Military vs Civilian Travel Gear

Andy,
Military gear is no doubt durable, but from experience (87-91) it was always uncomfortable and heavy. If I was purchasing a travel bag from your company I would not want a metal frame (old style boy scout.) Now your idea on having a built in system to lock your bag to a object is an excellent idea.

Now I'm pretty happy with my REI backpack and many great choices on the market. But the little day pack that I carry my laptop and really important can't lose gear seems like that is where you are heading with this travel bag. Just by looking at your drawing it's really hard to understand your target market.

Seems to me that no matter what bag you design and if it's going to carry a lot of weight then you need a killer harness system. Aching shoulders and sore backs equal angry email and returns.

Are you going to offer bags in different sizes? Are you wanting this travel bag to be my main bag?

For me:

Durability (thinking Filson tin cloth)
Weight
Comfort
Waterproof
Security built in
Price
Guarantee
Hobo Logo
Water bottle holder
Organizer
Double or triple stitching

Good luck,
Scott

ash from has written 52 comments

I have always preferred military gear for camping etc. My sleeping bag, bivvy bag, mess tins, emergency stove, survival blanket, whistle, knives etc. are all military surplus. And I always carry a few meters of 550 parachute chord whereever I go, and I have always ended up making use of it.

Certain kinds of gear, however, are not always transferrable to civillian travel or outdoors activities. In my opinion, military backpacks just are not comfortable. They are designed to be used by young, super-fit people, and designed to be cheap. Same with military boots. I'm not sure they meet my needs.

I recently bought a german army-issue compression sack, and broke it within a few weeks. The design was shoddy. I wonder if the surplus stores had them because the German troops stopped using them!

Gadget from has written 916 comments

I am never certain, I am not sure if I am buying Military Surplus of Military copies.

Thanks for your post.It's truly great.

Soldiers have been sleeping in tents, sleeping backs, cots, hammocks, using backpacks, survival gear for as long as they have been around. Camping and the military have always had a sort of connection. If you like adventure go on a camping trip and have fun.

I think your mess kit is British. I really liked it so I tried to find it online... the only similar one I could locate was the "Gelert Mess Kit" available online from a shop in the U.K.:

http://www.cave-crag.co.uk/1804/Gelert-Mess-Kit.html

Are you going to offer bags in different sizes? we are wanting this travel bag to be my main bag?

Gadget from has written 916 comments

There will attachments that allows a bag to expand, the main section of the bag will be carry-on size, and then you can attach a compartment to almost double the size.

I recommend everyone carry a day bag also, to hold immediate needs, such as camera, passport, etc. and this needs to be with you at all time. Do not get hung up on the word day-bag, this could be a larger purse, computer bag or special camera bag, but something you could always have with you.

Seems to me that no matter what bag you design and if it's going to carry a lot of weight then you need a killer harness system. Aching shoulders and sore backs equal angry email and returns.

Gadget from has written 916 comments

There are two type of bags, one is for hiking or climbing. The other is for putting on buses, trains and buses. The wise and experience traveler almost never walks more than about 30 meters. Now, I admit there are some truly inexperienced travelers.

However, this is a pro bag I am designing, and extra pound of harness is expensive to carry when checking a bag on a plane.

I will have a great harness, but truly people need educated and learn the differences between a travel and mountain hiking bag.
Andy in Rio Dulce, Guatemala 2010