Deciding on a Pack...

[Carib]

Hello all! I am going on a trip to Europe soon and am deciding on which pack to choose for my trip. I've limited it down to

Blackhawk Stingray
http://images.afmo.com/products/202/00/56/202-00564-2T.jpg


Camelbak Talon
http://www.nexternal.com/useg/images/Camelbak%20Talon%20full.gif
or the Blackhawk Matrix

http://shop.navyseals.com/images/products/318.jpg

Does anyone here have any preference, experience or advice on which one I should choose. I am going to be using it for carrying clothes, gear, etc while going from city to city. I don't need a huge pack (they are all about 1800-2000 cubic inches. I just want something that can hold at least 3-4 days worth of stuff and is reliable and comfortable.

Personally I like the styling and shape of the first two the best. Any advice or feedback is welcome. Thanks!!

[MadOnionSix]

I would go for the Talon.... and BLOOD DIAMOND PANTS !!!!!!
p-)

[Carib]

Thanks, i hope that was serious. Although this is not a big investment I want to make the appropriate choice.

[Albatross]

Why dont you just get a north face pack, with a water bottle holder on it. I have had my "Big Shot" for about 5 years now, and it is awesome.

[Carib]

My buddy just got The North FaceBacktrack 50 (3050 cubic inches) and wants to sell it to me for like $175 cause he wants something bigger. I like the olive drab that the camelbak comes in. I kinda want something different.

Note the assualt/day pack attached to the back.
http://www.zappos.com/images/728/7285326/6627-344996-d.jpg

[Albatross]

I took a 3500 cubic inch pack to europe, it was about 1800 to big. Get a 2000 pack. Throw in jeans, shorts, 2 t shirts, 2 boxers, some socks, flip flops, solid sneakers, one nice shirt, ipod, and a book. you will be good to go. If you buy something, just pay the money to get it shipped. It is worth the cost to not have to carry it. Plus if you pack gets jacked, you wont have lost anything serious.

[Carib]

I took a 3500 cubic inch pack to europe, it was about 1800 to big. Get a 2000 pack. Throw in jeans, shorts, 2 t shirts, 2 boxers, some socks, flip flops, solid sneakers, one nice shirt, ipod, and a book. you will be good to go. If you buy something, just pay the money to get it shipped. It is worth the cost to not have to carry it. Plus if you pack gets jacked, you wont have lost anything serious.


Thanks for the advice. I'll have to tell my buddy that as he wants to go bigger. I think he just stick with that bag and I will just get something around 2000 cub in.

[Albatross]

Dragging that big bastard around Europe sucked, light is better.

[Britboy]

You won't need a MOLLE-covered bergen to go travelling round Europe, will you.

Might as well take a daysack on the biggish side (Berghaus ARETE 35l discounted trials model in garish brilliant orange FTW!) and a smallish holdall which you can ditch at your digs but still walk with.

Unless you are planning on climbing in the Alps or something else like that...

Regards
BB

[TacoDelRio]

I'd stay away from Camelbak products, personally. Obviously just my experience. I've found their Motherlode to be rather lacking in quality. The bottom/floor should be stronger and more re-inforced, as mine cut through with relatively light use.

I know this doesn't fit your size requirements, but this is my favorite pack I've ever owned. Surprised the hell outta me.
http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Product.aspx?top=1246&prod=2065&cat=1271&viewAll=False

[Jarhead]

Hello all! I am going on a trip to Europe soon
What countries will ya visit?

[Carib]

Italy (Rome, Cinque Terre hiking, my hometown Salsomaggiore Terme) then London.

I wanted a dayish pack, for some hiking but mostly carrying stuff around and for clothes.

This pack will be what I take with me when I take the train south to Rome. I need to be able to put at least 4 days of light summer clothes in it and still be able to carry some other random stuff like fins and snorkel gear.

[Churchill_MD]

http://www.borelliconsulting.com/evals/other/images/bfmblk.jpg

a camelbak bfm?

very convienient imho

[Scrim]

Im with Taco. I have a Talon, It sucks.
Its Ok as just a water carrier, but put anymore weight in it, and its uncomfortable as hell. The straps are all jacked up. It sits way to low on my back its banging around my ass all day. Waste of money.

coughhttp://www.kifaru.net/MGhome.htmcough

[Carib]

Nice stuff scrim but that seems more job oriented if you get my drift. That's also some serious cheddar.

So the Talon sucks huh, I kinda liked that the most because of the top entry and side pockets. All I intend to carry is mostly light stuff. You think I'll still have problems?

I don't like the Camelbak Motherlode or Bfm, nor do I like the Blackhawk Hydrastorm Cyclone.



What about either the Eagle Industries AIII Assault Pack



http://www.skdtac.com/ProductImages/1eagle/bags/aiii.pack/eag.aiii.pack.a2.jpg

or even the Kelty MAP 300 Assault Pack (I think this is exactly what I was looking for!:))
http://static.zoovy.com/img/navyseals/-/pcam3500a

[Mordecai]

Carib:

If I were you I would buy something with more of a civilian look to it (like a North Face pack as was recommended by 10th). Humping around a .mil looking pack will only draw attention, and that attention could be in a form you may not like.

I own quite a few 3-day/assault packs and when traveling they all stay behind and I go for something that helps me blend in with every other tourist around. PERSEC is a 24 hour/day commitment.

Crip

[macdaddy78]

Personally try and blend in as best I can when travelling and that usually means I avoid wearing anything cam (I still have memories of two fellow aussies on leave in NI who were mistaken as British soldiers and never came home). Having said that I can also appreciate the fact you may want to get some use out of it when your wearingthe baked bean suit.

This is probably less of an issue for the places you are travelling to but anyway I highly recommend the following packs from macpac - I have their Genesis pack with detachable daypack and it is THE ****.

The also have some pretty neat day packs too:

http://www.macpac.co.nz/public_catalogue/category/name,DayPacks/UUID,7da1ebce-f814-4a3d-9db7-1e345cde3845

[Carib]

Thanks guys, the more I thought about it the more I realized it would look a little foolish with a straight up military assualt pack in tourist mode. I need to keep my work and play seperate. (I am bringing a smaller Quiksilver pack with me for short day trips, this pack here would be my travel pack for more than a day)

I think I have made my final choice. It is the Kelty (civilian brand) 3 day pack. I am going to get it in Sage, which is a light camping green as shown below. It is excellent since it has a few pockets, 2500 cubic inches of space, a hydration port and two pockets on the side for my Nalgene bottles.

http://photos.recreationalloser.com/albums/userpics/10002/normal_kelty-MAP3500-overall.jpg (http://photos.recreationalloser.com/albums/userpics/10002/kelty-MAP3500-overall.jpg)

[Scrim]

I like the looks of that Kelty. Doesnt look to "wary" at all. Let us know how it is.

[Carib]

I like the looks of that Kelty. Doesnt look to "wary" at all. Let us know how it is.

Will do, I leave in less than 3 weeks. Thanks for everyone's input, it helped my final decision tremendously!

[Scout223]

Friends dont let friends buy Blackhawk

[Biglug]

I have various Blackhawk gear from vests to packs and it's durable enough quality same as Camelbak which I have also.
Another manufacturer you might look at and makes very nice stuff for a good price is Maxpedition.
I have a Versipak and Condor II from them and only plan to buy more.
Quality materials and quality construction.

http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=12

A Condor II or Vulture II should cover your needs pretty well unless you want a much larger than a 1950-2810 cubic inch pack.
If your looking for a hydration bladder pack specifically than even though they have bladder pouches, you'll have to buy a separate bladder like a Camelbak Stash or Storm.

http://www.skdtac.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=259

http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/catalog/img_2891_1892_detail.jpg

[TacoDelRio]

Maxpedition makes great stuff.

[Hawkeye]

Why dont you just get a north face pack, with a water bottle holder on it. I have had my "Big Shot" for about 5 years now, and it is awesome.

x2
I have a Big Shot too, and it rocks. You can do anything with, very durable fabric and zippers, and the lay-out is pure genious.

[AROUETLJ]

If you're going to Europe, just get a manbag.

[Laconian]

Thanks guys, the more I thought about it the more I realized it would look a little foolish with a straight up military assualt pack in tourist mode. I need to keep my work and play seperate. (I am bringing a smaller Quiksilver pack with me for short day trips, this pack here would be my travel pack for more than a day)

I think I have made my final choice. It is the Kelty (civilian brand) 3 day pack. I am going to get it in Sage, which is a light camping green as shown below. It is excellent since it has a few pockets, 2500 cubic inches of space, a hydration port and two pockets on the side for my Nalgene bottles.

http://photos.recreationalloser.com/albums/userpics/10002/normal_kelty-MAP3500-overall.jpg (http://photos.recreationalloser.com/albums/userpics/10002/kelty-MAP3500-overall.jpg)

I have the govt version of this and it is a real good pack. I wish mine wasn't in desert tan; I would use it all the time.

[gaijinsamurai]

Maxpedition makes great stuff.

x2.

...and when it comes to gear n' beer, Taco knows what he's talkin about!

I carry a Maxpedition to work almost every day, and I like it.

[TacoDelRio]

Huzzah!

I don't use my Maxpedition so much anymore, compared to my super lightweight Mountain Hardwear Scrambler pack. I obviously expect the Maxpedition to last longer.

[Carib]

Just bought the Kelty MAP 3500 online at Amron.com for $129 flat. I don't think they charged me for shipping which is awesome.

I should receive it in a few days, let u know I like it.

[Britboy]

Bright orange rucksacks FTW!

Think about it; if you're stuck in the hills and mountain rescue come looking for you, khaki or cam isn't going to help you... not to mention IRR.

Seriously though, hope you get what you need for your trip.

Regards
bb

[TacoDelRio]

Bright orange rucksacks FTW!

Think about it; if you're stuck in the hills and mountain rescue come looking for you, khaki or cam isn't going to help you... not to mention IRR.

Seriously though, hope you get what you need for your trip.

Regards
bb

Don't get stuck! p-)

[Carib]

Just bought the Kelty MAP 3500 online at Amron.com for $129 flat. I don't think they charged me for shipping which is awesome.

I should receive it in a few days, let u know I like it.


The pack worked like a champ. I was able to stuff about 5-6 days worth of tshirts, underwear, fins/snorkel/mask, shorts, camelback, ipod, power converter, 2 pairs of shoes, and some other random stuff into it. (I left from my hometown in Parma and went to Roma and Le Cinque Terre on the coast of Italy during this time, only thing I took was this pack). I filled it to the max for my flight to and from Europe also, and was given some **** about it by airport people but still managed to carry it onboard.

All in all it held up strong and was easy on the back and shoulders after hiking for a few miles with it. I give it two thumbs way up.

http://static.zoovy.com/img/navyseals/-/pcam3500a

[Remington Rand]

I'd stay away from Camelbak products, personally. Obviously just my experience. I've found their Motherlode to be rather lacking in quality. The bottom/floor should be stronger and more re-inforced, as mine cut through with relatively light use.

I know this doesn't fit your size requirements, but this is my favorite pack I've ever owned. Surprised the hell outta me.
http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Product.aspx?top=1246&prod=2065&cat=1271&viewAll=False



Interesting, I had exactly the opposite experience, but to each his own. I love my camelbak HAWG. Takes a beating, and it hasnt worn at all in many many hunting trips. Dragging through briars, over rocks, and getting wet havent seemed to hurt it. Nothing bad to say about the other two, but consider the camelbak. RR