KOTCS close enough backpack?

[mcintosh86]

American Eagle has a backpack called the "trek backpack". Despite having the American Eagle logo screen printed on it, I think it would make a good close enough backpack. It may be a little pricey for not being screen accurate. What do you think? http://www.ae.com/web/browse/product.js ... =0501_4354

[Kt Templar]

If you are looking for a close enough, the modern repros are pretty inexpensive, if you can live with the nylon webbing straps and the poly buckles.

They run to about £15/$25 over here.

Ebay for 'German Alpine Backpack' or similar.

[DetectiveJones]

American Eagle has a backpack called the "trek backpack". Despite having the American Eagle logo screen printed on it, I think it would make a good close enough backpack. It may be a little pricey for not being screen accurate. What do you think? http://www.ae.com/web/browse/product.js ... =0501_4354

I'll bet if you lightly sanded the name with a high grit sandpaper, it would come off.

[Indiana MarkVII]

Has anyone tried that link? I got an error message. I got my used bag from a member here on COW from Germany, I believe.

[jedidentist]

It's a nice looking bag...certainly in the theme and style of the KOTCS bag, but more "reminiscent of" vs. "close enough". It's higher quality than the modern repros, and would certainly be more functional, but I wouldn't get it and call it my "Indy KOTCS bag".

[BendingOak]

PM sent to you.

I must be going mad. I'm starting to talk like Yoda. I meant to say i sent you a PM.

[Kt Templar]

I'm finding it very interesting hearing people talk about some of the repros as being basically rubbish. The one I have by 'Mil-Tec' is far from it.

It's a tough ole bag waterproofed on the inside, double stitched and reinforced on all joins and a tough canvas cloth, similar to, but about double the thickness of a Mk Viis cloth.

I wouldn't hesitate to travel with it and throw it around without worrying it would get hurt.

[IndyGeek78]

Surely if you were to purchase one of the modern bags it would be rather easy to replace all the modern straps and buckles with the origianl style? Just my two cents for what it's worth.

Ill crawl back into the corner now and just observe from the shadows

[jedidentist]

Surely if you were to purchase one of the modern bags it would be rather easy to replace all the modern straps and buckles with the original style?

Not unless you have a heavy duty sewing machine or a heck of a lot of time to hand punch and sew leather. The various alternatives have been posted and discussed in length in the "KOTCS Backpack" thread. At some point you have to ask yourself, "Do I want to pay $25 for something, buy a bunch of other materials and spend 6-7 hours making something that's almost right, or just buy the real thing for ~$75-100?" To me, it's really a no-brainer, but to each his own.

[A.J. Cairo]

It's a nice looking bag...certainly in the theme and style of the KOTCS bag, but more "reminiscent of" vs. "close enough". It's higher quality than the modern repros, and would certainly be more functional, but I wouldn't get it and call it my "Indy KOTCS bag".

Agreed.

[BendingOak]

Surely if you were to purchase one of the modern bags it would be rather easy to replace all the modern straps and buckles with the original style?

Not unless you have a heavy duty sewing machine or a heck of a lot of time to hand punch and sew leather. The various alternatives have been posted and discussed in length in the "KOTCS Backpack" thread. At some point you have to ask yourself, "Do I want to pay $25 for something, buy a bunch of other materials and spend 6-7 hours making something that's almost right, or just buy the real thing for ~$75-100?" To me, it's really a no-brainer, but to each his own.

I'm with you on this one. I would rather shell out a few dollars more and get it right ounce. I have to do enough sewing as it is.

[Dragonlady Jones]

As an "Indy-inspired" kind of guy, I think it's a great bag. Speaking from experience, a little sandpaper would go a long way towards getting that label off. I'd buy it.