Don't really know what to call this bag. It really isn't a bug out bag, it's more of a "fighting bag". Not trying to be cute but this guy isn't necessarily meant for long term sustenance. It's more for I need stuff to keep me in a protracted fight sorta thing.
That's probably slicing it too fine but there's where I am right now.
Stay tuned because I am planning a total overhaul of our real BOB's. I need to revamp those more for hurricane evacuation/toss in the back of the car and live in a hotel for a week sort of scenarios. More on this in a (soon to be) different thread.
So anyway....here she blows....
Clearly built on a.....wait for it......Maxpedition Condor II backback. Shock of all shocks I know.
I'll deal with the external stuff first and then break down the contents of each compartment later on once I do the total overhaul.
Clearly obvious is the Tactical Tailor First Responder Bag on the front. I've set this up as a "squad level resupply" with all sorts of bandages, kerlix, gunshot kits, etc. Not really sure what squad it's intended for, but this is meant to resupply my the "corpsmen bag" (read more about it HERE) as items are used up. While the FRB is basically a warehouse for my corpsmen bag, it can be used as a first aid kit. I've set it up so it's organized, not just supplied dumped in a bag. For example, there is a zippered pouch underneath the shears. In it is one of my gunshot kits.
Here's a better shot of the FRB:
Here are pics of both sides of the bag:
In them you can see the pouch for a radio, a generic ACU pouch which contains AR15 mags and 2 Glock 22 mags, smoke grenade pouch, and old style canteen.
Here's a picture of underneath:
I've got a nylon/blanket/ground cloth thing that would at least provide some protection should I have to sleep outside, or it just plain gets cold.
So that's the outside.
I'll work on the inside once I do the major overhaul of our true BOB's as I have a feeling that will spill over to this bag.
If you think that come SHTF you are gonna jock up in all your kit and be a death-dealing one man army, you're an idiot - izzyscout
I've finally got enough of a setup to put it up. I'm not 100% satisfied, but its a huge improvement over what I had.
My "1st line" is an ATS war belt with ATS war belt inner belt, and HSGI suspenders. My 2nd line is an SDS FLC.
The war belt isn't really a true 1st line because I set it up more as a self contained survival kit. Starting from the left and working around I have 3x pistol mags, and a TT roll-up dump pouch. Behind that I have a USGI one-quart canteen pouch with a nesting system of natick stove, cup, and canteen. This pouch also has little flap pockets on each side. In these I have 12x water purification tablets, an MFS, a bic, and a trioxane tablet.
I have a horizontal gp pouch on my 6 as a buttpack. In it I have a maglite solitaire (wrapped with both 100mph tape and brass wire), a phoenix IR beacon, a whistle, signal mirror, lensatic compass, and county road map. Its also got 4x MRE snacks, a knife sharpener, folding trowel, a mylar blanket, MRE napkins/ wet wipes, and 550 cord.
Moving around to my right hip is my my Maxpedition FR-1 on a tear-away panel. In it I have a SAM splint; izzy dressing; C-A-T; 3 ea. 4x4 guaze pads; medical tape; RX pill container; quikclot gauze; triangular bandage; H and H compressed gauze; Folding scissors; metal tweezers; 4x tongue depressors; exam gloves; 5"x9" trauma pad; 200 mg Motrin; antihistamine blister pack; anti-diarrheal blister pack; orajel; chapstick; triple antibiotic ointment; assorted bandaids; electrolyte drink mix; ammonia inhalant; and a surgeons mask. I need to get a decomp needle, chest seal, and a set of trauma shears for this kit.
Finishing out the belt, on the right side, is my Morris MAK 10.5 fixed blade, Safariland 6004 drop leg holster, SDS double mag pouch, and a Maxpedition phone holster. Total weight (with side arm holstered) = 20 pounds.
Moving to 2nd line is the FLC.
It has three SDS double mag pouches for 30 round AR mags going from left to right. The pouch on the far right is an HSGI bleeder pouch. The small pouch attached to that is an narescue C-A-T pouch. The bleeder pouch is set up as a blow out kit, with the following:
C-A-T and skin marker in the C-A-T pouch. Trauma shears in the exterior sleeve pocket. Inside the pouch is an izzy dressing, NPA, quikclot powder, plastic sheeting, 100 mph tape, H and H compressed gauze, exam gloves, and a surgeon's mask. I'm eventually going to add a decomp needle and an asherman chest seal (to replace the plastic sheeting). On the back is a Camelbak hydration carrier for a 3 liter bladder. Total weight, 10-16 pounds depending on whether water is loaded or not.
3rd line is an SDS assault pack.
Inside the main bag is my USGI bivy and its green bag. Underneath that is my CRKT Falcon; a larger knife sharpener; a VZ-17 panel; a USGI mess kit holding a sea to summit spork, stove burner, oatmeal packets, vitamins, coffee, and some MRE accessories. Also inside the main pack is my fuel canister for my stove, my hygiene kit, and a small bag of zipties, 100 mph tape, and 550 cord. Winter configuration also has a Gerber back paxe.
The front pocket of the pack will hold my food (I need to restock it). It also has a nalgene nested in a canteen cup, more 550 cord, some tent pegs, a MI state road map, and a weapons cleaning kit.
Moving to the outside: The top is my coleman Max self-inflating mat. It has my 6' x 8' tarp rolled in with it. Below where that sits, attached to PALS webbing is a Mosin ammo pouch. It holds my pocket chainsaw, a mylar blanket, a bag of PJ coated cotton balls, a bic, an MFS, and some NATO matches. Winter configuration shows an NBC bag clipped to top and bottom via fastex buckles. It holds the black bag to the MSS. Also part of my winter load is the two 2-quart canteens on the sides. In summer I'll remove those and the black bag. My Camelbak Ambush will replace them on the front of the bag. I don't have the Camelbak included for winter due to the number of reviews I've read where they've frozen solid.
Above the canteens I have my Katadyn Hiker, my leather work gloves (left side), and my ENO slap straps are on the right. (I'll be using them to put the tarp up.) On the sides of the front pocket I have a chem light in a protective holder, and two SDS grenade pouches. The grenade pouches (one on each side) each hold 60 rounds of 5.56. On one of the straps I have a combination whistle with a compass, thermometer, and fresnel lens all in one. Attached to the bottom of the pack is an SDS waistpack. I have a set of polypro thermals, a balaclava, wool glove inserts, and wool socks in that. In the summer months I can replace those items with my Eureka Solitaire. Total pack weight, sans food - and packed for winter- is 45 pounds.
My loaded AR weighs 7.5 pounds.
The weights above all came from my hanging fish scale, and give me a combined total of 82.5 pounds. Sorry about the poor pic quality. My blackberry just wasn't cooperating today.
Last edited by mitunnelrat; 09-08-2011 at 12:29 AM. Reason: added pics
Consilio et animis
Essayons!
I love the flask!
WARNING: This post may contain material offensive to those who lack wit, humor, common sense and/or supporting factual or anecdotal evidence. All statements and assertions contained herein may be subject to but not limited to: irony, metaphor, allusion and dripping sarcasm.
I'm with you...my hiking gear runs me 50-60 lbs. Granted that first few days for someone not used to it will want to sit down and stop. Of course, if you've been in the military you know that your body will adapt in time. (if mine can, yours can)
Be ready now, you won't have that chance later.
Welcome in Mongoose. Glad to have you here.
Here's my BOB rig. I'll do a more in depth review at some point, but it has all the necessary junk in it. Sorry for the crappy picture quality, I really need a better camera.
I'm planning on getting Tactical Tailor's ALICE straps and belt for this thing. I've rucked this pack and while it's doable, it's not the most comfortable bastard to wear.
That its not. How much does it weigh? I pulled the frame off my medium, and while it feels like its sitting a bit funny its still much more comfortable than it was. I, uh, blew out the pack I had pictured in this thread and went to this as a replacement.
Consilio et animis
Essayons!
As it sits right there, canteens empty, roughly 40lbs - not too bad. It's missing a few things so I plan on 50lbs. On my "training exercises" I toss a 15lb weight in the pack to simulate added load from a simple "combat rig" I am putting together and plan to carry as well.
My goal is to avoid combat at all costs, but I'm still going to be packing a rifle or two, plus ammunition.
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