not my first picks.
The one brand I'll never use again is North Face. Don't know when their quality went south, just not what it should be. They seem to be more for the urban hiker once a month than anything serious. That goes for their coats and parkas too. At least based off my experience. I'm sure some has a pack they tried to destroy with a table saw and flamethrower and it's still like new....
Regardless of brand, I've learned to try and keep the pack simple, by that I mean fewer zippers. A top opening pack does make it a little more work to get to things in the bottom of the pack. Trade off is fewer zippers to break. Also aren't laying it down in the snow or mud to get things as with a front opening pack. Mud on the straps and pads just makes for a long day. Specially if it's summer and you can't wash the dirt off.
AntiTourismDeptAK@reddit
Anything Maxpedition. Literally anything.
Spiley_spile@reddit
Ultralight wilderness backpacker here. I can't carry heavy bags either due to my own body. My tendons rip among other things. So I might be able to help.
Can you give me a better idea of your scenario? For example, is the bag going to be a car seat warmer? (aka you drive it from location to location and only carry it as far as from a parking lot into a building) or will you be carrying it on an all day trek to get home? By overnight bag, do you mean something to bring to a friend's or a hotel after evacuating from a flood/ wildfire/etc? An overnight stay at the ER? Or do you envision needing outdoor camping supplies after a giant earthquake makes the roads impassable to vehicles?
If your pack is just a seat warmer, it doesn't have to be fancy or technical etc. I'd probably say spend less than $50 on something generic.
If you are going to be hiking all day with it to get home, especially with your spine, you'll want a bag sized for your torso length, with a frame, that has load lifters and a torso strap, even if all you are carrying is 15-25lbs. I recommend that the bag itself be lightweight. Heavier bags with that are usually meant to hual heavier loads. Most of the bags marketed at preppers are not going to include load lifters. For that, you'll want to look at outdoor stores.
Regardless of scenario, for your first aid kit, I don't recommend carrying tactical Medical gear etc if you aren't trained to use it. It is weight and bulk in a pack that will slow untrained people down/possibly injure them. If someone is gushing blood, that's not the time to try to learn how to use the stuff in the kit. Trying could make an injury worse or even kill someone. And if someone (in the US) tries to help someone else but isn't trained to use those items, they aren't protected by the Good Samaritan law. (It only covers people acting within the scope of their training.) If you are building a 1-2 day bag, consider just tossing in this first aid kit, it weighs less than 3oz and the carry bag is waterproof: https://www.rei.com/product/800721
Mountain-Status569@reddit (OP)
I hadn’t thought much about a get-home situation, but my initial inclination was to have an empty backpack in my car that I could stuff with supplies if I needed to walk home from work. Which is an 11 mile hike with nearly 1000’ elevation gain… now that I just looked that up I may need to reconsider my car setup.
But other than that, I’m thinking the worst case scenario for an overnight bag I’d keep at home is for wildfire evacuation. In which case we’d have to get out via car to effectively evacuate, and can also benefit from the car prep. Other likely scenarios for the home overnight bag are a hospital stay or, less likely, violent crime in the area.
TheAncientMadness@reddit
for backpack i can highly recommend osprey. well made and grey man. been abusing the same osprey bag for 10 years now with no issues. r/preppersales is a good place to watch for deals on them
Ok_Midnight_7517@reddit
Go to some stores with a friend. Try on some packs, have your friend pull down on the pack(s) to simulate a load. That will help narrow it down. Remember, an affordable bag is better than no bag. Then upgrade when possible. Take it for walks to remind yourself that you might want 5o upgrade.
SebWilms2002@reddit
For the backpack, I really like the "bags in bag" system. It makes the specifics of the backpack less important, since you're not relying on the built-in compartments for organization. You can just focus on getting a bag that is comfortable and durable.
Everything in my bag is organized in zipper pouches, according to their kit. One for my personal hygiene stuff, like nail clippers and chapstick. One for my IFAK kit. One has a power bank and cables, spare batteries. One has my repair stuff, rubber tubing, sewing, and adhesives and tape.
It's not a groundbreaking idea, but I don't see the concept executed very often. To me having everything inside smaller bags makes access so much easier.
Mountain-Status569@reddit (OP)
I like this approach! I don’t know why I didn’t consider that earlier. I have packing cubes and don’t use them so maybe that would be helpful for some items. Thanks!
SebWilms2002@reddit
Of course! It was a game changer for me.
pants-pooping-ape@reddit
I used a Nemo pack once. Very light and comfortable. Check out the ultralight backpacking suggestions, they will have guys whi make stuff out of advance polys
Uberrees@reddit
How big is your car kit? I'd probably default to an emt style bag, like [this](https://www.amazon.com/Dixie-Dixigear-Empty-Responder-Orange/dp/B0080Y21BY/ref=sr_1_10?). Lightning X makes decent larger ones if you need more space/organization. Don't get too caught up in finding something bombproof. If it's just gonna live in the car a busted zipper here or there won't kill anyone.
For a 1-2 night bag I'd just go to a local outdoor store and try on a few backpacking packs. Make sure you get something that fits your torso size-it's likely different from the size you would assume and makes a HUGE difference in how the load carries. If you pack really light you can get by for one night on like 35 liters, but I'd go with 50-65 for more flexibility. Osprey and Gregory are my preferred brands because most models have external pockets for organization and really comfy suspensions, but they do tend to be a little heavier than ultralight style packs, which are usually just one big compartment. They're also stupid expensive new, but once you know the size and model you want you can often find them used on fb marketplace for way cheaper, and Osprey it least will trade it in for a new model if it breaks.
PS: Please don't listen to the guy trying to get you buy 50+ year old surplus external frame bags. They are not light or comfortable.
Mountain-Status569@reddit (OP)
Yeah I don’t intend to buy any heavy duty bags. I already own a pretty lightweight 45L bag for general travel use, and I think something of a similar size would be plenty for an emergency overnight pack. Especially because I have a car kit and wouldn’t need much item duplication.
Not sure how big my car first aid kit will need to be yet, as I’m only halfway through collecting supplies, but something around the size you shared is the goal.
KPac76@reddit
This is probably not your aesthetic, but I picked one of these up at a yard sale and it works amazing. It's pretty heavy duty, small enough to throw in the motorcycle and fits under the seat of the car, but it is also easy to carry. It comes with large and small removable zippered pouches. We call it the "bug out bag," but it works like an everyday survival kit for us.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/364944849717?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=364944849717&targetid=2299003535955&device=m&mktype=pla&googleloc=9020135&poi=&campaignid=21676678693&mkgroupid=166718358683&rlsatarget=pla-2299003535955&abcId=10012311&merchantid=5304443634&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwufq2BhAmEiwAnZqw8p4taJ2Tc6_R3R6wKW-VSwd_99jzFWMOfIhJ8QCYCJYXRjkOQM5uGBoCWQUQAvD_BwE
Ours is canvas with a vinyl coating on it. Unfortunately, they were part of a promotion, and there aren't many around. I wish they would make them in more subtle style.
Mountain-Status569@reddit (OP)
I’m not as concerned with aesthetics for the first aid kit. This seems really practical and functional! Thanks for the link!
Apprehensive_Sir_630@reddit
First rule of buying a bag, first gather all of the things you want to carry, and then find a bag that fits those things. If you buy the bag first you will always find something else to bring until you completely fill it. Or you will realize you need more space than you realized and have to buy another bag.
However these are the three options i have found that work for me.
However i have been considering the SADF pattern 83 rucksack as an upgrade.
For short couple hours long day hike type activites i prefer the Alice buttpack with the Alice belt but no suspenders.
For general bombing around town i have a no name walmart brand OD green molle backpack i like.
Now i should mention the grey man theory here which someone will give me a hard time about, however in my area in the scenarios i use these bags no one would even blink, south L.A. different story, youre milage may vary and choose whats best for you.
As for the various plethora of patagonia erbelstock civillian hiking gear, and the current gen molle stuff, its all really good, dont assume these are the only answers.
The only pack i will out right say i personally dont like is the old gen USMC ILBE main pack, although the assault pack is basically a jansport in Marpat and is just fine if not grey in all areas.
Ask me anything you like.