Reddit mentions of 3M Dual Lock Reclosable Fastener SJ3560 250 Clear, 1/2 in x 6 Ft by 3M

I just wrote this for kids in our Scout troop; feel free to use whatever you see fit:

If the new Scouts are going to be buying a pack to take on practice hikes for the West Point Camporee or the Acadia trip, maybe they could use some advice before they hit the store.

Some folks may think “Buy once, cry once” and that’s fine. REI makes good stuff, plus the premium brands like Osprey are available in sizes to fit even little guys.

Other families may want to spend less: your Scout might be headed for a growth spurt, or might be hard on their stuff, or might not be guaranteed to stay in Scouts for ever. In that case, there are some less-expensive ways to buy a pack.

WHERE TO BUY

Discount sporting goods companies include Campmor, Sierra Trading Post, Moosejaw, and REI’s own outlet (the Garage). This offers lower prices on good gear that’s maybe from last year, or a close-out, or a weird color.

http://www.campmor.com

https://www.sierra.com

https://www.moosejaw.com

https://www.rei.com/rei-garage

When shopping online, always look for a coupon code at RetailMeNot! https://www.retailmenot.com

Amazon offers knock-offs of good-quality gear by no-name Chinese manufacturers. These items often have very few (and possibly astroturfed!) reviews; proceed with caution.

Amazon also sells its own knock-offs under the “Amazon Basics” label. Some of this stuff is pretty darn good: for example, I bought the 75-liter version of this internal frame pack last year (on sale for $40.15!) and was surprised at how well-made it was, with decent materials and good features. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0141MQRGI/

That pack is almost identical to another — and $20 more expensive -- item, the Teton 4000: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00167TGII/

No, the Amazon Basics pack won’t last for ever, and it’s not ultralight, but it’s functional and inexpensive.

Ask around! Someone in the troop or your family or neighborhood or workplace may have gear they don’t use any more, or may be able to lend you some stuff to try before you buy.

You can sometimes buy used or new gear on Craig’s List or a FaceBook group. The usual reminders of how to shop carefully online apply: never send money electronically, meet in a public place, don’t send anyone your credit card number, bring a friend to the meet-up.

REVIEWS

As for reading reviews to help select an item, there are very good reviews at Outdoor Gear Lab. Here’s their most recent (Nov. 2017) round-up of “budget backpacks”: https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-budget-backpacking-pack

(Note that the super-cheap option they suggest at the end is…the Teton pack linked to above!)

Amazon reviews are often bought, so I am suspicious of items with fewer than fifty or 100 reviews.

The (often truly awful) web site Reddit has a community about camping gear, and you can search it for reviews. (Just make sure not to read any other communities there.) https://www.reddit.com/r/campinggear/

And of course you can ask around the troop! Other Scouts and families have a lot of experience camping, and can share what they know about various manufacturers, specific items, or stores.

3m Dual Lock and a rubber mallet
3M Dual Lock Reclosable Fastener SJ3560 250 Clear, 1/2 in x 6 Ft by 3M https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0141MQRGI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_2w0Rzb9CHAC1R

Clean up the glue (rubbing alcohol works great) and get some of the 3M "Dual Hook Fastener"

IE This: https://www.amazon.com/3M-Reclosable-Fastener-SJ3560-Clear/dp/B0141MQRGI/

Oohh thanks for the suggestion! This looks like it should do the job fine.

I found the best thing is the 3M dual Lock tape used for toll devices.

https://www.amazon.com/3M-Reclosable-Fastener-SJ3560-Clear/dp/B0141MQRGI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496260220&sr=8-1&keywords=3m+dual+lock+tape

dude f that. just grab a whole roll of the stuff.

https://www.amazon.com/Dual-Reclosable-Fastener-SJ3560-Clear/dp/B0141MQRGI

its great and blows normal velcro outta the water.

Not OP but go to Amazon and check out 3M Dual Lock. I love this stuff.

https://www.amazon.com/Dual-Reclosable-Fastener-SJ3560-Clear/dp/B0141MQRGI/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1510875817&sr=8-5&keywords=dual+lock&dpID=51wv-PLULnL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch