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Draven
20-08-2009, 15:34
Howdy folks!

I've been thinking about my "ideal" carry solutions.

For day trips, I don't think anything more than a shoulder bag or small knapsack is necessary, but for extended trips, these tend to fall short.

I like the idea of the little ditty bag (such as the one Nessmuk mentioned in Woodcraft) for all your "to hand" items. For the rest, though, I was thinking of something like a kit bag.

I want something very simple. Fewer stiches means fewer stiches to fail! So, a kit bag seems the obvious choice, being little more than a tube of canvas with a bottom sewn on. However, how big are your average army kit bags? My dad told me that when he was in the American army in the 60s, it was gigantic and a fully loaded kit bag was a real drag.

Ideally, I want something with a base to fit a frying pan (I would link directly to the cooking set I'm talking about, but the Camelot Outdoors site appears to be down) so that the frying pan can spread the load of everything on top, while making sure that nothing pokes through the bottom of the bag and helps keep things dry when it's set down. Inside I would want a tarp, sleeping bag (or wool blanket) and a groundsheet or hammock, and probably one of those foam sleeping mats. A change of clothes would be nice too!

Am I being ambitious? Should I just buy the material and make one myself? Don't imagine it would be too difficult... I just like to avoid sewing where possible, especially if it'll be under strain!

Pete

helixpteron
20-08-2009, 16:19
Making it would probably be better, you could use the sleep pad to form an 'inner wall' to add shape and support, it'd be comfy on the back too, ultralight backpackers use this method when using drybags with a strap harness.

I'd avoid having a frying pan sitting flat in the base, because were you to slip or fall and land on your back, you may have the metal edge of the pan digging into your spine, pelvis or ribs! :eek:

tobes01
20-08-2009, 17:36
Sure you've seen it already, but if not, then this might be of interest:

http://www.rayjardine.com/ray-way/Backpack-Kit/index.htm

Tobes

Draven
20-08-2009, 17:41
Making it would probably be better, you could use the sleep pad to form an 'inner wall' to add shape and support, it'd be comfy on the back too, ultralight backpackers use this method when using drybags with a strap harness.

I'd avoid having a frying pan sitting flat in the base, because were you to slip or fall and land on your back, you'd may have the metal edge of the pan digging into your spine, pelvis or ribs! :eek:

Good advice on the sleeping mat, hadn't thought of that :D
Hadn't thought about the frying pan bit :o Maybe you're right, I don't often fall on my back but that would be a real good time to start!


Sure you've seen it already, but if not, then this might be of interest:

http://www.rayjardine.com/ray-way/Backpack-Kit/index.htm

Tobes

I hadn't actually, but I don't think I'll go for that - a bit too fancy for me, and out of my price range. Cheers though!

Pete

Bravo4
20-08-2009, 20:52
However, how big are your average army kit bags?

12"x12"x36"
That's about 85 liters if I have converted correctly.

Draven
20-08-2009, 21:11
12"x12"x36"
That's about 85 liters if I have converted correctly.

Cheers mate!
A tad too big I reckon :)

Pete