Any suggestions on a 3 day patrol/assault pack?

[ak70g2]

Unfortunately a new questions comes to mind and that is, could the camelbak tri zip function more in the way of just a three day pack? How about 5 or 6 days?

I have an 35 l (I don't know how many cubic inches it comes) Snugpak Sleeka Force backpack, is my primary daypack, so I'll make an experiment for how much gear will come in it. Until now I had 3 days' worth of gear, food was 2 CR1M australian rations I had from Yowie and one "new model" EPa. Because here already came the fall and I can't go camping as in the summer, I'll leave to next year spring. I'll make some comparations between size vs. nutritional value and variety.

I had to say, IMHO, the most compact rations are the CR1M, the "new model" EPa and your prototypes.

[TurtleNomad]

I used on that trip a Jansport three day climbing pack and packed the minimal amount of clothing and gear but the shoulder straps were too thin and rubbed into my skin and the kidney belt buckle kept popping open at weird times. So this week I'm getting rid of it: hence why I'm posting this question here.

Tree, have you considered modding the Jansport with a better hip belt, for example:
http://www.rei.com/category/4500601

That's cheap, and could tide you over while you find your "dream" pack.

25 years ago, I bought a "climbing pack" for general hiking, not climbing, and chose it for its cleaner profile (less likely to snag in boreal forest).

The main issue was the pathetic strap that was its waist belt. In its first year, I modded it with a generic well padded belt, and it has stood up to some heavy abuse. I still use that pack as my stealth laptop carrier.

[Treesuit]

Turtle,

That is a great idea, I had not thought of that, I'll keep that suggestion is my bag of tricks. Although I did sell the Jansport pack this week on EBay. I was kind of happy that someone else will get some use out of it that me. In the meantime I'm not in a big hurry to get another pack; Sunday after my trip I went through my inventory and found over the years I have 6 different packs of various sizes. I did take another look at the Norwegian 35L patrol pack that Norge and I did in a swap. That has taken some abuse over the past 2 years and still kept on going.

If the Norwegians could design a pack that is hybrid of their day patrol pack and a Camelbak Tri zip pack that would be awesome. I would definitely drop some money that. Turle what experience do have in this area? Just curious?

[Bypah]

I don't have pics of my set up since the pc I had my pics one passed to better life.
But these Molle's are awesome. I have the large ruck sack too that I use without the frame. Also If you like the old Alice packs are good too.
also if you can get your hands one one of the USMC Arcteryx packs , they are awesome.

I use one of these Molle II modified with two canteen puouches, one on each side which carry an original british Crusader canteen each.
They fit snugly.

2779420135_35d85575d6.jpg (48.49 KiB) Viewed 8488 times

[Treesuit]

Bypah,

Oh yeah, I remember that thread where you showed all of us that setup. Good idea all around. I had one of those when I was in Iraq in 2004, great day pack but you couldn't fit enough crtical gear in one to last three days (or so the manual said it could)

Anyway, I did some checking on the cubic load capacity between my camelbak MOTHERLODE generation II and the newer Trip zip design. There were some differences in load carrying and if I did the math right the second generation MOTHERLODE holds more.

Second generation MOTHERLODE camelbak:
2142 cubic inches or 35 Liters w/o bladder
2242 cubic inches or 38 liters with bladder
(bladder is a 3liter or 100 fluid oz)

Camelbak trip zip design
1891.6 cubic inches (31L) w/o bladder
2075.0 cubic inches (34 L) with bladder
(same style of water bladder as above)

Now if somebody will check my math on this it seems like the mothlode version holds much more even a bladder but it is a top open design whereas the tri zip is a top open/open side design. Both appear to be relatively the same size capacity in pictures but the numbers don't show it. Could be wrong?

[Bypah]

When it comes to water carriers I go " ol' school"...
I use 2 crusader canteens with a metal canteen/ stove kit. They have more capacity that the regular US 1qt canteens.
For extra water I use an US Army 2qt collapsable canteen with the new Safariland cover which is MOLLE II compatible.

$(KGrHqYOKjoE4jN0sEKYBOO1W)!KYw~~_12.jpg (10.73 KiB) Viewed 8459 times

[Name_not_found]

The Assault pack by itself is no where near 3 days of stuff, unless you just carry ammo and water.

But i have come to really really like its customization ability.

With 2 sustainment pouches, 2 canteen carriers and a waist pack attached, you increase the useable space quite a bit.

Plus if you set your gear properly(grouped as to usefulness) you can pop off a pouch and take care of something and not drag the whole pack with you.

The Jump straps have also come in useful a few times, but not so often.

--------------------
Not sure on the gen 2 motherlode, but i do know the ratings for size can be tricky, and all those inches may not be useful if your stuff doesnt fit the shape of the pocket fully or at all.

Also bring a canteen or a cup at least, a popped hydration bladder can really impair your fun/effectiveness/health.

[Treesuit]

NNF,

Okay, I have one of the patrol packs and if I had some sustainment pouches, canteen carriers and that waist/fanny pack what does the cubic inch(es) come out to. I say that becuase that could be a possiblity I'd go with as a BOB and I wouldn't have to spend that much money. Then again, if it's the same as a camelbak MULE or Motherlode then "forget it", I'll stick with the MOTHERLODE pack.

Also I have a Nalgene bottle with cup as a backup, and then I just recently purchased a platypus flex bottle in 1.5 L so I'm covered there. The only major problem I ever saw with putting a camelbak bladder with a MOLLE patrol pack is that the pack would "bow" out in the back area and take up more space. Kind of sucked, because most bladders will bow out in a pack unless you strap the thing to the top or wear it separately.

The same thing happened with my MOTHERLODE pack. Has anybody else had that problem?

[Name_not_found]

Assault pack is 2000cu

Sustainment pouch is 500cu each

So a pack and 2 sustainment is already 3000cu, add two canteens and a waist pack and your really outshine the 2400 of the motherlode

[Treesuit]

NNF,

I know this may seem stupid but....how would you clip the fanny pack and two canteens to the patrol pack if you already have the sustainment pouches taking up all the room on the sides? Or would you just wear the fanny pack along the waist with the canteens clipped to either side?????

Also I just may forgo the camelbak trip zip and move toward a TACTICAL TAILOR three day patrol pack which comes out to a burly 2847 cubic inch pack. It's more than the MOTHERLODE pack by about a 700 cu in, and beats the trip zip by a 1000 cu in. Not to mention is pretty indestructible as all TT products. Funny thing is I don't know why I never though about their packs before until I went surfing on their sight today.

Only two drawbacks: The price for one and the limited amount of colors.

Oh and one other thing: does anybody own a MOLLE II medic bag in woodland? I seem to remember somebody here on the forum had one at one time and absolutely loved it because it was so mission flexible.