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Bushcraft Backpack

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The best bushcraft backpack should be tough, dependable, and fit to handle even the most arduous outdoor experience. That means you need quality materials, zips, and buckles. Additionally, it should also have excellent stitching and support for the straps and the bottom of the bag because they'll be areas most under stress.
Thankfully, there are manufacturers that design bags for the outdoors. While typically, hiking or camping backpacks can do a good job, ideally, you want something that was designed for tough conditions and overnights in the wilderness.
Finally, the best bushcraft backpack will be adjustable. And we don't just mean the straps. It should also be capable of fitting extra back support and modular support for load carrying.
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7 Must-Have
Bushcraft Backpack
Features

Comfortable

If you've set off on an adventure in the wilderness, being comfortable isn't probably your number one priority. After all, if you wanted pure comfort, you'd be sitting on the couch, watching a game. However, when you're walking around in the wilderness, you need your gear to feel good.

The best bushcraft backpacks sit well on your shoulders. They have sturdy straps, and they're designed to distribute weight well. Anything less will make walking through rugged terrain a real chore.

Another important thing that you want is for your straps to be breathable. Walking around with a pack full of gear can be hard work. Even on cold days, all that exertion can make you feel sticky. Breathable straps are a must-have for any bushcraft backpack.

Some backpack straps come with an air mesh that improves air circulation. When the straps are pressed against your body, these fabrics allow some breathability and make the overall experience a bit more pleasant.

If you are exploring a mountainous region or covering a lot of ground, you'll be thankful for all the help you can get. The best bushcraft backpacks should be able to keep you cool and dry, even in the more sunny and humid seasons.

Good Support

In an ideal world, we could all travel light. However, proper bushcraft requires a fair amount of equipment if you're out for a few days. Each little piece can add up.

We've all got our own ideas of what you should include in a survival kit. In fact, not everyone even agrees on what the essentials are. But a knife, a hatchet, a first aid kit, some paracord, and some food and water can all combine into a heavy weight — especially if there's a lot of hiking involved in your trip.

Throw in the fact that millions of Americans suffer from back pain, and you can see why traveling light is so appealing. However, instead of having to go without items for your survival kit, there is another way — and that's to find a backpack with additional back support.

Removable additional back support is an essential feature of the best bushcraft backpacks. For starters, not every trip to the outdoors will be the same. For shorter trips, you can travel lighter. However, for longer adventures — or ones that involve traversing punishing terrain — it's good to have the option to add additional back support.

The ability to modulate your equipment so that it's appropriate for any occasion is important. If you're going to invest in a bag, you want it to be adaptable. So find something that has things like removable waist support or sternum straps

Durability

The best bushcraft backpacks are hard-wearing and durable. They need to be good at surviving in remote areas, with heavy use in rough and unwelcoming conditions. On top of that, when you invest in gear, you want it to last a long time.

So that's something that you should look out for in the best bushcraft backpack. Most, it comes down to manufacturer quality. You want something that uses great material and has a solid build.

The best bushcraft backpacks are made from nylon. One of the best and most durable materials out there is Cordura 1000D nylon. It's made with 100% high tenacity nylon 6,6 filament fiber which gives the material a rugged strength that is capable of withstanding even the most hostile environment.

Additionally, look out for backpacks with double or triple-stitch seams. Build quality like this means that your backpack will be with you for the long haul and that it will be able to handle the stresses and strains of carrying around a lot of equipment — even when you can't.

You should also look for extra seams in the places that will be under the most tension. For example, ensure your bag is reinforced in the areas that are subject to a lot of wear and tear, such as the shoulder straps or underside of the bag.
Water resistance
Water resistance is another important characteristic of the best bushcraft backpacks. In the last section, we talked about Cordura 1000D nylon. It's a tough fabric that can withstand anything you throw at it. When it's treated with a water repellent, it's also excellent at keeping out the rain.

Keeping your survival kit dry is important. Bushcraft can involve traversing rivers or streams or dealing with unpredictable weather. The last thing you want to do when you're settling down at night is to try to fall asleep in a soaking-wet gear.

We'd definitely recommend buying a waterproof backpack. At a minimum, we'd suggest getting a waterproof cover for your backpack. Some people like to bring electronics (laptops, GPS) or other equipment like camping stoves with them when they adventure outdoors. If the weather turns nasty, you don't want these items to suffer damage.
Personalization
The best bushcraft backpacks have a lot of things in common. However, that's not to say everyone wants the same things from a backpack. Experienced survivalists like gear that they can personalize to their taste.

For the ultimate in personalization, we recommend a backpack that makes use of the MOLLE system.

MOLLE, which stands for Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment, is a system that was developed for carrying gear in the 90s. It's used by tactical teams, but it also has applications in the wilderness too.

When you're carrying a lot of gear, it can lead to problems. For starters, they can bang together and make noise, which is a nightmare if you're hunting. Similarly, if your gear is moving about too much, it can actually put you off balance, which isn't ideal when you are navigating challenging ground.
Capacity
Backpack capacity is important when you're surviving in the wild. When you need to get through the night, you need a sleeping bag, water, and all your other tools.

The best bushcraft backpack will allow you to pack enough stuff for a multi-day trip to the outdoors. There is a bit of a sweet spot here because you want to ensure that you've got enough items with you, but you don't want to be too weighed down that it's a struggle to move.

For us, we'd recommend a backpack with enough capacity of 45 to 55 liters. That size backpack will let you hold enough fuel, water, and food, with a little room left for some non-essentials too. If you carry lightweight gear, a pack this size can easily fit a change of clothes and a lot of food.
Quality Zippers and Buckles
Build quality isn't just about the materials and stitching on the bag. It also refers to the other components like zips and buckles. Remember, these parts will also be subject to wear and tear, so you want to ensure they're rated to survive a bit of rough treatment.

YKK is the biggest name in zippers. Most zippers become a bit sticky with use as they catch dirt and grit. The situation can affect performance. However, YKK actually self-lubricates, which means they become better as you use them. So if you want a bushcraft backpack that will stand the test of time, find one with an oversized YKK zipper.

Buckles are important too. Duraflex is considered the world's best buckle maker, and its products are worth the extra money because of their durability and quality. With over 60 years in the game, they've been making buckles that stand the test of time. So don't skimp out on this component if you want a backpack that can handle life outdoors

Wild Iowa Outfitters Bushcraft Backpacks

Wild Iowa Outiftters offers 2 buschraft backpacks that have all 7 must-have features. Choose from either our Premium Bushcraft Backpack that features the highest quality materials and contructions, or our 'everyday' bushcraft backpack that finds the perfect balance between features and price.

Premium Bushcraft Backpack

Premium Bushcraft Backpack
Premium Bushcraft Backpack
Premium Bushcraft Backpack
Premium Bushcraft Backpack
Premium Bushcraft Backpack
Premium Bushcraft Backpack
Premium Bushcraft Backpack
Premium Bushcraft Backpack
Premium Bushcraft Backpack
Premium Bushcraft Backpack
Premium Bushcraft Backpack
Premium Bushcraft Backpack
Premium Bushcraft Backpack
Premium Bushcraft Backpack
Premium Bushcraft Backpack

Premium Bushcraft Backpack

  • 1000D Cordura Waterproof Fabric
  • Maximum Durability and Support
  • 55L Capacity With Rifle Sling
  • Outer Expansion Pocket for Extra Storage
$169.99
$249.99
or

Bushcraft Backpack

Bushcraft Backpack
Bushcraft Backpack
Bushcraft Backpack
Bushcraft Backpack
Bushcraft Backpack
Bushcraft Backpack
Bushcraft Backpack
Bushcraft Backpack

Bushcraft Backpack

  • 600D Nylon Waterproof Fabric
  • Breathable Back and Pads
  • MOLLE Strapping For Customization
  • 2 Main Compartments and Extra Pockets
$59.99
or

3 Reasons to Buy From Wild Iowa Outfitters

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  • Field Tested

Best-In-Class Features

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