What's your favourite Army Surplus Bag?

[BaileyCluskey]

I wanted to see what everyone's favourite Army Surplus Bag is, and what they use it for (e.g. Hiking, Day Pack, Camping).
Doesn't matter if you have more than one favourite Army Surplus Bag, I'd like to hear your opinions and what you have to say about them!

I have a couple of favourites myself:

One of them is the Danish Army Haversack.

This is one of my favourites because for me, its not too big, and its not too small either. I can easily fit my Vintage Swiss Army Canteen in there along with a packed lunch, if I was going hiking. But I have also used it for an 'overnighter', in which I was able to carry all my necessities (Canteen, Mess Kit, Food, Fire Kit, Knife etc.). But it has loops on the exterior bottom, which is convenient, as I usually tie up my Plash Palatka to it.

Another one of my favourite Army Surplus Bags is the German Army Alpine Pack.

I have the Third Generation of this Pack, which means its made from Polyester. It has a capacity of 25 Litres, and I usually use it as a Day Pack or a Two Day Camping Pack. It has no trouble fitting in my equipment, but what I most like about this bag, is that it uses the German Army Sleeping Mat as the back support. Even though the sleeping mat is not the best, its still better than nothing. The pack also has two exterior pouches, which you can place all of your necessities in. The pockets however are not fully attached to the pack it self. This acts as a sort of 'sleeve', in which you can slide an axe, walking stick etc. down there. I just find this pack very practical, but very basic too.

So what are your favourite Army Surplus Bags?

 

[bilmo-p5]

Issue goretex bivvy bag; absolutely superb, IMHO.

 

[bilmo-p5]

Double post

 

[rancid badger]

The latest UK respirator pouch.

 

[Corso]

The latest UK respirator pouch.

would be on my list too if it came on plain colours

 

[Trotsky]

Large ALICE pack for serious stuff, I find it very comfortable.
I've had a 35L Regatta ruck for I forget how many years now, it's been with me to Leeds fest, France, Norway, Sweden and Denmark, it's battered but, refuses to die. I have retired it from front line service however, not surplus but couldn't help but mention it.
I recently got myself a Veshmeshok on the cheap and also got one of *these* via my missus after she decided she didn't really like the one she'd bought. They've both good potential as day packs, I think the Veshmeshok may hold more volume but thhe Czech pack would probably handle more weight. They're open to some customisation too, I think one, the other or maybe both will become favourites in time.
Other than that I'm fond of the British Army kit bag I got for £8, it's simple, rugged and good for throwing all manner of stuff into.

 

[BaileyCluskey]

I've just bought myself a Veshmeshok too, still waiting for it to arrive! I like the simplicity of the design, and looks like a rugged piece of gear. How are you getting on with it? Any problems, or anything you would suggest me doing? Cheers!

 

[leaky5]

would be on my list too if it came on plain colours

Same here, would love it in OG

 

[Barney Rubble]

British Army Northern Ireland Patrol Pack for me. Not too big, not too small, it's the goldilocks of overnight camping bags!! I also really like the arrangement of pockets and how it enables you to organise your kit. The only thing I don't like about it is the camouflage (I'm not a fan of camo in general) but I overlook that point as it's such a great bag!

 

[santaman2000]

Mine used to be the Large ALICE, and I still love it. But it's been bumped from the #1 spot by the CFP-90. Maybe one day I'll get to try an ILBE.

 

[leaky5]

I am going to try and get hold of a used field pack / respirator bag. deconstruct it and remake in OG.

 

[Macaroon]

I am going to try and get hold of a used field pack / respirator bag. deconstruct it and remake in OG.

I think there'd be a ready market for those; I have one but don't use it 'cause of the camo. Great design and size, multi-use item.

 

[leaky5]

I did loosely base this bag on the field pack. The field pack is very well supported with padding, mine was a bit to floppy.

Made from an old damaged army bivvy bag

 

[JohnC]

my favourite is an old green kit bag I got some years back. Ive taken it many places abroad when on work meetings and its been fine..

 

[MikeLA]

Where do I start
British Army Northern Ireland Patrol Pack
SAS/Para bergan
old solid green grip bag

 

[crosslandkelly]

I have much newer bags, but I always seem to reach for these. I love them.

Norwegian Telemark pack, Italian Alpini pack and a 1942 gasmask bag.

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[Big G]

My favourite for this time of year... Bag - For - Life

 

[Trotsky]

I've just bought myself a Veshmeshok too, still waiting for it to arrive! I like the simplicity of the design, and looks like a rugged piece of gear. How are you getting on with it? Any problems, or anything you would suggest me doing? Cheers!

Based on mine I'd say you'll probably want to replace the draw string at the top of the bag for a start. I'm also considering replacing the buckle strap that goes across your chest between the shoulder straps, it's a pain to thread up with a full sack. A couple more small pockets either side of the one front pocket could be useful too. Otherwise it's just a case of being careful how you load it and maybe inserting a piece of foam or other padding in there. It is when all's said and done a potato sack with shoulder straps so it will take almost whatever you can throw at it. I've been using mine for taking my pack up to work mostly, though it has had an outing, camping during that cold spell at the end of November. The side straps are strong and fairly generous, enough to handle a self inflating sleep mat or some such. Provided it's well packed it's really quite comfortable when it's up on your back.
I hope you get on with yours when it arrives.

 

[BaileyCluskey]

Based on mine I'd say you'll probably want to replace the draw string at the top of the bag for a start. I'm also considering replacing the buckle strap that goes across your chest between the shoulder straps, it's a pain to thread up with a full sack. A couple more small pockets either side of the one front pocket could be useful too. Otherwise it's just a case of being careful how you load it and maybe inserting a piece of foam or other padding in there. It is when all's said and done a potato sack with shoulder straps so it will take almost whatever you can throw at it. I've been using mine for taking my pack up to work mostly, though it has had an outing, camping during that cold spell at the end of November. The side straps are strong and fairly generous, enough to handle a self inflating sleep mat or some such. Provided it's well packed it's really quite comfortable when it's up on your back.
I hope you get on with yours when it arrives.

Cheers for getting back to me Trotsky! I have heard people complain that the draw string is very stiff, but I shall take into consideration the other problems you have with yours. I like the idea of placing a piece of foam in there, because I would imagine with gear inside of the sack, it would just rub terribly on your back.

 

[Trotsky]

Cheers for getting back to me Trotsky! I have heard people complain that the draw string is very stiff, but I shall take into consideration the other problems you have with yours. I like the idea of placing a piece of foam in there, because I would imagine with gear inside of the sack, it would just rub terribly on your back.

No problems. The draw string that came in mine looked a little like it was once Jute, horrid Yeltsin era Russian Jute at best. It didn't serve the purpose it was meant to so I replaced it with some synthetic cord that slides more easily. I "up-cycled" a piece of old Lidl sleep mat to use as back padding, done the same in the Czech pack, a piece about 12" x 12" works.
It's quite a practical bag, you can fit a fair amount in there and yet when it's empty it can be rolled/folded up to take up little space on it's own.