Backpacks: Low Cost / Great Value, And Some Not So Low Cost Packs 

Response To The Ones Claiming I Set Up The ALICE Pack Wrong :) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xm-gSQU9UUY.html

From your inspiration, i went and bought those external frame backpacks. Never had external frame backpack, but already i'm starting to like them. I found lk-35 and that Ludwig cheaply in local hardware, misc shop. It had small surplus section. 20 euros for backpack. There were also some swedish army wool jackets and trousers, 5 euros for each. Bought two jackets and three trousers. Only jackets that fit for me. People were leaner back then. Back to the olden days :)

First of all i really enjoy your videos. What i have enjoyed most on this channel are gear reviews, how to videos and shelter build videos.

Next video: Russian flamethrower and its effect on gnats.

Do not change or modfy your content, you are doing just fine buddy! Love it!

Great one Lars, you might also add that Varusteleka usually has a nice selection of pack accessories. I bought shoulder pads there, they have straps, liner bags, compression sacks, and waist belts.

Lars what great timing this video and so true about packs. I as well have many packs including 2 alice packs and frames, one for my military PRC-104 radio of course and the other for actual treks. I also have a Lowe Alpine Saracen which is the large backpack of the Dutch army and has a built in frame and has served me well. But your comments reminded me of the issues with the 60 liter canoe barrels we use and how they move around and almost roll you over going under tress or walking on rocks and rough portages. I actually use two bags that go on either side of the barrel pack and rest against the shoulders and stabilize the barrel and keep it from rolling. Love the technology and equipment used to put the motor back in the SRV Lars, awesome.......

When I joined the United States Marine Corp's (circa) 1980s that's all we had were ALICE packs. After coming home I used other backpacks all kinds even the newer Tacticool stuff. Just recently went back to the ALICE Packs, thankfully I never traded them off. Excellent video. Good luck.

"...Victory" ~ Lars 2017

Excellent videos as always Lars. Have a good summer, as a student I'm mostly working but when I can I'll spend my days in the woods.

I gotta tell you Lars, external frame milsurp rucksacks are the way to go. I of course am a huge fan of the ALCE Large style ruck and primarily use a London Bridge version with more pockets and capacity. The US Army experimented with internal frame packs and discarded the idea after the 90's or so. So, as usual, you nailed it! OH, and those bus.....wow. Insane. Seems like Alaska there!

Being an old guy, not young like you Lars, I find the external frames with a belt are really what my back needs. I don't have back problems but I do intend to keep it that way. Thanks for all the good info.

Was given a 70's external frame pack that I will give a try now. I don't backpack any more, only day hike and if the external pack is more stable that will be a boon. Thanks Lars for another informative video!

To my knowledge internal frames were invented for climbing mountains. Light weight, more space to move the arms and some more benefits for climbing. They became popular because they are great for travel too, jump on a bus/train and walk to a guesthouse). External frames give more comfort, but are bit of a nuisance getting in the luggage compartment of some trains(which I need to take to use the pack...)

Those boys from the village were awesomely great!!! Loved the fancy footwork kicking that Ruskie engine into place!!! Never did like internal frame packs if something breaks or rips you lose the entire pack, huge waste!! Love your vids!!

Good post Lars! Here is something that has to be said also! Mostly all packs are made generically for one back and one back only! That is scary! No one back is the same in terms of dimensions! Now back in the early 70's there was one company that made specialized packs for individual backs. I know this because I bought one. Wilderness Experience made great and really comfortable packs! Also they were safe. Here is another thought: Falling while you have the pack on! If it is a frame pack you can get really hurt, in that there is no give and the pack holds you there! Your spine takes the shock! If it is a soft pack with no frame you won't get to hurt because the shock is distributed. But here is the thing! Also here is another conversation that is your head and neck in a fall! Your head and neck will pop back in a fall, if you do not put a pad to have your head rest against like a sleeping bag up top on the bag you will have whiplash in a fall! For me a single internal frame back with a "Spine Bar" to hold and suspend the weight is the better. A pack that just rides on your hips will sooner or later wear you out because of the weight distributed on your lower lubar! Sure everyone has there preference in Back Pack but I would ask each one of you, How is that pack in a fall! There you have it my two cents! Thanks again Lars and keep up the good work! We all like the awesome videos!~ Ross The Santa Fe Man

awesome my friend!!! I have exactly the same pack and waist belt and have been using it in the mountains for over 8 years!! cant find anything better!

Hello Lars. I actually went through Special Forces Phase one with an old WW-2 Type Mountain Pack that was lent to me. The others had the large ALICE Packs. I like the older packs better myself. Plus the older ones will not melt to a person if on fire. In SF we were issues the Large ALICE packs and learned to get along with them. One often needed to cut a small limb of a tree to make the pack work if the frame broke.Geat video and very informative Lars.

Yeah! Victory! More ALICE Pack Tips. The two straps that run through the lid are designed to hold a rolled up sleeping pad. If you get the shelf that slides over the bottom part of the frame, you can remove the pack and tie off Fuel Cans and Water Jugs and other bulky items. Heck, there's a whole group of RU-vidrs who have many many Videos on Alice Pack Mods. Just type in the Search Bar "ALICE PACK" and have your Tea Kettle going! You'll be busy watching a lot of good info!

During my service with the Royal Marines in the late 70's early 80's we were issued with the H frame Arctic Bergen, an external frame heavy carry pack, during the Falklands campaign we were loaded up with on average 120lbs of gear and equipment and marched over 50 miles across bog and moorland to get to our jump off point for the start of operations in the hills, the RM H frame Bergen, made by Karrimoor, is probably the best heavy carry Bergen I've ever used but it's now hard to find one, I now use the Swedish lk35 with the shoulder straps and waist belt from the Alice pack and it's the Bergen I always use nowadays, external frame all the time mate, cheers, atb, Paul.

I had experience with sweedish 35L backpack serving in national guard and digging, we still use them in National Guard- but in my experiences for field exercises longer than 3 days it had not enough space. Plus the one large compartment made things difficult- when you had to get some item in hurry, basically you had to empty whole backpack. I could pack all the necessary stuff, but limitations made you really think how to pack things up, and place them rationaly. The one thing agree on- is the fact that it is very well made and durable. But right now i had switched to SSO made ATAKA2 raid backpack made in Russia. :) Thanks for video Lars.

Great vid, can't help but scratch and itch watching these latest vids with all the bugs and stuff flying round......😃

I have the lightweight Ludvig nylon version and it´s great - after a slight modification. I have a sitting mat behind the x-shaped leather on the back, and I have attached waist band. On top of the lid you can easily carry a little lavvu along with a full backpack. I love the Ludvig and it´s remarkable how much it can contain. Didn´t fancy it so much in the army, but modification was not permitted for us. Hilsen fra Norge

I have one of the Swiss Army packs like the one you are holding in your right hand. We had the large ALICE ruck sacks beginning back in the late 70's. They were issued to SF, RANGERS, AND OTHER SPECIAL UNITS. Other units had the medium ALICE packs. As we used to say, "100LBS of light weight gear". The bigger the pack the more the high ranking office leadership wanted us to carry! However I like the older packs, and used a WW-2 Mountain pack when I went through SF Qualification training. I like the older ones made on WW-2 designers. I have 2 FROST RIVER CANVAS AND LEATHER BACK PACKS, AND 2 Surplus Bundeswher packs. I am with you on packs. I even have a reproduction German Pack the attaches to the Y STRAPS, and accepts attachable shoulder straps. Not at all a bad system. I had 2 original German WW-2 packs, but retired them to a museum. One pack came new out of the box, and I got it for about $100.00 from Bunker Militaria. Great job as always LARS. 🙂🙂🙂👍👍👍

What a great video, all the way til the end. Those two guys helping you deserve an atta-boy and a beer. I was going to ask if you had a "cherry picker" for the engine. Outstanding looking packs, but it looked like the two back straps on the Lg Alice pack were stuck under the top "pouch" section that slips over the top of the frame. I figured you probably already knew and were just throwing it together for the video. Anyway, great stuff as always and I can't wait for the next video. Cheers brother!

Setup and modding is everything with packs and simpler is better IMO. Gaffer tape, zip ties, paracord, and shock cord are your friends. Love that single compartment Swedish army pack best. Maybe just add a set of two compression straps (horizontal n vertical) and a chest strap for perfect stability? Keep these great videos coming.

I made a roy croft pack frame, the most versatile frame I've used. Great for pulling toboggans, even skidded logs with it. Great for packing unusual loads, from game to barrels, I use the diamond hitch to tie down my loads and a quick release on the belly belt and you can shed the pack in split seconds, just in case.

Nice comparison video, Lars, with an insane amount mosquitoes buzzing around. Reminds me of Russian Karelia last year...the bugs liked me there, too. :) My current backpack is completely different, because I carry much less weight in it (usually

No Bundeswehr backpack in the mix? Also, the last bit abou the engine: That is exactly how I imagined how vehicles get worked on in rural Russia. :D

Awesome final "victory" ! another good thing about old engines, hit them until they fits perfectly ! thanks for the backpack review, I have a little F1 musette from french army, pretty simple but I like him a lot when it comes to have a short walkaround in the forest, I would be happy to send you one of them if I have the occasion to find another one!

that last clip so reminded me of my first engine over haul and installed it with me standing on the front of the car with my buddy helping guide it into place, while i had to hold it with a chain lope as a handle .... fond memories of the old days , late seventies ... still got that same motor and have about 700,000 miles on it retired it though it still ran ..... as well i have several back packs , but i do like my kelty trekker external frame one over all the rest fully loaded at 50lbs including three days food and a gallon of water just in case .... the great thing about that pack is grab and go at a moments notice and i have every thing i need ....

Aaargh!! Those gnats made me feel like scratching myself so much...I don't know how you put up with them in such terrible numbers buzzing around your face, Lars. It's great to see a little information on backpacks, though I have only recently bought one to tote my photo equipment around the countryside, no frames mind you, just the usual waist support belt and shoulder straps. This pack suits me well for its purpose. That's a great progress in getting your engine back into the vehicle, courtesy of your local friendly neighbours. I like this very much. Till next time, take care...

Another great military surplus backpack that is great and simple and "old school" is the French army F1 rucksack. It can be expanded from 60L to somewhere between 90-100 L. it is all canvas and tough as nails. It has a metal D ring that you can use as a drag handle or to hang it from a tree. It has no frame but is well padded and so far I have not missed the frame. I agree with the modern frame designs lateral movement is bad. I had the same issue with my 82 Pattern Canadian Rucksack and I sold it because of that.

I do have an excellent, excellent, internal frame pack which is the most stable, sturdy, and comfortable (with heavy weight) pack I have ever imagined. 'Eberlestock' It does not swing, and is extremely durable for carrying batteries, ammo, deer, just camping. However it is not cheap or surplus. I mention this in light of you saying you thought the motivation for making internal frame packs was cost rather than best function. Kifaru also makes similar quality internal frame packs. In my experience good internal frames hold your pack closer and more closely follow your movement rather than hang back and swing and catch on trees. The traditional down side is that fitting close means most of the time they trap heat (which may or may not be good depending on the weather).

I picked up one of those Swedish packs at a local surplus store here in the Central United States. I picked it up because at the time I was in living in an area where every thing I needed was about 2 miles from my apartment. I was using it for my shopping trips when I was riding my bicycle. I tried using my Large Alice once and it wasn't that stable on my back while pedaling back to the apartment. The Swedish pack was much better in that regard, even though I couldn't carry as much in it. Living in a house now and still have it :) EDIT: I was looking at it just now to see if I had the 35 or the 70 L version ( It's the 35) and I found a receipt in it from the last time I used it which was 2 years ago :)

i freaking love the external frame packs from haglöfs i got like one of every vintage type,if you can score the aliminum tube frame they made you can basicly strap any pack to it you can make your own straps/belt,its all modular and unless the frame dies its a never ending system,the swedish army one you got can be put on the civil version of frames and vice versa,if a internal frame pack breaks its just screwed.

I Always enjoy and thank you for sharing your videos Lars! I tell you that ....in my opinion anyway your videos are always the real deal and you talk and share info that the people who not only love this lifestyle but live it pretty much 24 7 .....I'm not a wealthy man me and my woman both work very hard to enjoy the outdoor life we are not quite where we would like but mountains of New Hampshire let's us pretty much compromise raising our girls where they like and we keep one foot still in the bushes we like so to speak..... any way I'm blabbing enough just want to say thank you for you info and sharing your totally awesome place you live ....we think mother Russia is heaven on earth !

I would go nuts with all these mosquitos flying and buzzing around. Great review. You should get a nice logo and merchandise it to survival/army surplus stores you like and which have stuff you like. Keep posting, great channel.

The Ludvig pack is named after a classic stop-motion film character. The backpack was stil in use when I was in the army in 2012, and might stil be there today. But in 2012 it was primarily used as a torture device for fresh recruits. It has no waist belt, so you carry everything on your shoulders. and the leather straps will really gnaw your shoulders when you get sweaty.

Howling with laughter at the end, love the foot action! Real mechanics.... "Where's that lump of tree" :)

Regarding the LK35 That metal wedge is still used by the current issue Swedish Armed Forces rucksack! However they changed it to a cheap plastic one which whilst it doesn't suck outright it feels really flimsy. That loop can definately fit an axe but as for a rifle... I'm not sure. There's no way it would fit the AK4 or the AK5 but I can see the M96 or the M38 fitting there. Now for anyone wanting to buy one of these be very careful where you buy them. I've seen them for as low as €20 but also as high as €200.

I have a swedish pack that was advertised as a M75 40 Litre but it looks exactly like the LK35 . I would question weather you need a hip belt on it. I have just Put one on mine now i have saw hips. Back in the day when I was a hard man and carried heavy loads of skins and meat I used a 50 L canvas pack with plain straps and no hip belt . i preferred this to my really expensive Hallmark exodus 70 litre pack. For heavy weight you need an external frame pack. Internal frames are fine for light bulky stuff . The reality is that a fully loaded 70L pack is a way to heavy for most people. The good thing is no body wants external frame packs cause they aint sexy enough so you can pick up good ones on the secondhand market for Nix. I bought a 60l frame pack for ten bucks the other day. You will find carrying heavy loads in soft or internal frame packs is just a pain in the a%%

Вы знаете, Ларс, лично меня не особо интересуют все эти "выживальческие" дела, но вы настолько позитивный и интересный человек с интересной же судьбой, что я уже третий день пересматриваю все ваши видео и, разумеется, подписался. Ваш позитив заражает) Желаю вам всего наилучшего)

I like the lk35 backpack as it has a external frame, and several times I've take off the bag and uses the frame as a packframe for tying things on to it that are to large to fit in the pack, for example I once had to pick up 2 bicycle wheels from the shop on my scooter and the frame allowed this. external frame backpacks are the number one choice for me

Love the precision engineering at the end Lars :D

Back Packs are funny items. As not one size fits all. As I tried to use large ones. But there deigned for people 6 foot tall. Some have the ability to change the spine height to fit right. You just have to find one that fits your needs.

Awesome video as always Lars! Just spend the money on whatever you think it'd be well spent on xP My backpack actually doesn't have a frame... I suppose I could make one, though. That rubberized 1980s pack looks nice! Reducing manufacture costs is top priority now-a-days, it seems. Those guys at the end are great! Couldn't have imagined how you'd manage to get the engine back in without em.

Excellent comparison of internal/external pack frames, I have the LK 35 and the LK50 great pack's and if you pick up a Swedish army Web set there simple to attach as side pockets :-)

Thanks Lars....i was expecting... a comment on th 'Pink Troll's ...pack.. hope all is well...awsome 'Victory indeed...

your collection is similar to mine...except for the Mystery Ranch that is...funny because the MR is built just over in the next valley from mine...too dang expensive for my modest income...lol If you have ever seen any of my vids then you know how much i love military surplus from many countries...of course i had difficulties with the Alice as you did...that is until i installed shoulder straps from the molle ll system...they lift the top of the frame off the lower neck...Huge improvement...now i use my medium Alice for long road marches...thanks for the vid amigo...atb...woods

Rarely do I (actually) laugh out loud. When Mister Lars did that call out to his hunting buddy... awesome.

Nice line up of packs. You might find the alice pack more comfortable if you run the straps through the top hole instead of under the pad. great video. Cheers from Canada

Very good info on the backpacks. Thanks.

......the internal frame should hug the body and flex with it....most weight is carried on the hips and across the chest....the suspension allows the the pack to move with you......the rigid external frame does not....the ruck puts most weight between the scapulas and places pressure on the lower back.... in essence European Rucks hang off the back....backpacking since 1963 and still going...love your videos!

I am impressed with your engine hoist

Hey my friend, the straps on the Alice pack go over the pad towards the top, it will fit much better then

So, I'm thinking I'm better off with an external frame pack. I search RU-vid, and what do I find, but my man Lars, and he's already done an awesome video on it. Added bonus? Footage of a Russian engine hoist. Awesome. Thanks for posting this. Take care.

Lars, as Neil mentioned, your alice straps are ate up, both the top like he said, but also the bottom. Pack's not supposed to be swinging free, it ties into slots at the bottom of the frame. Should be a couple stray straps down there, unless the pack's missing them, in which case you have some needlework ahead. When everything is attached correctly, that thing should be pretty rock solid.

Nice video as always. Nice to see the perspective of safety. I never thought of it before. I just focused on size and cost! Keep up the hard work

I can agree with your assumptions about external frames to some extent. But I also think it has something to do with the model of rucksack, and the amount of weight you are carrying. If you carry below 35kg I think there is no need for a frame. And to have a pack with 35kg is almost unheard of outside the military or other (semi) professional expeditions. My primary use for the external frame packs has been to mount radio equipment, Or 84mm ammo racks. I used the LK35 and LK70 quite a lot during my years in the army and I really hate them, without quite extensive modification they are terrible. Ursualy the only thing we used them for after a while was by removing the rucksack part and mounting equipment directly on the frame. After a few years i got myself a Berghaus Atlas II (internal frame) and I have never looked back. It is still almost as new after almost 8 years of heavy use.

Those older packs are great. Thanks for sharing !

Great video and love your stomp fit into place engine placement for the victory!!!!

The pack from Norway is actually my favorite ! I bought 2 from Varusteleka in Finland. I like the welded frame better than the riveted frame of the Alice and the Plastic (?) Frame of the Molle 2. Lee, Indianapolis

Lars, notice the way your shoulder straps are fastened and compare to other method of coming straight out the top. May affect your comfort. Thanks for all your effort and videos. Sam

10:00 Since our German Rucksacks have similar looking loops for our rifles, my first assumption is that these loops are also for rifles.

The shoulder straps on the ALICE pack should stick out the top above the pad. That might make it more comfortable.

great discussion about the frames, awesome how the engine was put in the vehicle lol

love the " Victory" after the struggle.

that install was some hi tech stuff, excellent work gents.

You know the 10 and 12-year old do that all the time, but they don't overload ; ) My older packs are the American external frame that was popular many decades ago =- one with a shelf. And some 70-litre and some old school boy pack from the 80s

External frames are nice, but have their own drawbacks(bulk, weight) and are certainly not an absolute necessity on a pack. Since you live in Russia I'd recommend checking out Sposn/SSO packs like the Atacka series, very nice for what you pay and basically bombproof. Thanks for an interesting channel!

Ahoi Lars. I am also a big fan of the LK35 and i made a lot of modifications on it. My advice is to use the frame of the crosswise version of this pack because the shoulder straps are better, the frame is a little bit wider and it has a hip belt with nice leather strips. I have made two videos about my modifications but i don´t want to link them because of the spam filter. You can find them on my channel ("LK35 Mod" and "LK35 Mods"). They are in German but i think you don´t need the language to take a look on my mods. I hope you can get some ideas from my videos and i wish you a lot of fun with this special backpack. Greetings from Germany, Azze

Other external frame packs at usually reasonable price are South African M83 pack, Swedish LK70 and British SAS para/GS bergen. Availability might be scarce though.

'Get Out There and Get It Done' is really demonstrated with the engine hoist and boot-powered mounting hammer!

Haha Lars, last week I received my Norwegian Framed Rucksack from Finland (I mentioned that I found them from your RU-vid Channel) and mine is Brand New!! Only problem is that now I have to go buy some brown Boot Cream to treat the straps and darken them. Maybe, you make a short video on the waist belt hack as I really don't understand the Molle system. I have loads of BW Pouches too with attachments that I don't understand as I am old school British Army 58 Pattern Webbing mixed with some 44 Pattern US Army. Other problem is that being a Fat Bastard, trying to find a belt big enough for my belly. LOL.

The older gear seems to always be the best, from clothing, gear (especially army surplus) to ordinary tools. I have old wood working chisels that hold an edge much longer than new chisels, the steel is quality. They made things in the old days to last life times and longer. As for vehicles, give me an old school 4 wheel drive without all the traction control and electronic gizmos and whizz bangs any day

The waist belt has to be the biggest improvement to anything but small packs that I wonder why it took so long to become common. They instantly move the weight from shoulders to the waist ,an area designed to handle weight. I see some great older packs but without a waist belt they are useless to me.

dead right on the lk35, must get a spare before they go up in price ,, must admit those flies look a nuisance just watching from the comfort of the uk ,, looking forward to the next vid ,,

Great video! I have 3 Swiss backpacks, similar to the one you showed. Would you consider showing in more detail the modification you did to your Swiss backpack.

Vesh Meshok is my favorite cheapo Rucksack :D

awesome 👍🏻 engine install Lars I've never seen that before that tree branch is very strong to carry the weight of that engine !

I used many different kind of backpacks; I don't like those with external frame, esp when going on hilly slope. I end up with a Karrimor, and love it/

That last clip is why the soviet union had to end. If you can put an engine in with two buddies a branch and a few kicks, how are they going to gouge you for thousands at the repair shop or dealership?

NOT a negative comment, just saying: Your ALICE pack is put together wrong. The straps should go over the shoulder pad, (not under it) and there are places on the top aluminum cross bar where your straps connect to (underneath the shoulder pad). The bottom of the ruck straps attach to the large circular openings on the bottom / sides of the frame. Kind of difficult to describe without going home and into my basement and digging mine out, to look at.

Interesting method of getting the engine back in. Nice hat by the way.

I'm sad that (newly manufacturered) external frame packs have nearly dissappeared over the last twenty years or so. I guess that I'm just a sucker of the old school stuff. My larger packs these days are internal frame, but I'm not sure that they are any sort of improvement in design. You are very right about the fact that external frames open the possibility for modifications (and also repairs) about the only way to modify or fix an internal frame pack is to throw it away and go buy a new one.

When is the scorched earth mosquito flame thrower video coming out. No matter how much you beg I’m only going to visit you in the winter. Great video once again.

All the mosquitoes, its insane.. I dont know how you can handle it

Awesome vid as always....you can't beat foot power to get it done..big 👍from Ohio

Great Information. Thank you Lars.

Great video!!i donated to the srv project,and I love the other videos!!!good work bud!!

When I thought the video was over, and you popped back up wearing that hat, I spit coffee on my iPad laughing

Seems like in recent years a lot of very durable and sensible choices for packs have been made available for very reasonable prices.

Wow! Y'all have way too many Mosquitoes & Gnats! They tried chewing my left arm off a few minutes ago. The ones you have would just carry me away! Great Video! Thanks Much & Have Fun! Peace!

Endlich mal ein ordentliches Video über Rucksäcke auf RU-vid!

Sent PP$ for vehicle. Happy early Father's Day. Great channel.

The medium Alice pack with the wildcat mod is pretty good.

Most of those older packs look like they rest on the shoulders. Don't they end up hurting? Many of the newer packs have a lot of design features that work. I have an Arcteryx Altra 65. It has a waist strap that moves. It keeps the backpack stable on your back. It is also easy to get at everything you need. Add some waterproof stuff sacks and everything is organized and dry.

How do you not go crazy with all these bugs?

Well your videos are a great help, thanks for sharing. Do you have any ideas for larger shelters for 12 people that might get stuck in the woods perhaps they have tarps and cordage and a folding saw and bush knife.