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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: AWPForester on January 27, 2012, 09:39:00 PM

Title: GFA Haversack review
Post by: AWPForester on January 27, 2012, 09:39:00 PM
Well, my Asbell haversack arrived last night.  I loaded it up and was pretty dang amazed at how much room this thing has.  I took a couple pics to show you the versatility and packing capabilities of this thing because my biggest concern was if it would hold enough stuff for an all day foray.  The pics speak for themselves.

Here's one of it loaded, and still plenty of room for food and other stuff.  Funny thing is this was everything minus a walkie talkie I had in my backpack.
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k503/AWPForester/haversack005.jpg)
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: AWPForester on January 27, 2012, 09:43:00 PM
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k503/AWPForester/haversack006.jpg)

And here is one that shows what was in it.  As you can tell it is definately an all day bag.  Maybe this will put some perspective on how big they are and just how much stuff they will hold instead of "alot".  God Bless
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: Rob W. on January 27, 2012, 09:44:00 PM
I love mine.


Wonder when those woolie warmers are going to be on the site and how much?
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: Norminator on January 27, 2012, 09:50:00 PM
I gotta order one of those. They are relatively cheap, I think around 35$
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: Jason Kendall on January 27, 2012, 09:55:00 PM
Could you post a pic of the inside? I think I may need to get me one of them! Thanks
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: AWPForester on January 27, 2012, 10:05:00 PM
I can.  It has 2 main compartments with a smaller pocket in compartment about a 6 by 6.  It would be good for holding calls,gloves, lights, or anything you need to keep seperate for easy access.    Thw 2 big compartments are 15" long by 13" high, and they are plenty wide.  Just very well designed and built.

I'll try to get one up tomorrow.  God Bless
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: AWPForester on January 27, 2012, 10:29:00 PM
First 2 pics are of the pockets, the next one is of a 1000 foot spool of 550 paracord about as big as an old gallon can of coffee to give you reference of it's toting abilities.  God Bless

(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k503/AWPForester/004-1.jpg)
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k503/AWPForester/005-1.jpg)
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k503/AWPForester/006-1.jpg)
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k503/AWPForester/007.jpg)
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: Jason Kendall on January 27, 2012, 10:36:00 PM
Thanks for posting those, I have been wondering whats on the inside. I have been using an old army duffle bag for years with grommets and a rope for the strap. It has served me well but I would really like the pockets the Asbell has. I will be ordering one soon.
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: Covey on January 27, 2012, 10:37:00 PM
What size did you get? I've been wanting one, but wasn't sure what size to get.

Thanks, Jason
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: AWPForester on January 27, 2012, 10:42:00 PM
It is the biggest size they have.  15 by 13 inches I think.  The size and model is defined by color as well as features.  God BLess
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: South MS Bowhunter on January 27, 2012, 10:48:00 PM
Justin, how about a pic of you with it on, for further perspective?
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: Jake Diebolt on January 27, 2012, 11:24:00 PM
I have one, love it. I use it to carry climbers when setting tree stands. Much easier to get at than in a pocket or a shoulder pack, and doesn't interfere with my climbing gear.
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: don_h on January 28, 2012, 12:56:00 AM
As a backpack freak, I gotta say you could loose some stuff in these things with the sizable and separate compartments. Misleading for sure if you think it's small.
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: AWPForester on January 28, 2012, 05:54:00 AM
South Mississippi, I got no way to take a pic cause it is just me and my wife just left for work.  I'll try to get one this evening.  God Bless
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: AWPForester on January 28, 2012, 06:47:00 AM
It ain't pretty or a real good pic, but it was the best I could do given I was alone.  Had to take in a mirrror.  When I get real serious about wearing it I will adust it up about 2-3 inches and get if off the point of my hip. But, you can get an idea of how big it is.  God Bless

(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k503/AWPForester/wearing001.jpg)
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: Rob W. on January 28, 2012, 07:41:00 AM
I think the size is perfect for full day deer/turkey outings. I even got my leafy suit and harness in there so I could drag a deer in warmer weather this year.

I did however add an antler button to keep the flap a bit more secure.
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: GingivitisKahn on January 28, 2012, 09:41:00 AM
I've been curious about how sturdy those things are.  What do you think?
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: Rob W. on January 28, 2012, 09:51:00 AM
Mine made it through an entire squirell/deer season with me without any problems. Thats mile plus walk-ins atleast 3 days a week, 4 deer drags, and still looks new.
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: KYhunter on January 28, 2012, 10:58:00 AM
Does it have a snap on it to keep it closed?

Jim
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: South MS Bowhunter on January 28, 2012, 11:36:00 AM
What Jim said, i too am wondering if it has something to keep it close and also when you have it loaded does everything seem to fall into the center?  In other words does it load the center and cause the  sides to collapse?
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: South MS Bowhunter on January 28, 2012, 11:36:00 AM
Thanks Justin for the pic!
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: SS Snuffer on January 28, 2012, 01:04:00 PM
Ya I was wondering about that too. I wanted the plaid one but the leather straps are on the edges and I was wondering if it would just fold up? Great product lots of interest in it! Don't like backpacks.
Would be using it to carry small binos gruntcall,gutting gloves and cell phone in case I do sumthin dumb.
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: Bishop on January 28, 2012, 01:18:00 PM
Mine doesn't have a snap and its he plaid one.
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: Gen273 on January 28, 2012, 02:31:00 PM
They do look very trad and seem to hold a lot of stuff
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: AWPForester on January 28, 2012, 03:51:00 PM
I think a lot of how it holds the gear is how it gets packed.  I have seen no tendencies to see the thing want to flop open caused by everything flowing to the middle..  i do believe it is undoubtably the handiest thing I have seen in a while.  God Bless.
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: Keefer on January 29, 2012, 07:31:00 AM
Guys,
You can get the plaid without the leather strap cause that's how mine was done....Now if you put everything into it except the kitchensink then it will be too heavy....Basically look at what you really need to store for a days outing and re think it again..If some things can be left in the truck and easy to reach in case you get a late evening hit on an animal then don't pack it till it overflows...I had everything possible packed in my backpack and had to really think have I used this in the last few years? I also saw a post where someone sewn a hole and added a butten to hold it closed and that is something anyone should be able to do...These haversacks take loads off your back and so much easier to carry a haversack on your side then something hurting your back..Mrs.Teresa even explained over the phone that you can just simply slide it back behind you if a shot is presented or moving through thick brush and getting it hung up on branchs etc...Maybe we should all get together to list the most valuable items that we should put into our packs just for a one day sitting nothing more...Lets not go overboard but ask ourselves this..Is it 100% nessary for this sitting and what I'm hunting and can I put it in my pocket and not my haversack to keep the weight down?  Keefer's <><


My item would be headlamp with only 1 spare set of new batteries...
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: Rob W. on January 29, 2012, 08:33:00 AM
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/100_2938.jpg) (http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/100_2939.jpg)
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: AWPForester on January 29, 2012, 09:30:00 AM
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k503/AWPForester/haversack006.jpg)

Well, I carry alot of stuff that includes treestand things like safety belt, screw a bow holder because some of the grounds I hunt have stands hung and I hunt from palce to place or climb on a whim.  The saw I carry to make blinds and cut limbs with a climber stand.  It stays always.  My bino's are huge and they go everytime.

I like to go prepared if possible so I carry 2 lights due to distance I travel, 2 deer calls, which will probably be taken out next year, flagging, handwarmers, water and food.

This thing will allow for clothes to be hung through them and paked in when you swing it to the back for quick walking.  Going to down size the bino's one day so this will basically due away with the weight and bulk mine has.  And I have a fleece neck gaiter and gloves that I carry in there so I don't fprget or lose them.

God Bless
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: Keefer on January 29, 2012, 09:51:00 AM
Rob,
 The little survival kit is something we all should carry in ours incase we accidently cut ourselves...The jerky is another thing but can go into another pouch Like your belly so that will be gone by the time you head home..    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: CDR on January 29, 2012, 10:16:00 AM
I did check them out, and made a big mistake not buying one.   :banghead:   I will get one soon though.
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: Rob W. on January 29, 2012, 11:18:00 AM
Its amazing whats in that kit for the size. I did replace the stock knife with a swiss buck and upgraded the compass. My extra bowstring also fits in it. The little blue dry bag has campers toilet paper, extra batteries, some para cord to make a deer drag, and travel size hand sanitizer. Works good to clean hands after field dressing and is very flammable.

On a bit longer trip I replace a water bottle with a water filter and include a backpackers tarp.

If we could phone in a deer kill here I might never leave the woods. Might have to include some bbq sauce though  :D  


Rob
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: Seeking Trad Deer on January 29, 2012, 05:45:00 PM
I love when guys buy products from wihtin the trad gang circle and not the big Chinese manufacturers.  Kudos to the Asbell's for fine products and all of you who support the trad community.    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: Blackhawk on March 17, 2013, 04:06:00 PM
up for
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: Lee Viv on March 17, 2013, 04:16:00 PM
I used mine the entire deer season instead of a fanny pac.  It held everything I needed, flap never came open, and with careful packing items stayed in place!  It was quiet, and easy to carry around....just what I needed for daily hunts!

(http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/fotoguy58/IMG_1107-1r.jpg)
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: Brock on March 17, 2013, 04:59:00 PM
same here....carried spare tab, compass, spare inserts for thermacell, surveyors tape, small flashlight, non-fog for glasses, map if needed and a snack...worked great.

on recent hog hunt to Georgia carried a bit more as I was in unfamiliar territory...so added GPS, gloves for field dressing, spare string for bow, etc.

I loaded it down and it never lost anything.  I might add a loose antler tip thong to help keep closed for rough terrain though...just in case.
Title: Re: GFA Haversack review
Post by: Al Kidner on March 17, 2013, 05:56:00 PM
Hmmm.... These do look sweet indeed! I am a die hard back pack guy but I am liking the idea of a more trad style haversack to do small hunts.

Cheers,

ak.