Posted: 2/17/2013 10:47:36 AM EDT
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Been trying to put togather a "bug out bag" 3-day pack
I started off with a USGI 3-day assault pack with a butt pack hung off the bottom. I was able to get a lite weight tarp in the butt pack along with paracord, and tent pegs. I used some tie straps and tied a foam ground pad to the butt pack. I stuffed a poncho liner in the bottom of the pack. This took up 1/2 the inside of the pack which I really don't like. I hung a couple canteens and mag holders on the side of the assault pack. The works good. I don't like camelbaks. My problem with this setup is all I have for staying warm is a poncho liner. What I would really like is to be able to carry the MSS Gortex Bivy and green bag but this won't fit in the butt pack. So.... I decided to go with the Rifleman's pack w/external frame. This pack has a sleeping system carrier that works for the Gortex Bivy but otherwise sucks. No place to hang canteens or mag holders on the Rifleman's pack. I decided to try something,,, I removed the butt pack ans hung the sleeping system carrier off the bottom of the 3 day assault pack with a couple lashing straps. The sleeping system carrier holds the MSS Gortex Bivy, green sleeping bag, tarp, and pegs. I'm planning on ditching the foam sleeping pack for a self inflating USGI therm-a-rest stuffed inside the Gortex Bivy. Now this will "work" but the sleeping system carrier hangs a little low. What I really need I think is an external frame pack with a sleep system carrier and molle attachments down both sides for canteens and mag holders but I haven't seen anything like this. Trying to stay under 50lbs. Any recommendations? I'm in the South East, it does get in the low 20's here occsionally in the winter. Here's some pics of the best sertup I have found. This is with a MSS carrier hung on the bottom of an assault-pack 
Dark green bag at bottom is a crazy tarp, lighter green is rolled up MSS Gortex Bivt bag with green MSS bag inside. 
Nalgene Canteens. No plastic taste like Mil Issue Canteens. These come in all kinds of colors. Blue, Green, etc. 
There's plenty of slack in the sleep system carrier straps to loop over a foam sleeping pad. |
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I dont like stuff hanging off a pack,the thick brush around here means constantly getting hung up. I have several packs but still prefer my old Large ALICE , put canteens in the outer pockets and keep the sides "slick", plenty of room, durable and reasonably priced.
Similar temps here, I dont even carry a sleeping bag,too bulky and heavy unless you spend big bucks,just dress warm and carry either a couple poncho liners (you need a compression bag ,they shouldnt take up so much room) or a wool blanket & cut down inso pad (gotta stay off the ground) plus a good watchcap/poly pro/socks and should be GTG. Another reason I hate sleeping bags is the feeling of being trapped in them, cannot get out quick to respond to whatever happens.Holdover from my military days I suppose but i sleep dressed,wpn close and unused gear packed and ready to roll. JMO |
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Try LA Police Gear.They have a decent selection and fair prices.I went with their 3 Day pack and was surprised at the quality.
Unfortunately, it might be difficult to find exactly what you're looking for without spending a load of money.Tactical Tailor, Eberlestock, and Blackhawk make great stuff but it's out of my price range.You might have to compromise on exactly what you want. |
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My first recommendation is to ditch the issue pack and get something better. I hate pretty much every issue pack and never used any of them (outside tradoc) with the exception of the Medium ALICE. I use a LBT assault pack. This one. It's bigger and a way better design. I also have a LBT RECCE Ruck and a Kelty ruck. They are both a lot better than anything issued by uncle sam.
I've slept with a poncho liner and poncho in TN in sep/oct and it was a bit chilly but doable. Fold the poncho liner in thirds, narrow ways. Then roll it up and fold it in a "U" shape. Wrap it with a velcro strap to hold it together. It's about the smallest way to pack it. I do the same thing with the light sleeping bag and bivy cover from a issue sleep system. If I can't smack my sleeping bag off a table and make it sound like a board hit the table, I didn't roll it tight enough. Just make sure you don't store them long term like that. If I pack the light sleeping bag and bivy cover this way, I can fit it all in my LBT assault pack w/ plenty of room to spare. The LBT Assault pack has MOLLE on both sides so you can attach canteens or mag pouches as you mentioned. Last deployment I had a Blackhawk canteen pouch on my right side and an Eagle SAW/Demo/Dump pouch on my left. It worked out pretty well. I also go with an inflatable sleep pad as it rolls up smaller. |