looking for new 3 day pack (1 Viewer)

[wierdbeard]

well its time to retire one of my 4 day bags, with the Army continually changing what pattern they want to go with i'd held off for quite a while. While i have several bags, my most used bag was/is a Camelbak BFM in OD green. Its been a good bag but the bottom is starting to rot out and from too many zealous assclowns at the airports the waist belt has been cut to pieces.

So i've been looking around. My extended mission ruck is a Kifaru which hands down is the best bag i've ever used, but its way too big for short hops, also the color i had mine made in is no longer available, desert tan.

So far i've looked at the Kifaru Pointman, TAD Gear F.A.S.T. P.S. v2, another Camelbak BFM but the slightly larger version, the Eberlestock Halftrack, and the Mystery Ranch 4 day assault BVS.

I have likes about all the bags but none of them incorporate all of the features into one bag, the mystery ranch bag gets close but its a tad bit too small. I need something around 3000 cu-in.

Does anyone have any other bags that they suggest?

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

I have the Eberlestock Gun Slinger II and I love it. On my recommendation of Eberlestock, my buddy bought a Blue Widow. Sadly, the stitching on the waist belt came apart on the first trip. All three of us had our rucks in the same general weight class 45-55 lbs and all three of us had Eberlestock's.


Only one of us had an issue and they are taking care of it, but I don't think you have that leisure. I know that they have had his ruck for close to two months now with no word on when it will be returned.

Maybe they put a little more into their tactical rucks vs. their hunting packs, I don't know. The third ruck was also a Gun Slinger II. No problems at all with either of those two.

I know three other guys with Kifaru and they are very pleased with those packs. Again, let me reiterate that my GSII is a bad ass rig that has not let me down. Hopefully my buddies Blue Widow is an isolated incident (When he phoned Glenn Eberle, Glenn said he'd never heard of that happening before) and it gets resolved quickly.

My single complaint with the GSII is that the hydration sleeves don't fit the bigger bladders well. We ended up clipping them in and letting them hang freely inside. We purchased ours through their "Professional User" program and when we called to talk about our experiences they said they were working on a solution for the bigger bladders on an exterior pocket.

I hope that helps and doesn't appear like I'm bashing Eberlestock. I love my ruck and wouldn't trade it. My buddy is a little disappointed though.

I chose the "Dry Earth" color and it works very well in the desert environment and surprisingly around concrete as well.

 

[craigwanderer]

I'd have to recommend an ATS RAID II pack. It's had awesome reviews from deployed US personnel.

Source: Product Selection: #ATS-0120, RAID Pack II ATS TACTICAL GEAR "Outfitting the World's Finest Warriors"

"RAID II Pack The RAID II is an update of the famous Lightfighter RAID pack. While the RAID was the premier assault pack, through hard use some areas of improvement were found, and addressed with RAID II. The face of the pack has a zippered utility pocket for fast stowing of items, while maintaining the PALS webbing of the original pack. The inside face of the pack is also supplied with PALS webbing, for the attachment of any MOLLE compatible pouch. Organization can be accomplished in any way the user wishes. Instead of the lash straps from the RAID, the back panel of RAID II has four one inch ITW/Nexus Tri Glides for tying into or tying down a myriad of loads. The rear pocket can fit either hydration systems or an ATS frame sheet. Three flapped tube or wire routing ports at the 10, 12, and 1 o’clock are provided. The greatest distinction between the RAID and RAID II packs is the shoulder straps. Through the input of Infantrymen, it was found that the thick straps of the RAID were hard to use when the pack was carried over armor. The ½ inch foam straps have been narrowed, and the attachment point strengthened. Load lifters are provided to improved load carriage. Additionally, there is approximately three inches of vertical travel for the adjustable sternum strap. The pack measures 1512 cubic inches. The Coyote Brown and Ranger Green RAID II packs are constructed of 1000 denier DuPont Cordura. The Multicam and ACU (UCP) version is made from 500D DuPont Cordura. All ATS Tactical Gear is covered by a lifetime warranty."

I use a couple of Australian-built versions...

the SORD Strike Pack

and the Platatac SPUR MSM Tropical

EDIT: having re-read the original post, these may be a little too small.

 

[wierdbeard]

thanks for the info and suggestions, keep em coming!

 

[Coastline]

back pack

I shop at MAE Group International -- google it. They are contractors who supply military and police around the world but recently started selling retail. Decent savings if you know what you want.

Converse boots, Maxpedition packs, professional First Aid, holsters, knives, extraction gear, transits, ....

I get my Converse boots from them but, a word of caution: check your size first and down load the size conversion from Converse as they run about one whole size larger than the Red Wing and New Balance that I also wear.

 

[wierdbeard]

I looked at the MAE site, they are primarily a distributor for gear, while i do have some items from Diamondback tactical I don't have any of their rucks, I've noticed that their selection has gone down quite a bit over the years. After some very bad dealings with Blackhawk I won't give them my money ever again, and most of their stuff doesn't stand up to hard usage.

As far as the boots go, Converse aren't authorized for US Army, i think the Air Force can wear them. I usually wear Bellevilles, Danner's, or Oakley's. I did have a pair of Adidas desert assault boots that i loved but those are pretty hard to get nowadays. If i don't have to wear authorized boots then I wear my Whites, sturdy as heck, wore them up and down the mountains of afghanistan. Good stuff.

If it comes down to it, i'll see if Kifaru has anymore of the desert tan material, then maybe if they can just make me a custom bag incorporating some of the features that i want. but ouch, its gonna be expensive so i'm not so keen on letting airlines screw it up.

But if you all know of other bags in the 3000 Cu-In range lemme know.

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Off topic, but I love my White's. Going on 12 years or so with a few resoles and they feel like butter.

 

[wierdbeard]

yeah the white's are awesome, and pretty dam near explosion proof.














(don't ask)

 

[Bogo]

Its been a good bag but the bottom is starting to rot out and from too many zealous assclowns at the airports the waist belt has been cut to pieces.

Get a large duffel bag to stuff the backpack into for air flights. Let it take the abuse. Also it keeps the various straps from catching on things.

 

[wierdbeard]

Get a large duffel bag to stuff the backpack into for air flights. Let it take the abuse. Also it keeps the various straps from catching on things.

It's a bit to late for that. That bag has seen better days, as for fitting into a duffel, thats a negative, when loaded out it wouldn't fit into a duffel.

 

[ben757]

Diamondbacktactical has the coolest bags comming out now. They are indestructable and have every need covered. I just wish I was still in so Id have an excuse to buy one.

 

[wierdbeard]

I ended up getting a Kifaru Pointman in Multi-cam, I'm having Kifaru build some custom add-ons for it to get some of the other things i had been looking for semi-incorporated into the bag. As for air travel, I have a friend over at timbuktu thats going to get me a stow away cover for it to use during air travel. Not really what i wanted to do, but I should be able to store it or ditch it depending on where i'm at.

 

[yohavos]

I'm rocking my second OD Camelback (I feel you on the camo print changes, meh) but I've already got my sights on a new Granite Gear assault pack...

One of my favorite websites to order from: Extreme Outfitters (no affiliation, just very satisfied customer) has a lof of the GG stuff in stock.

They also offer a 10% discount code, hit me up with a PM and I'll give you more info.

I'll warn you though, it's easy to throw a helluva wishlist together on that site very quickly!

 

[JackZilla]

I love that website ( Extreme Outfitters). You're right, it's really easy to spend a paycheck there real quick. Personally I have no complaints with my Camelbak Motherload. If packed correctly, it's easy to get about 7 days worth of stuff in there. Sturdy as heck, and very comfortable to pack around.