I carry what I call a "stove pack" on my trips...stoves, gas, funnel, trowel, etc.  I've been using a small backpack, like kids take to school.  But it died this last trip, so I'm in the market for a tough, sturdy, small, pack.  Any suggestions?  

prouboy

Puckster wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2009 at 1:30am:

I carry what I call a "stove pack" on my trips...stoves, gas, funnel, trowel, etc.  I've been using a small backpack, like kids take to school.  But it died this last trip, so I'm in the market for a tough, sturdy, small, pack.  Any suggestions?   prouboy

Why change from something that works?  I do the same thing ... use the cheapest school-type backpack I can find and it holds stove, fuel, cookset, small grill, etc.  

I ditched mine after the WCPP trip with Jimbo et al.  It was beginning to get a bit frayed after several seasons of use (I probably would have just kept it if I hadn't been running close to my max bag weight for the airlines).  I went to Wally World and bought an identical pack ... maybe $10.00.  Don't get me wrong.  If you want something more expensive, go for it ... I'm just keeping my "better" small packs for other kinds of travel.

BTW:  I also find having some smaller bags useful when trying to balance the load of my solo canoe.  On portages, I just quickly 'biner it to the front of the food pack (at least for the front end of the trip), which also helps to balance my load front-to-back.

dd

We have used an old Jansport for a stove/ utility pack a couple times like you mentioned, and I would say it's tough enough. Last year I tried to get most things in the large packs but still brought it along for a daypack.

I'm not sure if they make it anymore, but check out the heritage series to get the basic idea. Mine didn't come pre-weathered.

There is also a inexpensive pack at campmor called the right pack that might work for you.

I use a GG Talus rucksack, about 1900ci [I think it's been discontinued]. It has seen a LOT of use. GG still offers the Arete,   (You need to Login or Register
A slightly larger but very similar pack. I also added a sheet of plastic to back up the foam back and add some stiffness to the pack.

butthead

Thanks all.  

I'll probably look for a high-end school pack.  My stove pack holds gas, stoves, funnel, grate (when in QP), rope, fire starting stuff, trowel, TP, matches.  

Then I have a day pack, another small pack, that holds first aid kit, nalgene bottle, binoculars, tp, bug juice and other misc, and food for the day.  

On the last trip, a 14-day affair, halfway thru we re-supplied (via the god-awful Angleworm Portage.  In the process, I combined the stove pack with the "day pack" and it seemed to work.  

Anyway, I'd love to be able to be able to single portage someday, but in 20 years, I've always double portaged.  Maybe when I solo next year, but probably not even then!  

prouboy

A thought...
Check eBay for packs. I was lucky to pickup a small Duluth Pack - I think they call it a European style rucksack - for about $30 a couple years ago. I use it exactly for the purpose you're talking about. I was using one of my son's old Jansport bookpacks, and although it was good it isn't near as durable as the canvas Duluth. But brand new, well, they're mighty pricey.

Good luck,
Wind-in-Face

My 'cook pack' (the big ol' Rubbermaid) is also my 'food pack' for solo and two person trips. Dented pots are no fun and the semi rigid quality provides both protection and excellent access. I'll stick a bottle of gas or two in with my clothes for the start of non solo trips if need be.

The day food pack comes with at all times. I also have another day pack that holds the FA kit, rain gear, trowel, deet, sun screen, tackle....

The two are kept apart because one goes in the tent or at least the vestibule at night. Both are old Jansport (lifetime warranty?) type book bags. The day food one has been with me since the 70s. No complaints but it now holds a small rolldown inside for whatever can't take getting wet.

I wish my newer day pack were still more water-resistant but it doesn't look like it will totally die any time soon so I've turned to the yellow Park garbage bags for the jacket and whatever else always ends up inside or comes out as morning turns to afternoon....

Never does any food or food wrappers go in that pack or clothing pockets. Not even a juice bottle on a portage. Plenty of room in the day food pack for garbage, snacks and flavored water.

The notion that you will find something to fill every square inch of pack capacity you have is only true on the first few trips. After a while you discover it's a whole lot faster and easier to shove a pack in a pack on the second week then remember how you carefully fit everything in at home when things no longer fit quite right on the second day - in the rain.

db wrote on Sep 5^th, 2009 at 7:02am:

I'll stick a bottle of gas or two in with my clothes ...

Maybe its because I started in a backpacking tradition where everything has to go into one pack, but I've always been resistant to having fuel in close proximity to anything else.  Of course, it has to be close to SOMETHING, but I've always tried to place it in such a way that if I had a fuel bottle leak, it would have minimal impact on everything else.  Consequently, I started putting the fuel bottles in an exterior pocket or an exterior "lash on" pocket.  Since I now use a day pack for my cooking kit (everything needed for cooking is in this pack and it gets dropped in the cooking area when I arrive at camp and stays there until I depart ... of course food is in a separate food pack) I've had to resort to using the smallish exterior side pockets.  Even though the fuel bottles are relative slim (I use MSR fuel bottles), there is still a potential that they could pop out of these small pockets.  So to make sure the bottles don't pop out on a portage, I use a 'biner to attached it to the side compression straps of the pack.

This year, the strategy finally paid off on my Quetico trip.  I'd selected one of my older MSR bottles and had neglected to re-check the O-ring seal.  Over the years, it had developed a few hair-line cracks.  This resulted in a slightly detectable odor of fuel.  Luckily the cracks were small, so the odor was minimal and I don't believe I lost any fuel.  However, I did have the "luxury" of knowing that the only thing that would ultimately be impacted with a major leak was the cook pack and nothing else.

So, check those O-rings!  (I now have spares to put in to my "repair" kit.)

dd

dd,
I have the same reservations about putting fuel bottles "in" a pack.
Had a bad experience my first year backpacking, bad O ring too :'(  So I bought and still use two large exterior pockets that zip closed. Each will hold a liter bottle of fuel, and rope/ tent/fly stakes/trowel etc.
 When I bought my GG food pack, it didn't have side compression straps. I had them added, and bought 2 more big side pockets for the food pack. Now fuel fits in them, in the big zip closed section, and fire starters/lighters/candles/candle lantern, go in the outside zip pocket.
 Since I use ALL synthetics, fuel and nylon/synthetic, don't go together very well ;)
 I like having the extra room and not digging in the pack for items I use all the time.

I had an aluminum Sigg w/ the O ring. It was always tough to get a proper seal. Lucky for me a bear ate that one. My others are all the Nalgene plastic fuel bottles with the pouring spout that stores inside. You can tell when you screw down the cap they won't leak. Puncture maybe.... If you don't need to pressurize they're great.

db wrote on Sep 6^th, 2009 at 4:18am:

I had an aluminum Sigg w/ the O ring. It was always tough to get a proper seal. Lucky for me a bear ate that one. My others are all the Nalgene plastic fuel bottles with the pouring spout that stores inside. You can tell when you screw down the cap they won't leak. Puncture maybe.... If you don't need to pressurize they're great.

I have a RED Naglene fuel  bottle, but from what I've read on-line, they seem to be out of production? Anyone know different, or have source?
I solved the problem buy buying a Coleman Premium Fuel Liter, which comes in a plastic bottle. I just used the Naglene fuel bottle first and transfered the Coleman when needed. The built in pouring spout is a nice option. I like the Plastic bottles better than the Aluminum. They'll take a "hit", and don't dent or puncture as easy as the thin Aluminum bottles. For a little extra protection, I wrap the body with a thin Bubble wrap, secured with a Bungee Bob. In the side pocket, they're safe and secure, and easily accessible.

S_T -- Yes, Nalgene discontinued producing their fuel bottles a number of years ago.  Focusing on their other product lines I guess.

prouboy

Puckster wrote on Sep 29^th, 2009 at 2:53am:

S_T -- Yes, Nalgene discontinued producing their fuel bottles a number of years ago.  Focusing on their other product lines I guess. prouboy

NEVER fails, you find a good product that holds up well, and the "Bean Counters" discontinue it :-?
Usually they want to sell you an improved model, I guess in this case they couldn't improve an excellent product.

I use one or the other of these for food and cookware, depending on how many people are going.  Very sturdy bags.

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The Molle webbing comes in handy for shoving whatever you need in it.  

A CCS Rucksack maybe?
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I went through a number of day packs in the past fifteen years.  Usually a zipper goes.  I've had an Arcteryx day pack for about 6 years that I bought for it's heavy duty zippers.  It has held up well to a lot of abuses and can hold a surprising amount of gear.
Last season I used the BWJ Guide pack for the entire season.  Relatively expensive at $100, but I believe it's going to be a long term keeper.  Tough, spacious and comfortable.  It has two large side pouches with serious two way zippers and a zippered front pouch, as well.  I cut an old ridgerest pad in half and trimmed one half to make a 'liner' for the main body of the pack.  Pulls out to be a short camp pad and protects the contents (and your back--the pack has no padding).  It always has the first aid and repair kits, a fleece jacket and spare socks in a little drybag (this is also my pillow), tackle and gear (fillet knife, pliers, stringer, etc) and all the miscellaneous odds and ends (extra compass, handwarmers, space blanket, a couple of short lines, lighters, firestarter, etc) in it and has plenty of room for water bottles, lunch sack, cook kit, etc.
I find it handy, as a solo paddler, to have a pack like this along.  It goes on all the day trips, working as ballast and stowage.  I'm a bit ocd about my systems and placement of gear, I like to know where something (especially first aid, etc) is, at all times when I'm out there.  Most of the gear has it's place.  I hate wasting time searching for something.  But enough about me...

I second the vote for the CCS rucksack, recently picked one up and have no doubt this pack will get handed down to my kids!! Great piece of gear!
Cc

Arcteryx & Gregory are my current preferred brands.

Has anyone used a Quetico superior pack #4 (not granite gear)?
Apparently the Quetico company went out of business but i know someone selling a couple used ones. Wondering what they're comparable to.

Craigslist.

Sounds like you're looking for something cheap to abuse.  I've found some great deals on craigslist.