Lids. WTF

[yycyak]

Alright I've finally worked up the courage to ask: WTF is the deal with pack lids?

What are they for? How do you properly use them? What are best practices?

To date, they have been a floppy, strappy, collector-of-random-stuff annoyance. Generally to be taken off unless you're doing a giant multi-day pack and run out of space. What am I doing wrong?

 

[Dos Perros]

I think you're right. I only use one when I must for extra space.

 

[AttackMode]

I only keep small quick access items in the lid. I hate when it gets heavy and floppy. I'll also use it to secure my platform to the pack while hunting or hanging cams.

 

[EdP]

I like to put stuff between the lid and main pack. It may be a jacket or my sleeping pad. What I would really like is for the lid to convert to a lumbar pack. It could also make a decent rear bag for shooting if it came off easier.

 

[MthwSdmn]

Only when I need a little extra volume. Otherwise I leave it.

 

[isItFallYet]

I use mine for ifak, motrin, firestarter, spare headlamp, battery bank. If I kill and have to make another trip, my bag (exo 4800) remains at truck and load hauler, lid, and water bladder stay attached for subsequent trips.

 

[woods89]

My current pack (SO Lanner) is built to use without a lid. I don't miss lids at all. It does have a shroud pocket that let's you store a few items on the top side.

 

[billysmals]

I use it for the easy access stuff. I have having to get in the main bag for stuff I want quickly. So unless the bag has the option grab stuff fast I use the lid for stuff like that. Food. Flashlight. Knives. Keys. Phone. A quick place to throw a hat and gloves. Stuff like that.

 

[justinspicher]

Mine keeps my puffy jacket, glassing mitts and puffy pants. I have also used it to shoot off of.

 

[P Carter]

Agree - I don't use detachable lids, as a rule. If I'm packing in to a base camp, sometimes I'll take the exo blaze orange lid to keep some items in camp and to secure the antlers on a packout. My other day pack has an attached lid with a small zip pocket; that prevents flopping and it has just enough room for keys, license/tags, and headlamp.

 

[Poser]

I used them for a long time and was always a bit annoyed. I would keep my first aid kit, SpotX and water filter in there.

I got a SG 4800 bag at the beginning of the summer and it doesn’t have a lid option. I do like it better, though my larger SG bag does have one. Only thought that has occurred to me is dealing with a bear head on a pack out and, along those same lines, an elk or deer skull since the kid acts as a great compression strap to hold such an item in place on top of your bag.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I won’t use a pack without a lid. My lid doesn’t have pockets. It makes for a tighter pack and cleaner look for me. Also offers more carry options for me, as well.

 

[nobody]

I tend to agree with the OP. I have a Stone Glacier Sky 5900, had an Evo 40/56 before. I just never even use the lids with my packs. It's a cleaner setup without, and less floppy and obnoxious. On long trips I could see where they'd have a purpose, but for weekend warrior stuff or day trips my lid just stays at home. The key is buying a bag with enough capacity that you don't need the 500 cubic inches for anything

 

[Loo.wii]

My lid doubles as a small pack. I've used it when I leave my pack at camp or I just need too make a quick hike to get a trail cam or something. usually I keep the days food and my kitchen in there.

 

[justin davis]

I use my kifaru lid as a lid on pack. Also take it off and use it as a stalking pack

 

[billysmals]

So I have really only used the exo lid and really like that I can make it not floppy. I have a Kifaru hoodlum and it doesn’t have a lid and I wouldn’t want to put a true Kifaru lid they sell for it. The guide kid or the organizer one the have seen to be awkward fitting for me. I tried a pocket for a bit on the molle spot that can act as a kid and it just felt floppy. So for the hoodlum I would run no lid. But the exo I for sure would run a lid.

 

[Drenalin]

If I’ve got camp in the pack, I’ll keep a rain jacket, beanie, gloves, and water filter in the lid so I don’t need to fish around for them.

 

[DanimalW]

Also took mine off my SG 5900 right away. It’s brand new. I know some people like lids that hold a bladder though.

 

[Loper]

The lid on the Mystery Ranch Metcalf is the worst. I wouldn’t even call it a lid as it doesn’t stay on top of the bag, it slides down onto the back of the pack. I quickly sold the one I had to a friend and the lid was one of the reasons why.

 

[Warmsy]

Like others above, I use the lid when packing camp in my back. Keep water filter, headlamp, book, other items I want to have handy without digging through the pack. In daypack mode the lid stays at home. Found a bunch of elk sheds a few years ago and secured them between lid and pack.