best bushcraft backpack

Best Hitch Bike Rack for the Money – My Top 3 Choices

If you are a biker, you know the importance of a good bike rack. Riding a bike is fun and great exercise, but you can’t ride it everywhere. And even if you could, there are times when you wouldn’t want to. When it’s pouring down outside, it’s nice to have a roof over your head. That’s what the bike rack is for, so you can load up your bike and drive it to the perfect starting point for your next ride.

Anyone who cares about their bike should invest in a quality bike rack. You don’t want to risk your bike getting thrown off your car as you are driving down the highway. That’s dangerous for your bike and other riders. With that in mind, we have compiled a review guide to choosing the best hitch bike rack for the money in 2018 on the market and discovered the top options. With any of these racks, you can hit the road confident in your bike’s safety.

1. Allen Sports Deluxe 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack with 2-Inch Receiver

If you’ve got four bikes and a 2-inch trailer hitch on your vehicle, then this rack from Allen Sports is a great purchase. This rack is designed to as easy and safe to use as possible. If you read the instructions, you can install the rack in as little as five minutes. Once it’s in place, it can be placed in up or down positions depending on your current needs. There’s no need to have metal bars trailing your vehicle and threatening other drivers when you aren’t carrying any bikes.

Allen Sports Deluxe 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack

The rack is made of 22.6 pounds of steel, spread between the main tower and the two 22-inch arms. These arms offer extra security when compared to single arm models. Each arm has four tie-down cradles complete with rubber padding to protect your bike and adjustable ties to ensure a secure hold on any model of bike. This 4-bike rack is designed to latch onto any vehicle with a 2-inch trailer hitch. This is important to note; a quality bike rack will be designed to perfectly fit a limited range of hitches. Make sure you get a rack that fits your vehicle.

Allen Sports is so confident in the quality of their product that they offer a lifetime warranty. That’s one of the reasons we are giving it the top spot on our list; you deserve a bike rack that is backed up by more than just words.

2. Pro-Series 63124 Eclipse Black 2-Inch Sq. 4 Bike Carrier

The sleek and minimal design of the Eclipse from Pro-Series makes it an attractive option as one of the best hitch bike rack for the money. It’s a center tower design that can fit up to four bikes on the single mounting arm. All together the rack can hold 120 pounds, or roughly 30 pounds per bike. The Eclipse itself is 31 pounds. The arm moves up and down for easy access to the trunk even when the rack is loaded up with bikes.

Best Hitch Bike Rack for the Money

When looking at racks you want a model that will hold your bikes securely without damaging them. That is what the Eclipse is designed for. The hook and loop design allows you to quickly and securely strap up your bike while the rack itself has strategically placed rubber cradles that hold the bike’s frame securely in place without damaging it. One thing you can say for Pro-Series is that they think of everything, including the safety of your vehicle and bikes. That’s why their rack has a built in rear reflector. This way when you’re driving at night any vehicle coming up from behind you will see how far back your rack goes.

Finally, new Eclipse mounts come with a limited one-year warranty from Pro-Series, so that anyone interested can buy confidently. Please note that this is a rack for 2-inch receivers. If you have a different size hitch receiver on your vehicle, you might want to consider our next rack.

3. Swagman XC Cross-Country 2-Bike Hitch Mount Rack

Swagman Bicycle Carriers produces a full range of bike racks, and the Swagman XC is their most affordable option. This rack allows cyclists to mount up to two bikes on their vehicle quickly and affordably. The design is minimal, the steel frame is only 32 pounds and it is built to swing up and down for when your bike is loaded and unloaded.

This rack is designed to suit the needs of most bikers. The ratcheting arms are made to adjust so you can secure just about any bike in, no matter the frame size. With the adjustable and cushioned hooks, you can fit bikes with 20 – 29 inch wheels securely in just moments. The main limit is weight. The rack has a maximum load of 35 pounds per bike, more than enough for the average cyclist’s needs. Unless you have an abnormally heavy or oddly designed bike then you can bet your bike will fit securely into the Swagman XC.

Swagman XC Cross-Country 2-Bike Hitch Mount Rack

One great thing about this rack is the fact that it is designed with a universal fit. It can fit both 1-1/4 and 2-inch hitch receivers. If for any reason, you aren’t sure what size of hitch receiver is on your vehicle then this is your best bet. Still, if at all possible you should try and make sure you know what size hitch you have just to be sure.

Please note that this rack does not come with a hitch pin or a security cable. Make sure to budget for these items if you decide to purchase this rack. We will say that it is well worth the investment, especially given the guarantee offered by Swagman. This bike is covered by a limited lifetime warranty, which is one of the best signs of quality you can find.

Some Advice – Double Check Your Vehicle

There are some car accessories that work with just about any vehicle, like air fresheners. Then there are accessories like these bike racks. You can’t blindly pick a bike rack and assume it will work on your vehicle. Each of the bike racks on our list is made to hook up to different hitches. The Allen Sports Deluxe 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack is for 2-inch Class III or IV hitches. The Pro-Series 63124 Eclipse is also for 2-inch hitches. Finally, the Swagman XC works with both 1-1/4 and 2-inch hitch receivers. Take a look at your hitch to make sure you know what size it is and that it’s in good condition.

Once you know what sort of hitch you have, you can buy your new bike rack with confidence. A quality bike rack should give you piece of mind, not troubles. Without a doubt, one of these three models reviewed above fall under the category of the best hitch bike racks in the market and will make your next bike trip a breeze.

Best Bushcraft Backpack – My Top 3 Choices

When you are out in the wilderness, you need to be prepared. Modern humans are used to having all of the amenities of society close at hand, so it can be hard to adapt to the world of bushcraft. When you’re out in the wild far from civilisation, all you’ll have are your wits and the things you can carry on you. That’s why it’s important to find the best bushcraft backpack possible before you head out.

In this article, we will look at my 3 top choices for the best bushcraft backpack. Each of these backpacks has something to offer, but only one will be the best for your needs. Read on and think over just what each of these backpacks can do to help make your bushcraft experience the best that it can be.

1. Badlands 2200 Camouflage Hunting Backpack – Meat Hauler – Rifle, Bow, and Pistol Compatible and Hydration Compatible

The Badlands 2200 earns its top spot on our list of the best bushcraft backpack thanks to a high level of utility and a great design. When you’re equipped with one of these bad boys, you feel great, and you look great. This backpack is a fantastic choice if you like to hunt when you’re out in the bush. It’s specifically designed for use by hunters, with built-in compartments for all the hunting essentials. There is an integrated spotting scope pocket, a pistol older, and even a meat shelf so you can carry back the results of your hunt with ease and convenience.

Badlands 2200 Camouflage Hunting Backpack

This is a backpack built with high-grade materials and quality craftsmanship. For an exterior that’s both waterproof, silent, and durable Badlands uses KXO-32. This is stretched over a frame of T-6 aluminum. Everything works together to make a backpack that is strong, durable, and comfortable to wear. The Badlands 2200 comes in two different colors, Approach Camo and Realtree AP-Xtra. The back can also be switched from camo to orange for maximum safety.

The one real downside to this backpack is the cost. It’s the most expensive backpack on our list, especially if you want to go from the Realtree AP-Xtra. But the cost doesn’t just go to a fancy brand name; it’s clear that all the money goes into paying for the full range of features that Badlands have packed into every square inch of this backpack. It may seem a little expensive for beginners, but if you’re a seasoned bushcraft veteran, you know that a backpack like this is an investment.

2. OneTigris BUSHCRAFTER 50L 3 Day Pack MOLLE Tactical Military Assault Backpack Outdoor Sport Camping Hiking Trekking EDC Survival Rucksack

The Bushcrafter from OneTigris is a backpack for folks that want to carry as much as they can out into the bush. This backpack is designed to hold 50 liters, the most out of any on our list.

If you are just getting started in the world of bushcraft, then the Bushcrafter is a smart choice. It may not come with as many features as some other backpacks, but OneTigris passes the savings onto you. This backpack is highly affordable, offering a great ratio of storage liters per dollar without sacrificing quality.

OneTigris BUSHCRAFTER

This storage space is divided between the main pack, front pocket, middle pocket, and expansion pouch. The expansion pouch can be removed if it’s unnecessary. The main pack itself measures in at 20 inches tall, 15 inches wide, and 8 inches deep. It’s made of durable 100D nylon, so you can trust that it will take a beating and continue to do its job. The pack comes in black, camo, and ranger green so you can find a Bushcrafter that fits your look as well as your storage needs.

The Bushcrafter is designed for the explorer with uncomplicated needs. If you want a backpack with a lot of specialized compartments and advanced features, then you might want to look elsewhere. But that’s fine; it’s impossible for every backpack to be perfect for every job. The important thing is that the Bushcrafter does what it was designed to do and does it well.

3. BackSak Waterproof Backpack: 500D PVC

The BackSak from Såk Gear might be the last backpack on our list, but it’s far from least. This backpack is designed for wet environments, with a waterproof design to keep the contents of this backpack safe from the elements. It’s a decent size, weighing in at around 2.4 pounds and capable of carrying 35 liters. This storage space is divided into the main compartment and two smaller pockets that offer extra waterproofing.

Best Bushcraft Backpack - BackSak Waterproof Backpack

You might have noticed that the BackSak’s main draw is its waterproofing. It is guaranteed to be waterproof thanks to its design and materials. This backpack is designed to seal shut tight. When properly closed no water can make it through its defenses. The exterior of the bag is made using 500D PVC, and water washes off of it with no problem. Don’t settle for a backpack that soaks up water like a sponge and allows the contents within to be destroyed. With a BackSak you can take your smartphone and tablet out into the bush if you want. When the rain comes do, you can tuck your devices away and keep them safe and dry.

It also helps that the BackSak has a very nice look. The DigiCamo color is the most popular, it looks like a piece of military equipment and will help you blend into the environment. If you want to stand out, you can choose from blue, red, and yellow models that will help you avoid getting mistaken for a wild animal. Even if you do get the DigiCamo, you can still take it off without being too worried about losing it. The bag has reflective areas that make the bag, and you, easy to find even in low sunlight.

Conclusion – Best Bushcraft Backpack for the Money

Each of these different bags has something to offer. If you’re a hunter that wants to carry your weapon and supplies as easily as possible, then the Badlands 2200 is a smart bet. If you’re looking for a workhorse of a bag that can give you a lot of storage at a low price, then the Bushcrafter is a good pick for the title of the best bushcraft backpack

And if you are headed out into the elements the BackSak will keep your supplies nice and dry even when you’re soaking wet. To be successful out in the bush, you need to bring along the right supplies for the job. Find a backpack that is designed to handle the sort of situations you’re likely to face, and things will go much more smoothly in the end.