Attn: "gear field tester guys"

[SlingerDun]

Blackhawk or TAG? Which is more durable and comfortable - need a new ruck, and if it's waterproof that's certainly a bonus here abouts

[LandsNGrooves]

TAG if you want a nice simple awnser.

What kinda of ruck do you need? How much space? What is your price range?What is the application, mission support or backpacking on the weekends?


to be honest, the current issue pack is very nice and capable,You can put 80%of the weight on your hips. Marines love to complain, and get romantic about how it used to be, so you hear a lot of bull**** , but thats cause a lot of them have never spent time under a ALICE pack to know what they are "missing".

[slug]

If you are looking for a large ruck, look into Ares Armor. I have one of their customized Atlas rucks and love it. You can load that ***** up heavy and not feel it.

[SlingerDun]

3 day pack. It will carry a DSLR, couple lenses, mini tripod, maps, rain coat, sandwich's, chess set, field glasses, books etc...

[slug]

Considering what you are carrying, a Mystery Ranch 3-day pack would actually work perfectly. I use mine damn near every day. Given how the pack is arranged and the features it has, I can't see a better load than camera gear for it.

[LandsNGrooves]

If you are looking for a large ruck, look into Ares Armor. I have one of their customized Atlas rucks and love it. You can load that ***** up heavy and not feel it.

Is that thing built on a normal ALICE frame or does it just look like it? That thing looks ****ing huge, like you could stuff 170 lbs worth of **** if you really wanted too.

[hussaf]

Probably newer ALICE packs are the most popular. If you want it for non-military hiking, I would go with Arc 'Teryx (not sure on the spelling), or just ask someone at your nearest REI store.

I am currenlty on deployment and just got out of the filed where I spent about 93 days living out of a TAG ruck I got issued from 2nd Recon Bn. Not sure on any other designators as to the specific TAG variant of the ruck, but a lot of guys didn't like it. Its certainly much better than the ILBE, but the shoulder straps suck, you can't adjust them on the fly, and they don't position well on the shoulder (and there's not good shoulder padding). Some guys complained about the frame, but I didn't have any issues. Plus the puches have only one zipper, instead of two, which is slightly annoying. I used it, and lived, so I've got no major complaints...especially since it was free. Not sure on the cubic inches, but these TAGS that are being issued had enough room to be sufficient for 96 hour patrols; bedding, a ton of water, ammo, WAG bags, 5590's, CR-123s, etc...

I think the RABN guys used something from Mystery Ranch, it was basically an ALLICE pack..they never really complained about them, that I can remember.

[SlingerDun]

"Mystery Ranch 3-day pack" wooooooo i like the specs but not the price tag. I suppose the hydration system could be rigged to function as a laptop compartment but

Still looking

NatGeo sells an interesting canvas "Walkabout" ruck but that material tends to be heavy and it's only really rainproof until it starts rubbing on your back. Like the old canvas shelter half will turn rain all day and night, until you touch it

[bpatk]

Yes step up to the mic & complain if you've done 60+ mi. with an ALICE pack with about 60lbs. in/on it. Ahh the NOT pretty but fond memories!! The new hydration packs, are they better than the old goat skin bags? Must be better than 3-4 canteens beating the snot out of your md section

[Zulu 36]

Blackhawk or TAG? Which is more durable and comfortable - need a new ruck, and if it's waterproof that's certainly a bonus here abouts

Try the old M-1941 pack system. Still know how to make a long blanket roll? Neither do I.

To bpatk, try hiking all over the Sierra Nevadas with the old M-1941 system. Field transport pack. You'll appreciate even the old ALICE packs.

[SlingerDun]

I've got something similar!just the pack no G.I. accessories, and it's a bit small - Andy & Bax surplus store calls it's a musette bag. The multi-culti trendy kids like's em for notebook bags decorated with patches if they cant afford Filson or Orvis, and they can't

[DIMAS86]

Couldn't agree more with slug. The guys at Ares are great guys, and do amazing work. Also HIGHLY agree with something that has an ALICE frame. ps. Blackhawk is overpriced BS.

[hussaf]

If there is one thing you learn in the military, its that gear is expensive.

With that, you can always head to London Bridge and get custom-made gear. I know dudes who've taken out loans to purchase gear for deployment...tools.

[SlingerDun]

The bottom opens out and has padded inserts for camera and lenses, the top section has a padded zip in horizontal divider to separate miscellaneous gear. The inside is bright yellow for contrast in locating little bits and pieces. There's plenty of decent pockets including a laptop sleeve but nothing designated for a water bottle - except that little mesh net that's holding a monopod. It doesn't look much like a camera bag, and thats a good thing



4 or 5 layers of Vinyl Polymer Spray should keep water from leaching through

[FistFu68]

I have a BLACKHAWK Survival Pack that I've put many a Miles on BowHunting all over the USA~~~I do not need more than a Extra Pair of Sock's, Poncho / with Liner,Road Flares,Compass,Topo Map's,Tobasco Sause,Chit Paper and 2 boxes of 44 Mag. Ammo,a Couple MRE's...As a Civie Pack it has served Me well Plus now that I spend alot of Time Stalking in Tha High Desert The Digi Pattern in (DESERT FLOGUE) comes in pretty Handy,bought it at Gun Show in TEXAS...Tha price was Right 45$.Still have My ALICE Pack USMC issue that I humped too Me it a worthless piece of Chit...Great as an AMMO BEARER but Walking Point was My Fortay so My FANNY PACK on My Deuce gear was tha...CAT'S MEOW.S/F Happy Trails~~~India 3 out