Survival Backpacks

I love backpacks. I love the feel of backpacks. I love the look of backpacks. I love to watch a movie or video of someone carrying this huge backpack that literally contains their entire camp. It’s all so romantic and exciting. And then reality sets in. It’s fine for me to sit on my comfortable sofa and ooh and ahh over the latest and greatest, but is it realistic? For some of us it is, and for some of us it’s just a dream. Choosing the best backpack entails a great deal of consideration. Thinking through the possibilities and consequences will save a huge amount of trouble and even possibly a life when the rubber hits the road. Think, Think, THINK!

One of the first things to think over when planning for a backpack purchase is CAPACITY. How much do you want to carry? Then be realistic. How much can you carry? Walk through all of the possible scenarios in your mind and literally. Like anything else, this takes practice. A plane old grocery tote bag will do for starters. Add some things like a book, a jacket, a box of rice and on and on until you have a comfortable weight. Then weigh the bag. Carry it around the house, or better yet, take a walk around the block with it. Add to it, take away from it, and practice again. You will soon get the idea of how much you can carry without wearing yourself out. This experience will help you in any survival situation. It will be your “compass” of sorts, pointing you to the most efficient and effective pack you should purchase. While considering capacity, think about choosing a pack that offers a number of clip-on options. For example, loops to clip-on a water bottle, binoculars or other items are helpful. Again, these extra items can add weight to your pack, so be sure to consider that. But the outside loops do save room inside for additional items.

The Durability of your pack is another major consideration. While weight is always a consideration, a pack that won’t hold up over a long period of time or survive rough terrain, is relatively useless. Broken straps, zippers that won’t open and tears in the bottom are just a few of the things that can create havoc in any situation, whether it is basic survival or a simple fun outing. Choose materials that are water resistant, lightweight yet tough. Size is relative to your situation, but durability is a must for whatever adventure or challenge your compass points you to. Some of the most durable materials are nylon, leather, canvas, and many others. Your choice depends on your environment, weather conditions and weight you can carry and a variety of other considerations.

There are certainly a variety of other things to think about that will make your survival more comfortable. Here are a few of the top picks from which to choose.

Survival Backpacks!

Our overall choice for hiking backpacks is the NatureHike 65L Internal Frame, is a great choice overall. This pack is made of high quality and durable 420 D nylon. This material offers a scratch and water resistant shield for your belongings. The material is also designed to prevent light penetration. The comfortable size of this pack, 26.38in x 10.23in x 7.09in makes it a large capacity pack. It’s total weight of 2.56 lbs. makes it a great choice. The large mesh pocket on the back of the pack allows for carrying items such as extra shoes, rain slicker, food and drink for quick access and any other things you can imagine. The ergonomic design helps it to be more comfortable to carry than some other packs. With a variety of loops for extra add-ons such as water bottles or other personal items, and a separate rain cover, this mid-priced back-pack is at the top of the list.

For durability and toughness this one takes the lead 511 Tactical Military Rush 100 60L Backpack, offers just about anything you can imagine for this quality and level of pack. For comfort, it actually comes in two sixes small-medium and Large-X- large, and comes in 3 colors, black, Kangaroo and Ranger Green. Although making a fashion statement is probably not number 1 on the list, the color choices might be useful depending on the terrain it’s used in and the purpose of the use. It’s constructed of heavy-duty Nylon 500D for the main body of the pack and a hefty 1050D at the base for superior durability. It has an aluminum-fiberglass frame that levels it up to the top of the list for durability while keeping the overall weight under 6lbs. An important feature of this bag is a front pocket with fleece lining where your media devices, eyewear, binoculars, or other precious cargo can be kept for protection. The versatility of this pack makes it a great choice. It has a good number of loops to hook additional gear on and can be matched up with other Rush Tier system components. This is a fine pack.

For a medium pack that can serve a variety of purposes the Gregory Zulu 30, is a great choice. This lightweight, under 4 lbs., pack still has the durability of polyester/nylon and has an internal frame of alloy steel and is designed around the principle of tension and compression to scientifically fit individual comfort needs. All parts of this pack are designed to conform to the body shape of the person carrying it. Torso adjustment allows it to be fitted to individual shapes and comfort. The back of the pack is designed with tensioned mesh that helps to create a space between the pack and your body, effectively a breathing space to cool your back. A space is available for a hydration reservoir that can be purchased separately. For shorter trips or lighter loads this pack is worth a look.

The Rockagator Waterproof Backpack, has to be mentioned here. The pack not only keeps your gear dry, if sealed properly it will float if dropped into the water. For boating, kayaking or just crossing waterways, this pack is superb. Extra strong construction gives this pack the extra umph needed when traversing rough terrain. The straps are sewn on patches attachment patch point thread count of 1000D. It is a little heavy and due to its tough construction has a little bit of a bulky feel. But overall, it is a good pack to consider if you’re traveling near or on the water, or in very wet conditions. Think about this when you plan your hike, or bug out. Waterproofing is so important. You could lose a good deal of your food supply or be stuck with cold damp clothes for a long time if things get wet in the pack. This one is good.

For a smaller size and versatility, Insights Hunting The Element, backpack is the one to look at. This tough backpack can go anywhere, hunting, hiking or just bugging out to your favorite spot. This backpack can be strapped to a tree and has a lay-down pocket that can serve as a small shelf. Lots of intricate organization options are built into this pack. There is a built in, unique, optics protector that can serve for a variety of purposes but also functions as a removeable gear compartment. The 3 lb. weight makes it a attractive for those who are looking for a lighter pack. It has a rainfly for those times when mother nature blesses the earth. For an all-around mid-size pack, this one is a keeper.

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