Looking for an ideal field bag for science in the bush.

July 17, 2013 9:13 AM

I've just finished a few months of fieldwork and my thoughts are turning to how I might make the next expedition go more smoothly and comfortably than the last. I have realized that I really need a separate bag for field gear -- for camera equipment, dissection tools, chemicals, etc. I think I know what sort of thing I'm after, but I don't know how to find it.

I'm looking for a large bag that I can use to contain all my field equipment for future expeditions. It should be spacious, durable, and easy to pack and unpack. Ideally it would have some padding to help protect its contents, and it should be possible to wear it as a backpack as well. If it could also have wheels, that would be absolutely ideal. I want something that is half crate, half hiking backpack, and half rolling luggage. I can picture the thing in my mind but don't seem to know where or how to find such a beast, if indeed it exists in the first place. Any recommendations you can give would be welcome. Price is not an issue, as long as it is the right item and durable enough to stand up to many years of heavy use and abuse in the field. Thanks in advance.

posted by Scientist to Science & Nature (10 answers total)

I don't own one, but a friend who does a lot of photojournalism-type expeditions swears by his Pelican cases. Would something like this or this work?
posted by jetlagaddict at 9:44 AM on July 17, 2013

Alternatively, a case with an optional rolling attachment, like these photography ones?
posted by jetlagaddict at 9:48 AM on July 17, 2013

Would something like the Patagonia MLC Wheelie work for you? I'm not sure if it would be big enough. I have the non-wheeled version as a regular travel bag and I am very happy with the padding, how easy it is to pack and unpack (good zippers), and how comfortable it is when I carry it as a backpack. Patagonia products are generally good quality and my bag has held up well.

Patagonia also makes some larger wheeled duffels but it doesn't seem they have backpack straps.
posted by medusa at 9:50 AM on July 17, 2013

For work, we've settled on these. They meet all your criteria. The xlarge is very large. This is great for hauling gear. However, it's also big/heavy enough to frequently trigger excess baggage charges on commercial flights. It's theoretically possible to wear as a pack, but it would likely cripple the carrier over any distance. The large and medium sizes are decent luggage sizes. I have a small one I use as a 2-3 day bag for business travel.

But, a word of advice: never ship delicates, including electronics, in soft bags. Never ever, not for anything you care about or would have a hard time replacing. Your bag will get left in the rain, dropped from a height of 6+ feet, mangled by a misbehaving belt at some point. Use dedicated shock-proof, water-tight cases. Pelicans are an excellent choice. Likewise, shipping (non-hazardous) chemicals, like water or saline, should be done in hard cases. We typically use coolers for this.

Dangerous good/Hazardous materials have their own special rules for shipping and packing, and you'll need training to manage those.
posted by bonehead at 10:10 AM on July 17, 2013

My parents travelled internationally with one of these MEC backpacks/duffle/rolling bags and really liked it : MEC Fast‑Track 40 Roller or MEC Fast‑Track 2 Rolling Duffle. I think those two are basically the same except for size. MEC finally has shipping to the US so it is possible to get those exact models (MEC-branded stuff is great quality).
posted by hydrobatidae at 10:14 AM on July 17, 2013

Response by poster: That Fast Track 2 looks like it might fit the bill! Just for the sake of clarity though, does it work OK as a backpack? If I were going to a site that required a hike in, I would be hiring a porter to carry this on his back. (I would of course be carrying l my personal gear in my own primary backpack.) Would a tough, fit person be able to actually hike in that thing? It doesn't have to be as comfortable as a dedicated hiking pack but it needs to be good enough in a pinch.
posted by Scientist at 3:09 PM on July 17, 2013

My original Fast Tracks have pack straps, even on the XL size, which tuck away for cargo use. It's not clear on the product video if the updated version have pack straps. You might have to call MEC to find out. I bought mine six or seven years ago.
posted by bonehead at 8:12 AM on July 18, 2013

Response by poster: Aw damn, it turns out that they took the straps off for the Fast Track 2. (I wonder why they did that?) MEC no longer sells a bag with both shoulder straps and wheels. If anybody can come up with a quality duffle bag with both wheels and straps, I am all ears.
posted by Scientist at 10:32 AM on July 18, 2013

REI appears to have a whole category for "Wheeled Backpacks" but I have no direct experience with any of them. I'd look for a duffle-style, length of the bag zipper though, rather than a top loader like a traditional backpack for ease of packing. A 60L size is a moderate pack, the smallest I'd go for an extended trip. With equipment, even an 80L, very large pack will feel cramped. That's about as big as is practical to use as a pack though.
posted by bonehead at 10:59 AM on July 18, 2013

Another thing which isn't directly answering your question but, based on my experiences in the field and travelling to remote field sites (though didn't have to walk out to them), I'd err on the side of smaller and sturdy, rather than the biggest possible. As bonehead said, large packs are cramped even at very large sizes and then you've packed yourself a huge, heavy, bulky thing.
posted by hydrobatidae at 12:48 PM on July 18, 2013