24hr Pack

[PBWalsh]

Hello,

Looking for a solid 24hr pack I can wear with a plate carrier, and take for day hikes/hunts. Contents will be pretty minimal:

extra AR/CZ 75 mag(s)
fire kit
ifak
water
food (energy bars/rations)
extra light batteries
socks/bandana/shemagh (maybe a rain jacket as well)
topo map/compass
550 cord
wool covering
small tarp
wet wipes (?)
utility fixed bladed knife (Esse 4)
possibly some compact binos

Came across several packs, but the one that stood put to me is the Elberlestock H31 at 835ci. Seems large enough to hold what I need/want, but small enough to still be able to run effectively without a ton of bulk shifting around on my back.

My question is this; are there any other packs in the general range of 800ci/13L that I should be looking at given my needs? On board hydration is nice but not needed. Just need something to get me through for a day, three at the absolute most. I will have other tiered packs for other durations.

Oh, this is not a “get home bag”, more of a day hike bag that is compact enough to wear with a carrier.

Thank y’all,
- PB Walsh

 

[Army First]

I don't know maybe the Kifaru Escape & Evade or the Door Gunner

The Eberlestock X2 carries water, food, the things I need to get a deer out of woods and a Lone Wolf tree seat for me and doesn't seem over sized. I would rather have more room and tighten the straps on a smaller load than wish I had the room for more stuff.

I own a Kifaru Reckoning, they make a solid pack.

 

[Bigfatcock]

NorthFace borealis. Durable, comfy, doesn't scream LARPing.

 

[A.Huggy]

Are you looking for something tacticool or will any aesthetic do the trick?

Might be worth going to REI or whatever and try a bunch on. I've found a backpack that fits me well and I use it for everything. Matches, 1-2 day hikes, college, work... everything. The fit is more important than the features IMO. I can modify pockets and pack carefully to fit my needs but modifying the fit or overall shape is pretty difficult.

 

[GH41]

Why a plate carrier for day hikes/hunts. You must be real paranoid.

 

[Mudflap621]

Check out the Hill People packs they are excellent quality and very comfortable. I’ve had a couple their Tarahumara and now a kit bag and Connor v2. The junction pack seems like it might fit your needs but I agree I’d air on the larger side and be able to synch it down rather than not having enough room.

 

[427Cobra]

15 years now I use a SpecOps The Pack for work travel, I have been all over the country fixing 737s with it, I see they have a EDC version which is smaller, something to consider

 

[HUNTERVASSER]

FWIW...For a 24-Hr pack that can clip in to a plate carrier (or not since it comes with straps), I like the First Spear Exigent Circumstance Pack. Great versatile small pack with a lot of ability. You can upgrade the pack with a frame insert and strip down if you needed something smaller.

 

[shoobe01]

Crossfire DG3

DG3 (55L) – Fixed Lid

The only rucksack designed to fit with body armour or webbing. Based on the famous DG16 frameset. It is a little shorter and straight sided. At 55 litres it is the perfect 3 day pack!

crossfirepacks.com

LONG threads on other fora covering this I can share (here? are we allowed to cross-post?) but I've had one a good while, use it as my "assault pack" over a PC, very much as an overnight pack to your point after too many "you guys hold here" and that extends to 6 hours, it gets cold and I get hungry.

VERY comfy when loaded with 40# or less. Much more comfy than a much, much smaller assault pack. I wear a waist belt but have always rigged my gear to handle rucking so NP for me, YMMV.

 

[PBWalsh]

Why a plate carrier for day hikes/hunts. You must be real paranoid.

PCs are not what I’d wear for day hikes. Besides, I’m an American and if I want to wear one I will. I do it while I run on occasion for some extra difficulty. I wear one while doing most of my shooting.

To y’all who offered actual suggestions, I appreciate it. Didn’t actually think of North Face, good idea though. Not going for a “tactical” look, just want something subdued (green/tan/grey/etc.), definitely not going multicam or anything. If it is a camo pattern, looking at more of the hunting style patterns if anything.

I guess i worry about getting a larger pack and overstuffing it with useless crap. Guess I’m looking at trying to stay at less than 15# for total pack weight to maximize mobility.

 

[Jackalope]

HPG Tarahumara is awesome. The shoulder harness is the best in the industry for non framed packs.

 

[PBWalsh]

@HUNTERVASSER

Do you know the capacity of that First Spear bag? I like the function and the shoulder straps for shooting a rifle. Also liking the smaller packs from HPG.

 

[CanonSterVA]

FWIW...For a 24-Hr pack that can clip in to a plate carrier (or not since it comes with straps), I like the First Spear Exigent Circumstance Pack. Great versatile small pack with a lot of ability. You can upgrade the pack with a frame insert and strip down if you needed something smaller.

Quoting to look at these further.
Thank you for the recommendations.
Myron

 

[skatz11]

Also interested in a pack to attach to a PC.

 

[HUNTERVASSER]

As I said the pack is small but pretty versatile. I have used it in the field and on long trips (very stowable but big enough for a small laptop too). I can clip it onto my plate carrier. The front pouch can come off. It can also has space using webbing between the main pack and the front pouch where you can put a MICH/ ACH or jacket or Wet Weather Gear without having to cram it in your main compartment getting everything wet or dirty. Overall, mine is in multicam because I use it for the military but they have other colors which make it a little less “OAF”. But I will say the strap are not that robust. They work but not as the one above...

 

[HUNTERVASSER]

The back insert is a must which gives it a bit more shape. It makes it a good 24-hr day pack.

 

[PBWalsh]

@Jackalope

With the HPG bag, does it ever annoy you as to the way it opens? I tend to like a pack that I can unzip and lay it flat to access the contents, never seen a mid zip pack.

@HUNTERVASSER Thanks for the pictures. Can you elaborate on the straps? You mentioned they are not durable? I like their thinness for shooting, but not at the sacrifice of durability.

 

[HUNTERVASSER]

@PBWalsh
The straps will hold up, but what I mean is that they don't have any padding like a normal pack would have. They are just bare minimum but strong. I have had no issues of them breaking or anything like that.
It would have been nice to have an option to upgrade or add on an attachment for closed-cell foam straps that are cut for a left strap and right strap. That would add a bit more comfort and maximize its versatility. I do see that now FS sells the straps as a separate item too. But they look the same. Update: I just found a pretty good review online that gives the same info: packsandbeyond.com...

 

[Jackalope]

@Jackalope

With the HPG bag, does it ever annoy you as to the way it opens? I tend to like a pack that I can unzip and lay it flat to access the contents, never seen a mid zip pack.

I love it actually. You can get to stuff at the bottom of the pack without pulling everything out or digging around.

 

[PBWalsh]

Thanks y’all. Probably narrowed my search to the HPG and FS packs that have been mentioned. They are both made in the USA and both actually made by FS. The Elberlestock H31 is Vietnamese production and while not chicom, I’d rather buy American when given similar options.

The HPG pack seems a bit more versatile while the FS pack seems more geared towards riding in conjunction with a PC, which is why I’m leaning towards the HPG.