Re-Thinking the Pack

For anyone who's keeping score, I recently drew up some plans to build a utilitarian little pack named the Mother Ship. Well I have been giving it some thought, crunching some numbers, and thinking about it all some more. Concluding, I have made some alterations to what I have in mind.

My intent was to have an adaptable pack I can use for a variety of activities. After thinking about designs, and looking at pictures I have outlined some key bases I am looking for in the pack. Simple, adaptable to load size, and comfortable to carry. So I am now leaning in the direction of a lumbar pack. 

I have looked at many lumbar packs, and unfortunately it it very hard to find a large sized pack. Most are designed for jogging or small day hikes. I was eyeing the Kifaru brand packs, specifically the Scout, but I cannot justify the price tag on their gear. As bomb proof and well designed as it may be, $203? Ouch! Plus you have to buy the waist belt separate. I figured their had to be a less expensive way to meet my demands. So back to the original idea of sewing my own? Well.....

After crunching the numbers I calculated it would run me about $80, plus or minus, to obtain the materials I would need to create whatever design I came up with, plus time to build it. While I would love to make my own pack, especially a custom designed lumbar pack, I wanted to find another option. So what now you ask? Well Mountainsmith...that's what. 

The Mountainsmith Day lumbar pack, I forgot all about Mountainsmith's line of lumbar packs, seems to fit the bill. It has plenty of size for storage, and straps for load compression. It has a suspension system and the ability to add a pair of shoulder straps called Strapettes, and every review of it I have read is good. And the price tag for the Mountainsmith Day? Well with some judicious searching it can be had for around $70 with the Strapettes. 

One of the things I really think will prove useful for me is the rigging for the Strapette addition. The straps seem well designed and functional, and I'm sure they work great, but it allows me to create my own straps in the future, or adapt another strap system.  I was thinking I might want to add a homemade pouch to fit my sleeping gear and shelter in the upper part of my back and could use the Condor H-Harness in which to attach it.

The main question I had for the Mountainsmith Day was, can I fit a military style canteen in the water bottle pouches on the sides? Well after querying a forum where they were being discussed I was reassured that they will fit. I want the option to carry the Nalgene canteen bottle and my canteen cup.  Thus allowing me to always be able to have a small cook kit packed away for outings. I also have plans to create a simple "shower cap" style rain cover to deal with all of the Pacific Northwest rain that is just around the corner. 

Designing the "Mother Ship"...

In my recent new-to-the-blogging-world web surfing I ran across Thomas Vree's blog Exploriment. I have to say I was instantly inspired by his ideas and craftsmanship (especially his OuchPouch first aid kit). Vree's utilitarian design, aptly named Escape Pod , seemed to bridge a gap between my ideal, all-purpose pack and the lack of commerical designs and funds for that matter. It got my creative juices flowing. I had been unable to find something that truly suited all my needs, yet remained customizable to my constantly changing whims. So many hours, and plenty of graph paper sketchs later, I finally have...well I have an idea of what I want to create anyway. It's all theoretical at this point.
Full Disclosure: I have to give Thomas Vree full props for his design and inspiration. Very ingenuitive!


So what is this Mother Ship you ask? Well Dictionary.com defines it as a vessel or craft that services others operating far from a home port or center. Precisely what I am looking for! I want a "vessel" I can customize on a daily basis if I see fit. Something that can be useful taking the bus around town, or trekking into the bush for a night. A pack I can keep a capable first aid kit and my EDC tools available. So what I have designed, in all it's two dimensional glory, is thus.

Mother Ship will be a 6"x 8" x 16" tall rectangular pack made of coyote tan 1000 denier pack cloth covered in PALS webbing. Everything will ideally be coyote tan. The top flap is designed to be a water resistant, slightly over-sized lid used to keep the pack relatively rainless and also facilitate the carrying of a jacket or other such load under it. It will be attached via two side release buckles. I also like the idea of lining the MS with a sil-nylon stuff sack (lets just say it rains a lot in the NW). I am planning on putting a map pocket on the bottom side of the flap as well. Plus you could place elastic shock cord where ever you want on the MS.


The dimensions of the pack are based on the desire to mount the Condor Rip-Away EMT Pouch on the front or sides, as well as being able to mount one or two USGI style 1 quart nalgene canteens, with my canteen cup and stove kit on the sides. Looking into using the GSA Approved Modular Canteen Cover available at canteenshop.com. That way I can use the pouches with or without a canteen in them. Another bonus for customization! I'm also looking for a pouch that will hold a Trangia alcohol stove, assuming it won't fit in the side pocket of the canteen pouch. I could probably just sew one for a lot less money. The back of the pack will be a sleeve. Allowing me to slide a flexible plastic card into it for rigidity or using a space blanket or such for padding. I would also be able to hid the pack straps inside of it if the packs needs to be neat and tidy. 


I have ideas of being able to attach a 2" hip belt to the pack to enable me to add pouches there as well. A lot of ultra light backpack manufactures have started to shift the weight off your back, allowing you to carry some of it up front. Giving you easier access to items like your sunglasses, compass, and headlamp, while allowing a more natural posture. Also very similar to the ALICE Style Load Carrying System. Which I have thought about cannibalizing an "H" harness for my shoulder straps. If only they had them in coyote tan. 


So that about summarizes where I stand on the project. I am in the process of finding and pricing the materials I will need. Amazon has been a pretty good help. I'm going to need a good supply of light weight coyote tan 1" webbing. Still doing some calculations on that. I hope my sewing machine is up to it. Also looking for some tan buckles. Other than that I can find most of it at Fabric Depot here in Portland.