Friday's Thoughts and Other Stuff (Emergency Evacuation Kit)

Dear Preppers and Survivalists,

Immigrants carrying luggage, at Ellis Island, New York
source
Library of Congress

The Bag
As you read last week, you have some inexpensive options when it comes to how you are going to carry your emergency evacuation kit.

Well, ...

You have more choices.

Boy Scouts Unload Their Equipment
from the baggage car
of the Southwest Chief at Raton, New Mexico (ca 2011)
photograph by
Steve Wilson

Commercial Packs
There are three types of commercial packs, that come in a variety of colors, they are internal frame, external frame, and no frame packs.

The no frame backpacks are just like they sound. There is no metal or plastic frame to support the backpack, straps and pads.

Don't think these packs are cheap because they don't have a frame. A quality frameless backpack can set you back $75, $100, $125, 175, and even $250. Ouch!

Did I mention, they come in a variety of colors?

The next type of packs are the internal frame backpacks. These packs are just like they sound. The internal frame pack has its frame inside the pack. The internal frame can be metal, fiberglass, or a plastic.

The external frame pack is attached to a frame that you can see. It is outside the pack. For most people, these are old school packs.

Unless you are talking about ...

U.S. Soldier,
carrying a M.O.L.L.E. Rucksack (ca unk)
source
P.E.O. Solider

Military Surplus Packs
The military surplus packs, usually, have an external frame, so the military can swap out a damaged pack without getting rid of the perfectly good frame or vis-a-versa.

Like the commercial packs, they come in a variety of sizes.

U.S. Army Canvas Buttpack
source
Vietnam - Equipment and Uniform
by
David Brubaker

Buttpack
There is the so-called buttpack, usually attached to the web belt, enter service during the Vietnam War. Originally, the buttpack was made out of canvas, but it didn't last long in the tropics. The military quickly, looking back 50 years, started using nylon, for the buttpack and other equipment.

Needless to say, original canvas packs are relatively rare and expensive while original nylon buttpacks are getting rare.

This pack is approximately 12 inches wide, 8 inches tall, and 5 inches deep. It was designed to carry small loads, such as one meal, a few pairs of socks, and not much else. Of course, a prepper could probably stuff a lot of little stuff in the buttpack.

U.S. Army Nylon Waist Pack
source
federalfieldgear

Waist Pack
Of course, the U.S. Military's buttpack, whether canvas or nylon, has issues, so the military modified an idea from industry, the camoflauge fanny pack. Like any other small waist pack, it has limited carry space.

Medium A.L.I.C.E. Pack
source
Wikipedia

A.L.I.C.E. Packs
At the same time, these United States' military was replacing canvas with nylon, they developed a nylon rucksack that many preppers still love, after being out of service for over 20ish years.

This pack has a large main compartment with three smaller pockets on the outside and a pocket inside the flap; additionally, it has attachment webbing, for adding other pouches, like the one and two quart  canteen pouches. It requires straps, that can be removed, to be carried like a backpack. Plus, the rucksack can be mounted to an external frame.

Needless to say, these United States' military realized the medium sized rucksack was too small fro certain missions, mainly in cold, very cold climates, so they developed a large sized rucksack.

The large rucksack has three pockets on the outside with three smaller pockets above them, and a pocket in the flap. It requires a frame and straps to be carried. It is big enough to carry a fully loaded medium sized rucksack, in it's main compartment.

Needless to say, ...

It's designed to carry bulky, lightweight items, such as an arctic park, pants, their liners, mittens, wool long johns. Not, crates of ammunition.

U.S. Soldier,
carrying a M.O.L.L.E. Rucksack (ca unk)
source
P.E.O. Solider

M.O.L.L.E.
Of course, these United States' military changed as technology and their experiences showed that the old equipment wasn't meeting their needs.

So, ...

We have assault packs, medium-sized packs, large-sized packs, and even equipment bags that you and your family might consider for your emergency evacuation kit.


Which One
Like any other decision, to be made by your family, you have to do you research.

And, ...

Think about what you are going to carry in your emergency evacuation kit because what you carry determines the size of your bag.

Link:
GSiEP - Friday's Thoughts and Other Stuff (Emergency Evacuation Kit)
https://gsiep.blogspot.com/2019/03/fridays-thoughts-and-other-stuff.html

The Hiking Life - Backpack
https://www.thehikinglife.com/gear/backpack/

Backpacker - Frameless Rucksack
https://www.backpacker.com/gear/backpack-frame-type/frameless-rucksack

REI Co-op - Frameless Hiking Backpacks
https://www.rei.com/c/hiking-backpacks/f/ft-frameless

REI Co-op - Internal Frame Hiking Backpacks
https://www.rei.com/search?q=internal+frame

Backpacker - Why I Still Carry an External-Frame Pack
https://www.backpacker.com/stories/why-i-still-carry-an-external-frame-pack

REI Co-op -  How to Choose a Backpack
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpack.html

Outdoor Adventures - How I Pack My Frameless Backpack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g18I73oejo

Philmont Scout Ranch - How To Pack A Backpack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA9nSJ7RuYY

David Brubaker - Vietnam: Equipment and Uniform
http://david.brubakers.us/Vietnam/Vietnam_Equipment_page_2.htm
 
Wikipedia - All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All-purpose_Lightweight_Individual_Carrying_Equipment

Reviewer Tips - What’s The Difference Between a Backpack vs a Rucksack [Ultimate Guide]
https://reviewertips.com/whats-difference-backpack-vs-rucksack/