4090Sharps
WKR
With a successful prototype/proof-of-concept out of the way for a removable frame lumbar pack (at the bottom of this post), I thought I was done for a bit, but the wheels in my head are still turning...
I feel like I made my last pack a little too large--too deep and too tall. Now I'd like to swing the pendulum in the other direction and see how close to fanny pack or battle belt I can get while still keeping a stowable frame and hauling capabilities.
I don't expect this build to progress quickly--things are busy--but with the way hyperfocus can take hold of me, who knows?
As before, my goal is to build a daypack that allows for maximum mobility and minimal bulk, but can still haul a reasonable (40-50lb) load of meat back to the truck with some level of comfort. I want a pack that isn't going to hang up while ducking under trees or crawling through boulders and brush.
Design Ideas:
Jotting down some early design ideas here. Feel free to make some suggestions for improvement. In short, this pack will be a large rolltop with a stowable frame, where the top 2/3 of the bag is rolled away most of the time. I want to see how much of what I like about my Durston Gear Kakwa 55 and a fanny pack I can squeeze into a small lumbar pack.
I feel like I made my last pack a little too large--too deep and too tall. Now I'd like to swing the pendulum in the other direction and see how close to fanny pack or battle belt I can get while still keeping a stowable frame and hauling capabilities.
I don't expect this build to progress quickly--things are busy--but with the way hyperfocus can take hold of me, who knows?
As before, my goal is to build a daypack that allows for maximum mobility and minimal bulk, but can still haul a reasonable (40-50lb) load of meat back to the truck with some level of comfort. I want a pack that isn't going to hang up while ducking under trees or crawling through boulders and brush.
Design Ideas:
Jotting down some early design ideas here. Feel free to make some suggestions for improvement. In short, this pack will be a large rolltop with a stowable frame, where the top 2/3 of the bag is rolled away most of the time. I want to see how much of what I like about my Durston Gear Kakwa 55 and a fanny pack I can squeeze into a small lumbar pack.
- Zippered lid - Something like the Kifaru Hellcat or MR Pop Up 18
- Two-section bag - No load shelf/cargo panel for carrying meat. Instead the bag will be split into two sections. Kind of like you see some backpacking bags or the USMC FILBE, where the lower portion of the bag is for sleeping kit, divided from the top and accessible via zipper. In my use case, the lower portion will be the dedicated daypack section of bag, and the upper will be load-hauling that is rolled all the way down to the divider in daypack mode.
- I will be slightly more limited in hauling bulky items using a bag instead of a cargo panel.
- If I make a divider between the sections, I can seam seal it and mostly keep blood out of the daypack section. The divider will be stressed and could fail entirely though.
- If there is no divider (more likely), I can easily expand the capacity of the daypack mode as needed.
- The top section should be constructed of a material that minimizes weight and bulk, but is still very strong.
- Stowable frame - Like the last pack, I only want to deal with a frame when I need it. I'll use aluminum tent poles for this again to achieve a 25-26" frame.
- If there is an internal divider between top and bottom sections of the pack, a small removable frame sheet similar to Kifaru's "internal" frame packs (357 Mag and others) could work well.
- If there is no internal divider between the top and bottom sections of the pack, I can easily route the stays inside of the pack and velcro them in, like the MR Scapegoat pack did. This option offers the most flexibility and simplicity. Seems like the way to go.
- Integrated binocular harness - If I don't design this with pocket binoculars in mind (and maybe even if I do) I want to have the ability to attach a binocular pouch to the shoulder straps without having to deal with a dedicated binocular pouch harness.
- Lumbar hydration bladder-compatible - I've never used this style of hydration bladder, and go back and forth between using a bladder and water bottles. I'll probably sew a large pocket into a shoulder strap so I can still use a small bottle if I choose to.
- "Wing" pockets in belt- I saw this Arctos Swift 6.2L pack the other day made for mountain biking that has an interesting approach to this. The belt has built in wing pockets and attaches to the "front" of the pack, pulling the pack into your body without hip stabilizers.
- Without CAD, I think this will take a few tries to get right. Because of that, I'll be making this whole project from basic materials first, and will eventually create another with my desired materials.
- Outer compression/lashing straps - I want the option to carry a collapsed trekking pole and/or small tripod (Aziak Backcountry) laid horizontally across the top or outside the bag.
- Compact main bag - I'd like to see if I can build something less than 11" wide, 6" deep, and 9" high in daypack mode. Likely 7.5-9L with some wing and/or hip pocket capacity, and overflow capacity with the roll top.
