Absolutely, that’s what I tell my wifeI also think the perfect ‘one-bag-does-everything’ doesn’t exist without major compromises along the way, well that’s my excuse for having far too many packs and I’m sticking to it…
Clamshell style tactical packs - worth the hassle?
- Thread starter WoodlandWanderer
- Start date
I’m lucky in that both DH and I subscribe to that view.Absolutely, that’s what I tell my wife
I have a cheap normal daysack that I use for walking/hiking, filled with a days gear it only weighs a little more than my 5.11 clamshell type pack does empty.
The 5.11 pack is great if you are not carrying it far or as a macho handbag but all the zips and buckles do make it a bit too heavy to lug around all day.
The 5.11 pack is great if you are not carrying it far or as a macho handbag but all the zips and buckles do make it a bit too heavy to lug around all day.
OCD, I think you have hit the button there. Like many folk here I seem to have and have had an infinity of packs over time. I quite like these various Molle packs as you can add all manner of stuff to the outside, from cameras, to water bottles, to whatever. Many years ago I made myself a clamshell pack, as it seemed a good idea at the time, and perhaps I was ahead of the time.
I have a Berghaus Mustang50 from the early 80's as in this Thread;
In my opinion such multi zipper rucksacks are practical for indoor use. Yes, indoor!
House to car, car to office or work shop to car, to coffee shop to car to house.
That are civil rucksacks for use in everyday life that look like an adventure bag but aren't.
I personally use a 34 litres rucksack that has 1 draw string, 3 flaps and 4 click buckles, but no zippers. 2 side pouches, 1 internal inner pocket in the main compartment.
www.asmc.com
Yes I use a few zippers too, but they are sewn into seperate internal smaller bags.
In my opinion a zipper is always a weak point in a rucksack.
House to car, car to office or work shop to car, to coffee shop to car to house.
That are civil rucksacks for use in everyday life that look like an adventure bag but aren't.
I personally use a 34 litres rucksack that has 1 draw string, 3 flaps and 4 click buckles, but no zippers. 2 side pouches, 1 internal inner pocket in the main compartment.
German Infantry Backpack Cordura
With its 34 liter capacity, is the German army backpack the perfect roomy day pack for hiking or short trips. The large main compartment has an extra pocket with Hook and Loop for the BW sleeping pad (sleeping pad not included). In the side pockets you can store for example water bottles or...
www.asmc.com
Yes I use a few zippers too, but they are sewn into seperate internal smaller bags.
In my opinion a zipper is always a weak point in a rucksack.
I tried a 5.11 RUSH pack but really didn't get on with it. There seemed to be so many sections, pockets and pouches, each of which would only weaken the overall pack. It carried poorly and, even with things cinched down, seemed to stick out beyond the average day pack. I remain rather sceptical about the strength and 'weatherproofness' of the zip, too: if that fails, you have little chance of keeping things dry (obviously an impossible ideal in any pack...) but you also stand to lose things when busy, out and about. I have got rid of it and returned to a standard, top-loading sack, organising my bits and pieces into a series of dry bags. If the clips fail on my pack, there is still the possibility of keeping things both dry and together with the drawcord around the top.
As with everything - and I mean 'everything' - it's a personal choice/'horses for courses' but I am not convinced about the merits of a clam-shell type of pack.
As with everything - and I mean 'everything' - it's a personal choice/'horses for courses' but I am not convinced about the merits of a clam-shell type of pack.
What is with all the zips these days?
My Lowe Alpine Airtrail 30 is almost perfect (1 too many pockets) and it has one buckle and a draw string. Do your organising in dry bags.
I look at double buckle bags with contempt after using a single buckle bag.
My Lowe Alpine Airtrail 30 is almost perfect (1 too many pockets) and it has one buckle and a draw string. Do your organising in dry bags.
I look at double buckle bags with contempt after using a single buckle bag.
The original clam shells were medical bags. They actual make sense for that purpose as you want to lay your hands straight on something. A lot of 5.11 products are military re-designs.
I think for day to day use or any need were you want to able to lay your hands straight on things like shooting or photography they work.
For hiking were you have to carry it why carry all that weight to start with.
