Customizing a MK VII Bag

Jupiter Jones · Post by **Jupiter Jones** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 12:31 am

Howdy all! Greetings from an obi-wan newbie!

I've been using my WPG bag for a little while now and I really, really like it. And even though my wife likes to tease me about my "murse" (man purse), I think she secretly wants one too since these bags just scream cool. (Even my no-nonsense friends stare at it with envy.)

Now, I'll just come out and say that while I totally see the appeal of old fashioned Indy gear, the fact of the matter is that screen accuracy doesn't matter to me very much. So, that being said, I'm finding certain things about the WPG bag not particularly practical and I've been thinking of making some modifications. I'm wondering what people think about the following issues and what others may have done:

1) First, the bag simply doesn't have enough pockets. I've been thinking of dividing the outermost large pocket into two comparments. I've also been considering finding extra material and just sewing a few new pockets somewhere inside.

2) I'm really missing a lanyard, keyring attachment and am definitely going to add one inside the main compartment.

3) Everything I put in that tiny anti-fog pocket falls out whenever I put the bag down. Any ideas? Add a little flap and some velcro?

4) I really wish the bag's flap didn't leave so much empty space exposed on the sides, because stuff inside gets wet in downpours. I was thinking of trying to lower the front snaps to fix this, but that doesn't seem practical. What do people do in heavy rain?

5) For some obscure reason, those open vents on the bottom are driving me nuts, and I'm thinking of sealing them. Am I crazy?

And yes, I've already replaced the strap with one from TAG.

Thanks for your replies!

Glurrk · Post by **Glurrk** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 12:54 am

Well, I'm at a loss for ideas for upgrading a bag, (I have a modern one for when I need to carry numerous small items) but at least let me welcome to you the club, Jupiter!

(Don't worry, I'm positive other members will have ideas for you.)

Canyon · Post by **Canyon** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 8:26 am

Hi Jupiter Jones. Welcome to Club Obi Wan!

As for your MKvii question, I'm afraid I can't help you there, but I'm sure our resident bag expert, Swindy (or even any one of these fine people here) may be able to help you.

Jupiter Jones · Post by **Jupiter Jones** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 11:50 am

Thanks for your welcomes!

ClintonHammond wrote:Seems JJ, that what you want is a bag that isn't a MKVII...

Good luck

)

Aw, that would be the easy way out.

What I really want is something that looks genuine Indy on the outside but is a little more functional on the inside. I'm hoping any changes I make will be mostly invisible with the bag closed!

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 12:44 pm

Welcome, Jupiter,
It's funny how different we all; for me, there are too many pockets in my MK VII. If I were to alter it, I'd be taking compartments out. But that's not what you want to hear about.

As for your changes, I don't think any of them would be difficult to do.

1)pockets: I'm sure you could sew in some khaki canvas material from a fabric store or from a donor bag from an Army / Navy store.

2)lanyard, keyring attachment: sew that baby in there with the little clip. Who would notice.

3) Add a little flap and some velcro? Sure, why not?

4)the bag's flap: I wouldn't touch the front snaps; there would be big holes where they were.

What do people do in heavy rain? I wear the bag under my jacket (Barbour waxed cotton).

5) Those open vents on the bottom are driving me nuts, and I'm thinking of sealing them. Am I crazy? Yes, you are. Seek professional help immediately.

crazylegsmurphy · Post by **crazylegsmurphy** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 12:49 pm

Hey Jupiter,

I hear you, I have a MKVII and I have already lost one of my rechargable batteries cause it fell out somewhere. It sometimes is a very un-practical bag for carrying the day to day stuff.

First before you get confused, Pagey's advice won't work for you because from what I understand the EPG bags don't have a central divider.

Lets work through your ideas and I'll see what I can come up with.

1) First, the bag simply doesn't have enough pockets. I've been thinking of dividing the outermost large pocket into two comparments. I've also been considering finding extra material and just sewing a few new pockets somewhere inside.

The original MKVII's actually have a divider pocket, so you actually have about 6 compartments. In reality, only about 5 of those are usefull due to, as you have said, that little pocket being lame. You could, if you wanted sew in a divider like the original, or, if you are really good, you could split the main pocket width wise, which would give you two long pockets.

2) I'm really missing a lanyard, keyring attachment and am definitely going to add one inside the main compartment.

Good idea. You could problably go down to your local fabric store and find a brass/gold ring that you could use to create a hole to attach a carabeener or something on the inside. Maybe just punch a hole in one of the pockets or something, attach the ring (to stop it from fraying) and it should work.

3) Everything I put in that tiny anti-fog pocket falls out whenever I put the bag down. Any ideas? Add a little flap and some velcro?

I hear ya...that is where I tried putting my batteries. That little pocket is almost useless for anything. I think adding a little flap with a smaller button or two would work good. I would look around for a store that can put buttons on for you (tailor) or something because button rivet machines are like $20 or something I remember.

4) I really wish the bag's flap didn't leave so much empty space exposed on the sides, because stuff inside gets wet in downpours. I was thinking of trying to lower the front snaps to fix this, but that doesn't seem practical. What do people do in heavy rain?

I haven't had the pleasure of wearing mine in a downpour, but I can imagine. hmmm, you could, if you wanted create a zipper system like the replica bag that someone just got on here (do a search). I guess the quick fix ways are to unbutton the flap and let it hang down, it will hang lower than it will when buttoned. You could carry a small strip of tarp like material folded up in the bottom and if it rains you could just lay the tarp over the inside hole and button it.

You could maybe create two side flaps that sew into the stitching on the top sides of the flap, then when it rains just make sure they "fall" into the bag covering the hole.

5) For some obscure reason, those open vents on the bottom are driving me nuts, and I'm thinking of sealing them. Am I crazy?

Crazy...probably, understandable...ya. Just take a bit of clear/black silicone and seal them from the inside. You shouldn't notice a difference on the outside if you cleaned it up enough. I personally like the vent holes, it lets the bag breath on the inside when it's hot, and my bananas don't get as cooked

Hope that helps.

Jupiter Jones · Post by **Jupiter Jones** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 3:27 pm

Hemingway Jones wrote:Welcome, Jupiter,
It's funny how different we all; for me, there are too many pockets in my MK VII. If I were to alter it, I'd be taking compartments out. But that's not what you want to hear about.

Hmnn, just curious -- what do you use your mk vii for? I can't imagine what you do with it that there are too many pockets. (Now if Paris Hilton carried one, I imagine she'd remove the pockets to give her toy poodle a little more room.

)

Hemingway Jones wrote: 5) Those open vents on the bottom are driving me nuts, and I'm thinking of sealing them. Am I crazy?
Yes, you are. Seek professional help immediately.

Professional help sounds like a good idea. Is there a Dr. Jones in the house?

Jupiter Jones · Post by **Jupiter Jones** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 3:34 pm

Murphy, thanks for your great suggestions!

I really like the zipper in the trekdirect bag, but unfortunately, that's the only part of that bag I like. I've been wondering if it's possible to retrofit a zipper into a WPG, but I think I'd have to find someone with a little more tailoring skills than I've got.

Hadn't thought through that banana ventilation angle to the vent holes. Now I see them in a whole new light.

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 4:31 pm

Jupiter Jones wrote:Hmnn, just curious -- what do you use your mk vii for? I can't imagine what you do with it that there are too many pockets.

Well, I use it for casual travel mostly, and I have a digital camera with a 12X optical zoom lense, not the smallest digital camera in the world, but it takes great pictures. It simply will not fit into my MK VII, so I am forced to carry my Swiss Army backpack. I also carry a leather journal everywhere I go. That will fit in the bag, but it won't fit if I am also carrying a guidebook or field guide. I guess I just carry too much stuff.

crazylegsmurphy · Post by **crazylegsmurphy** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 6:33 pm

I carry a water bottle, PDA, and....ummm...I really don't have anything I just wear it cause it makes me feel cool.

Jupiter Jones · Post by **Jupiter Jones** » Sun May 01, 2005 2:03 am

murphy, if you have some extra room in your mk vii, maybe you could carry some of my @#$%?

I think I'm likely to bust a seam with all the junk I tote around.

jack · Post by **jack** » Sun May 01, 2005 6:14 am

If you need a bag with dividers in get a 37patt small pack, that should be adequate for you need.

rick5150 · Post by **rick5150** » Sun May 01, 2005 7:19 am

I really wish the bag's flap didn't leave so much empty space exposed on the sides, because stuff inside gets wet in downpours. I was thinking of trying to lower the front snaps to fix this, but that doesn't seem practical.

I have not had much trouble with stuff getting wet in that bag. A little if there is a heavy wind, but I am too worried about hanging onto my hat in those cases. My MK VII's are pretty well broken in and that may help them seal better. How stiff is the canvas on your bag?

What do people do in heavy rain?

They get really wet.

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Sun May 01, 2005 11:20 am

Canyon wrote:Hi Jupiter Jones. Welcome to Club Obi Wan!

As for your MKvii question, I'm afraid I can't help you there, but I'm sure our resident bag expert, Swindy (or even any one of these fine people here) may be able to help you.

Thank you my dear.

Well, the only conversion I've done with a couple of my bags is this one;
http://medlem.spray.se/larskalvemark/in ... viipocket/

Since the WPG bag missed the inside divider, I guess that is out of the question. Other than that; Go crazy! Practicality rocks.

Regards,
Swindiana

jack · Post by **jack** » Sun May 01, 2005 4:14 pm

If you need a bag with dividers in get a 37patt small pack on a shoulder straps, very practical, and in my opinion would make a good indy bag.

Jupiter Jones · Post by **Jupiter Jones** » Sun May 01, 2005 4:29 pm

rick5150 wrote: My MK VII's are pretty well broken in and that may help them seal better. How stiff is the canvas on your bag?

Ah, that's the catch -- the canvas is very stiff. I actually like carrying the bag in the rain just because I want to break it in naturally. But until that happens, everything gets wet! I guess I'll just have to wait until it softens up and the flap seals better.

rick5150 wrote:
What do people do in heavy rain?
They get really wet.

Jupiter Jones · Post by **Jupiter Jones** » Sun May 01, 2005 4:30 pm

Can you point me to any pictures?

jack wrote:If you need a bag with dividers in get a 37patt small pack on a shoulder straps, very practical, and in my opinion would make a good indy bag.

IndianaRedmon · Post by **IndianaRedmon** » Sun May 01, 2005 6:06 pm

Hello Jupiter Jones, and group.

I'm also a new member and of late just got my Canadian Mark VII bag converted with new leather strap etc. Although you have a WPG repro bag with the open anti-fog canister pouch, I just wanted to mention that the small anti-fog pouch with Canadian Mark VII bags have a brass snap closure already attached, which I find quite handy for small items such as spare keys etc.

I must agree that these bags are quite useful as a day bag. I myself do like the larger closing flap as a rain jacket (Or poncho) can fold under it and stay secured by the flap.

The interior pocket allows my 1940's swiss canteen with cup to fit inside, a couple books, pipe and tobacco, a Moleskine notebook and pen, Emergency Ration tin, and swiss army knife. I did remove the middle divider which made storage inside the bag much more useful.

jack · Post by **jack** » Tue May 03, 2005 2:53 pm

Jupiter Jones wrote:Can you point me to any pictures?

jack wrote:If you need a bag with dividers in get a 37patt small pack on a shoulder straps, very practical, and in my opinion would make a good indy bag.

I'll try to get some pics of one mine if poss.

Jupiter Jones · Post by **Jupiter Jones** » Fri May 06, 2005 5:35 pm

Hi Redmon,

That brass snap closure sounds really nice. Do you know of any pictures online that show it? I think I'm going to have a professional seamstress modify my bag, rather than doing it myself, and any pics of what I want would help a lot.

I hadn't thought of using the extra space in the flap to hold something like a light jacket. I may just try that sometime.

It sounds like our bags are similarly packed! I carry around a book, a Moleskin, pipe, tobacco, fountain pen, pocket knife, and other odds & ends. It's a little too small for day hiking, but makes a great bag for just about everything else.

IndianaRedmon wrote:Hello Jupiter Jones, and group.

I'm also a new member and of late just got my Canadian Mark VII bag converted with new leather strap etc. Although you have a WPG repro bag with the open anti-fog canister pouch, I just wanted to mention that the small anti-fog pouch with Canadian Mark VII bags have a brass snap closure already attached, which I find quite handy for small items such as spare keys etc.

I must agree that these bags are quite useful as a day bag. I myself do like the larger closing flap as a rain jacket (Or poncho) can fold under it and stay secured by the flap.

The interior pocket allows my 1940's swiss canteen with cup to fit inside, a couple books, pipe and tobacco, a Moleskine notebook and pen, Emergency Ration tin, and swiss army knife. I did remove the middle divider which made storage inside the bag much more useful.

IndianaRedmon · Post by **IndianaRedmon** » Sat May 07, 2005 2:01 am

Hello Jupiter Jones,

I'm afraid I do not know of any website that has pictures of the Canadian Mark VII bag. I'll try and put a couple pictures up myself.

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Sat May 07, 2005 3:07 am

Jupiter;
Follow this link-
http://medlem.spray.se/larskalvemark/indygear/cndmk7/

-and you'll find comparison shots between a British (1) bag and two Canadian ones (2 & 3).

Regards,
Swindiana

Jupiter Jones · Post by **Jupiter Jones** » Sat May 07, 2005 12:29 pm

Swindiana, thanks for the links!

I thought the small differences were really interesting because they maintained the "look & feel" of the bag. For example, the internal pocket in figure 7 has a flap with folded over corners, just like the bag's outer flap. I'm impressed with the attention to detail. Just curious -- are there any written histories of the bags' designs?

Thanks again!