Bond Pack Suggestion
I had my first taste of the James Bond novels by Ian Fleming a few years ago when my wife bought me a little silver book.
It was the limited edition Quantum of Solace: The Complete James Bond Short Stories (now worth between £60/$90 and £200/$300 – I’ve linked to the cheaper paperback version as we don’t all have access to our countries treasury!). The short length tales were easy for me to digest, especially as at the time I wasn’t particularly an avid reader. I liked them as they presented a less polished cheese and more raw toughness version of Bond that I’d got used to with Daniel Craig. This book gave me an appetite for Bond novels.
I went all out and asked for the complete collection of books, which I’ve recently made a start on. Casino Royale kicks off the series and unpacks more of the story than what we see in the film. It feels slightly rawer than the films with extra lashing of espionage. The Bond novels are currently half price on Amazon which is a great excuse. I can thoroughly recommend picking a few of these up, especially For Your Eyes Only which contains my favourite Bond short story.
Dry Duffle Backpack
In Live and Let Die, 007 receives a whole collection of ‘gear’ from Q branch, including a Champion Harpoon Gun, Wilkinsons Commando Dagger and limpet mines before undertaking an underwater mission (check out this interesting write up of his gear). This pack by Filson came to mind as a great pack option for Bond as it is smart, waterproof and, unlike a lot of waterproof gear, inconspicuous.
With the slogan “Unfailing Goods”, the Filson packs, and brand in general, seem like a perfect option for a profession where failure is not an option. Even Daniel Craig (in my opinion the closest match to Fleming’s Bond) rocks a Filson pack.
Contrasting with the deservedly premium prices of many Filson products, their collection of Dry Bags are surprisingly affordable. I imagine the MI6 issued pack would lose the admittedly subtle logo from the front of the pack. Apart from that the vinyl-coated polyester, roll-top hook and loop closure, RF welded seams and quick drying straps packs sound completely mission ready.
Photography used by permission. © All rights reserved by Filson.
Nat Wagstaff Editor-In-Chief
While I was researching packs for a 100km endurance hiking challenge, my interest in how we organise our gear gave birth to Pack Config, a place that inspires its readers to improve their own packs. What I carry, either daily or out on a hike, is constantly being refined as I discover new methods and products. More…
