One thing I have discovered is that the Swiss make very good outdoors gear. These backpacks (closer in size to daypacks) are a great example of what you can find at a bargain price.
Description: These "daypacks" are modular accessories built for use with the Swiss Alpenflage camouflage uniform. There appear to be a few variants of these packs available, and when you go to buy them, ensure that they have shoulder straps. I have seen some of these sold online with clips designed to attach to the alpenflage shirts. Unless you have bought those (or plan to buy them), you want the ones with shoulder straps.
Capabilities: These are truly *day packs*. You should plan to only be able to carry a day, possibly two days, worth of gear. There are three compartments. I use one of them to store a poncho for use as a ground cloth, shelter, or (yes) for protection from the rain. I have placed an MRE in the main compartment just so you have something to munch on and the MRE heater has a few different applications. I have left the third pouch for each person's "needful things". I personally like to pack 550 cord, a spare pocket knife, a few packs of matches, TP, etc all in a ziplock bag.
Cost: I bought mine off eBay for around $5 each. If you pay more than $10 each, you probably paid too much...
