Hello, I'm Mike. Besides growing up in Louisiana, serving ten years in the US Army, Volunteering as an adult Scout (Scouter). Teaching Bushcraft and Outdoor Living. Selling and Building Outdoor equipment, and just telling my story. I want to welcome you to the channel.
I’ve been asked about posting my mailing address. If you’d like to post me anything via Snell mail. Here’s where you can send it. Thanks in advanced. And you can expect me giving you a shout out on my videos.
Michael Box Route de Villaz 9 1691 Villarimboud Switzerland
A light grey dye job would look pretty cool, in my head at least. Up close the digital pattern would show through but from far away it would be great greyman gear. That's all in my head though, so I'm not sure how it would play out in real life view.
Hi Mike, I have the large MOLLE ll rucksack in Woodland Camo. Was fortunate to find one on ebay several years ago. Haven't tried it out yet. I've heard a lot of bad reviews on the plastic frame, especially in cold weather, of it cracking. But I'm not planning to carry 100 lbs in it. Hopefully it will work out fore winter camping. Also, I have a CFP-90 pack that I wanted to try out for winter, It's huge! Great video, thanks for showing how to pack it. 👍
I've dyed some of that pattern. Make sure you machine wash it first. I used "RIT" dye. I've used apple green, dark green, peacock green, camel, black, I've done some of those 7L side pouches and canteen / general purpose pouches, they all dye a little different, I think it depends on the materials. I've been happy with all the dye jobs except trying a little black in the green, it came out too dark and kinda blue. Apple green and peacock green with some camel were good combos.
lol, its taken me all night at work to watch a 10 minute video.. lol.. I would think with a bag that large you could put everything in it including all the other bags.. its funny, for $39 I almost bought one off these on ebay tonight with two spare diddy bags and the frame, straps and belt.. but I swear I think it is way to big, I would be inclined to fill it up.. but man for $39 I dont know if I can let it go..
Mike. Do you use a bivy bag with your sleeping bag or do you just put the sleeping back on the sleep mat on top of the tyvek and make some time of tarp shelter?
guess I missed the live.. Im a gear whore but have learned at our ages, it is best to stay small, like Jakkari S. Anything more is no fun to carry and Im in decent shape for 54.
Why would you keep a $700 pair of boots that don't fit? I wear 8.5D in Nick's, 7.5EE in JK's, 8D in Lucchese, 9D in Merrell and New Balance. I have a pair of Back Country coming next week. Trying a size 7D. Stock boots, so I can send them back if they don't fit.
I sold both pairs to someone. I’ve not kept them. In fact. I’ve replaced one pair with a pair of military boots for summer. I’ve yet to replace my winter boots.
@@mikebox Lots to choose from out there. I wish Corcoran's were still made the way they were 40 years ago. Wore out two pair my father gave me. Have a pair of Bates summer/desert boots. They are basically HD athletic shoes with high tops. Daily wear, I doubt they would last 6 months. You should get a decent deal on Danner's or some other European boot over there. Sizing is a crap shoot, no matter what the company (unless you have history with them and know their sizing). I wear a USA 7 to 9 depending on who made it and what it is.
@@Old_Sailor85 I’ve gotten another pair that I’ve worn this summer. From another brand Garmont 670 boots. Like wearing moccasins. Love those boots. As for work boots I’ve been using Thorough good work boots. They’ve been great. Although I’d love to give Russell Moccasin another try. I can’t afford waiting money on a boot from a company that doesn’t really support its clients. But that’s that. My mistake. I’ve now got to find a great pair of winter boots.
Indeed, for carrying a field packs worth of gear a field pack is better than a daypack. The Kahakka is "just" a daypack, not intended to carry more than what it sensibly fits and carries. And price wise new kit, at least "properly made" stuff (not cheap Chinese made stuff) can never compete with military surplus. Good quality surplus gear is always far cheaper than new stuff.
@@mikebox Sorry to say but we have no plans to make bigger versions of the Kahakkas. The "essence" of these is the small size, and all the design choices revolve around that. We will for sure be making more bigger packs in the future, but just not larger variants of these.
@Savotta this I understand. But first. Thanks for following along with my channel. And thanks for clarifying the situation. I was told this via someone also following Savotta. I even have a photo of the two larger pack. That neither look like the Kahakka. But I figured you just gave them the same name. But that wouldn’t fit as I think of it now. As anything larger wouldn’t be assault packs. Back in my day. 20 years serving, we didn’t use a patrol pack. We had buttpacks and large Alice packs. Again thanks. I look forward to testing your new packs when they come out. No matter the names.
@Savotta hello, thanks for your response. I figured it wasn’t the same pack but bigger. Because it wouldn’t be an assault packs. But still. I can’t wait to see and test the larger packs.
I wanted to add something about this tool. I was on a job last week. And thanks to having this tool on me. I was able to finish. In fact the tool I brought to do the job. Mount a humidity gauge to an automatic watering system to a concrete wall. The two torx screws I needed to screw in were hard to screw. And the tool I brought failed. I broke out this tool and it worked flawlessly.
I appreciate your objective review. I also like pack design overall, but I think they skimped on the type and amount of construction material which makes the pack too small to be functional as anything but a day pack. The zippers and strap material could be sturdier.
I'd like a pair of boots like those, I use Columbia hiking boots for my adventures, but want something a bit more sturdy, and built for purpose, etc. I don't understand why you don't have a million subscribers! Great video as always. Cheers.
@dreamlookautodetailingauto3353 the problem with that from my side is that. It’s a working strap. So you’ll need to be able to tighten and loosen it. This is not only for this type of strap. It’s for rappel seats, climbing seats, tightening up on a ruck sack etc.. this is an easy fix to secure the lock.
Well done, very interesting. In a cost comparison the Alice wins hands down. In the hot climates of Africa, the Alice with a frame allows for cooler air flow on the back. Also can attach extra stuff.
I carried ALICE packs for 10 of the 11 years as an Infantry soldier. Mostly the large pack. I can't imagine how many pounds or miles I put into ruining my body toting my lifes possessions on my back! I loved the large ALICE.
Sizing is off on these and their boots are great when you luck out and get the correct size but yes their customer service is shit. I have a couple pair but I will only buy slightly used off ebay as then its half price and i can turn around and not lose money if I need to sell them. Love the hiking mocs but the new owners really do need to work on their customer service and return policies rather than come on here and spew their bs.
I love my ALICE rucks, I use mine without a frame and pack it light with just the basics. I have a sternum strap on it that is really required if you are not using a frame
Interesting. Probably the same principle as the U.S. ones, except for the distances between the angles, etc... as in the SOL example will have a distance of no more than the thickness of the mirror for at least one of the 'bounces' of imagery, whereas the Russian one appears to have maybe a 4 inch bounce.... if that makes sense! Google Translate shows the following from the mirror instructions (including the typos and strange words directly from the translation): "Take the device in your hands, open the laps as long as they stopped and watch the target through the hole in the mirror as shown in the figure. Find the sunbeam reflected from the white surface on the inner surface of the mirror / bunny. Without lossing the target, from the hole, rotate the mirror until the reflected sunbeam lines up with the hole."
Hey Mike ! Ça fait plaisir de voir des news de toi et de voir que tu t'es lancé dans le RU-vid game😊. Faudrait qu'on se voit à nouveau à l'occase ce serait chouette.
G'day Mike, really enjoyed this. I seem to collect pouches without trying. I really liked that Savotta diagonal trinket pouch, wish I could;ld make one too. Enjoyed the 2 for 1 deal on your video too 😛 Good luck with your channel, can;t wait to visit your country one day, it is totally on the radar, subscribed 🇸🇪🇦🇺 ✌🏻
