Backpacks

Backpack choice is important and finding the right backpack will allow Scouts and Adults go on many of the great adventure we have planned.

Backpack Considerations

A pack of some sort will be needed for most trips and outings we do in scouting.  A daypack is needed for most day-trips, while a functional backpack will be needed for most trips that involve overnight-camping.

Daypacks

You'll need something to carry your 10 essentials and lunch for any day trip.

Since a daypack is only needed for a small amount of gear, it doesn't need to be fully padded or have a built in support that you might see in a backpack designed for overnight camping. 

Features of a Daypack 

• 20-35 Liters of capacity is a good size for most daypacks

• Enough room for your 10 essentials, jacket, lunch and water

• Water bottle pockets on side of pack or on shoulder straps

• See our Daypacks Page for more on this gear

3-Season Backpacks

A 3-season backpack is needed for most of our backpacking trips and summer camp.  You will want a robust backpack that fits nicely and can carry everything you will need on an overnighter or extended trip. 

Size

• • For general backpacking, a 50-65 Liter Backpack is the size range to shop for

  • It is challenging to fit everything you really need in a pack smaller than 50 liters

  • 65 and above gets pretty big.  If a scout fills one of these, they may not be able to lift it

Construction

• • A backpack needs to fit everything you need on an overnight trip

  • It needs enough structure to support the weight of a load pack comfortably on your back

  • It must be durable enough to survive use by a Scout

  • The design needs to maximize strength without weighting too much

Weight

• • It is easy to overbuild a pack

  • Most military packs are overbuild and designed to survive years of extreme abuse

    • Use of heavy fabrics make these packs extremely heavy

  • Lighter packs allow Scouts to travel longer with less pain and less risk of injury

  • Aim for a backpack that is less than 5 pounds

See our 3-Season Backpacks Page for more on this gear. 

Duffle Bag

A duffle bag is a very utilitarian bag for car camping, airline travel and summer camp.  Some of our more experienced Scouters use duffle bags in their pulks for winter camping.

It is supper easy to pack a duffle bag and once you are set up in your campsite, Adirondack or room, its generally easier to get to your gear.

Examples:

• REI Travel Duffel Bags 

• Aviator Kit Bag

  • NSN 8460-00-606-8366

  • Surplus for about $25

  • Large square bag

  • Easy to access gear

See our Travel Bags Page

Gear Pulk

Many scouts will not be able to carry all of this gear on their winter back.  You may also not be excited about purchasing a giant backpack for just one season of the year.  Consider a Gear Pulk (equipment sled)

• It is often easier to drag a Pulk filled with gear than to carry a stripped down winter pack

• A Pulk is cheaper to put together than a winter pack

• Many scouts can't carry a 90 Liter Pack full of gear

See our Pulk - Gear Sled Page for more on this gear. 

Come talk to our Winter Adventures Team.  We'll show you how to turn a $30 sled into a piece of Expedition Gear. 

Dry Bags

Dry Bags are designed to stay dry, even when submerged in water.  We used these on our Canoe trips to keep everything nice and dry.  They also help with floatation by displacing water than might get in your canoe.

For winter outings, we sometimes use drybags to keep our gear dry.  It is surprising how wet you can get when it really starts snowing or raining on a winter outing.  A little bit of wetness can really make you miserable and a lot of wetness is going to be a problem. 

Dry Bags can get pretty expensive, so it's important to know what you will really need and to look for sales and discounts. 

See REI Dry Bags