Day Pack – Basecamp Vintage & Archives

DeFrance Packs – Fort Collins, Colorado

Posted on July 20, 2022July 20, 2022 by Rob Drews

One of the more rare packs I’ve found hailing from just up the road, Fort Collins, Co. This early 90s DeFrance pack is technical for its time, but based on sound pack design. The plastic wing hip flairs remind me of an early Gerry model with a removable rigid foil (I think there’s a post buried somewhere in the archive).

Great use of vibrant colors indicative of the early 1990s. Yellow compression straps almost encompass the main body

for a secure gear fit. I can imagine the popularity with those looking for lightweight loads and secure, fast paced travel up trails and extreme terrains, perhaps even climbing or skiing. The top becomes a waist pack for satellite journeys. The top detaches to become its own oversized waist pack. I’m unsure if this pack may have had a removable rigid spine, as found there was none.

Second to last pic is from the April 91 Backpacker Buyer’s Guide issue detailing DeFrance offerings. I believe this is the Trixter model.

The last pic is from a waist pack I found of the same name, but hailing from Sedona, Az. The Sedona examples I’ve come across utilize more muted fabric colors and appear to be overall less technical. Not sure the relationship, but I believe it to be a pre or prior iteration by the same maker.

DeFrance Packs - Fort Collins, Colorado — Backpacker Magazine Buyers Guide – April 1991

Brown Label Gregory Day Pack Backpacks

Posted on October 8, 2015November 23, 2016 by Rob Drews

Vintage Gregory Day Pack Backpack Day and a half pack brown label

A couple older Gregory day pack backpacks. These packs feature many of the quality workmanship and design marks that made Gregory famous. One large main compartment with full arching YKK zipper. Smaller diagonal front zip pocket with YKK zippers. Original large leather pulls on all zips. All zips shielded by large storm flaps. Softer black nylon blend material makes up the bottom of the bag. Padded shoulder straps. Chest strap and waist strap with Fastex buckles.

I believe the orange, larger version is known as the “day and a half pack” a style that is currently being reproduced by Gregory.

Vintage Gregory Day Pack Backpack brown label

Small Gerry Day Pack

Posted on September 9, 2015September 29, 2016 by Rob Drews

Neat little late 70s early 80s Gerry day pack. Single main top zip compartment with leather pull-stays. Front zip bellowed compartment. Single contrasting blue seat belt webbing shoulder strap with gold nylon lower strap. Perfect for packing in your overnight bag for a day trip.

Measures about:
15″ high
11″ wide at bottom
7.5″ wide at top
5″ deep

Gerry leather Bottom Day Pack

Posted on August 6, 2015September 29, 2016 by Rob Drews

Early to mid 70s Gerry leather bottom backpack. Two compartments, stacked in the so-called “tear drop” fashion. Sturdy strap construction with thick padded shoulder straps and large D ring /leather top attachment. This model could be considered transitional from the earlier era of felt padded and leather straps. Front lashing with original nylon strap for holding poles or axes. Waist strap features the innovative Gerry two-pronged buckle.

The North Face Leather Bottom Rucksack Backpack – Brown Label Made in the USA

Posted on September 13, 2012October 30, 2012 by Rob Drews

Early TNF larger size semi-rigid tear drop shaped rucksack with extremely impressive ergo dynamics. Classic TNF navy blue nylon makes up the back and sides, while the back panel is made of a heavy cotton. Two hidden rods, most likely a heavy plastic run from the bottom inside points up along the seam between the back panel and side to the top of the pack. These rods bow so when the pack is worn they start near your shoulder blades and end up on the sides of your hips. It pretty much hugs you when you wear it.

Beautifully styled with a suede leather bottom, lashing squares on the side, front and top flap. Felted strap pads attached to dark olive color nylon web straps. Top flap has zippered access underneath. Adjustable clasp waist strap. Large top and bottom hanging loops.

A truly amazing functional and fashionable pack.

Measures:
17″ from top of straps to bottom of back panel
16″ across at bottom
6.5″ deep
Top flap measures 10.5″x11″

1980s JanSport Leather Bottom Day Pack Backpack

Posted on July 2, 2012July 13, 2012 by Rob Drews

Large day pack model has one main compartment, two side compartments with slide through channels between them and the main. This particular pack is an older version than what you may be used to seeing. The main differences are that it’s slightly squatter in shape, has lace through front compressions straps instead of plastic buckles. It also has a leather gussets on the back panel where the straps attach. This was a common practice on earlier day packs that was later foregone to save on production costs.

Lashing squares: 2 top, 2 bottom, 1 front. Large JS branded leather lashing panel as well. compression straps across main compartment front. Padded adjustable shoulder straps and nylon waist strap.

This pack is in good shape for its age. The Cordura upper is pretty clean. There is some slight discoloration around the main zipper at the top and side zippers, as well as on the back. All stitching is intact and complete. The leather bottom shows signs of wear but has no holes or deep gouges. Stitching around the bottom lashing squares is coming undone around the corners but they are still held securely. Inside is clean with fabric backing intact. All zippers and clasps work.

Main compartment measures (across back)
16″ high
13″ wide -at bottom
6″ deep

Kelty Soft Pack Day Pack Backpack – Sun Valley CA

Posted on June 5, 2012June 11, 2012 by Rob Drews

Original Kelty Soft Pack day pack in rust orange. This top-loading pack features one main compartment closeable via a nylon cord through metal grommets with a large Progresco cord lock. The top flap features a second, rather large rectangular compartment that zips half the way around using C&C zippers. Top flap secures to the main compartment via two 1″ plastic clips. 6 leather lashing squares down the front and larger lashing panels per side add character and functionality.

Back panel measures:
16″ tall
10″ across at bottom
9″ across at top

Coleman Peak 1 Day Pack Backpack

Posted on March 20, 2012July 20, 2012 by Rob Drews

Peak 1 was Coleman’s foray into the light-weight backpacking world and though Peak 1 may never have got the respect in this area as some of the other smaller brands of the era they still made goods with the quality Coleman was founded on. This day pack is an excellent example in my opinion. It is small, simple and unique.

The pack is very small at only 13.5 inches tall and 12 inches wide at the bottom, but it has plenty of strap to fit over the shoulders of the most grown man. It’s a great size for putting in your over night pack for day trips on a multi-day trip. Wider at the top than it is at the bottom but it’s evened out when the front pocket is stuffed.

The padded straps might be the only unnecessary bulk, but they’d make for a comfortable hike. Slightly A frame in structure but not as much as other packs. The zippered top opening gives you the access of a ruck sack with a clean, secure closure. The zipper extends as far as it possibly can opening the top up like a tin can.

The pack is in good condition. There are no holes or major stains. The inside is clean and the protective coating is not deteriorating. The Label has been scribed with the owner’s last name as well as the inside of the top flap

This pack is currently available, contact for details

Wilderness Experience Daypack

Posted on July 18, 2011November 3, 2016 by Rob Drews

Wilderness Experience of Chatsworth California Day Pack Backpack in nice shape. This bag features a zip close top pocket with double d-ring cinch down closure. Blue and white nylon draw string main compartment closure with spring loaded toggle. External back compartment. Adjustable padded shoulder straps and waist strap.

Wilderness Experience was started by a former employee of Kelty in 1973. For great insight into the Wilderness Experience brand visit this link http://www.tenayatravels.com/Wilderness%20Experience.html