My trusty $10 no-name backpack, bought on a Myanmar vacation 8 years ago, is finally giving up the ghost, with zippers beginning to jump track a lot, and field repairs with pliers have resulted in snapped zipper pulls. It's done.
I've been looking for a replacement, and finally ordered this Brandit US Cooper Medium last night. It's rather cheap, and I'm not expecting it to last forever, but i love the amount of compartments, the relatively small size (it's supposedly 25-30 L), and - best of all - the neon orange color 😅
I'm a scout master for my daughter's troop, so I'm in the woods at least once a week, as well as going on hikes and shelter trips with friends when I get the chance. My backpack is used mainly for water (CamelBak Chute 1L, both regular and thermos model), a hand axe, fire starting gear, various bits of rope and cordage, snacks + eating gear, first aid stuff, as well as a Leatherman. And toilet paper 😅
High visibility is a plus for me, especially when I'm out with the kids, because it's good that I'm easy to spot from a distance. When it's not high summer, I also wear a pair of modified, neon yellow work pants instead of the traditional and ubiquitous Fjällräven outdoor pants (I live in Scandinavia; they're borderline mandatory).
The thing is, this is my first foray into PALS / MOLLE strap territory, and I'm hoping some of you (maybe with army experience?) could give some suggestions for customizing the backpack. I've already ordered two MOLLE water bottle pouches to add to the sides, and I'm trying to figure out what else would be nice to have. For instance, if I could attach the axe on the outside of the bag somehow instead of carrying it inside.
Any and all suggestions and recommendations would be most welcome 😊
