I asked for help in choosing a new container for the stuff I have to take with me when I go places. A backpack made the most sense. Swissgear makes a nice, unobstrusive backpack about the right size with a dedicated space for a laptop as well as other electronic gear. There was plenty of room for a few clothes and hygiene essentials. I don't think it's a bad choice, but the suggestion of something more tactical-looking did appeal to me.
Midway had the 5.11 Rush24 backpack available. It's has about the same dimensions as the Swissgear pack I had examined at Sam's — roughly 20 inches high, about 14" wide and, depending out how much stuff you have in it, 8" to 10" deep.
In the case of the 5.11 pack, rather than a laptop pocket, there is a pocket designed to hold a hydration pack. My Dell laptop fits it just fine. The 5.11 has pockets inside of pockets — a plethora of pouches and zippered subdivisions. I like this, but loading it is a work in progress. I'm still moving things, pulling things out and putting things in. Right now I have it loaded with a couple of changes of underwear and socks, athletic shorts and a t-shirt or two. I have my regular Dopp kit with deordorant, a small bottle of Irish Spring, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, floss, razor, etc. I have a charger and cable for my phone/camera/tablet. In the front section I have pens, pencils, notebooks, thumbdrive, and my work ID badge. In a zippered section of the main compartment, I have a spare power cord for my laptop and a good old ethernet cable (since that's the only way to connect to the LAN when I'm actually on-site at the office).
Additionally, I have zipties, glue, tape, a couple of protein bars, an emergency blanket, some first-aid stuff, hand sanitizer, a roll of toilet paper, a few ibuprofen, some B-12 sublingual tablets, and generic No-Doz. For tools, I have an off-brand multitool, a spare folding knife, a fixed-blade Glock Field Knife, LED headlamp, a lighter or two, and probably some other stuff I'm forgetting.
To be ready to pull out, I would slide in my laptop, put a water bottle or my 16-ounce Stanley thermos, or both, in the side pockets, throw a handgun, a Bible and maybe another book or two in the main compartment. That would get me through a couple of days with no problem. I still have room for a spare pair of jeans, a couple more shirts, and maybe a pair of running shoes if I wanted to stay somewhere three or four days.
The bag itself is covered with Molle straps so it would be easy to add on more pouches and equipment. Everything seems solidly attached and neatly sewn. The backpack straps have releases which are helpful in getting the bag actually on my old, stiff shoulders. The grip on top is supposed to be good for 2000 pounds, and that's what's I'll grab first 90% of the time.
This goes right in the front seat of the truck or the floorboard -- front or back without any problem. Being a "water-resistant" backpack, I could wear it when I'm on my bike, or, since it isn't overly large, I think my ROK straps would hold it quite securely on the pillion.
I appreciate the input, and this seems as though it's going to work pretty well. The features and the size are just about perfect for what I wanted -- about the same room for travel gear as the old duffel bag plus laptop space and protection.
Looks good! You've packed the power cord, now don't forget the paracord.
ReplyDeleteThat's true. I have twenty feet or so in my bike bag. I need to add some to the go-bag. It's handy stuff. I do have toilet paper.
ReplyDeleteI'm taking a couple of days off at the end of the month -- maybe go camp out a night or two and see what I'm missing and what I don't need.
And that made me think -- mosquito repellent.