This was a very nice review of the Vanquest Ibex 35. However, it just doesn't fit MY needs. I want something fast and light for a Get Home Bag. I have more of the thru-hiker philosophy towards GHBs. My pack is specifically designed for long distance hiking, is durable enough to survive 2200+ mile thru-hikes, costs less, and weighs less than a fifth of this one (the Ibex 35 weighs 4.95 lbs by itself). My base weight (not including food & water) is between 9 and 12 lbs depending upon which extras that I include. However, if you are carrying heavy gear and it works for YOU, then go for it!
Your bag isn't as durable or protective of what's inside. It's a comprise people will have to make. So you save 2-3 pound, I get that, but you also carry quite a bit less that many others might find useful, or even necessary. To each his own, there is no right or wrong way and no one knows for absolute sure WHAT they would end up needing until shit hits the fan. FYI. They DO make the IBEX-26, which is probably better suited as a GHB anyway. I'd love to know what backpack you have and what you put in it.
Would like a update on how the bag is holding up and how you feel about it now with the bag being heavier than the Direct Action have you walked and tested the bag yet?
Yes. The waist belt holds the weight much better than the Direct Action bag. That waist belt was too small. The Vanquest is tough as hell too. I typically keep it strapped in the bed of my truck but it came lose and rolled around back there for weeks before I realized it. It was filthy but otherwise unscathed.
Cool set up .. I like that you have everything set up in pouches , all your firestuff here all your tool stuff there . But what about larger items like coats or cooking stuff , water bottles?
I didn't show it in the video, but i have a Klean Canteen in one of those tall side compartments. I also stuck my canteen cup down in the bottom along with those Gear Pods.
Great! Just when I thought I had my back pack needs covered I see this! It's a very nice system, I have a pack similar to your old pack and I really don't like the way it feels on my back. It seems like all the weight ends up in my lower back area. I'll have to check it out. I'll bet it's pricey tho, might have to save up for it.
It looks like a nice bag, and the pouches and such that you added just made it all the more functional. However...I have to question this on the simple grounds of cost vs. utility. The pack alone is $100 more than the Direct Action pack, and all the little pouches and bags you added probably added another $100-150+. Does the extra $250+ that you've sunk in this (actually, $500+ when you consider the cost of the pack itself) really give you that much more utility for something that you rarely use (other than as a larger "car kit")? I'm not saying it's a bad choice/setup, but I'm looking at this from cost vs. utility and just don't see the payoff.
Kurt Feltenberger Yeah. That’s a great point.The Direct Action was more expensive when it first released also. For someone who wears the bag more than I obviously do, this one DEFINITELY carries the weight better. Doesn’t make quite as much sense the way I use it.
@ShiftCtrl85 just so anyone who doesn't own the ghost understands, the section in between the main bag and detachable pouch is not a dump pouch. It's wide open at the bottom. Fine for stuffing a jacket or helmet, but stuffing more in the Ghost only exacerbates the problem i mentioned here. It doesn't carry as when weight is distributed away from the body.
Lol. I don’t get offended when folks resort to insults. Just shows they’re not able to defend a position with logic and facts. Sad more than anything. It’s not a “dump pouch”. Throw some pens, a pocket knife and some spare change in the “dump pouch”. See how that works out. You were wrong. We’ve all been there. Own it like a grown ass man. Now, regarding one’s personal fitness...obviously someone in better shape can carry more. No shit. But that doesn’t change the physics of how a bag carries. Put 60 pounds in both bags and have the same person, fit or not, carry both. The Vanquest will always be easier to carry because it keeps the weight closer to the body. The Ghost puts more stress on the back by carrying the load low and further out. No one’s arguing that the Ghost can’t carry more. I’m just clarifying that carrying more only exacerbates the fatigue the Ghost causes compared to the Vanquest
@@jacobpetersen5662 Cost =/= value or quality. Vanquest is stupidly overpriced and fanboys suck it up like a fat kid with cotton candy. I have several packs of equal or better quality, that cost no more than ~$200. Item for item, Vanquest is overpriced compared to quality competition. If you want to throw good money away on a name so your buddies can be in awe, be my guest. I look for quality and value, not skimping the first to get the last.
