I use a camelback that is pretty large (and expensive too, but you get what you pay for, and I use it daily to bike to work too). It has several separate pockets that are easily accessible and allow me to keep everything separated so I can find them. It also has a 100oz water bladder which is very, very important on the trail, because you can never have too much water.

Your message about never having too much water made me smile.

I used to do field work and traveled for a job. One of my co=workers always took his own water jug with him and said that you always should have plenty of water and ammunition.....its what you saw them run out of in the Cowboy movies.

He was a retired NYPD and always made us smile but had great wisdom.

Sandy

I went to the military surplus store and looked around at all of the bags they had. My son ended up getting a paratrooper bag and I got a medic bag. The medic bag has a ton of pockets, ranging in sizes, and has a nice strap that I can adjust to wear it like a purse or crosswise across my body. There is a ton of room in this little bag and it's easy to find things. The bag isn't that big even though it has a ton of room... kinda reminds me of that bag on the infomercial for the Buxton purse where the lady is pulling out all kinds of stuff including the umbrella and the 2 water bottles and the bag just doesn't look that big.

[Edit] Kelsung: Sorry, this one isn't pink with a Cheshire cat. Mine is O-D Green but it never seems to get dirty no matter where I dump it, even on lovely Missouri clay.

It's too late to edit my first post so I'm posting a link to the bag I have. At the surplus store I went to, it was called a medic bag, but this listing on Amazon calls it a Venturer Survivor Shoulder Bag. Looks exactly the same as my bag, but they don't show the inside.
http://www.amazon.com/Olive-Drab-Venturer-Survivor-Shoulder/dp/B0013O583G/ref=pd_sbs_a_9

On the front flap, you can see 4 pockets (the top two on the left have snaps and the top right has a zipper, then the bottom one has snaps on each side and velcro, as well as a key hook). The front flap attaches to the bag with 2 twisty hooks (not sure what they are called).

On the back of the bag is a large open pocket, big enough to carry The Letterboxer's Companion book (but I usually keep a spiral book of all of the natural areas around here).

On one side of the bag is a snapping pocket that I carry my cell phone in.

Inside the bag is one huge open pocket big enough to carry several ink pads and a rag and another smaller open pocket big enough to carry a couple of planters pouches. Both of these pockets snap together with a snap on a strap. Then there is another medium open pocket big enough for a journal, carving tools, and erasers and 2 small open pockets big enough for another 2 ink pads or some antibacterial wipes and gloves. Last, there are 5 pen/pencil loops.

I have an Alice Pack like the military uses...i bought from US Calvary after I saw Shiloh's Alice Pack.

GG

I used to carry a surplus map bag, much like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Embroidered-Shoulder-Emrboidered-Military-Patches/dp/B000KZEFJW/ref=pd_sbs_a_6

Loved the bag as it had several handy pockets. It also is quick to get to things and it has a hard backing which is very nice for stamping on.

The problem I ran into was on long hikes I could not carry the water I needed and the weight of the bag thrown over one shoulder would get very tiring, even when swithing shoulders.

It took me a few minutes to find a picture of one on the net, but I like the idea. I think I'll be looking for a used one at military stores.

We have a medium sized brown leather bag, sort of a backpack but the straps adjust so it can either be carried like a purse by the straps, or worn on the shoulders. It has enough room inside to stack about six inkpads, the logbook fits behind them. There's also room for two small boxes I found at Walmart right before school started, on sale for 50 cents each. These were designed to be pencil cases, they slide open - more convenient than the zippered pencil case I had before because you can find what you are looking for quicker, the markers all lay in a row. The other box holds our stamps, & personal traveler. There's also a pocket on the outside which can hold the compass, pedometer, headband, etc. Pockets on either side hold extra baggies, paper, & other box repair accessories.
My husband usually carries this bag, and I carry a very small knapsack type bag with snacks & water bottle.

Carolina Wine Trail
W.

We carry one like this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2459/3666944368_99dfe50d94.jpg?v=1246152036

It carries, a zippered day planner type thing (this holds logbook, stamps and pen, it alos gives a hard surface to stamp in on). A compass, first aid kit, and extra large black ink pad, flash light, a couple of paper towels, extra baggies and an extra logbook. With room to spare. It is small but hold a lot!

x'ingpaths

I bought a daypack from North Face this summer. It's the Electra daypack- small, compact, and just enough room so I don't OVERpack (which I always did with my bigger bag). However, I just looked on the North Face website and the pack isn't there anymore... :( I love their products, though and think they have high quality packs for not super expensive prices.

I use a pencil zip pouch - the kind you buy to put inside your binder for school. The one I got is canvas so it is really tough and rugged :)

It is small but hold a lot!

Has anyone noticed the pattern? I've noticed that everyone who carries a military bag has mentioned that it is small but holds a lot, just like mine. They may not have the corner on the fashion market, but those military types sure can come up with fantastic ways to hold stuff! I guess it goes to show that if someone is in need of a good letterboxing bag, just take a visit to your local military surplus store and find what works best for you.

I use a camelback

I got one of those for XMas and have used when I do hikes.

For most hikes I have a light weight bag that has a large drawstring that then acts like packback straps.

Wow!!! Thanks guys!! I didn't know there were so many different things out there I could use :) I've got my backpack, and everything just gets lost in the bottom. :) I can't wait to go find a new bag!

What about for a rainy day? Does anyone carry things in a different pack or take any different protective measures (plastic bags etc)?

My collection of letterboxing supplies has grown, but much of it can remain at home. My important stuff fits into a Hannah Montana lunchbox -- which I then slip into my backpack. My son has his letterboxing stuff in a largish pencil box, and I found a blue camoflauge fanny pack at a yard sale, that my daughter is using to carry her letterboxing stuff.

I used to carry binoculars in my backpack too, but they're too heavy -- I'd rather have enough water along, in case of thirst.

Letterboxed once without water -- I hope we never forget our water again!

Blessings,

hansenclan

I've got my backpack, and everything just gets lost in the bottom

I've been having that issue lately as well, and I try to not carry too much. I am working up to longer hikes so occasionally take my lunch which ends up smushed. :( Not to mention the straps started to rip on my backpack. Think I will look into one of the medic type bags...as long as I can sew my patches on!

Thanks everyone for hte suggestions and information!

What about for a rainy day

I am wimpy enough that I prefer drier weather, but have recently done a couple of boxing adventures in the rain. I use a large golf umbrella, which keeps everything dry, except the clues. I have added a plastic cover for those. It was so humid they were disintegrating as we walked!! The other thing I need to do is add a piece of plastic to lay things out on. I think I might just cut up an old poncho for that.

My pack claims to be water resistant, but since it is tearing, I don't trust it.

I can't seem to find the right thing to carry my LB stuff in. It just seems to take alot of time and maneuvering to get everything out. Is this normal? Should I not feel so rushed? ..What do you guys carry your stuff in?

Well I know I look like a real "nerd" ;), but I love my fishing vest. It has a pocket for everything and it distributes the weight more evenly on my shoulders. (My backpack was "biting" into my shoulders and got uncomfortable to wear AND I had the same problem with having to dig everything out.) My sig stamps are in the left breast pocket with their accompanying markers (along with my cleaning cloths for messing fingers and stamps) in a larger pocket below. My pencils (for writing notes, etc) and my cellphone are in the right breast pockets. Stamp pads are in the lower larger pocket (I use small different colours). A small flashlight bottom right.... Compass bottom left.... And my extra plastic bags of varying sizes are in the big pocket on the back. Then I have a small shoulder bag that holds my log book. So.... for me, it is easy to open my logbook, pull out my sig stamp, stick it back into the pocket and then pull out my pencil, etc., etc. I love it, especially when it's raining because it minimizes the stuff that I have to pull out and "protect" from the rain at any one time. Oh, and did I mention I've covered it with LB patches so I look like a real "hick" (that's what my husband said anyways).... but I don't care!!!!

Hey Now, Captain!

For the last couple of years I've been using this faux mil surp daypack: http://www.armysurplusonline.us/PhotoDetails.asp?ShowDesc=N&PhotoURL=http%3A//www.dustya.com/ArmySurplusOnline/bags+%26+pouches/9162+vintage+backpack+lg.jpg

It is light, cotton (comfortable) and has plenty of pockets for extra baggies/'box first aid supplies, a small first aid kit for me, a couple of water bottles, bug spray, hand sanitizer, et c. And a large enough main compartment for my log (~8" x 10"?), a set of crayola markers, extra stamp pads and a snack. When I'm doing 'box maintenance it is big enough to let me carry two to three empty replacement containers for "just in case".

It is not waterproof so anything that can't get wet, if I get caught in a shower, is sealed in gallon ziplocks. Also, it is just big enough to overload it so it can be uncomfortable to carry if I don't watch what I put into it...YMMV.

Connfederate

Go to the Dollar Tree. Buy a plastic tablecloth. Good for most anything, keeping you dry in the rain (logbook also), covering a wet log to sit on and many other uses.

What about for a rainy day? Does anyone carry things in a different pack or take any different protective measures (plastic bags etc)?

Oh, yes....now I do. After being caught in the rain & soaked to the skin while looking for the Jinxed Box (the one where it always rains when I'm looking for it), I will now always, always, always carry a plastic baggie to put my cell phone in if even as many as two drops fall from the sky. Because it was just too traumatic having it get drowned and being without it for weeks, besides the fact that I lost all the pictures on it.... =( And a plastic baggie for my logbook, for the same sort of reasons.

Sheba

I am a fair weather boxer, but I have started hiking in clear weather that later turned to rain. So I try to carry an emergency poncho. They are cheap and fairly lightweight.

Recycle Reuse at its finest, Kelsung. Good for you.

I use a back pack for my extras ie: water, ziplocks, papertowels, poncho, flashlight, compass.
For my log book and inks and stamp I have a bible cover. It has a zipper pouch on the outside and 4 on the inside +2 elastic straps that perfectly fit my stamp and 1 ink

I posted this question a few days ago myself and got so many good ideas. I sort of combined all of the suggestions and went looking through my closet for anything that I might find that would work. I found a bag that I bought from LL Bean a few years ago that I used for traveling. It has several different compartments, and even one for carrying a water bottle. Look on their website and you can find several different kinds. Organization is not my strong suit and I have to work at it continually. For now this bag is working, but ask me in about a month how organized I am :(

Great ideas, thanks everyone.
I think I'll get one of those clear umbrellas, we are typically in the woods and when raining it can be dark so a clear umbrella will let some much needed light in.
I must go find one of those multi pocketed bags now too. I had no idea letterboxing required so much stuff!

I had no idea letterboxing required so much stuff!

actually, all it requires is possession of the clues, a stamp, a logbook, and ink. stuff you can carry in a pocket or fanny pack. you will find, though, that there are a host of other things that can make letterboxing more comfy.

kind of like camping. a pot, a good knife, something to make fire with, and a blanket are enough for some people, and they forage for their food. others go camping with only what they can carry with them, but they take a nice sleeping bad, a stove, mess kit, food, and a tarp for shelter. others (me) need a tent and a cot to go camping, and are limited to places they can go in their car, since they can't carry all of it. still others go in an rv or camper, and still call it camping, and think that they only bring "essential equipment".

stamp, logbook, ink, clue. occasionally compass. that is all that is strictly necessary for camping.. the rest is for comfort, for being helpful with box maintenance, first aid stuff for people maintenance, and the list grows as you think of things you needed last trip and wouldn't want to be caught without again...

romana

I must go find one of those multi pocketed bags now too

I just got mine from amazon thanks to everyones suggestions. Love it, though I am going to spray it with waterproof spray and see how that goes. It's that time of year in the PNW! Still looking for clear umbrella...

I have a small Adias backpack from the women's sports section of the local Fred Meyer. It has curved straps that are very comfy, and divided pockets w/i the main two pouches. The outside is covered with junior ranger badges and patches, so I look like I would be the sort of person to be "sketching nature" while sitting on rocks with it at my feet.

As an added bonus: it is not pink tartan like the last minibackpack, hubby will carry it.