As I figure it, maybe the best way to plan my first purposed bag, a smaller bag sized like a fatboy, would be to lay out all or most of the stuff I hoped to carry for (for example) hunting walks in the bush and trails. Measure if needed for length of longer pieces, bulk etc. And begin to look for a bag to meet the need. Or, buy a bag the size I want to limit to for the purpose and then fill as best I can. Or is there a Better Way? What do you guys think?
Buy a small bag. Then when it doesn't all fit you have an excuse to get the next size up and so on. I think that's how most of us did it . Your idea has merit, but only one bag
An idea is to gather what you'll need for the pack (day pack, electronics bag, etc) before you buy so you'll know more of how/what you'll need. This way you'll have a rough estimate of sizes and weights
Being able to carry stuff comfortably encourages you to EDC more stuff. Until it's uncomfortable and then you get a bigger bag. Soon you have multiple bags for multiple EDC purposes. And then multiple bags for the same purpose. And then you buy new shoes because your other ones don't go with your new bag. . (Stop me when I'm wrong). I went to the vet with some friends. They always say I'm a sick puppy.
The first step is to determine what you're going to carry. Note, I said "going to" - not necessarily what you want, but rather what do you *know* you'll either need, or there is a good probability you'll need it. Or it's too critical to be without, just in case. I say that because when most of us first pack, or at assemble what we think we need, we start planning for World War Z. Once you've identified what you plan to carry, then look into a pack. The Fatboy is a shoulder-slung bag - which can get awkward and heavy after a while, at least for me. If you're going to carrying more than a few essentials, I suggest a backpack for better weight distribution.
I like the idea of the very minimum carried.. Until I start with the lights. Then it gets out of hand.
Step 1. Get a bag and stuff it full of stuff. Step 2. Get more stuff so get a bigger bag. Step 3. Rethink and Cull stuff so it fits a smaller bag. Repeat steps 2 and 3
I know, right? I have like three primary lights in my daily carry bag. Not counting a keychain light and a second keychain light dropped in my bag. And the light I'm testing.
Smile. I am just catching up, got a Vinh MH20, and a good EagTac g25c2, both butt kickers in the light world. Now for a few good Streamlights to fill out the glovebox and Edc bags.
I get you and a number of others have mentioned these single sling bags are not good for real weight and or longer treks. Right now I am just thinking of a number of deer calls and the like to go into an occasional hunting pack. Later, it will be a bag for edc, with another fatboy or 5.11 rush or something, then a more serious bag for the car for supporting our local constabulary. Then a bag dedicated for something more serious. I have been studying up on bible prophesy; we in it now for sure. Sorry fellas, I'm gonna be around for a while yet.
IDK...i prefer shoulder bags. They get uncomfortable quick and force you to carry a reasonable amount of stuff instead of overloading yourself with a bunch of junk you'll never use just because you can carry it. If you can't walk all day or run a reasonable distance with it, it's probably too heavy. And even if you can carry a 60lb pack and run with it if you have to....I'm not sure it's actually reasonable for most people. To each his own, but I still think a small satchel wins unless you need gear you can't carry with it.
I wrote an article on what to carry: http://edcforums.com/threads/craig-grabowskys-7-cs-or-how-prepared-are-you.131014/ and then made a bag to carry it all: http://edcforums.com/threads/my-shoulder-bag.131177/#post-2416187
My only real complaint about a satchel-type bag is that people tend to find out too late that they've overloaded. Of course, that can be true of anything.
I just popped for a fatboy s-type from a Saskatchewan retailer online. Very fast, and they had every single color in stock. Got to try one to find out for myself.
My feet are wet, I am the proud carrier of my first edc, a simple fatboy s. It's full. And I have more, much more to pack. And it doesn't really go with my work culture, it's more like what I want to carry on my own time. So I need.. a 5.11 rush mike for my daily commute to work. Or a MP neatfreak, or a MP Look or small look. Or Vesper. It's not hard to notice people are bundling their med stuff in small kits, as well as other stuff you can group for seasonal or whatever in small bags. This really makes sense to me.
Ok so here is my second bag, a 5.11 messenger Lima half full now. I should have ordered in black- at the last moment ordered sand; after ordering I had decided to send it back for black; when it arrived I liked it and will order a 5.11 messenger Mike in black instead. lol... EDC now includes my new all-beaver Trapper hat below.
