men- off the shoulder bag or backpack

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  • annette kurtenannette kurten Posts: 39,543
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    jra wrote: »
    A decent rucksack has a frame (separates the rucksack from the back to help stop sweat spots), lumbar support (padding and strap around the lower back/waist to stop sideways movement of the rucksack) and well padded shoulder straps. Standard backpacks and shoulder bags (*) IMO are only suitable for short distances.

    (*) I have a 120 litre Berghaus shoulder bag. It's huge and indestructible, but I wouldn't walk with it any great distance > 1 mile at a time. It's not designed for that.

    yes, i don`t skimp on backpacks, i have heavy camera gear on my back daily and i always use a pack when i`m travelling.
  • gomezzgomezz Posts: 44,507
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    But the OP does not say how much they are carrying. It depends.
  • jrajra Posts: 48,325
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    gomezz wrote: »
    But the OP does not say how much they are carrying. It depends.

    Well, exactly.

    My Karrimor rucksack (65 litres capacity) I wouldn't normally wear to go into town, but I would if going fishing, especially if going at night, where apart from the fishing gear, you need lots of warm clothing and waterproofs etc. A 25 litre rucksack is normally perfectly adequate for going into town, unless you use it to carry a fair bit of shopping, or a day trip. Likewise, I wouldn't normally use my 120 litre Berghaus shoulder bag for going into town, a day trip or fishing, but say for visiting Dad, where it would spent most of the time on a luggage rack (train/bus).

    So, one size, in this case, doesn't fit all.
  • jrajra Posts: 48,325
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    yes, i don`t skimp on backpacks, i have heavy camera gear on my back daily and i always use a pack when i`m travelling.

    A decent backpack should last 15+ years if you look after it, so IMO it's false economy to buy a cheapo/poorer quality one, which again is where the makes I suggested (not an exclusive list, no doubt), come into their own. The last thing you want, if climbing/hill walking, is a backpack moving across your lower back from left to right (and vice versa) with a pendulum type movement, if not for making it sore, but also affecting your balance.
  • annette kurtenannette kurten Posts: 39,543
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    i can recommend this cheap rucksack, i don`t normally buy stuff from argos because it`s almost always sub standard but i had to get this in an emergency.

    http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9099696.htm

    particularly useful for any fellow photographers because you can shove a gadget bag in the bottom and access your camera with the base zip, it`s got room for a laptop and keyboard and still plenty of room for hoody, waterproofs and a fair bit of other crap. and also you can easily strap a tripod on the side



    you can remove the rods too for days when you aren`t carrying much.
  • annette kurtenannette kurten Posts: 39,543
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    jra wrote: »
    A decent backpack should last 15+ years if you look after it, so IMO it's false economy to buy a cheapo/poorer quality one, which again is where the makes I suggested (not an exclusive list, no doubt), come into their own. The last thing you want, if climbing/hill walking, is a backpack moving across your lower back from left to right (and vice versa) with a pendulum type movement, if not for making it sore, but also affecting your balance.

    i favour regatta for packs, the karrimors i`ve had have been ok but not as long lasting and berghaus are generally over the price i`d like to pay.

    i rarely use the waist straps on any pack because they don`t fit as i`m so short, i find tightening the shoulders well and packing it with the heavy stuff at the top works just fine and i`ve carried a lot of weight up some hills and down dales in the past.
  • Sweaty Job RotSweaty Job Rot Posts: 2,031
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    Takae wrote: »
    The majority of our clients are in the entertainment industry. Mostly as authors, scriptwriters, playwrights, illustrators, artists, producers and the like. This is strictly my casual observation:

    Men in their 20s and 30s: most hang their large messenger/shoulder bags across their chests.
    Men in their 40s, 50s and 60s: most opt for distressed-yet-expensive-looking leather satchels that usually hang off one shoulder.
    Men in their 60s and onwards: most prefer leather zip folders.

    However, men - regardless of age - who like wearing trainers tend to prefer rucksacks/backpacks. Usually hanging off one shoulder.

    I'm n my forties, in the entertainment industry and prefer to use a case.
  • jrajra Posts: 48,325
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    i favour regatta for packs, the karrimors i`ve had have been ok but not as long lasting and berghaus are generally over the price i`d like to pay.

    i rarely use the waist straps on any pack because they don`t fit as i`m so short, i find tightening the shoulders well and packing it with the heavy stuff at the top works just fine and i`ve carried a lot of weight up some hills and down dales in the past.

    On this Karrimor, you can adjust the shoulder straps, so the hip belt/waist straps are higher or lower. It's all built into the frame. I think Karrimor, now you mention it, did go through a period where build quality wasn't up to the usual standard, but I believe that is not the case now.

    Anyway, I'll look into the suggestions you've made. Thanks.
  • shackfanshackfan Posts: 15,461
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    swingaleg wrote: »
    a pal of mine always had a shoulder bag............I was always shocked to see that he kept his wallet in it........:o

    I think wallets should always be in trouser pockets !

    Seriously?!!! With fairly tight trousers these days they are too bulky surely and can easily fall out or be pick pocketed. Over the shoulder bag or slim bum bag (not one that looks like it's got a long lense camera in it 😬)
  • dip_transferdip_transfer Posts: 2,327
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    While companies like Berghaus and the like do make great packs, I go for ex forces surplus packs in either O.G. or Black, because i tend to find they are better quality all round and practically bombproof; i.e more pouches/pockets, better fastenings , better quality zips, thicker more water resistant material and cheaper in some cases.
  • phylo_roadkingphylo_roadking Posts: 21,339
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    While companies like Berghaus and the like do make great packs, I go for ex forces surplus packs in either O.G. or Black, because i tend to find they are better quality all round and practically bombproof; i.e more pouches/pockets, better fastenings , better quality zips, thicker more water resistant material and cheaper in some cases.

    Ditto.

    Though on occasions I've had brief forays into other "specialist" areas :D A nice single or twin-buckle shooter's bag makes a good bulk shoulder bag....being rubberised on the inside to keep the blood from a handful of dead pheasants or bunnies inside, it does keep the rain out :D At present my daybag is one of those multi-compatmented, padded thingies for a 10" tablet that looks like army surplus....I'm just using it because it was a pressie and hasn't fallen apart yet :p Still quite waterproof too.

    My "bulk carry" however is two '58 Pattern webbing rucksacks with the straps removed and attached to each other with a "bridge" made out of two layers of denim....turning them into over-the-saddle panniers! They've been in MY possession and in this form for twenty-three years now...and there's a wear hole here or there in the bottom that'll be fixed this year by gluing a "bottom" into them each with copydex :p And they get an every-two-years soaking in Fabsil over a weekend. They'll be going when I'm not...have been to at least eight foreign countries, and covered hundred of thousands of road miles now.
  • IvanIVIvanIV Posts: 30,301
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    Shoulder bag for me. Among other reasons is that I always ended up hoarding a lot of stuff in a backpack. I cannot do that with a (much smaller) shoulder bag.
  • wampa1wampa1 Posts: 2,997
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    I use a tie with pockets
  • dip_transferdip_transfer Posts: 2,327
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    Ditto.

    Though on occasions I've had brief forays into other "specialist" areas :D A nice single or twin-buckle shooter's bag makes a good bulk shoulder bag....being rubberised on the inside to keep the blood from a handful of dead pheasants or bunnies inside, it does keep the rain out :D At present my daybag is one of those multi-compatmented, padded thingies for a 10" tablet that looks like army surplus....I'm just using it because it was a pressie and hasn't fallen apart yet :p Still quite waterproof too.

    My "bulk carry" however is two '58 Pattern webbing rucksacks with the straps removed and attached to each other with a "bridge" made out of two layers of denim....turning them into over-the-saddle panniers! They've been in MY possession and in this form for twenty-three years now...and there's a wear hole here or there in the bottom that'll be fixed this year by gluing a "bottom" into them each with copydex :p And they get an every-two-years soaking in Fabsil over a weekend. They'll be going when I'm not...have been to at least eight foreign countries, and covered hundred of thousands of road miles now.

    I bought a French F2 35ltr rubberised pack, which i use mainly in winter or when it's raining as a Daysack, That has allsorts of buckles for attaching just about anything, other than that i use one of a few Norwegian Mountain packs i have, if the weather is fine.

    My Big packs are a British Long Back Bergen and a Dutch Berghaus Vulcan Cyclops, Both roughly the same size, I also like the fact the side pouches are removable and interghangeable, plus they can be attached together to make a Daysack.

    I tend to give Shop bought Rucksacks a miss although they are good quality , i find there isn't enough pockets for the stuff i tend to carry on a daily basis.

    I try to give D.P.M. a miss if i can, Just not a fan of it, I keep a couple of small non military rucksacks in the boot of mine and the wifes car for emergencies with the usual stuff in, F.A.K. folding shovel , Blankets , etc :)
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 8,916
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    I used to have a Slappa backpack for holiday use, but currently use a AB Earth leather messenger bag for work.

    For just normal, everyday use it's just my pockets. All my DSLR stuff is kept in a Crumpler bag.
  • SULLASULLA Posts: 149,789
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    I have a car.
  • annette kurtenannette kurten Posts: 39,543
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    I used to have a Slappa backpack for holiday use, but currently use a AB Earth leather messenger bag for work.

    For just normal, everyday use it's just my pockets. All my DSLR stuff is kept in a Crumpler bag.

    ♥ my crumpler bag and i`d buy another tamrac.
  • dylan99dylan99 Posts: 10,004
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    SULLA wrote: »
    I have a car.


    >:( SHOW OFF :D
  • Misanthropy_83Misanthropy_83 Posts: 2,561
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    I have a O Neil's ruck sack but find it a little small but it works
  • paulschapmanpaulschapman Posts: 35,536
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    mintbro wrote: »
    Which do you prefer?

    I personally prefer a off the shoulder bag so you don't end up with a bad back and only one shoulder that hurts rather then two.

    Off the shoulder messenger bag - allowing me to reach in and get things without knocking some poor person off their feet which has happened to me a number of times by idiots with their backpacks large enough to trek the Himalayas.
  • Martin_AndanarMartin_Andanar Posts: 29
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    I bought this Osprey Packs Atmos to walk the Camino in Spain. This pack was light and very comfortable. It had lots of room, pockets on waist belt that work great for snacks and a digital camera, and was set up for a Camelbak. I just can't say enough good things about this pack. Walked 8 hours a day in rain sun, up hills and up hills and more hills, rain, and shine. The shoulder straps are made with a ventilated foam that allows for airflow
  • gdjman68wasdigigdjman68wasdigi Posts: 21,705
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    GretaGarbo wrote: »
    I didn't know bum bags were still made:o

    A good look, along with the socks and sandals.
  • dip_transferdip_transfer Posts: 2,327
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    Rucksack/Daysack, 30 ltr, for my EDC.:)
  • RobinOfLoxleyRobinOfLoxley Posts: 27,040
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    I just have a rucksack/daysack too now. (Small, 10 litres, I guess). £5 from the 'Pound Shop'

    And to think I used to cart around a Samsonite Briefcase. Ridiculous.

    Never been a fan of the Canvas Over the shoulder bags. It just wasn't me.

    (except when I was a Paper Boy)
  • RobinOfLoxleyRobinOfLoxley Posts: 27,040
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    What's EDC?
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