Precision Rifles » Fieldcraft Building a recon pack from scratch, what pack and which gear would you choose? Mystery Ranch isn't playing around when it comes to their suspension system and hybrid frame arrangement. Hill People Gear is another great company to look into, especially their Chest Kit Bags. Anyone that likes the outdoors, but doesn't want their waist cluttered with vests and such, and also wears packs but doesn't want to lose certain items, should seriously get a HPG Kit Bag. My previous shooting pack was the Eberlestock Phantom which is about 2700ci without the scabbard. That was fine for a range bag but you couldn't really camp out of it, it had no hydration compatibility (no really, ignore what they say on the spec sheet, there is one stupid hook they call a hydration hanger that doesn't work worth a crap) and didn't compress the loads. ability to include camping gear (sleeping bag at least) frame would be awesome, the Eberlestock had a very poor frame, basically cardboard on the scabbard and nothing if you ditch the scabbard.

I'd love for it to carry a rifle, but I'm not sure if that ability is worth the trade-off anymore. The Eberlestock really soured me.55l backpack big enough I'd like to be able to use it for backpacking and hunting, not really a dedicated 'tactical' bag (like a chubby 40yo slob really needs a tactical go-bag anyway, right?)miracase laptop backpack Honestly one of the biggest problems I have is that in the mountains of Utah it can swing 50-60 degrees in the mountains during the day/night cycle. pionnier backpackThat means I need to haul a big 4-part military sleeping bag and a ton of water on the same trip. 645d backpack

Those big mil-surp bags are heavy and bulky, and if I can find a way to strap them to the outside I can get by with a smaller pack and have flexibility. minaal bag for saleThat's why I'm liking the external frame stuff I've seen from Kifaru and MR.rawrow backpack review For what you're doing, you could just get a surplus CPF-90 ruck with sleeping bag compartment and still be able to strap a rifle or carbine to the side. I use it for my camping trips for Boy Scouts, and have done so ever since I was issued one in Long Range Surveillance. You can get them for under $100 if you shop around.I'll come over and take a look at it soon. Maybe we should grab lunch then, I live in Sanpete county but come up there pretty frequently, I was there today and will be again Thursday. here's how i camp out of my phantom

there's 400 rounds of 223 behind the tent in a flap intended for radio equipment, too you can see where the 2x 2 liter water bladders stick out the top. it's not optimal, because you have to drink evenly from both sides to keep your weight from shifting lol granted, my sleeping bag is only a 30* bag, plus one liner, and is highly compressible. I bought a bunch in a .gov auction and I gotta say: good call. The side pockets can be removed if you want it to be more stream-lined and the ski pockets on the bottoms (on the sides) will fit most buttstocks. The design is simple and volume is impressive for the weight, probably due to the fabric used. Decent ruck, and rarely used as an option. You can find quite a few used ones in great condition for pennies-on-the-dollar Frames break too easy Not saying it doesn't happen, but I've never seen that. The frame for the CPF-90 is two aluminum bars, so they just bend if anything, and it would take some abuse to make that happen.

In all the rotary wing insertions, extractions, loading with Team gear, and then my personal use of it on the civvy side, I never saw that. They failed rating for Static line parachute operations after a guy died jumping one on the Airborne Test Board at Bragg back in the early 90s, since the pack is a lot longer than an ALICE and presented issues with door exits when rigged to the T-10 parachute harness. Precision Rifles » FieldcraftI consider myself an advanced pack user and I say so with a smile on my face.Because I spend a lot of time with them on my back and equally a lot time experimenting and testing new stuff. Normally rucksack time is painful and sweaty, but not for me. Due to the variety of my missions – as a sniper instructor, my training in survival and tactical skills and my hobby as a climber – I have found that no single pack does all I need. I use a couple of Eberlestock Phantom and Gunslinger packs as military sniper rifle carriers, a big North Face Summit 75lt climbing winter pack for high mountains and one small 5.11 All-Hazards Nitro pack as urban day carry-all.

The problem started however, when I realised that for the rest of my outdoor activities, professional or amateur, I had too many packs. All-weather weekends, long weekends in winter, week-long excursions and outdoor training, day alpine climbing, survival training… the list goes on. It was too complex and the different equipment locations and pouch configuration were driving me nuts. So, consistent with the minimalistic and KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) attitude that I have developed as my physical strength fades with age, I set up some goals and requirements and started my KTPSS (Keep The Pack Simple Stupid) program. I required a light pack — in weight not in ruggedness — between 35 and 45 litres, super configurable, able to carry my basic equipment and the mission specific stuff. The quality (materials, stitching and zippers) had to be on par with the premium packs that I already use. The color/pattern was important too – on many occasions I don’t want to be using MultiCam or military camo, as I want to remain low profile.

I needed the pack in a subdued colour like tan, black, grey, forest green or similar. When it comes to comfort, what really defines a pack is the surface area covered and the type of support designed into the back harness. How well it fits your back and waist and how you are able to adjust it. The trick, most of the times, is as simple as starting the process by adjusting the waist band first, so that it rests directly on your hipbones and the lumbar support rests directly on your hip, stopping it from sliding down. Then adjust the top shoulder pads with the top load adjusters slack and lastly, the chest band so the shoulder bands do not rub on your arms and biceps. I never adjust my top load adjusters until I am in motion because I don’t want them too tight, just enough so the top cargo is stable and close to my head. Any extra tightening will put pressure on my shoulders. Any pack that I could adjust to my back like this would work for me and by following the above adjustment procedure, I can carry my standard min. load of 20 pounds (9kg) super comfortably (and my standard load of 30 pounds (14kg) nicely too!) on long treks and climbs.

The first pack I selected was my Grievel Alpine-35/45 climbing pack. I had used it extensively for climbing in 2013-14 and while it was a little “big” for my purpose, it is a superb pack. It already looked a little battered, lacked MOLLE attachments and was red in color but even with these drawbacks, I used it for two separate, week long survival courses in 2015. It was not perfect, but I modified it (adding some pouches, like the two Nalgene water bottles I always carry on my waist) and made it work adequately well. When I was considering a replacement for the next step in my KTPSS program, 5.11’s Ignitor pack came to my attention because it was very close to what I wanted, with many configuration options and priced right. With 26 litres on its full-length central compartment, it may just be large enough, if I reduced my load a little more and used external pouches. I could not resist buying one and started my tests. The Ignitor pack has a distinctive military “fast” appearance, comes in tan or black and is not available in red.

I will never share the “16 hours” concept for this pack. I could live from the land for 16 days with it. It has MOLLE and lots of features; especially nice is having an admin pouch, as most packs don’t have a good one. The 300D ruggedised ripstop poly is a bonus and the bottom area 840D nylon is an insurance against failure under heavy use. These first impressions proved correct as after half a year of heavy use, no stitches have failed and no excessive fraying has been found. This is exceptional considering the overload and abuse. The suspension system is called Zephyr and is nice in hot weather as it maintains the flow of air on the back. At first, I was worried of not having a height adjustable back and that the space between the load and my pack might be an issue. I was wrong as it has proven to be super comfortable and fits me, at 5,8 ft height, perfectly. The Ignitor allows you to use the 5.11 RUSH Tier system to attach any MOLLE backpack to the outside, however the hangtag unfortunately does not explain this and I had to resort to YouTube for clarification. 

Even though I personally do not use that option a lot, for many users that own a MOAB bag or similar, smaller daypacks, it is a nice feature. The same goes for the hydration pouch, which I don’t normally use. I have used hydration bags for more than 20 years and had many issues with them, so finally went back to Nalgene bottles for my survival water reserves. In some conditions I can profit from the convenience of the tube supply but with these tough bottles, I am sure that my water will be there when I need it. And talking about the water bottles: I had to tighten the Ignitor waist-band pockets hard against the pack body to make the side pockets stable with the heavy load of the 1,0lt bottles and H2O carrier pouch. After this adjustment, I have found that they are in a perfect position, out of the way, accessible with one hand and safe. Now I can raise the pack without the band twisting on itself under the load, a condition that has made fastening the clasp a tricky maneuver.

The Ignitor had no provision for attaching a karabiner equipped safety line in a hard point (to secure pack in non-stable conditions), attachment points for ice axes or semi-rigid daisy chain in waist for karabiners or hanging heavy equipment. However, I equipped it in no time using the MOLLE web and some imagination. I am still working with the different external pouch positions to make it easier to configure for different applications, be it snow, alpine climbing or one-week survival courses, but I am getting there. One thing I want to upgrade is my Medical Kit design, which is still not finalised. I plan to try the 5.11 UCR IFAK pouch, as my contents do not fit the smaller, typical MedKit pouches. There are only two small suggestions for improvement: one is the addition of a waterproof cover and a proper place to stow such a cover. The lack of the cover reduces the packs flexibility as it limits bad weather use, especially heavy rain. Secondly, I have found that the bottom straps are too short to attach my Thermarest mattress to.

The Ignitor is a superb pack for military DA operations, limited survival in the field and as a general 3-5 day pack. It is very well made and rugged. The features are convenient and most users will not find problems adapting their pouches to it. Flexible enough due to its MOLLE, that if you have the skills it can become a two-week pack too. Eduardo Abril de Fontcuberta is one of the world´s most respected sniper instructors with over 20 years of experience as MIL/LEO sniper instructor and various sniping books and a multitude of articles published. Also a survival expert, military high speed boat captain and high speed navigation instructor for SPECTRE, and consultant for some of the top military equipment corporations. Eduardo helps our 5.11 design teams with his independent tests, R&D, T&E and articles Categorized in Gear, XPRT Series Posted April 04, 2016 VIDEO: The Dangers of Skipping Bullets – Vehicle Cover TipsVIDEO: Kyle Lamb – Shooting from a Vehicle