How do you carry your gear?

[Wetzel]

Hi all, I'm looking to improve my system. I am tired of lugging everything around the mountain in my backpack. It seems like a more efficient system would be a "go" anywhere anytime bag that one would take everywhere, and another bag that sits in the truck or camp unless I plan a longer drawn out expedition.

So the "go" bag should be light, non-cumbersome, and contain only the basics, i.e. knife, compass, license, small first aid kit, flashlight, lighter or matches, extra bullets, and other possible high need items. So I'm looking for opinions from others who have this same mentality. What do you use for your "go" bag? Is it a fanny pack, small backpack, side satchel? What do you put in it? How comfortable and user friendly is it? What then goes in your bigger bag? I kinda want to get away from a backpack for the small "go" bag, but am unsure on what would be best.

Some of my thoughts have been using a side satchel kind of like this one http://www.opticsplanet.net/spec-ops-m-c-b-modular-combat-bandoleer-100810101.html

or a military type vest harness and hook a few things like this on it http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/6-x-9-Padded-Pouch-7p1211.htm

Or use something like the maxpedition thing and hook it to a belt.

If you have something that just really works, I would appreciate hearing about it, so I don't have to re-invent the wheel. Also, how does your water fit into the equation? Thanks!

 

[eelgrass]

LAST EDITED ON Sep-18-11 AT 10:11AM (MST)[p]I have a ammo pouch that I wear on my belt. And I have a fanny pack that I bought from Big 5 for $8. I carry my knife, tag and license, twine, matches, a small flashlight, compass, and reading glasses, and a wad of TP.

It's out of the way, quiet, and doesn't interfere with movement.

I keep my bigger external frame pack back at camp, or sometime will carry it part way and stash it.

I usually just tank up on water before I head out and don't pack any.

Eel

 

[kingfish]

I carry an Eberlestock back pack that carries all the same thinds you mentioned plus my rifle down the middle. It's hands free so I can video and glass...I use to carry a fanny pack but it all weighed the same with my rifle over my shoulder?


Government doesn't fix anything and has spent trillions proving it!!!
Let's face it...After Monday and Tuesday, even the calender says WTF!

 

[justr_86]

I have a kings daylight fanny pack withshoulder straps. Keeps me from taking too much but has enough room for what is needed. Strong enough to pack atleast 1 quarter when I head back to the truck for my frame pack.

Its a purse, not a sachell... Lol.

 

[buttshot]

Fannypack, contains extra bulletts, enough PB&J sandwiches to sustain life for 3? days, 1-2 quart canteen water, 4 more 1 pint bottles of water, first aid kit, emergency blanky and poncho, 2 lighters and mucho matches, 2 small flashlights w/extra batteries, wyoming knife and saw w/extra blades, about 30' 550 cord, TP and babywipes, hand warmers, firestarter stuff and a bag of Hershey's minatures. wieghs in about 15lbs? but better safe than sorry. Hunting tag, cellphone and game calls in pockets, pocket size bino's around neck, and porn on the brain....gooood to goo!

+1 on the purse not a sachelle thing LOL

 

[Wetzel]

Satchel, purse, combat bandoleer... as long as it comes in camo I guess its okay to carry right?

 

[buttshot]

Before I made rank as a NCO, those bandolieer things were called "fag bags". Only NCO's got to carry those things around. After I made enough rank, we still called em "fag bags"..LOL

 

[Wetzel]

Honestly I don't see the difference between that bandoleer and a fanny pack, besides the strap, which seems like a good thing if you're putting more weight in it. So far the fanny pack/bandoleer/purse idea seems good. A backpack is nice, but I want to try carrying my rifle in the middle of my back for those longer treks.

Kingfish, how do you like your eberlestock? How easy does the rifle come out when you need it? Those backpacks seem pretty cool, space if you need it, or collapse down if you don't. Which model do you have?

Buttshot, what kind of fanny pack do you use, seems like it's a decent size?

Justr_86, I couldn't find a king daylight fanny pack?

 

[1911]

A great way to conserve space is with a flashlight that does not require traditional batteries. Bbop swears by the mini. Says it does not give off nearly enough light but it will work in a pinch and is easy to pack.

 

[justr_86]

http://www.kingsoutdoorworld.com/outdoor-gear/daylite-pack/

 

[buttshot]

Went to Wal-Mart and picked up my fanny pack kinda cheap. Brand name is Allen. It has a upper and lower pocket to keep my food separate from the hunting tools. Has a couple side pockets for the first aid kit hand warmer and small stuff. Belt is pretty wide and adjustable with a good clip to secure it around my waist. Then the suspender straps over my shoulders. I have found that it makes a dang good pillow durring the midday duldrems...

 

[buttshot]

Checked out justr86's link and his daypack is very similar to the one I bought at wallyworld.

 

[kingfish]

Wetzel, Here's the pack I chose. I only carry about 18 lbs including my rifle so if I kill a deer I can expand the pack and make one trip back with 30 pounds of meat then come back one more time for the rest. I originally had the mini me but it was to small and came apart on my first hunt packing out a deer so I upgraded to this pack. Very comfortable. I love the hands free deal. The rifle slides out really easy and quite.
http://eberlestock.com/X1E Euro.htm

Government doesn't fix anything and has spent trillions proving it!!!
Let's face it...After Monday and Tuesday, even the calender says WTF!

 

[Wetzel]

Thanks guys, gives me some good info to chew on.