Cub Scouts
Webelos
Boy Scouts
My Blog

Activities
Advancements
Awards
Ceremonies
Group Games
Graces
Jokes
Merit Badges
Minutes
Projects
Recipes
Skits
Songs
Stories
Uniform
Pen Pals
Postcards
Patches

Library
Online Tests
Our Schedule
Our Progress


Supporters

Shop4Stuff
Links
Privacy Policy
   Scoutmaster Musings  
Lion  Bobcat  Tiger  Wolf  Bear  Webelos  AoL
Scout  Tenderfoot  2nd Class  1st Class  Star  Life  Eagle

Scoutmaster Musings

DIY Pack
MYOG G4 Pack Yes, Mom, I made it myself!

With very little seam ripping and only two permanent alterations (mistakes), I've got my pack I plan to use for 2,000 miles this summer. It is a G4 pattern that I purchased online and sewed at home.

I've been hiking with the pack filled to about 24 pounds this past week and it carries just great. I've added cut pieces of 3/8inch foam pad to the shoulder straps and waistbelt instead of using socks and gloves for padding. I figured the extra 1.1oz. is worth the comfort, and it IS much more comfortable. I also just designed and made slip-on waistbelt pad extenders last night. These have a belt-wide strip of foam to cover my front hipbone that often gets bruised.

Here's more info:
  • Weighs 12.2oz. plus 2.4oz of removable foam pad
  • has about 4000 cubic inches
  • top-loading main compartment and three large mesh outside pockets, plus 8 tie-on points
  • has no frame - uses foam pad for support
  • made of 2.2oz. grey rip-stop silnylon and black oxford
  • adjustable shoulderstraps and waistbelt


lightweight backpack I made mine grey so it matches my quilt, hat, tent, and beard. ;-)
It seems to have plenty of room for my main gear and I've not used the side pockets yet. I expect to fill those with water during my Arizona hike in a couple weeks. My sleeping quilt gets stuffed in first to fill the bottom and raise the heavy stuff up a bit. I don't squish the quilt down too much, but use the weight of gear above it to compress it down.

I just have one section of a blue foam pad for the back. Most people use a foam pad for sleeping and fold it up to provide the pack structure here. I'm using an inflatable pad instead, but it's 72 inches and I need 78 or my feet are on the ground. So, I lay the pack under my feet and have plenty of insulation and comfort there.

There is quite a bit of stress on the pack where the shoulder straps and waistbelt connect to the pack since this is where all the weight hits. I've double bartacked those points and the material seems to be plenty strong to handle the stress. I guess we'll see as I make my way from Mexico to Utah next month.

G4 backpack
The top has a drawstring and two velcro strips to hold it shut. This top collar can also be extended up if you have a big load. But, be careful about overloading the pack - it's lightweight and should not have more than 25-30 pound load in it.
You can see how the pack top loads here. By packing sleeping gear first, you don't need to dig deep until it's time to set up camp. Keeping the daily needs, such as food, water, maps, hat, filter on top or in mesh pockets makes rest breaks easier to manage.

Oh, the two alterations I made?
  1. I attached the pack back and sides incorrectly which subtracted about 400 cubic inches of the bottom area.
  2. One seam on the collar faces out rather than in - I blame that one on the instructions, though.


Scout On
Posted: 8:57 02-23-2012 752
Previous Post     Next Post

Archives:   2018  2017  2016  2015  2014  2013  2012  2011  2010  2009  2008  2007  2006  2005      Scoutmaster Musings - RSS Feed

Site Disclosure Statement


Tweet

Comments:
 Feb 27, 2012 - Caleb Wright
Do you have a link for the pattern? I'm thinking of testing it out...
Feb 27, 2012 - Scouter Paul
Caleb - just google G4 backpack pattern and you'll find it no problem.

Boy Scouts

Contest   -   Ask a Question   -   Add Content

This site is not officially associated with the Boy Scouts of America

 
Find more Scouting Resources at www.BoyScoutTrail.com

 Follow Me, Boys
Scouting Scouts

Recent Comments
Wayne on Hornaday Award
eugene r bowski on Webelos Tribe story
Keaton on Who\'s the SM skit
David Willis on Arrow of Light
Ger on Build Better World
Kim McCormick on Get to Heaven song
Steve on Arrow of Light
Kristie Partain on Personal Management m.b.
Sarah on Woodwork mb
Larry Cox on Boy Scout Uniform
More Comments...
Sell Fire.
Make Money.
Click Here