Wanted Utility satchel

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Jan 13, 2019
291
144
54
Gallifrey
I’m putting together a lightweight day kit and I need something smaller than a backpack. I need to be able to carry a small Thermos flask, a couple of ID books, binoculars, assorted useful stuff.

Any advice about these Satchels is welcome and if you have one you’d like to sell, please let me know.

A5E7CFB4-7F96-4924-AA10-B062F9D56E5B.jpeg
 

Herman30

Native
Aug 30, 2015
1,351
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Finland
Funny coincident. I have a satchel incoming (haven´t got it yet). Bought it from a member on a forum.
It´s a Snigel Design Schwung-bag (the 10 liter version). Liked it because of the waist strap to keep it in place.

snigeldesign-schwungvaska-11-4247553114165_400x.jpg
 
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sunndog

Full Member
May 23, 2014
3,561
477
derbyshire
Mountainsmith or bergans lumbar packs make single strap satchels totally obsolete in my view....they go a good way to replacing anything short of a 30ltr daysack too.
If you are set on a satchel type bag I would save your cash and go for a polish bread bag or the bigger one I can't remember the name of
 
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Jan 13, 2019
291
144
54
Gallifrey
Mountainsmith or bergans lumbar packs make single strap satchels totally obsolete in my view....they go a good way to replacing anything short of a 30ltr daysack too.
If you are set on a satchel type bag I would save your cash and go for a polish bread bag or the bigger one I can't remember the name of

Thanks for the advice. I’m not set on a satchel, it’s just the only other reasonably sized and useful thing I could think of that was well made. I’ll check out the two makes you suggested.

Best wishes,

Darryl
 

sunndog

Full Member
May 23, 2014
3,561
477
derbyshire
Mountain Smith



Bergans




I've got both and love them
The bergans I can do overnighters with and handles heavier loads better than the mountainsmith.
The mountainsmith has become more of a town bag or motorbike bag just because it carries better on the shoulder strap when it's virtually empty.

I always loved the idea of a satchel but the single strap pressure on one shoulder always annoyed the he'll out of me and they constantly swing down in the way if you try and do anything while wearing it....YMMV
 

MrEd

Life Member
Feb 18, 2010
2,148
1,053
Surrey/Sussex
www.thetimechamber.co.uk
Mountain Smith



Bergans




I've got both and love them
The bergans I can do overnighters with and handles heavier loads better than the mountainsmith.
The mountainsmith has become more of a town bag or motorbike bag just because it carries better on the shoulder strap when it's virtually empty.

I always loved the idea of a satchel but the single strap pressure on one shoulder always annoyed the he'll out of me and they constantly swing down in the way if you try and do anything while wearing it....YMMV

Yes I used to use messenger bags and satchels but have moved away from them after a back injury (fractured a vertebrae in a car accident) and a shoulder injury (tore my rotator cuff) - those 2 things made a satchel or shoulder bag very painful to wear, with back and neck ache
 
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sunndog

Full Member
May 23, 2014
3,561
477
derbyshire
That´s why a decent satchel needs to have a waist strap.

For me it needs to be a decent waist strap too. Load bearing rather than a lanyard.

When you think about it whatever you put in a satchel rather than a rucksack doubles in weight since the load is only spread over one strap.
So you put 5kg in a satchel you've got 5kgs of pressure on one shoulder rather than 2.5kg on each.....no wonder it annoyed me lol
 

Nice65

Brilliant!
Apr 16, 2009
6,438
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W.Sussex
Expensive, but Maxpedition almost specialise in edc bags and satchels, the range is huge.

My aircraft carry on and general manbag is one of these, a Jumbo Versipak. It may be a bit small for you, but bags like the Sitka are a bit bigger.

I’ve got to go out, I’ll bung some pics up a bit later.
 
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justmosey

Full Member
Nov 18, 2012
236
11
Denbigh, North Wales
Hello,
Depending on the size of your flask, I had a set-up that might work for you. I used to have the old style Maxpedition Jumbo. The old style had a Velcro belt loop. I used it with a military webbing belt and a canteen. The canteen fit on the opposite side of the Jumbo. A small flask would fit in the Jumbo water bottle pouch. Much easier to carry the weight and a good balance. I still used the shoulder strap but that just gave me stability alongside a little weight relief.
The comments about two straps are true. It just depends on what you want. The Kifaru E&E is a great little pack; especially if you put the X-Ray straps on it but they're not necessary. You can add pouches if you like. It's one of the handiest little packs I've had. Also the Camelbak HAWG is a great size day pack. We are wonderfully spoilt for choice. It all depends on what you want to spend. You might also want to consider a binocular pouch you can wear on your chest. They are very handy for access and very comfortable. The binoculars don't have to hang from your neck. Look at Alaska Guide Creations. That will give you an idea. There are other manufacturers as well.

Good luck with your search :).
 
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Nice65

Brilliant!
Apr 16, 2009
6,438
2,859
W.Sussex
Some pics of my MaxP. So many pockets we once spent an hour sat on the steps of our hotel in Ibiza because my weeping wife was convinced she’d lost her passport and we couldn’t check in. It was, of course, in an inside pocket. :D

I’m not sure I’d have bought us both one of these at full price. Well, I wouldn’t. But an Amazon seller was flogging off the orange versions at £34 and a heads up ensued across the forums. Now I’ve lived with it for a few years, I’d not hesitate to replace it if need be. It’ll carry all you need and more, extra clothing, waterproof, sandwich, little gas stove etc etc. Just get used to always using the same pocket for the same thing or you’ll be searching everywhere for your pen, torch, passport etc. :D

Much as I like the Gerald Durrell type simplicity of the messenger bag/satchel, particularly leather and canvas ones, this thing is really practical.

1ltr wide mouth Nalgene in bottle pocket. Should take a flask ok if you choose the size carefully.

1432-B7-D2-92-BA-4-AF2-8320-17-D097632-BB7.jpg


Secured by a Velcro strap and cord that passes through inside the bag to a cord lock.

F26-E06-D4-9361-4-EBF-9235-8856525-CC520.jpg


Plenty of extra room with the adjustable lid closure and tucked away fabric.

D3499-F1-A-D519-4287-8704-2-B02199-D7-D6-D.jpg


Padded back pocket, perfect fo 9.7” iPad, tablet, paperwork etc. Pocket I’ve got my fingers on is my sunglasses pocket.

CACB0710-C919-4025-90-E1-C2-B3-EB374-ED9.jpg


Almost every pocket has more organiser pockets in it.

A88-B2650-1-A15-4619-BE14-7-B1-ACCD75831.jpg


Decent, wide padded strap and waist belt for front, side, back carry.

99178-E16-4-FA7-4-D3-C-98-DC-5-B0817-E6-E242.jpg
 
Last edited:

KenThis

Full Member
Jun 14, 2016
825
121
Cardiff
I've got both and love them
The bergans I can do overnighters with and handles heavier loads better than the mountainsmith.
The mountainsmith has become more of a town bag or motorbike bag just because it carries better on the shoulder strap when it's virtually empty.

I always loved the idea of a satchel but the single strap pressure on one shoulder always annoyed the he'll out of me and they constantly swing down in the way if you try and do anything while wearing it....YMMV

I have to agree with Sunndog I also have both the mountainsmith and bergans bags, I wouldn't be without them.
 

Laurentius

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Aug 13, 2009
2,422
614
Knowhere
I’m expecting a Polish bread bag any day now, so i’ll see how I get on with that and if it doesn’t work out, i’ll drop you a line to see if you still have it.

Best wishes,

Darryl

I’m putting together a lightweight day kit and I need something smaller than a backpack. I need to be able to carry a small Thermos flask, a couple of ID books, binoculars, assorted useful stuff.

Any advice about these Satchels is welcome and if you have one you’d like to sell, please let me know.

View attachment 52421
I don't know if such a thing is still available but I had a nice little 15ltr shoulder bag from Kathmandu, that disapeared and then mercifully was rediscovered. It packs up into a pocket size package and I like to pack it for any occasion when I might run out of packing space.
 

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