Re: What large pack do you use for extended missions?
As LoneWolf points out, there are differences between missions...
I see people hauling around rucks with straps and buckles flying everywhere on "missions" where a regular deployment bag with a shoulder strap would work way better...
When moving around,however,especially in more remote areas, possibly skiing, riding snowmobiles, crossing rivers etc, a tight pack sitting real solidly to the body is great.
To maintain balance and comfort a high center of gravity on the pack, with weight distributed nicely between shoulders and hips, is a good thing.
I would like to see a pack with the following;
-a state-of-the art carry system with aluminum support frame, all padding covered with "breathing" soft mesh or "mesh-surface" material..hard to explain really, sorry
-wide waist belt adjustable in height relative to the frame and rotating left/right to allow bending sideways at the hip, solid D-rings and attachment points.
-wide well padded shoulder straps with a common padded connection point to the frame, adjustable in height, tube tunnel for camelbak in both straps, plenty of D-rings and/or attachment points (MOLLE?) on straps, lower part 2" wide (hate those flimsy 1" lower straps on many packs)
-YKK zippers with large teeth
-all high quality aluminum buckles everywhere
-possible to open the lower part from the rear by means of zipper and buckles (for extra retention)
-2 side pockets attached with MOLLE (zippers break...)
-large external lid pocket attached with MOLLE, smaller internal lid pocket.
-MOLLE pockets can be removed to allow external gear or thrown together as a makeshift e&e-bag, some strap on the ruck should double as strap for this type of use.
-Internal waterproof divider, large enough to allow use as one compartment but as things get wet they can be stuffed behind this keeping the rest dry. Possibly be able to tighten this up with paracord and a locking buckle.
-snow lock under the lid, also tighten with paracord, as the regular compression cord.
-as waterproof as possible, with one internal waterproof compartment complete with rubberized zipper (drysuit type)
-possible to compress the lower part of the ruck when not fully loaded to distribute weight higher instead of forming a clump at the bottom.
In general designed to survive at all temperatures and all conditions;heat, sand, snow, frozen to a chunk of ice (try to rope your gear across a river wintertime and you will see what I mean...),salt water etc.
In addition, the belt should be equipped with buckles to quick-attach leg straps and thereby form a climbing harness, the waist belt with buckles would have to be solid enough and the pack equipped with a quick/emergency release to dump the pack itself if falling and needing to drop weight.
Before you laugh; when crossing glaciers,rivers or otherwise moving around in other interesting places a climbing harness is required or at least a great asset, and a waste of space for the rest of the hike.
If taking a fall there is a great chance one would have to drop the pack anyway so that would make no difference at all.
Another thing is that if a plate carrier/vest with built in retention and suspension system (e.g.Archangel/Crye) had been developed, the pack could be quick-attached directly to the carrier with the standalone carry system removed.
Just something I have been thinking about anyway...feel free to use ideas (and give me a discont when they reach the shelves)
John - out
