Cactus Jack Expandable Tactical Backpack

[Lord Timelord]

I'm going to order a Cactus Jack Expandable Tactical Backpack from Sportsmansguide to use as an Emergency Bag for the Vehicle. I will do a review of it after receiving it and putting it though it's paces for a week or two.

[usmcveteran]

Look forward too seeing it!

[camper4lyfe]

Looks like a decent bag. Keep in mind that once that thing's extended, it's going to be a bear on your back if you have to carry it very far.

[DEmerson]

Looks like a decent bag. Keep in mind that once that thing's extended, it's going to be a bear on your back if you have to carry it very far.

What he said ... if it expands out ... away from you its like putting a lever on your back and that weight is pushing down on it - making your pack and you very unstable

[Lord Timelord]

It's a C A R B A G . . . so it's just to get from work to home, which is less than six miles. It can also be used for a 'I'm stuck at work because it's winter in New York and all the roads are closed bag'.

Even if it's carried extended, six miles on flat terrain isn't going to be that bad! My USMC ILBE Gen II Backpack is another matter, as that beast weighs 38 pounds atm before food & water are added. I have yet to still add my First Aid, and Comms to that backpack, so the weight is going to climb on it. My best guess is it's going to be 50-60 pounds completely loaded for "4-Season" conditions.

[camper4lyfe]

No need to be rude, we're simply pointing out a potential drawback to the expandable design. A simple "good point," or "thsnks for the input," would suffice.

[Lord Timelord]

No need to be rude, we're simply pointing out a potential drawback to the expandable design. A simple "good point," or "thsnks for the input," would suffice.

I wasn't trying to be rude at all. I was just saying that it's an emergency bag for the car vs. a Bug Out Bag where you'd be expecting to travel a lot further. When reading internet text, don't read too much into it!

The general rule of thumb on any expandable bag is to pack it full without it extended. The extra room is only used when it is absolutely necessary, like when bringing home souvenirs home from a vacation. The expandable storage works well in a situation like that, or when just making room for a light item like a Rain Poncho or Coat in the bag.

For a vehicle emergency bag (get home bag), I was thinking the following:
- Wool Blanket and/or Fleece Blanket.
- Water Container, Filter (that isn't affected by freezing conditions), Purification tablets, and a few Metal Cans of Water (can heat up with stove if frozen).
- Food (Power Bars, Emergency Ration Style Food Bars, and a few Freeze-Dried Meals.
- Fuel Canister and Pocket-Rocket Knock-Off Camp Stove Burner.
- Ham Radio with Spare Battery and 12 Volt Charger.
- Map and Compass.
- 12'x24' Weatherproof Tarp, Paracord, and Tent Stakes to build a temp shelter if needed.
- Spare set of long underwear (in case you get stranded and are not currently wearing a set).
- Box of Ammo for my CCW pistol.

[Lord Timelord]

I got the backpack in the mail, and took several photos of it so everyone can see how it's compartments and straps are laid out.

Cactus Jack Expandable Tactical Backpack Slideshow

Initial impressions is that it is a 'medium grade' backpack. It's made out of 600 Denier Polyester, has a PU Coated Interior, three zippered compartments on the main side, one zippered compartment on the straps side that has a Hydration Bladder pass-through hole, and can expand to hold a LOT more cargo.

In the photos that I took, you can see the last compartment before and after expanding the zipper. The Shoulder and Hip Straps are padded, but it's a bit thinner than I would like. The shoulder straps fit me perfectly, with plenty of room for the sternum strap to go across my 52-Inch Chest. However the Hip Straps are made for someone with a roughly 36-inch waist or lower.

USMCveteran tried it on and it fit him perfectly. However on my 80 lb. heavier frame, the hip belt was about 10 inches short. My USMC Gen 2 ILBE pack has way more adjustment room than this pack does, however it's triple the cost of it (for a used example in excellent condition) as well.

I'll be contacting the manufacturer to see if I can get an extension strap for the hip straps so I can utilize them. This pack if expanded could easily haul a 60 lb load, but any heavier might push it's luck due to the fact that there is a lot of single stitching around the pack. Some areas are double stitched, but the bulk of the pack is single stitched.

In the end this backpack is an excellent value for the purchase price of $45.00, especially since it's Made in the USA by Schreck Inc. in Chicago IL.