Traditional Hiking Packs and Thru-Hike Bags
Apr 16, 2020
Traditional Hiking Packs and Thru-Hike Bags
Because these companies cater to hikers, these bags are designed to be carried on long hauls – which usually equates to durability and a better overall construction of the pack.
Internal-frame bags have a stiffer build and they use flat aluminum rods or plastic framesheets. The way they are constructed helps transfer weight from your shoulders to your hips, making the bags easier to carry on long hauls. If you plan on climbing, then internal frame packs really start to show their utility
External-frame are rarely used anymore: They are more of a hold-over from an earlier day, and to be honest they are going to be hard to find. That being said, I do think they transfer weight better than most of the hyperlight internal frame bags and generally allow you to carry more weight over longer distances, with less pain and misery than a comparably sized internal frame pack.
The downside to buying these types of packs:
If you carry a lot of MOLLE style gear, or are looking to carry tactical gear, weapons and knives, then these bags are probably not going to be what you are looking for. One other consideration is attention; depending on the bag, during a bug out situation they may raise a few eyebrows. A big bag usually means lots of gear inside to the bad guys!
Military Style Backpacks
If you’re not especially concerned with the weight of your pack, then a military pack can be a good option – especially if storage and organization are concerns. While these packs are usually on the heavy side, they are super durable, made to be carried through harsh conditions, and are generally easy to organize. They also usually offer an attachment system that allows you to clip gear directly to the bag.
The main benefit of choosing a military-style bag is the ability to attach utility packs, accessories, and magazine pouches right to the bag, using a MOLLE system (or ALICE system on older style packs). Since most modern accessories are designed to be used with MOLLE style bags, I would tend to stay away from the older ALICE packs.
What is MOLLE?
MOLLE Packs use the Pouch Attachment Ladder System or PALS as a way to easily attach extra gear to the bags.
MOLLE (pronounced molly) is an acronym for Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment. MOLLE packs use the Pouch Attachment Ladder System or PALS, a grid of webbing that allows you to easily attach and detach pouches, slings, gear or other items to your pack or vest. Most modern tactical equipment, like knife sheaths holsters, magazine pouches, and radio pouches are designed around this system.
DIY TIP: For all the Do-it-Yourself guys out there, who want to add MOLLE to their traditional hiking packs: The PALS grid system uses horizontal rows of 1″ Mil-W-43668 Type III nylon webbing (commercial vendors use Type IIIa), spaced 1″ apart, and reattached to the backing at 1.5″ intervals.
The downside to buying these types of packs:
The real downside to these packs is their weight. If the pack is going to be carried by someone with back issues, or someone who has a hard time carrying large amounts of weight, then a hiking backpack might be the better option since they are usually much easier to carry.
Because these companies cater to hikers, these bags are designed to be carried on long hauls – which usually equates to durability and a better overall construction of the pack.
Internal-frame bags have a stiffer build and they use flat aluminum rods or plastic framesheets. The way they are constructed helps transfer weight from your shoulders to your hips, making the bags easier to carry on long hauls. If you plan on climbing, then internal frame packs really start to show their utility
External-frame are rarely used anymore: They are more of a hold-over from an earlier day, and to be honest they are going to be hard to find. That being said, I do think they transfer weight better than most of the hyperlight internal frame bags and generally allow you to carry more weight over longer distances, with less pain and misery than a comparably sized internal frame pack.
The downside to buying these types of packs:
If you carry a lot of MOLLE style gear, or are looking to carry tactical gear, weapons and knives, then these bags are probably not going to be what you are looking for. One other consideration is attention; depending on the bag, during a bug out situation they may raise a few eyebrows. A big bag usually means lots of gear inside to the bad guys!
Military Style Backpacks
If you’re not especially concerned with the weight of your pack, then a military pack can be a good option – especially if storage and organization are concerns. While these packs are usually on the heavy side, they are super durable, made to be carried through harsh conditions, and are generally easy to organize. They also usually offer an attachment system that allows you to clip gear directly to the bag.
The main benefit of choosing a military-style bag is the ability to attach utility packs, accessories, and magazine pouches right to the bag, using a MOLLE system (or ALICE system on older style packs). Since most modern accessories are designed to be used with MOLLE style bags, I would tend to stay away from the older ALICE packs.
What is MOLLE?
MOLLE Packs use the Pouch Attachment Ladder System or PALS as a way to easily attach extra gear to the bags.
MOLLE (pronounced molly) is an acronym for Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment. MOLLE packs use the Pouch Attachment Ladder System or PALS, a grid of webbing that allows you to easily attach and detach pouches, slings, gear or other items to your pack or vest. Most modern tactical equipment, like knife sheaths holsters, magazine pouches, and radio pouches are designed around this system.
DIY TIP: For all the Do-it-Yourself guys out there, who want to add MOLLE to their traditional hiking packs: The PALS grid system uses horizontal rows of 1″ Mil-W-43668 Type III nylon webbing (commercial vendors use Type IIIa), spaced 1″ apart, and reattached to the backing at 1.5″ intervals.
The downside to buying these types of packs:
The real downside to these packs is their weight. If the pack is going to be carried by someone with back issues, or someone who has a hard time carrying large amounts of weight, then a hiking backpack might be the better option since they are usually much easier to carry.
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