Ideas for securing/organizing gear in your pack

[Rodney65]

For packs/rucksacks with large compartments what is your preferred way to organize and store smaller items? Also interested in ways to keep small and/or valuable items tethered. My worry is that I will pull something out or the pack will get rolled with a compartment unzipped and the contents will spill out.

Some of my other packs have no internal pockets or loops. I end up having small items in zip lock bags with those inside zippered bags and paracord tying them to MOLLE loops or even zipper pull loops on the outside of the pack. Bags in a bag in a bag make it slow to retreive things.

Pictures, tips, and product suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

[mark5pt56]

Probably never a "perfect" solution on this topic. Large items such as rear bags, etc may have a loop sewn in to tether but may turn out to be a pain to unclip, tie, etc. if you have cleaning items or tools in there, the storage bags and tether would be fine as it's typically more of an "administrative" task and usually have time to retrieve and store. It may be easier to look for packs that have molle, internal panels, pouches, etc. to avoid sub bagging small items. Staging gear is also a method to prioritize what you need quickly.

Good luck, while I don't know what the intended use is which may or may not be a factor. Years ago when hunting I had a pack that also had a sub top pack that I could remove and take if I was going a short distance from where I was and could drop the main pack. I kept survival items in that. I think it was a Mystery Ranch? Was not a cheap venture to say the least.

 

[Ronws]

This is what am I using for hunting on public land. Heavily wooded, no way to get a vehicle or, in most cases, a cart back in there. I have to be able to pack out whatever I harvest. Hence having the folding meat shelf. On the long compartment side, I stow my Outdoor Edge Wildpak knife kit. On the side with two small pockets, those have clips and I can open out to stow the rifle or my tripod. In the top small pocket is where I have my license and tags.

This year, I have a digitial license and tags but still need paper and pen to write the harvest confirmation number to act as a tag.

The other little pocket can hold my compass, extra rolls of blaze orange ribbon for trail marking. In the main compartment are some bags for harvest. A folding camp chair. Toilet paper (not a question of if but of when.) Other little things I may need I can stow in the small pockets on the waist belt.

The big outer pocket on the flap is where I can carry a second magazine, if I so desire.

Because of where the waist belt on rides on the waist, I wear a drop holster for my sidearm when hunting. I suppose I could try other small packs.

I have the Eberlestock Just One but it could never wear comfortably. I took it out exactly one time.

This big framed Commander actually is comfortable and doesn't feel as heavy.

 

[mark5pt56]

I recall also having a couple small pouches on the waist belt like you have. Big thing is weight, it adds up fast! So every little bag, pouch, etc. packs it on.

 

[Amateroy321]

thanks for the info.

 

[Rodney65]

Thanks for the replies. My 5.11 Rush packs have a ton of zippered mesh internal pockets but no frame and are so short and wide awkward items like tripods can't be easily carried.

My solidly built Eberlestock Euro has the dimensions I like but with few internal pockets batteries, ear plugs, tools, magazines, etc. can't really be secured in the bag. No MOLLE makes tethering extra bags tricky as well.

It seems to me every bag on the market is someone's perfect bag but probably only that one person's.

 

[mark5pt56]

It was the Metcalf, had to look to remember.

Hunting Packs | MYSTERY RANCH Backpacks

Hunting backpacks built on decades of load-hauling innovation with unmatched accessibility and organization.

www.mysteryranch.com

 

[Modoc]

I am running a Rush 24 for EDC and work because of the work laptop. I make use of the zippered internal compartments, but also use a couple Maxpedition Admin pouches with custom name tapes for content ID. A couple other similar sized pouches of indeterminate manufacture organize bulkier items. This is after using quart and gallon z freezer bags to organize things.

 

[powdahound76]

Light weight ditty bags like the ones from FEHU or the ones from Kifaru are great.
Some things get ziplock bags.
Other stuff gets light weight dry bags (emergency gear I need to be dry no matter what). I like the OR or Sea to Summit ones.

Just depends on the size you need.

The ability to label and ID is key.

It for sure takes trial and error and time of use to dial in what works best for you.

 

[Modoc]

^^^^^^
I forgot to mention that my admin pouch (Fat Boy) only contains electronic support: charger, power bank, cables and adaptors. The various loops are great for organizing cables.

 

[powdahound76]

I always have 1 ziplock with TP, one with wet wipes, and a poop shovel.

Those are in a rapid access pouch.


Also, depending on use, some of the compression sacks these days are very nice.
To keep my pack more compact, I use a couple for certain items (sleeping bag and shelter, sometimes a down coat if not planning to use much).
They have full dry bag ones that use eVent fabric and compress very well. I might not if I knew I was going to submerge them, and more than dry in a pack in AK or even stuffed in the back of my whitewater kayak for a canyon trip.

 

[roostercogburn98]

Those are in a rapid access pouch.

OP, ziplock bags are always your friend. Or some version of a waterproof bag you can twist and gooseneck shut. Only way to find out what works for you is to try it out. Small things towards to outside and top always worked for me, bulky towards the bottom.

 

[Rodney65]

OP, ziplock bags are always your friend. Or some version of a waterproof bag you can twist and gooseneck shut. Only way to find out what works for you is to try it out. Small things towards to outside and top always worked for me, bulky towards the bottom.

Appreciate the suggestions. I use extra large ziplock bags a lot and find they work well for lightweight and soft items like socks and gloves. For stuff like ammunition or tools something sturdier is usually needed. It's those heavier items that tend to settle in weird places in the bag or slide out when it gets inadvertently tipped with a compartment open.

My TP ziplock is always pretty handy to get to as well.

 

[Gunfighter14e2]

For packs/rucksacks with large compartments what is your preferred way to organize and store smaller items? Also interested in ways to keep small and/or valuable items tethered. My worry is that I will pull something out or the pack will get rolled with a compartment unzipped and the contents will spill out.

Some of my other packs have no internal pockets or loops. I end up having small items in zip lock bags with those inside zippered bags and paracord tying them to MOLLE loops or even zipper pull loops on the outside of the pack. Bags in a bag in a bag make it slow to retreive things.

Pictures, tips, and product suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance.

As odd as it sounds, placing large rubber bands around small items a few times will most of the time keep them in your pack, as the rubber resists sliding. Plus, they can be used for many things in the field if needed for alarms, delays ect. There are even odd colored ones these days to be had.

 

[powdahound76]

@Rodney65

Another option, not immediate, is to look at Ripstop by the Roll website.

They sell a ton of kits to make your own little bags to keep certain stuff in.
Not hard to learn some basic sewing, or if you are lucky like me, have a great woman who loves to sew and is really good at it.

They also make fairly cheap DIY dry bags from Dyneema kits too.

Good spot to get stuff and make your own for much less than buying.

Tarps
Bivy sack
Ditty bags
Quilts

 

[Rodney65]

@Rodney65

Another option, not immediate, is to look at Ripstop by the Roll website.

They sell a ton of kits to make your own little bags to keep certain stuff in.
Not hard to learn some basic sewing, or if you are lucky like me, have a great woman who loves to sew and is really good at it.

They also make fairly cheap DIY dry bags from Dyneema kits too.

Good spot to get stuff and make your own for much less than buying.

Tarps
Bivy sack
Ditty bags
Quilts

I'll check it out. Thanks!