Any Ideas for a Gardening Backpack to Carry Resources

I find myself sometimes wishing I could carry a large amount of mulch, foragings, plants, and small trees in locations where a wheelbarrow isn't accessible. I've been wondering if such a backpack existed to be able to carry a lot of mass, and if anyone has found or created anything for such a task. All I have are backpacks that I don't want to get dirty, and if I knew how to make a backpack, I'd connect shoulder straps to heavy duty bags, but I don't know where to start.

I used to keep a backpack in my car equipped with a small trowel, hand held pruners, plastic grocery bags and an entrenching tool.  I took this with me when I went on hikes or visited old homesteads.  My purpose was to bring plant material back for propagation where it seems yours is to take materials in.

If I were to take in small trees I would look into a military duffle that has one end open but has shoulder straps.  You can carry a lot in one of these though you have to keep in mind the weight of the full backpack.  I honestly wouldn't want to carry one full of wood mulch though as that just makes my back hurt thinking about it.  Leaf mulch or loose hay, straw wouldn't be too bad.

I think I've seen some of the duffles with a small pocket on the outside, but it's really not large enough for tools.  I would probably opt to make a canvas roll-up bag for small tools and attach it to the outside of the bag.

if you do a search for "china backpack basket" you can see a lot of images of people using decent-sized baskets with straps to carry lots of things. I could see using an old laundry basket or maybe trying to be crafty and making something. Then line it with an old sheet so that mulch doesn't fall out through the holes, and off to the races!

Pack baskets are still a thing.  You can get cheap imported ones or handmade ones on etsy.  

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J60JWFI?tag=duckduckgo-iphone-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1
https://www.etsy.com/listing/790501690/the-chain-pack-basket?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=pack+basket&ref=sr_gallery-1-15&organic_search_click=1

Or you can buy a backpack frame from army surplus or a hunting store.  Strap tools directly to the frame, add any bag suitable for the cargo.

In addition to backpacks, consider these 2 ideas: 1. Learn to carry stuff balanced on your head.  Many many people around the world, the majority probably, move heavy bulky things this way.  The load is more balanced and easier on the back than carrying on one shoulder.  A bulky hat or something like a towel or rag formed into a doughnut can help hold the object up.  Even assisting with one hand is still more efficient than using one's shoulder, especially if the hand can be easily switched with another.  For loose stuff, use a bucket, basket, or even a cardboard box. 2.  Make a "yoke" with a stout stick to lay across your shoulders, and from each end hang two baskets or buckets.  Have them just spaced so as to hold the suspenders easily with your hands but far enough so as to not bump your legs when walking.  This is a good way to move buckets of water over uneven ground.

Thrift stores often have used backpacks, although the one pictured below was in a free bin at my son's college which he used until it no longer served his purpose. I cut bits out and hand-sewed other bits and fit a square bucket into it. It already had padding between where the bucket was going and where my back is.
It won't be good for large loads, but it might give you ideas that you can make work along with many of the excellent ideas above.

I found one of these on ebay - a used military kit bag which can be carried as a backpack.



This one is from here - no affiliation, just the best photo I could find.

Mine is huge, light, incredibly tough, and I'm not scared load it up as much as I feel up to carrying. Mostly I use it for mulch or collecting pine cones for kindling. It's also done service for laundry, travel, carting tools around, all kinds of things. It has a strange fastening system which means that if you don't fasten it, you can carry longer items in it and just leave them poking out the top.

Burra Maluca wrote:I found one of these on ebay - a used military kit bag which can be carried as a backpack.

This one is from here - no affiliation, just the best photo I could find.

Mine is huge, light, incredibly tough, and I'm not scared load it up as much as I feel up to carrying. Mostly I use it for mulch or collecting pine cones for kindling. It's also done service for laundry, travel, carting tools around, all kinds of things. It has a strange fastening system which means that if you don't fasten it, you can carry longer items in it and just leave them poking out the top.

Thank you Burra!  This was what I was referring to.

It sounds like an Adorandack  Pack.  All Bean has one they call an Allagash Pack. It is pricey. There are far more inexpensive ones available.