Canvas Packs ?

[IANMCDEVITT]

I have no experience with these type canvas packs. What's the up-keep ? Treated with some? like, oil before hand or something ? Dried as thorough as possible after use ? patch kit ?

[ninja-elbow]

Again, I am new to a cotton/canvas pack - but I have been using cotton/canvas boonie hats for years and I treat it with ... i don't even know what it is called, let me look...

...

Ha! "Silicone Water-Guard". I buy a can of it every 3-4 years at Wlamart and spray my hat (and a few other things) down with it a few times a year. It's cheap as heck.

If anyone has a more natural suggestion, I'm listening

[ineffableone]

A couple quick videos on how to wax canvas





If your pack was already waxed, then this is much simpler. As you would just need to touch up spots. I have seen many different recipes for wax, including some with wood ashes and pine resin mixed in. I imagine if needed you could use regular bees wax rub in and let soak into the canvas next to your camp fire.

Youtube has tons of videos on how to wax canvas so if your really interested search through the videos there.

Waxed canvas obviously does not breath as well as nonwaxed. So you need to be sure to air it out more often. Waxed canvas is still breathable though, it is not water proof, just highly water resistant. You want to air dry a canvas pack after it gets wet.

For a patch kit, well some canvas scraps and needle and thread. Though you can use pretty much any scrap fabric to patch if in a pinch.

As Ninja Elbow mentioned there are modern water sealant sprays you can use also.

*edit to add
First step in cleaning a waxed canvas pack is just brushing down the pack removing any dry dirt, mud, etc from the pack giving special attention to seam areas getting them cleaned out of grit and dirt. Do not machine wash a waxed canvas pack, hand wash with cold water and sponge or a scrub brush or even just hose off dirt. If you use soaps only mild soap, though recommended not using any soap. Use cold water only, never use warm or hot water as it will soften or melt the wax. Let air dry for 24 hours and your done.

[Kommander]

I don't know anything about Platatac packs but if your cramming 70lbs in a frameless 3 day pack your are probably overloading the pack. I will say that I have noticed a significant difference between good and bad nylon equipment and the bad stuff will eventually come apart on you.

[Doctorr Fabulous]

Canvas>Nylon for durability. I'm on my third ILBE in five years. Eberlestock has lasted longer, but with less use. I'll likely be getting some canvas stuff, rather than dragging out grandad's old Army National Guard ruck (from the years between WWII and Korea) just out of respect, but I'd wager it's still good.

Besides, canvas EDC bag? Hellyeah, suck it hipsters!

[ineffableone]

Besides, canvas EDC bag? Hellyeah, suck it hipsters!

Hahaha, yes so frick'n cool! And there really is quite a bit of canvas stuff getting made now days. It is coming back in a big way, so get your canvas EDC before the trendy kids.

[KentsOkay]

I'm now drooling for an internal frame surplus canvas pack, I need something that isn't a laptop backpack for all my adventurin' and bugout needs. In the spirit of canvas, I'll post pictures of my canvas laptop bag adorned with Mosin Nagant ammo pouches.

EDIT: I also own one of those Czech "paratrooper" packs, cant for the life of me figure out how to make the sling portions stay on. Right now it's under my bed putting a masculine smell on my leather goods and concealing some unmentionables from prying eyes. Yeah, I really need to figure out how to make the straps work...

I punched up Ebay for shits n giggles, and found ALICE packs listed as "USGI ALICE FIELD PACK LARGE MILITARY COMPLETE GOOD BUG OUT BAG SURVIVAL PREPPERS"

[IANMCDEVITT]

Yep, I know they are overloaded. Platatac has some of my favorite designs of gear. They have some GREAT designs!.........I do beat up stuff. I'm saying that it (nylon) is all at totally diffrent levels of quality.........When I bought 99% of those packs I don't remember reading the *CAUTION* under it though that said "don't overload". I'm usually thinking "WoW, this is all the crap that I have to get there ?!?".............I have filled and carried a pack many times that was completely loaded with ammo and I swear I felt like that thing weighed over 80 pounds. I'm talking a simple three day ruck, no frame.......you also gotta remember, not all of us on here are in our 20's.......

[praharin]

Finally, I am not aware of a canvas pack with a sheetframe...

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/54122?fe ... ppxs&dds=y

And, now you are. I did 10 miles or so last week with about 50# in one with very little trouble.

My BOB is spectra. Ultralight and very abrasion resistant. It's also very sensitive to UV. I keep a pack cover one it when I use it, but canvas has many benefits over newer materials. My pack has yet to mildew...

I'm going to the canvas for durability and, believe it or not, just warranty. I routinely load my nylon packs with, now i'm talking just a knapsack type pack like a TT Three Day, with 65-70 pounds. I have been disappointed lately. My Platatac pack literally fell apart during a two month Hostile Environment Bodyguard class I just went to. Two months of every day and it's KIA.......Yesterday I did the Stowe Pinnacle in VT with the wife really quick with a 45lb London Bridge three day and it was stressed.....(I was too though).... ......I really want a canvas pack with those heavy straps to try. I'm gonna go Frost River and grab one around 2000ci.

That's surprising. I have a nearly 10 year old Eagle A-III and it's still doing well. I have had 40#+ in it regularly and it's just recently pulling some seams apart. Surprisingly, Eagle isn't being responsive to my requests to have it repaired. So much for lifetime...

[praharin]

In all honesty canvas packs, and tarps and tents should be featured a lot more here on ZS. The most modern materials don't last very long, while canvas does.

A little pricey, but this one was built to last:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1882-Duluth-PAT ... 1157wt_952

I don't think this qualifies as deal spotting

[Tetra Grammaton Cleric]

In all honesty canvas packs, and tarps and tents should be featured a lot more here on ZS. The most modern materials don't last very long, while canvas does.

My Biker Swag is 12oz Canvas.



Also, I have my misgivings about Platatac gear.

SORD > Platatac.

-

[ninja-elbow]

In all honesty canvas packs, and tarps and tents should be featured a lot more here on ZS. The most modern materials don't last very long, while canvas does.

A little pricey, but this one was built to last:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1882-Duluth-PAT ... 1157wt_952

I don't think this qualifies as deal spotting

Holy Shit! Excuse my French. That is "collector's" prices... and truly one (of many) "holy grails" of backpacking gear.

[ninja-elbow]

Besides, canvas EDC bag? Hellyeah, suck it hipsters!

Hahaha, yes so frick'n cool! And there really is quite a bit of canvas stuff getting made now days. It is coming back in a big way, so get your canvas EDC before the trendy kids.

Speaking of which, is there really a resurgence of "camping in the old way"? Or is it just me and me (and by "me" I mean some people also) getting into bushcraft and stuff?

[ninja-elbow]

BTW ineffableone, thanks for the video links. Good stuff.

[Niblick]

The inner D&D geek in me loves the looks of these old canvas sacks but I'm already too far invested in nylon to buy another bag. And Jimny Christmas, 60k for that?

[ninja-elbow]

An OG Duluth though... THE OG Duluth Pack, or as close as we can come to it. I never knew the tumpline got patented. If I was rich and had $60k to blow on a pride piece, I'd get that thing.

[ineffableone]

Besides, canvas EDC bag? Hellyeah, suck it hipsters!

Hahaha, yes so frick'n cool! And there really is quite a bit of canvas stuff getting made now days. It is coming back in a big way, so get your canvas EDC before the trendy kids.

Speaking of which, is there really a resurgence of "camping in the old way"? Or is it just me and me (and by "me" I mean some people also) getting into bushcraft and stuff?

I think there is some resurgence of camping the old way, however what I was referring to was that manufactures are rediscovering canvas. More manufactures are putting out canvas bags, not just camping bags, but urban bags. Which is where the trendy kids come in, so far it has not become ultra fashionable to sport canvas edc bags, but I am guessing it is coming soon as we see more canvas bags making it to urban use.

[ineffableone]

A nice video review of a custom waxed canvas pack from sargefaria

[0122358]

ive been thinking of getting one of these for overnighters...

http://www.amazon.com/German-Military-M ... 257&sr=8-9
opinions?


also if anyone has ones these...can you post pics?

[praharin]

ive been thinking of getting one of these for overnighters...

http://www.amazon.com/German-Military-M ... 257&sr=8-9
opinions?

also if anyone has ones these...can you post pics?

Generally speaking, if it's canvas with side release buckles it's junk, based on items I've handled at surplus stores and the monthly flea market. This could be the exception to my rule, but I wouldn't count on it

[sturmotter]

ive been thinking of getting one of these for overnighters...

http://www.amazon.com/German-Military-M ... 257&sr=8-9
opinions?

If it's genuine and in good condition, it's a good pack (the genuine article is essentially bomb-proof). However, the one on the link is a modern reproduction by Sturm/Miltec, which means that it's ok for casual use, but nothing I'd stake my life on (the quality of Sturm repros is a bit of a hit and miss: some are good, some are utter shite - a bit like Rothco). It's also intended to be used with a foldable sleeping pad, which forms the back support when folded and placed into a pocket inside the pack - without that, it's just a loose sack. At that price, I wouldn't buy it.

[TheLastOne]

I haven't gotten my realdealbrazil hats out in the rain yet, but as suggested by their website, I waterproofed with Doc Martin's Wonder Basalm stuff. Basically beezwax with linseed oil... goes on easy (and makes brings your boots back to life btw). I don't like the idea of those strong chemical waterproofing sprays...they seem like straight poison to me. Anyway, water beads up if I throw it at them fwiw. A little easier than beezwax and a hairdryer for those of us without hair or a dryer

I have a couple of cotton canvas-type long sleeve flannel lined shirts from llbean (can't find link, website might be season specific and these are fall wear for sure) that my mom got me at least 15 years ago. They are my go to shirts for when I'm doing shit outside that I'm sure will ruin my fancy TAD polartec shit They've held up really well and I can't think of another item of clothing I've had that long. I ripped or poked a hole on the forearm of one, but I could patch it if I really wanted to. No loss of buttons or anything!

eta
I think this bag is hot
http://www.amazon.com/Military-Inspired ... 98&sr=1-11

[derf26]

I absolutely love the look of these packs, but they weigh more than all of my sleeping and shelter grear combined. If I go for a pack like that, that means leaving other, potentially life-saving stuff behind.

Maybe one of these days some company will make an ultralight pack that looks old-school.

Still, to me something like this looks fairly cool.

[IANMCDEVITT]

Who'd that dude say made the packs ? I couldn't hear it that well. Hell, I'll drive to Maine when I get home, that's no big deal.