Gear: smaller more mobile pack

[Ronin13]

So I'm in the market for a smaller, more maneuverable and modular backpack, and I've been looking at the Maxpedition Monsoon Gearslinger:
http://www.opticsplanet.com/maxpedition-monsoon-gearslinger-backpack-monsoon-gearslinger-0410.html
I'm planning on getting the additional universal CCW pistol holder for the water bladder pocket so I can carry while out and about in the great outdoors. Not just for quick bugout or "recon" but also for hiking and climbing. Anyone have any experience with these? Thoughts?

[asmo]

I have a similar bag I'll sell you cheap (5.11 Rush 10). I thought I'd like the messenger style but ended up going back to a backpack.

[jhood001]

I don't have any experience with that model, but I have the Maxpedition Condor II. Their packs will last a lifetime and then some under the most rigorous conditions.

I personally don't care for the single shoulder setup. They're fine for light loads, but extended hiking with a heavy load tends to give me shoulder and neck cramps.

[Sawin]

I can't stand single shoulder packs or messenger bags.... but Maxpedition does make some nice bags. For climbing and hiking I have a Deuter Bike One 20. It's on the large end of hydration/cycling packs, so it works perfectly for a multisport bag. Definitely not a BOB though.

[Wulf202]

Slinger packs are not good for long hikes or climbs. If you want to do that get a pack with double straps and a waistband. If you want quick on and off sling packs are hard to beat

[StagLefty]

http://www.ar-15.co/threads/74227-LA-Police-Gear-3-Day-Back-Pack-24-99-plus-5-off

[HoneyBadger]

Another thing to consider with the single shoulder strap while hiking: the bag is less secure on your back and has a tendency to slide around, causing your center of mass to shift while climbing and scrambling over rocks etc. i almost lost my balance and fell into a stream while hiking because my sling-style camera bag shifted on me.

[Irving]

I'm also looking for something smaller to carry into work every day. Right now I'm using a messenger/soft sided brief case kind of thing and I really don't like it.

[StagLefty]

I'm hopefully waiting for a sale on the 5.11 Rush12. Looks like the perfect size for my everyday needs. http://www.511tactical.com/All-Products/Bags-Backpacks/Backpacks/RUSH-12-Backpack.html?CAWELAID=944888935&cagpspn=pla&gclid=CJ3ssM6VhrQCFYs7MgodkDoADg

[JohnnyEgo]

Another thing to consider with the single shoulder strap while hiking: the bag is less secure on your back and has a tendency to slide around, causing your center of mass to shift while climbing and scrambling over rocks etc. i almost lost my balance and fell into a stream while hiking because my sling-style camera bag shifted on me.


Ditto. I did a week long photo tour of Yosemite with a LowePro Slingshot, which is the camera-bag analog to the Gear Slinger. It was miserable for long days of hiking and climbing. Even with the waste strap engaged, which minimized the sliding, it still wore on my shoulder. It's all about the weight and it's distribution. I use a Maxpedition Fat Boy everything from a diaper bag to a laptop bag, and think they are great. However, I wouldn't try to carry anything more then you might otherwise put in a fanny-pack style bag if you were hiking all day.

[HoneyBadger]

Ditto. I did a week long photo tour of Yosemite with a LowePro Slingshot, which is the camera-bag analog to the Gear Slinger. It was miserable for long days of hiking and climbing. Even with the waste strap engaged, which minimized the sliding, it still wore on my shoulder. It's all about the weight and it's distribution. I use a Maxpedition Fat Boy everything from a diaper bag to a laptop bag, and think they are great. However, I wouldn't try to carry anything more then you might otherwise put in a fanny-pack style bag if you were hiking all day.

That's the exact bag.

[dave29]

Now...if you want to carry a rifle everyday in your pack, check out Eberlestock.

[SA Friday]

As many of you know, I've been a full time college student for the last three years for a BS in Chemistry, criminalistics concentration. Can you imagine the size and weight of the books I'm carrying around on a daily basis? I have had some terms where I was toting around 30-40 lbs of books every day. I used a messenger bag for less than my first term. Anything over 5-6 lbs in a messenger bag is simply not feasible when having to walk around with it all day. Get a well built backpack. I didn't want a GI looking backpack for on campus use, but I wanted a backpack that could take the abuse of that weight for years. I bought a Timbuk2 and it's still in one piece after 2 1/2 years of daily abuse. If you need a professional looking bag I would recommend the investment.

For a BOB, there are plenty of good mole bags out there, but don't skimp on it. Cry once and invest in something that's going to last. My next upgrade in a BOB will be either a Eberlestock or a Mystery Ranch, and I've been leaning to the MR. Pricy, but Dana knows how to make a backpack. I still own one of his very first Dana Design backpacks for long distance hiking and it will last me my lifetime.

[Americus]

Try looking at http://www.mysteryranch.com They have all sorts of great options. Some SOF units and even the entire Marine Corp are going to these packs because of their quality, durability, and options. I have two, both an assault type for day operations, and a large capacity pack for longer trips. Both have multiple deployments overseas and have held up well.

[COvigilance]

If you are looking for a concealed carry bag the tactical tailor is decent but it has limited capacity. I keep mine in the car and at work. I don't carry it around alot because I would rather use a backpack if I was going distance. It is big enough for a Glock 19, a few extra mags, a bottle of water, surefire flashlight, a few energy bars, first aid kit, and small survival kit. Not much room for anything else though.

http://www.tacticaltailor.com/CatalogueRetrieve.aspx?ProductID=3250273&A=SearchResult&SearchID=3267977&ObjectID=3250273&ObjectType=27