Great looking gear here. After getting home from a trip this weekend, while unpacking, I got to wondering about rucksack storage. Do y'all just leave 'em in a closet? Do you display them? I had the idea of fixing a bracket or pegs or something to hang them on the wall in the front hall, on display and always at the ready. That's mostly because right now while our little one sleeps in the same room as my wife and I our camping gear is mostly piled in his soon-to-be-bedroom and I can't figure another place in the house and the outside storage has proved difficult to protect against mice (I need a pellet gun but that's a whole other thread I reckon). Well that, and there's an empty corner in the hall that needs filling, but up until now I couldn't think of a good use of the space. Anyhow, if anyone has come up with some good display ideas, I would be keen to see them. Oh, and I'll be sure and add a photo or two of my rucksack as well.
I've actually acquired not one, but two, old rucksacks in the last month. I think I have about a dozen of all shapes and sizes. I use them all, too, although there's only one I'd want to use on an overnight cool-weather trip. I surprising number actually fit in one large box. The rest are tastefully piled on the basement floor where I load and unload them when they're being used. I made an effort to use them all in rotation, although most are larger than needed for most outings. There are places in the house where mice will chew on things. Probably a large plastic storage bin would be a good idea. But tents and sleeping bags actually need more careful storage. We have two children who have both left home but we don't have an empty nest by any means. I tell her that when we move, we should find a place with a barn.
For in the house we have a cat who is a fantastic mouser, but out of an effort at conservation only the dog is outside, and even that with some supervision. And recently I started carrying my Indiana Jones satchel for water, gloves, flashlight, and a small first aid kit when we're out and about so it's been hanging on my hat rack which sort of inspired the idea of displaying the rest or at least a portion of my gear. Especially the grab and go sort of things, rucksack, rope, and the like. Here a some photos I snapped this morning after sunrise of my pack:
I have two of those rucksacks and one of them is made of nylon, the other canvas, just like that one.
Hey all! Vision issues forced me into being a permanent pedestrian several years ago. Tried a few different backpacks to solve the problem of what to do with all the stuff I used to throw in the passenger seat, but all of them either bounced on my back too much, or else made my whole back wet with sweat after a short distance. Finally switched to a messenger bag. But today, I finally found a backpack I like! This Swiss Army pack is super comfortable, well built and looks great. Don't know how old, but looks like it has about 100 years of hard use left in it. The gentleman working at the thrift store who processed it called it a salt and pepper finish. Any info on age or maker would be appreciated. Thanks! Powered by happy thoughts
Greetings All: Hardcore Moe!! Having humped some real pieces of issued s**t, packed to the gills, back in the day, i can tell by looking that one is very well designed. That bottom waist strap makes all the diff. I heard the Swiss make good watches too! Ha Be well. Bowen
Thanks Bowen! Yeah, the waist strap is what makes it so nice. It stops the bouncing, holds it off my back far enough to keep from sweating excessiv ely, and seems to work as lumbar support too. Certainly well thought out. Gotta like the Swiss for that. Concerning other products from there, I'm more into Swiss cheese. Can't afford the watches!
Thanks! So far, all I've found out is that they are highly regarded for quality and function and go for about double what I paid... Any other info comes up I'll post it.
My old Alice pack. Built in 1988, issued to me in 1990, my dearest backpacking buddy to this day. Sent from my LG-M210 using Tapatalk
Some more "vintage" than others Late '60's Millet, photo from '72 Mid '70s Rivendale Jenson. '75 Late '70s Choiunard 1981 Wild Things
Not exactly a 'rucksack', but similar. I'm always on the lookout for interesting, vintage military/expedition gear to add to Grover's kit. Picked up these Polish military bread bags for just $5 each. At that price I was expecting something kinda sorta made of cheap material, not well made and heavily used; man was I surprised!! These are made of very durable, and thick, canvas and webbing, and weigh more than expected. The metal bits-n-pieces are well made and hefty as well. Best part - unissued!! Each one has several pockets with plenty of room for all sorts of things.