I have this old canvass knapsack that I want to use as my "stove pack."  However, I hate having to rummage through a crumpled bag to get something.  It's like looking for something in a pillow case! (and whatever you want is invariably on the bottom).  So, I've been thinking of lightweight ways to give this pack a bit of structure, and would welcome any ideas.  

Option 1: put a small plastic garbage can (about 17" tall and 1.5 pounds) inside the bag, line the inside of the can with a plastic bag, load the gear, and flip the canvass cover flap over and cinch.  The garbage can fits the bag pretty well, and there's enough room on the side to slip stuff like a fire grate (for the QP) and small axe along the side.

But if I (or any of you readers?) can think of a lighter-weight approach to providing some kind of structure, that would be great!!

Option 2: buy a different pack.  

Option 3: get over it, and just continue to rummage through the bag.

I'm most interested in ideas related to Option 1!

prouboy

If the garbage can fits well, you could cut off the lip around the top to reduce weight, and so the lip doesn't dig into your back.

You could also use corregated plastic, like political campaigns use in yard signs. Just cut, ductape, and fit.

I think Old Salt might have something here....next time your in a Post Office ask to see a mail bin. I believe some of the resident gear manufacturers peddle closed cell foam "boxes" that have zippered closures too, color coded and in various sizes. Me, I just run colored stuff sacks and dig; and my stoves and fuel bottles are hauled in a roll top style water proof bag, that I got as a cheap second twenty years ago, that is isolated from the other gear and "beanered" on to a portage pack when I hit the land between the water. That bag holds 8-10 days of fuel and two stoves w/ repair kits no problem; and it is translucent.

Well' there's the pack baskets. The garbage can will keep some of the water out if that's important to you. I've used plastic (not paper backed) foamcore to compartmentalize the storage bin I use. I've never seen one up close but yard signs sound like a great green idea. If form and structure isn't helpful to you - those things look tough.

I like the yard sign cardboard, its light & water proof, but protection would be limited,

The basket would provide structure & water drainage.

The trash can would have structure & could b used to haul dish water or extinguish a fire.

hmmmm depends on exact needs I guess

Anyone know for sure what kind of glue would work with the corrugated plastic? You could craft a nifty storage box I would think with the right kind of glue.

Depending on the dimension of the pack, this may work -

Go to a Wal-Mart, or any store with a Gardening Department, or look online for a "gardener's kneeling pad" - about $5, and they come in a variety of sizes.

Closed cell foam, so it does not absorb water, and quite stiff - enough so that it would provide a stiffener against the back of the pack that might give the pack enough "structure" to suit you.  I suppose you could attach some strings to the inside of the pack to tie the pad in place if needed, or even glue it in place?  but I'm thinking the pad alone would work.

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or this one, narrower but thicker -

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I have 3 different pads like this - one similar to each of the two I linked to, and another thick one that is wider.

I always bring one of these pads with me to use as a cushion to sit on around camp - a heck of a lot more comfortable than sitting on a log or rock without the pad.   I also use the pad in the tent, as an extension for my 3/4 length therma-rest pad - I put the gardening pad under my heels.  The smaller size weighs only 1.6 oz and the biggest size I have is 3.3 ounces, so you wouldn't be adding a lot of useless weight to your pack.  

I'd also think a nice thick pad against your back would be a lot more comfortable to carry than a garbage can.  But that's just me - maybe you'd like a garbage can poking you in the back ?  How should I know?

Anyway, it would be a cheap experiment, and you could always find some other use for the pad if it does not work out well for the knapsack.

db wrote on Jan 20^th, 2010 at 8:01am:

Well' there's the pack baskets.

DB -- do you have one?  A small (17 or 18 inches tall)?  If so, what does it weigh?  

prouboy

Old Salt wrote on Jan 20^th, 2010 at 5:29am:

You could also use corregated plastic, like political campaigns use in yard signs. Just cut, ductape, and fit.

I may try the political campaign sign approach, and just cut and tape to fit.  This seems like a lighter-weight alternative to a plastic garbage can.  But the hard part will be deciding what my political statement will be!  :)

I also may cut the top and bottom off the garbage can, to save weight.  But doing this eliminates any utility of having something that will carry water.

Touch decision, but this is what cold Januarys are for.

prouboy

I've made stuff out of the corrugated plastic campaign signs and it worked great...is STILL working great after 2 years outside and uncovered.  I used duck tape (of course! ;D) to hold it together.

Those plastic corregated signs can also be used to fan the fire, fillet the fish, etc.

I use one or two 5 gallon plastic buckets with tight lids to pack my stove, the pots and pans, and sometimes the eating utensils and plates, etc.  Depends on how many folks are on the trip.  In my kayak I use a smaller 2 1/2 or 3 gallon bucket.  The buckets are easy to carry in a free hand while portaging, waterproof, provide an extra chair at camp, huge water carry capacity in camp, and for a group we throw all our dirty dishes in it and at the end of the meal use it for the kitchen sink.

You may want to check with a nearby veterinarian, kennel, etc. for food or supplement containers.  I've got one that's lightweight plastic, square, and has a snap-on lid.  It's not watertight, but good for insertion into a small pack.  Plus it has a bailer handle and is handy for drenching a firepit.

I'm with M_M on this one. I use a Thermarest pad as a stiffener in my Granite Gear food pack. It's a 48" x 20" pad, which serves a camp seat and if needed, extra padding under my sleep pad.

I'd get a old pad or a cheap version from Wally World, and trim and fit to pack. I'd trim for width, and leave as long as possible to use as seat in camp or under sleep pad. Won't absorb water, and you pack will FLOAT for sure ;)

solotripper wrote on Jan 20^th, 2010 at 7:30pm:

I'm with M_M on this one. I use a Thermarest pad as a stiffener in my Granite Gear food pack. It's a 48" x 20" pad, which serves a camp seat and if needed, extra padding under my sleep pad.

M_M and ST -- I took your advice.  I found some half pieces of old yellow thermarest in my gear, cut them to size, (15 inches) and duct taped them together.  I think this is going to work.  The pads are lightweight, bendable, provide good padding, can be used for other things, and most important, they provide some stiffness to an otherwise completely limp knapsack.  

Thanks to everyone for all the good ideas.  

prouboy

On the baskets - Tripper had one for a Duluth but we ended up sliding a RubberMaid tub inside instead. The weight wasn't all that much different and there was less digging for stuff. The bottom is a lot closer.  ;)

Good luck!