Anything tactical is all the rage right now tactical backpacks, tactical knives, tactical clothing, etc, etc, etc. The SnugPak Endurance 40 ("the 40") walks the line between both the world of the practical and the tactical. This is SnugPak trying to squeeze into an already crowded market of tactical bacpacks.First, the practical to start. A 40 litre or 2,440 cubic inch (1 L = 60 ci) pack gets into the range of handeling about what 80% of cunsumers will need in terms of space unless you are out for extended trips of 5 days or more then you need to think about 5000+ ci bags. This group of "tactical" packs are refered to as daypacks, but you can fill them for a several day outdoor field trip. For example of the space offered inside the 40 for a three-day excersion I can fit my sleeping bag in a compression sack, my 3-man backpack dome tent, my compressed outdoor research bivy sack (when needed), the 100 oz CamelBak bladder full of water, lots-of-snacks, several pair of socks, two change of clothes, GPS, maps, compass, 6 MRE bags, a Katadyne Hiker Pro water filter, mess kit, small lantern and still have extra room for trip specific equipment. So, a 2,440 ci bag is plenty big enough for most 3-4 day trips. You can do more of course but you best be a minimilist in what else you bring. Yet the best part is the pack does not have a massive profile so that means you can use it as an Every Day Carry (EDC) bag for work, school or whatever and not look as if you have on a near empty mountain rucksack.
The pack is made of 500 Denier (500D) nylon which is strong enough to withstand and last multiple trips into the field. The material is softer and more pliable than the 1000D Maxpedition packs which are stiff and can be uncomfortable no matter how long you own them. The shoulder straps are comfy enough, but the belt is a bit high on me as I have a long torso backpack fits are best done based on torso size as opposed to height. It will rip and it can be cut by unprotected knives in the pack, but absent malice towards the 40 it will ast you a long, long time. The 40 is NOT BOMBPROOF like a Maxpedition, but it is a Hell of a lot more comfortable then the Max or the 5.11 packs.
The pack has NO suspension system, NO internal frame and of course NO external frame. This of course reduces cost to the 40 greatly, but you could haul larger weight for longer hikes if it had any suspension of an internal frame to it. Kelty does a good job at a good price with their internal frames and Mystery Ranch leads the way when it comes to suspension and weigh distribution well this pack aint those and the 40 is NOT as comfortable to haul weigh in as are thiose two brands. YOU WILL BE LIMITIED IN HOW MUCH WEIGH YOU CAN CARRY. That being said and depending upon useage, you will find that 80-90% of consumers will find this pack large enough and comfortable enough for most all of their needs on the trails and off.
Finally along the lines of the practical the water bladder sleeve is nice, color choices fall into the "tacticool" colors as opposed to standard pack colors which stand-out against the backgrounds. But the price is the MOST practical thing here. That means big enough, built well enough and cheap enough. Pack also houses a waterproof cover in a zipper compartment in the bottom of the bag.
Now the tactical. Yeah, the 40 is MOLLE (MOdular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment)compatable. The 40 has PALS, lots of them. Over 150 PALS (Pouch Attachment Ladder System )attachment points. This means the 40 is expandable. You can add extra pouches to the pack if you wish. Considering the 40 does NOT have the typical tactical bag/pack administration compartment it seems logical that most consumers of tactical equipment who purchase the 40 would want to add that feature to the pack. 8 rows of PALS on both sides and 9 rows of PALS on the back of the pack allow for great expansion of use. The only pouch on the pack has NO internal webbing. The 40 also has a 3.75" L X 2" W velcro set-up for your morale patch. The 40 includes two rows of velcro on the back between rows of PALS for name tapes and/or mini patches.
The Pros:
Price
size of pack both in volume and in profile
expandbility with MOLLE
watter bladder sleeve
Very practical (fits lot of uses)
sturdy enough for day-to-day usage
waterproof cover stored in its own zipper compartment
The Cons:
Made in China (only if the pack comes from the SnugPakUSA distributor. Buy from UK and its UK made)
No internal frame (biggest drawback)
No YKK zippers (again made in China)
Limited in more in weight carrying based on comfort rather than space in pack for longer trips
Final Analysis:
All-in-all the SnugPak Endurance 40 is a good bargain made in China or not. It is a very practical 3-4 day backpack or as a large EDC. The lack of an internal frame (for a good internal fram example see the CamelBak Trizip by Mystery Ranch) is the worst thing about the pack. Yet, the pack is worth the money no doubt.
I suggest before you buy to go to your local campaing equipment store, e.g. Cabella's, REI, Bass Pro Shop, etc, and look at the packs. See the size difference in a 1,800 ci vs 2,300 ci vs 4,000 ci. Then try on an internal frame pack and some with no frame at all. Get an idea of what works for you. At REI they will measure your torso for a proper fit (most adult males are 16" 19"). The 40 IMHO is best suited for a 15"-17" torso so its on the lower end, but can fit comfortably for up to 19" but again, its about the weight you are carrying and how far.
I have had mine for over 16 months thats more than 90-days in the field and several months in the car, the truck, and the bhoys kickin' the crap out of it playing Ranger. It has held up better than expected. Clean it up and I dare you to tell me its more than a week old!
Compare the prices to other 3-4 day packs. Pick a pack based upon what you want to do with it. Be PRACTICAL in what you choose. I just think the 40 is a great all-around pack for the field or as an EDC. Buy what you need it to do, so shop around.
Remember you can get more days out of it if you pack less. The longest I have used continually is 6-days and that was with no tent, no bivy in summer with only sleeping bag and a tarp. 5-days longest in winter (I took less clothes and went for the smelly factor).
So for a 4-day outing, campign, hiking in backcoutry on moderate rated trails humping my own food here is how comparable packs I have used more than once in the field or own stack-up:
vs Maxpedition Vulture II $132 SnugPak 40 wins
vs 5.11 72 Hour Rush $140 SnugPak 40 wins
vs Mil-Tech 50L $60 SnugPak 40 wins
vs Kelty Falcon 4000 $125 pick 'em (Kelty internal frame more comfortable and it has more size, but I prefer the 40 as I can also use it as an EDC. You cannot use the Kelty as an EDC.)
vs CamelBak Trizip $270 CamelBak wins (suspension and frame by Myster Ranch is a-w-e-s-o-m-e!!! Yet unless you are in the field all the time, in the military or living off daddy's trust fund the 40 is more affordable and PRACTICAL)
Good luck!
Snugpak Endurance 40 Liter/2440 Cubic Inch Olive Pack Waterproof Cover With Internal Organizer
Camelbak Tri-Zip 100 oz/3.0L Hydration Pack Multicam
Kelty Tactical Falcon 4000 Backpack
5.11 Rush 72 Back Pack
Maxpedition VULTURE-II BACKPACK Khaki
Mil-Tec Military Army Patrol Molle Assault Pack Tactical Combat Rucksack Backpack Bag 50L Coyote Tan
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