canvas rucksacks

[sniper 2]

does anybody regularly use a canvas rucksack? i have found quite a few for practically no money at all, and im really tempted to buy 1. do they have any advantages over modern nylon/cordura rucksacks. also, what do people rekon of the swedish army trangia? i already have a jetboil stove, but want something a little bit more bushcrafty, and save the jetboil for climbing.

cheers dan

 

[rik_uk3]

does anybody regularly use a canvas rucksack? i have found quite a few for practically no money at all, and im really tempted to buy 1. do they have any advantages over modern nylon/cordura rucksacks. also, what do people rekon of the swedish army trangia? i already have a jetboil stove, but want something a little bit more bushcrafty, and save the jetboil for climbing.

cheers dan

Not sure about the rucksacks, that all I used when a kid, thats all there was, as to the swedish army trangia, well its been talked to death here in the past, hit the search button and you should find some links

 

[saddle_tramp]

I like the look of some of the old canvas rucksacks, prefer straps and buckles over zips everytime, but i guess if im carrying any kind of weight, then comfort comes first, and i kind of expect greater comfort from a more modern design.

Then i guess theres the weight of the rucksack itself?

And finally theres the waterproofing or the speed at which the material dries to consider. That said, over the years ive had several sets of cycle panniers and without doubt, the most waterproof have been carradice super c's, which are to this day, still made of cotton duck canvas

 

[Aussiepom]

You could do a lot worse than looking at the Duluth website. They are a company in the US who specialise in canvas products. The promotional information is obviously biased towards canvas Vs modern and some of it also relates to travelling by canoe rather than hiking through the woods, but it is still informative and will give you an idea of the pros and cons.

One downside of canvas that I would mention from experience is the additional weight, but this may or may not be relevant to your own situation.

My own personal opinion, weight aside; canvas is good.

 

[Chopper]

I have some packs from Duluth, they really are the best quality you could get.

I love them.

www.duluthpack.com

 

[addo]

Try one of these.

http://www.genuinearmysurplus.co.uk/pages/products/detail/rowid=679

A few of us on here have and as long as you get a good one its a bargin.
Depends what size sack you want but at that price its worth trying out. They come with an external frame to alow more weight to be added and keep sweat off. I waxed mine and it keeps the worst of the rain off, but you could use a dry liner. The leather work wasn't great on mine so they sent me a replacement, that had side pouches and was top quality.
No connection ect.

 

[Singeblister]

I have one of these I really like it , not water proof and I wouldn't take it out for a long stretch but as a day sack its great and its really comfy to wear.
Did you wax the canvas Addo ? or you mean the leather
Someone said they do one with side pouches but i haven't seen one in the flesh , I would like side pouches I have thought of making some for it but never got round to doing it

Try one of these.

http://www.genuinearmysurplus.co.uk/pages/products/detail/rowid=679

A few of us on here have and as long as you get a good one its a bargin.
Depends what size sack you want but at that price its worth trying out. They come with an external frame to alow more weight to be added and keep sweat off. I waxed mine and it keeps the worst of the rain off, but you could use a dry liner. The leather work wasn't great on mine so they sent me a replacement, that had side pouches and was top quality.
No connection ect.

 

[addo]

I waxed the leather with a cream product, but prefer oilive/nut oil as it penetrates better.
I waxed the canvas with greenland wax. It got a bit damp on sat in a 3 hour walk in the rain, so I'll give it another coat or 2 and see if that improves it. Guess many other products would give a simarlar result
Norwegian one with the pouches is the buisnes. A bit bigger too with spaces for axes & poles on the sides, and bed roll on the bottom.

 

[saddle_tramp]

anybody got one of these?

http://www.red-deer.co.uk/acatalog/outdoor_equipment_accessories.html

That kinda looks like the best of both worlds. Not exactly cheap but fjallraven tat is lovely quality

 

[Mastino]

Here you go: 2 left for 3 pounds each.

http://www.dragonsupplies.co.uk/ViewProducts.aspx?Range=50

(scrool down)

No relation to seller, just browsing around.

 

[Simon H]

anybody got one of these?

http://www.red-deer.co.uk/acatalog/outdoor_equipment_accessories.html

That kinda looks like the best of both worlds. Not exactly cheap but fjallraven tat is lovely quality

I've got the 20l one. Very pleased with it, comfy, gets air round the back, well made etc.

Needs waxing though as it has no water repllancy at all.

It is a bit small (they didn't do a 30l one when I bought it), and if overpacked, isn't that comy as the straps are only padded/broad enough for a light(ish) load.

 

[Chopper]

I thought I would put this up as well, I got this from here http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/st...oreId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&from=SR&feat=sr back in March. It has been used a lot and has proved its self many times. I am going to do a more extensive review on this as it is a very serious contender in the traditional old school pack department.

It is made from waxed canvas, the straps and base are of leather, it is lined with cotton to keep the wax off the contents and the shoulder straps are lined with fake sheep skin. It also has a semi ridged padded back which helps keep its shape.

 

[Mikey P]

does anybody regularly use a canvas rucksack? i have found quite a few for practically no money at all, and im really tempted to buy 1. do they have any advantages over modern nylon/cordura rucksacks. also, what do people rekon of the swedish army trangia? i already have a jetboil stove, but want something a little bit more bushcrafty, and save the jetboil for climbing.

cheers dan

Not sure why you consider a Trangia to be more 'bushcrafty'? They stink, are difficult to control and liquid has to be carried. Whilst the Jetboil also has its disadvantages, if you're just boiling water or cooking simple meals, a Jetboil is eminently sensible (and kinda 'green' - they are very efficient with the gas they use).

If you want to be more 'bushcrafty', use an open fire; but if you can't, choose the most practical item for the job. Don't be ashamed of your Jetboil! Anyway, you've spent the money on it so why not use it?

 

[John Fenna]

I often use a Bison Bushcraft daysack tough and practical and quite comfortable for my shortish back. It also sits well over a Snugpak response pack for overnighters.

 

[Mimung]

I´ve recently bought an french F1 canvas pack. I haven´t already tried carrying heavy loads (and maybe shouldn´t cause of lack of frame). But it´s so simple and good looking. I sure would like to lay my hands on a brand new one. Mine is grade 2 and has some stitches here and there. I got it from GAS. /Mimung