Welcome back to another gear review, everyone! Today I’m bringing you all the Battalion 12 Hour Bag, by my good friends over at Recycled Firefighter.
Recycled Firefighter 12 Hour Bag Review
For starters, let me tell you a bit about Recycled Firefighter and my relationship with them. I have worked with Jake (the owner) for around 2 years now. I originally began working with him on his website design, graphic design, etc. But our business relationship quickly formed a friendship and a mutual bond over awesome gear. So I began field testing and using a lot of his gear on my adventures. As well as in my everyday carry.
This is not to say I haven’t been rough on his gear and critical over it, because I have been. I actually had one of the very first renditions of backpacks that he ever made and I tested it thoroughly. I would honestly say I’m harder on my Recycled Firefighter backpacks than any others.
* Shown above is an early prototype of the 12 Hour Bag that I tested thoroughly.
The reason I say all of that is because I want you to realize I am far from bias. It’s like I tell people…I work with brands because I love their products. Not because they’re a paycheck or a way of getting “free stuff”. If I like and trust your stuff, I will use it and represent it.
So with that said, let’s dive into my latest adventure where I packed this 12 Hour Backpack up and took it out for a full day of fun & adventure.
I recently set my mind to see how far I could push the Battalion 12 Hour Backpack. I wanted to load this thing up with all of the gear I would need for a full day of adventuring. So, late Tuesday Night I sat down with a pile of gear and found the perfect loadout. Comprised of a double hammock, a simple cook set, some trail essentials, and emergency equipment.
I ended up leaving the house early Wednesday Morning to set out for a local trail section. The morning was already steamy, at around 90°. However, it was set to reach over 100° on the heat index. So I knew I was in for a hot one, but I couldn’t wait to get out and set forth on this adventure.
The first part of my venture went straight up 1,700 feet elevation (according to the maps I have read). I trekked for around 2 miles or so to the top before settling down to take the photos above.
The importance of Balancing Your Backpack:
I had already pre-balanced the pack so it would ride comfortably. I placed my heavier items up top and the lighter ones down below. I also made sure no heavy items were in the exterior pocket, as this would pull the pack away from me.
Even though this backpack does not have a hip belt and I was not using the optional sternum strap, I was really amazed at its comfort. I have obviously used this pack many, many times before. But I’m always taken back at its level of comfort since it does not have a hiking style frame or hip belt. In fact, i’ve found this pack is honestly more comfortable than some “hiking packs” out there.
I could’ve stayed at the lookout points a lot longer, but I knew I needed to make the best use of my time if I was going to get anything else done during the day. So I moved on. I ended up hiking back down in elevation a bit to find a shaded area, as the morning sun was scorching. This is where I decided to make my day camp & chill out for a bit.
My Loadout for the Day:
The goal for this day trip was to show that you don’t have to pack excessively on a day hike, or even an overnighter. And also, to show you that even with quite a bit of gear – The 12 Hour Backpack is plenty capable of handling it.
The load out I put together is pretty simple. I really only brought items that I knew I would use. Some were luxuries, while others are what I see as essentials if you’re going to venture outdoors. (You could also pair a tarp + extra food and make this an overnight kit)
*Shown above is my Grand Trunk Double Hammock and Sea to Summit Ultralight Pillow, along with my Recycled Firefighter 12 Hour Bag
Once I found the perfect spot, surrounded and covered by tree canopy – It was time to throw up the hammock and lay my ground blanket down. I also strung up my backpack, water bottle and other gear with the paracord & caribiners I brought along.
By this point in the morning, it was high-time for some breakfast. So, I set up my Optimus Crux canister stove, tore open my steak and began cooking. (This is my go-to cooking setup for lightweight, in-the-field meals by the way)
* Gear Shown Above: Buckskin Gloves, LightMyFire Army Firesteel (buy on Amazon), LightMyFire Titanium Spork (buy on Amazon), Mora Garberg (buy on Amazon), Esbit Aluminum Cooking Pots (buy on Amazon), Optimus Crux Stove
Within a matter of minutes, my steak was done and it was time to retreat back to my hammock for some relaxation.
As I laid back in my hammock, I was amazed at how quickly I was able to unzip the Battalion pack and assemble a nice, comfortable base camp. It proved my theory that this backpack can certainly hold everything you need for a full day of adventuring. And, as I mentioned above – An overnighter if you paired a couple of extra items.
Though this adventure was simple and nothing elaborate, it was a really fun one. And it put the 12 Hour Bag to a test that I personally hadn’t completed before. I typically bring this bag along when I’m running errands, going to the zoo with the family or something along those lines. So, it was a lot of fun to get out and really push this backpack.
My Closing Thoughts:
I found that the Battalion 12 Hour backpack was plenty capable of swallowing up a lot of gear. It was more than comfortable for miles of use. I attribute that to its size, the shoulder straps, and their padding, as well as how it rides on your body. It’s almost like the pack is a part of you as you’re wearing it.
I give this pack a 10 out of a 10 and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a simple, bombproof, USA Made backpack.
Read Next: Recycled Firefighter Truckie Pouch Kit
August 2021 Update:
This bag is still my go-to for trips that take me out of my immediate county or for long day trips in the backcountry. I keep my modular “EDC Survival Kit” in this, along with some additional gear that make my outdoor trips more comfortable.
