First DIY pack

**Stock** · 02-22-2011, 03:47

Hey everyone

hanging out on here has lead me to try to lighten my load, or more specifically load carrier. So when my friend was going to thro away a old school bag that had decent structure and straps left, and was well enough made, i snatched it up. I add it to my other old pack/parts, and then set to planning. Once a got a couple sketches i took to it with a knife and sliced away.Then i took a 1in thick foam pad and created a fame thats removable. I had bought a 3 strap compression bag a while back and hadnt used it much so i decided that i could by putting the compression straps through the packs origninal material then back around to tighten. this way the 3 compression strap hold the pack to the bag. I then added a vertical compression strap. Then took some old jansport straps and used a nylon strap to loop around the foam pad then out the hip pad holes. riged a way to hold a sleeping pad and im pretty much done. besides finishing touches or new ideas.

so let me know what ya think

**Running Feather** · 02-22-2011, 04:49

Nice piece of work! Use it with pride

**psyculman** · 02-22-2011, 05:22

Great looking pack!

You will probably have more ideas as time goes along. Saving zippers, straps, buckles and other odds and ends builds up to a lot of resources after a while.

And then, you are suddenly looking at items around the house, and saying, "if you are not going to wear that anymore..........."

**Stock** · 02-22-2011, 12:50

yea ideas come every day most dont make the cut, ill post more pics to give more of an idea of what im workin with....(no laughing)jk
Im also open to any and all recommendations...(please o please). Im prob gonna be adding a quick access pocket/zip pouch soon, due to the slow loading verse unloading, just need to find a good spot for it.
But thanks for the comments.

**Otter1** · 02-22-2011, 19:39

How much does it weigh?

Nice job.

**Joey** · 02-22-2011, 19:42

Great job! Something to be worn with pride!

**mountain_man_mike** · 02-22-2011, 21:17

Nice job indeed! Wear it with pride.

**KerMegan** · 02-22-2011, 21:28

you might consider adding a couple of small pouch/pockets to the hip belt, for stuff you need while walking,
perhaps something as easy as adding belt loops to the back of a camera (point n' shoot style) case?
I see abunch of these being sold empty at garage sales..
KM(hope that is useful)

**rjcress** · 02-23-2011, 17:11

Most excellent!
I'm diggin the bag.

I like adding mesh pockets. Add them to the outside on the sides, near the bottom where you can get to them with the pack on, or on the back, or both.
Hmmm... might be hard with the compression straps though.

I'm leaning towards this one as my next backpack project:
http://www.backpacking.net/makegear/...y/descript.htm

Made a GVP G4 Scout last Fall. Was a pretty straight forward intro to gear making.

These "balanced packs" have got my mental gears turning:
http://www.aarnusa.com/ourpacks.htm