Middle Earth Ranger Forum

I was wondering what kinda of backpacks my fellow rangers were carrying?

I'm still looking for one. The only two I have found so far are:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=514986
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=504831

I'm partial to a bedroll to carry my junk, personally, but most of the guys here are like-minded with you all, and do the backpack thing. Most all of them have made their own, or used older replica army backpacks. Those ones you linked to would work, but would really be missing the magic that makes a backpack Dunedain-esque. Here are some examples of backpacks from here on the forums. Some are by themselves, and some have swords and etc. strapped to them.






Both of those packs were made by Pete Remling, I believe. And here's Andy M's take on backpacks:

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Yeah I have a birthday coming up on the first and I was thinking about asking for the rucsacks and a "throwing" axe that they also sell.

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Let's all be thankful for Tolkien being realistic about rucksacks.

Will, Ive seen that pack and it's a bit small. There is a swiss army pack that shows up on surplus sites that is very primitive looking and very sturdy.

Andy

I think this is the one Andy is talking about and if so its now on the list.

http://www.fatiguesarmynavy.com/store/item/SW1903
http://www.outyourbackdoor.com/article.php?id=564

This is a newer style of Swiss pack :

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn46 ... 544_00.jpg

It comes in a treated olive canvas has a drawstring interior closure

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn46 ... 545_00.jpg

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn46 ... 546_00.jpg

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn46 ... 547_00.jpg

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn46 ... 548_00.jpg

Good suspension system and 2 extra long equipment straps for the sides (not shown in the first set of pics)

I picked up four of them 2 years ago for about $35 for all four if memory serves

The following shots are one of them Ranger equiped, The one pictured has 3 shirts a pair of pants and shoes plus a jumbo bed pillow stuffed into the main compartment, the smaller compartment has enough room for 2 -2lb bags off flour.
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn46 ... 549_00.jpg

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn46 ... 551_00.jpg


http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn46 ... 0_00-1.jpg

It has loops at the top for additional equip. (bedroll or cloak pictured. It doesn't have a suspension for under the pack but this could be easily remedied. I simply spray painted this one brown.

Please excuse all the edits lately I'm useing a different computer with an ergonomic keypad and I hate it, my fingers just don't want to be ergonomic.!

Not saying that this is what Tolkien describes, but by adding a few personal touches leather or other things it can be made to appear ME. Another good thing about it, if they are still that cheap you can cut it down the corners, and lay it out on canvas or leather and use it as a pattern.

You'll still be saving money by reuseing these straps and buckles as opposed to buying and making new ones.

Any idea of the site you got it from or another site that has one?

http://shop.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=321488

This is a German pack but the price is right. I'd replace the snaps with regular buckles and remove thw side pouches and replace with straps.

2 for $ 20 you can't go wrong.

I recently acquired this pack for about AUD $20 on ebay.

http://www.goodwoods.com.au/prod2499.htm

It's pretty well made, and the leather is great. Problem is the suspension system which causes the pack to slide lower down my back when full. This may be just the way I have the straps set, but I have tried to alter it to no avail. It would be very uncomfortable for an extended hike.

I love the look of those swiss packs, and have actually been looking for a reasonably priced one for quite a while. It's quite expensive to buy from Australia, and I can't find one here.

I found this one as well.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000DT7KE2?smi ... nkCode=asn

Look pretty good but we will see.

If I were going for a military pack, I would make sure it was a surplus or used one. Often these military "style" packs are really shoddy quality. There is a pack very similar to the nato one Willrett posted near where I work, and it is awful. The canvas is thin, there is no frame and no reinforced base. The stitching is pretty weak too. So all in all I would say stick to a genuine military pack.