I have the German Army Mountain Troops Rucksack (AKA Bundeswehr Gebirgsjager Alpina Rucksack).
Howling Dingo did a review of the pack, where he mentioned the pack had been popularly referred to as the 'Mora Knife of Packs!'. I agree this was true in the past, but I think it is soon to become the holy grail of packs, given the German military is at least for now destroying them, instead of decommissioning them for sale in surplus stores (TBA).
The pack has an official (draw-string sintched) capacity 33kg, although it can be extended to a very respectable 40kg and with the flap closed. Given I want to practice minimalism and continue to decrease the wight of my gear where I choose and take advantage of redundancies this pack great. Although IMO, it is really, depending on skill level and choices, only really a 48-72 hour pack at max. There are two generous long quick access pockets on the sides that have accommodated virtually everything I have needed them too, which has been reassuring. The classic design and colour of the pack makes it versatile and discreet and therefore suitable for daily urban use and travel.
Early packs came in canvas with leather straps, then canvas with canvas straps, then nylon with canvas straps. I have an excellent example of the latter. The two earlier versions had a water resistant PVC base, but the nylon versions are nylon impregnated and therefore completely water resistant over the entire pack, which I personally prefer! They came in tan and forest green. As far as I have seen all canvas ones were tan, the later nylon were green. It was very hard to find my pack as Varastelleka of Finland who normally sells them as surplus was out of stock and has been for over 1 year now.
The pack is designed to hold a German made folding sleeping mat which doubles as a pack frame when not is use. This mat is not sold with the pack anymore and needs to be sourced separately and with much effort i might add. The packs straps can roll up over the buckles, which is a brilliant idea, minimising the need for full-on tedious strap adjustment. The packs are overbuilt and extremely strong.
My favourite EDC & 48hr pack
Side pockets will comfortably hold a 1 litre bottle of Johnny Walker Black Label! The pockets are sewen on and are very strong- so you can slide a axe, shovel, gun or trekking poles behind both water bottle pockets
The pack holing a large mesh tent and its sleeping pad could still accommodate a UL sleeping bag inside and your gear, with no external strapping necessary. That's impressive for a 33 litre pack!
Very long & comfortable canvas straps for big buys
Extreme carry is all in a days work for a Bundeswehr Rucksack!
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