Armed Lifestyle - Issue 2 - June 2022

48
DULUTH PACK: WANDERER
As Jared mentioned in his article, the bag could slouch if not fully
loaded but with the rigid wool blanket as a base, it kept its shape
while holding additional items very well.
Packed on top of the blanket, I carry a small survival kit made
by Henry Repeating Arms. This neat little kit contains items such
as a signal mirror, fishing line / kit, matches, chem light, sewing
kit, extra cordage, water purification tablets and much more
inside of a compact 7.3” x 4.6” x 2.3” tin box. I even included two
small sample pouches of Pyro Putty in case I need help starting a
fire with less than perfectly dry materials.
Along the backside of the pack, I keep a small “take down”
style .22 caliber AR-7 Henry Survival rifle along with 100 rounds of
CCI .22 Mini Mag ammunition. The rifle itself is a very unassuming
firearm that breaks down to fit all its components into its stock
when not in use. At first glance as its packed, most people would
not even realize it was a firearm. This rifle is great for plinking on
the range after a day of teaching defensive shooting with larger
firearms, squirrel hunting with my father when on vacations
to North Carolina or simply having fun with the wife and kids
shooting soda cans and self-sealing polymer dinosaur shaped
targets.
Packed along with my rifle, I usually keep a change of
clothing with extra socks. (Anyone who has done any significant
time in the woods camping, hiking or been in the military can
tell you just how important it is to keep your feet dry and happy.)
Wrapped between layers of clothing, I have a fixed blade knife
for utility use setting up campsites or Bushcrafting. Toward the
top of the pack, I added a medical kit which includes equipment
items not only needed for range care and vehicle wrecks such
as Israeli bandages, medical shears, tourniquets, and Quick Clot
as well as Princess Band-Aids, Neosporin, and assorted items for
every day “boo boos” as well.
The two spacious pockets mounted on the left and right of
the pack are large enough to easily carry 40 oz water bottles.
Normally, I carry a 32 oz water bottle in the right side pocket and
smaller plastic water bottles to top off the inside compartment.
Inside the left side pocket, there is a hand towel, 100 ft of
paracord in a plastic bag along with a roll of duct tape. (The many
wonders of duct tape alone could be another full article by itself
from preventing blisters to patching tarps and packs!)
The smaller outside pocket is used to carry snacks, store
keys, emergency cash, a cheap compact poncho from Walmart
and a cellphone battery pack charger. In addition to these items, I
always carry a lighter and a tried-and-true Victorinox Swiss Army
Knife. You don’t have to be MacGyver to find tons of ways in
which a classic multi-tool and a reliable fire source can be useful
on a daily basis.
Pro Tip: Make sure to remove the firearm and edged tools before
entering restricted areas such as theme parks. The “mouse”
doesn’t allow these items!
I enjoyed how comfortable the pack rides between your
shoulders through thick brush and heavy crowds. With both, I
never feel the “pull” of the pack snagging on anyone or anything.
Through years of athletics, wrestling suspects during my law
enforcement career and surviving a couple of bad vehicle wrecks,
my back is very susceptible to lower spinal pain when carrying a
poorly constructed pack. Thankfully, the Wanderer’s solid design
and wide shoulder straps made sure I never dealt with any of
these issues.
Pro Tip: Do not machine wash. Clean using mild detergents and
quality leather cleaner to ensure years of reliable use and good
looks.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, I had to completely agree with Jared’s original
recommendation for the Wanderer from Duluth Pack. With a
closet full of tactical style packs among tons of other gear, the
style and class in which the Wanderer offers over other products
just sets someone apart when out and about with it. The pack
has even been a conversation starter from strangers giving
compliments on how cool the pack looks with its classic canvas
texture along with the deep brown leather straps and buckles.
Retailing for around $295, the Wanderer isn’t cheap, nor
should you expect it to be so. As with anything, premium quality
materials, construction and durability comes with premium
pricing. I have several packs from companies such as Tactical
Tailor, Vertex and Crye Precision that cost just as much or more.
With other bags in the same price range, many just aren’t as
durable, nor do they garner half the “non threatened” attention.
Pro Tip: When you wear a tactical bag or clothing, you get noticed
as a “gun guy” from across the room. The secret to blending in
and being the “grey man” isn’t wearing subdued colors, it’s not
casting that “image” to begin with.
If you are the type of person who cares more about quality
stitching, classic styling, and rugged dependability more so than
which new MultiCam pattern is the latest fashion trend, then
Duluth Pack is probably right company for you. The Wanderer
model did a great job of fitting into my lifestyle, now I invite you
to find one that works for yours. For more information on this and
other great products from Duluth Pack, visit www.duluthpack.
com to discover your next adventure.