BOB selection????

[miles2253]

I am in the process of build my BOB. Right now I am using a cheap backpack with a hydration system. I am wondering which pack would be better. A dedicated hiking/camping pack or a more "Tacticool" pack like some thing from Blackhawk or Maxpedition. I kinda like the later of the two because of the ability to tailor it to your needs with different pouches and other MOLLE type products. However, the hiking packs have nice support frams, waist belts, and better padding. I guess what I am asking is what types do you guys use and why did you choose them? Thanks.

 

[fg12351]

I'm currently building my BOB as well. I was on EBay and found a Blackhawk 3 day assault pack new for $40. It's very solidly built (1 main compartment, 1 medium, and 1 small) and I'm sure will last quite awhile. It's designed to have a Blackhawk Hydrastorm 100 oz bladder used with it but I haven't gotten one yet. Also has various straps for tieing stuff onto it. Removable waist straps where you could add more gear included. Mine is the digital camo pattern (I wish it were black) but I couldn't pass up the price.

Hunt around and you can find some deals.

Hope that helps,

FG12351

 

[obijohn]

keep in mind that the commercial backpacks intended for camping or, guess what, backpacking are designed to be lightweight. loaded with the heavier items in your bob, they will likely not hold up for long. by using a "tacticool" 3day, patrol pack, alice or molle, they will be heavier and not carry as well, but will withstand the abuse. i use a camelback, i think it is a bmf, and a maxpedition jumbo versipack for my ghb needs. my BOB has a V8 and 4wd. hehe.

 

[am94pm]

Here is my BOB.

http://www.eagleindustries.com/product.php?productid=294&cat=79&page=1

 

[Go Devil]

1st choice, Kifaru

2nd choice, Tactical Assault Gear

3rd choice, Eagle

 

[paulgl26]

this is what i use with a hydration pack
it will not brake the bank and it is very sturdy
you can also attach a lot of stuff to it
they have different colors

 

[Prometheus]

I have a few ALICE packs (a med and a large w/frame). Definitely old school.

I recently picked up a UTG web pack as a medic pack. I am very impressed by this bag. Extremely well made, lots of extras on and in it plus anywhere they could fit MOLLE webbing on it, they did. Sides, back, bottom, all over. Came with a couple MOLLE pouches ect. Makes a perfect medic pack IMO. Plenty of internal cmopartments to help section off your smaller items. Listed as being an 8 gallon capacity. Definately worth every penny for the 60 bucks I paid for it.

UTG Molle AEP Web 3 Day Assault Back Pack - UTGCOMWEBBKPK

I've seen them new on ebay sell for 60 delivered. If you put a blackhawk label on it you could sell it for 200 bucks and people would buy it up.

I love mine.

 

[JcJ]

While not really a BOB but more of a GHB, this is what I have in my car or truck at all times..

PACK-125 - Level III Assault Backpack OD GREEN With Five Stacked Compartments

 

[mike8170]

Think about how long it has to last you. Got to resupply at some point. I keep an assault pack in the truck with the basics, gloves, cap, 2 MRE, hand warmers, chemlights, 100 rds 45, 200 rds 30carbine, poncho liner, and 2 liters of water. The basics. My extended pack is a modified ALICE large, will last me about a week with 7 MRE's and the water purifier. You can check out tactical tailor if you decide to go with an ALICE pack. My number one plan is use the truck for bugging out. All supplies and equipment are in locking top tubs. Tools, oil and fuel are in the bed already. My kids and I have loaded everything within an hour, to include all weapons, ammo, 20 cases of MRE's, and reloading equipment. Not like we expect anything, though!

 

[m39fan]

We tried the Blackhawk packs but weren't impressed. We now use (and recommend) a 3 day pack from Tactical Tailor:

Three Day Assault Pack Plus

Not the cheapest but definitely one of the best. Consider this, a BOB's job is to reliably/safely carry the items you are depending on. To my way of thinking, this is NOT a place to save money! To give you an idea of the durabilty of these packs (and everything else they make), a couple of my friends in Iraq have them and love 'em!

HTH,
Mike

 

[Silverlie]

I'm working on making my own pack right now, I don't mean putting things together to put in a pack, well i'm doing that too, but once i've assembled everything I need, i'm tailoring a pack to individually compartmentalize everything for quick access, and since i'm building it/ sewing it/ tailoring it, whatever it's called, i can put whatever accessories i may need on it. the exterior is done in a MOLLE webbing format for additional pockets.
once i'm not stealing works bandwidth, i'll work on posting pictures of the thing up here for critique.

 

[danielocean03]

I'm working on making my own pack right now, I don't mean putting things together to put in a pack, well i'm doing that too, but once i've assembled everything I need, i'm tailoring a pack to individually compartmentalize everything for quick access, and since i'm building it/ sewing it/ tailoring it, whatever it's called, i can put whatever accessories i may need on it. the exterior is done in a MOLLE webbing format for additional pockets.
once i'm not stealing works bandwidth, i'll work on posting pictures of the thing up here for critique.

Sounds good and interesting, I'd like to see it.

I've been considering buying the three-day bag by 5.11 Tactical, they've got a "slip-stick" system that incorporates all kinds of little pouches and stuff, much like the MOLLE system.

 

[JByer323]

Dude, **** tacticool.

Most modern day packs last for years and years and years. A gal came into my store with a Gregory pack that she had since the early 80's, and it was still going strong. She only uses it about three weekends a month though, so I'm not sure if durability is really proven yet. Oh yeah, Gregory made the Army packs for five years or so too. That was probably a fluke though.

I get the tacticool coolness level guys, but realize that quality outdoor gear will last you, and is made to be used hard, harder then you guys are ever going to put stuff through. Even though it doesn't always come in black.

 

[cosermann]

For a BOB, I lean toward sturdy outdoor gear (non-tactical, non military). Works just as well and is lower profile. Attracting the wrong kind of attention is to be avoided.

 

[WETSU]

My primary BOB is a medium ALICE w/out frame. No other mods at all. ALICE packs, both large and small fit me well and I prefer them to most others besides assault packs, Camel bak etc as mission dictates.

 

[abnk]

If you can afford them, Kifaru products rock.

 

[lumpy39us]

Check out this bag,
Condor 3 Day Assault Pack
I like it because you can add to it as you perfect your end items list.

 

[Sailor]

The design of the military packs are different than the recreational packs. It is harder to fight/maneuver with a pack that goes from your ass crack to the top of your head. Many recreational packs are plenty tuff but the design is a hinderance. I would start with finding out what your load is then buy a pack. Leaving room for being able to pick up things you find along the way.

 

[longbow]

bob - mine is a get home bag

We can't bug out. We have to bug in.

My wife can't walk very far. If someone makes a tactical electric cart, I'd get one...