Sacks, rucks, packs, pickles, knapsacks, haversacks, bags, bergens.

[Lee]

Hey guys. Well, I'm in England and looking at heading of (To London, to find a squat) in the next month and a half, depending on funds. I've got almost all the stuff I need. Everything apart from a pack.

What I shall be packing, not including what I will be wearing, is (Keep in mind, I'm 6 foot, 59kg and very sensitive to the cold)
CLOTHES:
1 pair - Thick jeans OR wool trousers
2 pairs - Thick boot socks
3 pairs - Thin, long socks, cotton
3 pairs - Underpants
1 - thick jumper
1 - Beanie
1 - Thermal shirt
2 - Normal T-shirts

TOILETRIES:
1 - Toothbrush
1 - Toothpaste
1 - Bar of soap
1 - Small wash cloth/flannel
1 - Small bunch of cotton buds/ear washer things
1 - Small towel


PERSONAL EFFECTS:
1 - Small notepad
3 - Pencil and pens
1 - Hiking knife
1 - Book (Big, paperback, 600 pages)
1 - Water bottle, 1 litre
1 - Small blanket

MEDS:
1 - Box pain killers
1 - Box plasters

Now, I think that's all I'll be taking. I'm used to hiking, camping, packing bags, but I can never guess If I've enough or too much, what do you guys think?

Anyway, that isn't my question. My question is:

What's a rugged, cheap, bare-minimum pack I can get, in England, that can take this? I'd like something In canvas, and something that either has, or can have sown on to it, a hip belt/strap.
I need something with a low(er) profile, nothing like an ALICE with big-ass bits hanging everywhere, I just want something solid, simple, cheap.

Thanks guys.

Also, if you can tell me any bits of kit I can get rid of, please do, thanks. I wont be doing loads of travelling, so I don't need food and lots of water and all that.

Cheers!

 

[urbanflow]

condor makes a SWEET backpack that i use.

http://www.condoroutdoor.com/147_urban_go_pack.aspx

id invest in a rugged wool blanket but, i love me some wool. i guess if you're not traveling all that much you wont need incredibly durable items but, damn wool blankets are so useful.

 

[landpirate]

Are you going to have a sleeping bag? I prefer them over wool blankets coz you can wash and dry them easier. Personal choice though I guess.

Army surplus shops are often pretty cheap for bags of all shapes and sizes. I actually got a sweet backpack in tkmaxx of all places. Should have been £60 and I got it for £12. Might be worth a look if they have one anywhere near you.

 

[landpirate]

Also, maybe a waterproof jacket or coat. It is England after all...

 

[Lee]

Also, maybe a waterproof jacket or coat. It is England after all...

Yeah, sorry forgot about the sleeping bag. So yeah, synthetic sleeping bag and small blanket.
I've got a rain coat and other clothes, I was just listing what would be in the bag, I wear my coat everywhere, no matter the weather, as it is, so that would be on my body almost all the time.

Cheers.

 

[Lee]

condor makes a SWEET backpack that i use.

http://www.condoroutdoor.com/147_urban_go_pack.aspx

id invest in a rugged wool blanket but, i love me some wool. i guess if you're not traveling all that much you wont need incredibly durable items but, damn wool blankets are so useful.

Cheers man, I'll give it a look, as the link you gave me doesn't give a price.

I've found a pretty decent looking canvas pack, basically a smaller navy sea pack, looks quite durable and cheap. Yeah, I'll probably pick up a surplus blanket in a surplus store the day I leave.

Cheers man.

 

[urbanflow]

id be careful of surplus blankets. unless you can find one thats 100% wool. if you get a canvas pack make sure its waxed or to wax it yourself.

the pack i posted is like 60 bucks, no idea what that is in pounds. its pretty sweet, i can live out of it quite comfortably with a bedroll strapped to the bottom.

 

[Lee]

id be careful of surplus blankets. unless you can find one thats 100% wool. if you get a canvas pack make sure its waxed or to wax it yourself.

the pack i posted is like 60 bucks, no idea what that is in pounds. its pretty sweet, i can live out of it quite comfortably with a bedroll strapped to the bottom.

Ok, I know some surplus blankets are 100% wool, but most are a blend, like you said.

Yeah, I was wondering if I could wax it.

Oh, ok, cheaper than I thought. That's around 30 pounds, cheers man, I'll give it a look.