Pack vs Duffel Showdown

When it comes to toting around large amounts of gear there are a couple of obvious options. The standard backpack with straps, maybe a waist strap with kidney pads, with an internal or external frame has been a long time standard for loads going the distance. There is another option that is overlooked a lot of the time and that is a duffel bag.

While there are obvious differences and they both serve relatively the same purpose they are both different. What is good about duffel bags and why should you consider one for carrying gear? That is the topic of conversation. 




Lets get one thing out of the way immediately. Packs of sorts with the features listed above are going to be your choice for long hikes and distances. There is no way around that. However. For other things duffel bags are more than suitable for. 

In the world of gear depending on size and features packs can range from affordable to holy shit. And that is because the refined gear that is tested and durable is going to cost a lot more money. If cost is the only concern then a cheap milsurp pack would be a fine option. Larger sized packs meant for rough use can cost hundreds of dollars but will last an average person a couple of lifetimes.

Military surplus gear will suit some people, while aesthetically, some may not find it appealing. The good news is lots of manufacturing companies make civilian inspired military-esque gear as well. Coming in non-threatening color options. 

Sizing is a major point of consideration initially when picking a bag out. For the most part in this writing I am comparing military surplus packs and duffels in general. Both bags would/could be oversized. Its not uncommon to get a 60-100L sized bag second hand this way. Comparing to new civilian hiking gear, the milsurp option is going to be cost effective with either option.

Large packs will have some benefits. One is lots of organizing space. Some will have one main compartment and some will be broken up with separators. If you need compartments and major organization then your work is cut out for you. Online I have found its difficult to really tell what organizing options bags have. So it may be good to see if you can find reviews of the gear you are debating about purchasing before pulling the trigger on a new pack. Aside from organizing, the load bearing and comfort features will be very important if you plan on hauling 75L worth of gear 10+ miles each day. Sizing will be very important as well. If anyone has gone to an outfitters store to buy a pack, you know what I am referring to. Your height and spine measurements are taken and then they find a pack that will work best for you using the measurements. The military is no different. Sometimes they had versions of packs that were in sizes for long or short spines. People who are serious about finding a pack for recreation or for bugging out should at least consider going and getting sized by an experienced outfitter before buying a pack. This ensures the pack you do get will be comfortable for the long haul.

Large duffel bags have benefits and drawbacks. One benefit is they are large a lot of the time. Easily going from 35-75L and sometimes larger. Organizationally, they leave a lot to be desired. You will be lucky to get separate pockets on the side, sometimes one on the front but mostly its one large container as its main carrying space. This makes it harder to organize and keep your stuff in order while carrying it. Duffel bags are honestly not the bag for long hikes. If they are traditional gym style bags then it will have probably two small carry handles, and one long strap to carry over your shoulder. This is not optimal at all for comfort. 

With packs and duffel bags there are a ton of different types and sub categories. Yes, some duffel bags are now convertible with pack style straps and adjustment options to make them totable like packs. A good example is the USGI duffel bags. Picking something that fits what job you assign it will be very important and to be realistic with expectations. 




So. Which should I get? 


Pack


Pros

Organization (lots of pockets and options)

Comfort for long hauls

Good rigidity 

Optimal fit 



Cons

Can be very expensive 

Difficult to shop online for, see your choice in person first or find good reviews to watch

Rather large and cumbersome in the higher capacity models



Duffel


Pros

Large sizes 

One compartment 

Good for grab and go on short trips

Cheaper typically 

Different carry options with single strap or with backpack straps on convertible duffle bags



Cons 

One compartment, little organizing

Not rigid 

Not comfortable for long treks



Conclusion 

Packs and bags are a huge part of the prepper life. Make sure you pick something that suits the job you have for it. There are a ton of new generations of more modern milsurp bags out there. And the best part is there is something for everyone at any price point. Some bags can be had for as little as $3-4 for gas mask bags for example. 

Hope this helps make the decision a little easier. 

Chafing - Survival Death Sentence

 

The woman at the front counter of the Urgent Care hands me the required paperwork to sign, and says "Here are your prescriptions. Do you have any other questions?" Prescriptions? The list had two items on it and a stack of papers that looked like instructions and a small bag. The only question I really had was how the hell did It get to this point?

Cephalexin - 500mg capsules, take 2 two times daily. 
Mupirocin - Ointment, use 3 times daily. 

Great. Just great. This is my luck. 
(I do not believe in luck though)

What started as a minor discomfort became a major concern very quickly. Depending on your build and frame, weight, and level of activity this may be familiar. Chafing is what happens when parts of your body get wet and rub together. It can happen in a lot of places on your body but for me it only happens on my inner thighs and legs really. 

If you have had chafing bad, like after a day at a theme park or water park and walked miles, then you may know exactly the feeling and definition to a T. It sucks and can go from bad to worse very quickly. 

How did this start? 

In short, I have been hiking and working a lot. Long hours of physical labor being in wet, humid conditions and not being able to dry out make for a bad time. Over course of weeks I had been working 10+ hour days, and then hiking when I could. Where I live the humidity is miserable and assists in this being much worse than it needs to be. In other words. I spend most of my day being wet and Im not drying out. 

After hikes its typical to do a tick check. There have been lots of baby ticks or seedling ticks which has made it clear you have to be more aware of where they may attach. Checking all the normal spots they like, ankles, belt line, groin area, arm pits, anywhere tight I concentrated on the small guys that sometimes look like moles. 

Checking next to my legs where they sometimes will chafe I had 3 little blood blisters that looked EXACTLY like seedling ticks. I grabbed my tweezers and attempted to pick them off after my shower. It was apparent that these were not ticks after a few attempts but I did manage to open the blisters up thinking maybe they got embedded already. This was dumb mistakes #1 and #2. 

The tweezers were not sterilized. And opening them up essentially was the beginning of this whole fiasco. 

My legs hurt and I knew I needed to bandage my inner leg regardless of the little tiny blood blisters I messed with, so I stupidly made mistake #3 and #4. I am on the hairy side and I didn't want the bandage to pull my sensitive hair down there. So I shaved the area. But not thinking I just grabbed my girlfriends razor and swiped the area to clean it up. See where this is going? 

Never use someone elses hygiene items and never shave an area that is already irritated. 

***

It is important to note I am no stranger to chafing. I wear performance underwear all year round. In theory this should help a lot but if its wet for too long, no matter what bacteria is going to be a problem in your areas where rubbing occurs. 

In a matter of a few days it was clear these three little spots were worse. Even with triple antibiotic and changing bandages. Work and hiking was taking its toll as well, so at this point all extra activities stopped. The area was now looking visibly infected with whitish colors forming where the scabs should be and it was draining a bit when I changed the bandages. No good. After a day or two I scheduled my appointment for the urgent care. Where the story started. 

The reason I mention this and spend the time to tell this story is because its pretty simple. Something as minor as chafing can become a major problem in a survival situation. When doctors are not available an infection can be deadly over time if your body cannot deal with it. This minor teeny tiny micro cuts became infected, inflamed and painful, and if I was bugging out my mobility and morale would be suffering hugely. 

Without getting antibiotics it would be hard to heal too. It has now been over 2 weeks and I am just now getting healed to the point where I am alright enough to hope that its nearly gone. I still have to baby it and dry it out. Using alcohol, then putting ointment on it, and using hot compresses daily has helped a lot. 

Luckily I was able to get as a gift from a friend Mexican antibiotic ointment, and meds to stock for a tough situation where I may not have a choice but to take them if the need arises. Fish mox is another route for US bound people since you cannot get Amoxicillin as its meant to be used legally for treating fish that have bacterial problems. We cant get antibiotics over the counter to stock up on, so fish mox is how we have to do it due to regulations. There is risk of allergic reactions to these things so do your homework and make sure you don't have allergies to them before having to take them. Or your situation could definitely become worse very quick.  


Proper fitting, quick drying clothes
Proper hygiene 
Prevention measures for worsening rubbing during activity (wraps, bandaids, vaseline) 
Drying periods 
Medicated NON TALC based powders

The way they treated my issues were the same as they would treat any abscess. Antibacterial meds and ointment. But what they worried about was location could make it worse (next to groin) and they worried about staph and MRSA. Which takes a long time to heal and it has much more serious medicines to deal with. Not to mention draining and other worries. Like spreading to blood and other parts of the body. 

Chafing isn't normally life threatening but in a bug out or survival situation its the worst. Know how to deal with it before hand. If your mobility and morale are tanked your outlook could be grim.

I learned my lesson. I do not plan on doing this again. Hopefully someone will benefit from this story and they have the tools to prevent it before it happens. 

Titanium Cooking Gear: Pros and Cons

 

What is the fuss with Titanium? All I know is that the gear made with it is expensive and light. Aside from that, I know that Gucci backpackers and weight weenie road bikers were all hot on it until carbon fiber came around. 

So should you switch to Titanium cooking gear if you are a backpacker or hiking type? 

Lets list the pros and cons first. 

Pros: 
Lightweight
Strong
Cool points around the fire with friends

Cons:
Expensive
Poor heat retention 
Pans and large surface area items will burn or scorch food easily


For the most part most people don't NEED titanium anything in their lives as far as backpacking and hiking goes. Its more of a want item. But if you are on the fence and want to ditch that Stainless Steel cook set you have then let me help you make that decision right now. 

Titanium is lighter and just more expensive and durable. But heat retention is poor. Those that like hot beverages wont like it unless they actually enjoy reheating coffee over and over again if they are the sipping types. To add to this, a skillet or shallow pan made out of titanium also will not be good to cook meals if you are the type to leave it for a bit long on the fire. Titanium will scorch and burn anything you put in it if its a little too hot. This type of pan would require much more attention to the process. Where as heavier Stainless Steel can be a bit more forgiving. 

But is weight, strength and being able to say "I got titanium gear" the only reason really to buy titanium? And why is it so expensive? 

All of the products I have seen are all made in China. They are all produced in the same places over seas and the processes and final products a lot of the time are identical to one another, regardless of brand. A little homework and you will find the same info. Find the producers on Chinese e-commerce sites and order through them.

They are the EXACT same thing as the expensive REI sold (insert brand name here). Seriously. Your expensive cup you bought was produced in a factory in China more than likely and stamped with a brand sold elsewhere. The US marketers just mark it way above cost because people will pay a premium for instant gratification. Just like everything.

I know people may argue with me about this part, but from what I can gather its pretty much totally true. Same as I found out about Yeti tumblers. All manufacturers will state they are US DESIGNED, CHINESE MADE in my experience. Same goes for these camp cookware sets.

                                


Unless you are going out a lot then which material you choose for your cooking set or gear probably doesn't matter all that much. But if you do hit the trail often, you might find it rewarding to switch finally. The fact you can order a much cheaper version direct from China or a wholesaler should make the decision a lot easier. My research showed on the regular you can get blank cups with markings for essentially half the price of US sellers. 

Some people just enjoy the feeling of having a high quality item. And making memories with it means more to them than the cost. I get that too. 

So what are you waiting for?
Go for it! 
You are worth it.