131–136 of 136 posts
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Making a cheap bag into a greasy, sticky cheap bag doesn't seem like a net gain.
Cheap? You can buy one from this guy for only $230 (!)
In the sense that you'd be silly to pay that price for that bag, but he'd be silly to sell it to you for any less if it takes him 10 hours to make it.
Public transport in my area is really awesome so it's how I get about the most, and I occasionally carry a couple of reasonably heavy items (20kg+ / 44lb+) on short trips. I'm currently using a medium-size Macpac bag for almost everything, but it has no spinal support and I tend to hunch when it's full, and on the occasions all my items go beyond 10kg I have to split everything into an extra bag.
I'm currently wondering if there are unicorn backpacks out there that are reasonably light (not ultralight), reinforced to handle 20kg+ loads, and built to last for years.
I know the military use industrial carrying frames to handle their crazy 50kg+ (110lb+) loads, and I think I'm looking for something similar to that, since that's a situation where you have to provide good support or you risk serious spinal damage, and the thing has to last for a while while it's out in the field where it can't be easily replaced. That said, I don't want to be stick out like a sore thumb carrying a massive camo-fabric sack around.
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I came here to say this... Those FRAKTA bags ( http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/17228340/ ) are 100% polypropylene (thin strands, even). Polypropylene breaks down under ultraviolet light. The fact that the weave of the cloth is made from fine strands of polypropylene means that it will break down very quickly in the sun. There's a "fix" though that should be good enough for a camping trip or two! Coat the b…
Making a cheap bag into a greasy, sticky cheap bag doesn't seem like a net gain.
...which is precisely why I made my "protective" suggestion in the first place =)
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How is backing up an argument and explaining limitations when questioned "fervor"? I might as well accuse you of being obsessed with calling me obsessed because you bothered to reply. When did we reach the point as a society where actually elaborating on a point and responding to someone is "fervor" and "obsession"?
> I might as well accuse you of being obsessed with calling me obsessed because you bothered to reply. Fair enough. I just found it odd that you're repeating yourself to every single person who replied to you. Or maybe I'm the odd one for noticing? That's a possibility too.
But apparently we are both just obsessive people for having a conversation and not ignoring people
Interesting as a DIY project, but I would strongly advise not using this for anything where functionality matters (camping, hiking, travel, etc). For just going to work/school it is a great fashion statement, but there are serious concerns 1. no chest strap to help distribute the load. I see a waist strap which is nice, but chest is generally the bare minimum 2. Those seals (stiches) aren't waterproof 3. It is only a…
I think having a waterproof backpack for any serious hiking is a losing proposition. It's better to individually waterproof things you put in the bag that can't get wet, not the entire pack.
True waterproofing generally isn't worth it. But not having to worry about a light-moderate rain or getting too close to a river/waterfall (obviously not submerged ,but just getting sprayed) is very nice. For the heavier stuff, you should probably throw a tarp/poncho/whatever over even the waterproof bags anyway.
Although my personal feeling is that if I am caught out in a heavy enough rain that just wearing my softshell and relying on zippers isn't sufficient then I don't want to be hiking anyway and should be looking for shelter.
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I think having a waterproof backpack for any serious hiking is a losing proposition. It's better to individually waterproof things you put in the bag that can't get wet, not the entire pack.
Critical stuff you definitely double bag. But stuff like extra layers or even a sleeping mat are things that can get wet but probably shouldn't and adding the extra bulk of waterproofing them just isn't worth it (to me). True waterproofing generally isn't worth it. But not having to worry about a light-moderate rain or getting too close to a river/waterfall (obviously not submerged ,but just getting sprayed) is very…
I found that everyone I hiked with who tried to waterproof their backpack would end up with things soaked anyway. Frequently having to open the bag in the rain means the insides inevitably get soaked, it's much harder to even semi-waterproof a much larger area than having a waterproof duffel bag for the small stuff.
Gives you a lot of flexibility too, e.g. I've crossed rivers and then just dragged the backpack over to the other side via rope.