5-90 said:
(Kifaru may be spendy, but reports from the field are universally excellent on their gear. Sounds like it's worth the money, to me... Also, have you checked out Blackhawk Industries, Eagle Industries, or Tactical Tailor? I forgot about those, but they're also very good. Spendy, but you get what you pay for...) -Ed.
I agree completly with everything said above.
Think of it more like you can buy a Kifaru pack once and it will last forever, possibly the last pack of that size/type you will ever have to buy.
I have/had Blackhawk Industries, Maxpedition, Tad Gear, Mountainsmith [old stuff], North Face, Camelback, Jansport, Kelty, REI.
My favorites are:
Tad Gear
Mountainsmith
Maxpedition
....
I am currently saving up to get a Kifaru x-ray pack... love it.
Also i liken the purchase for the upper level gear to when i bought my 1st Surefire flash light, a simple 35$ G2.. Wow i will never buy a cheapo flash light again. Inove bolt 3.4 volt and up from now on. That Surefire is amazing. When i got my first Tadgear Fast pack.. well its awesome i will never look back.
Like i said, next pack for me is the X-ray..
Now if i was going for the cheap and/or secondary pack i would consider Maxpedition. I have a Falcon II for my Jeeps bugout/survival pack, it fits all of your described needs:
http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=12&idproduct=110
I have 4 bags by them for different needs or places and they are good.
Again though i am saving up for a Kifaru pack..
PS yeah i am a pack freak/addict and have too many.
Also check out
http://www.tadgear.com/index.html
My absolute favorite place to get gear and things...
Check out the Force 10 BDU's... ill never wear another pant [if i can help it]
http://www.tadgear.com/x-treme gear/apparel main/tad_gear_force_10_cargo_utilities.htm
My best/last fleece i will ever get the Ranger hoody:
http://www.tadgear.com/x-treme gear/apparel main/ranger_hoodie.htm
I also have the stealth hoody and love it as much...
Yeah spendy i know but i would buy them all again [i have 5 pairs of the Force 10's now]
-Aaron
OH and last but not least...
Military Morons.. great place for reviews of all the above items...
http://www.militarymorons.com/