Choosing The Right Assault Pack 

Hop's grasp of biology is stunning

My bank account can’t sustain the brassfacts channel

Whatever bag you go with, actually pack it, actually hike with it. You will be surprised at how much 30-40-50 pounds feels as you move and gain elevation. Not to mention how much extra stuff you can put in there for no other reason than "I had room to spare" or "I thought I might need it" Recently started backpacking again after nearly 10 years of not doing it. I realized I needed more room for water, and I could go with less food. Alot less food actually. I also needed a lighter and more modern sleeping bag. weight equals more burnt energy and water, it also leads to slower paces and increased fatigue. This is very much one of those things you learn by doing. So just do something. Also ALICE pack is still a really good choice for a smaller ruck or large assault pack.

What you should really be considering is what loot will you drop when the figurative bad guy gets you? Being practical is the way to go, but the funniest option is to carry a single nonsensical thing. Woman's underwear, an internet router, a single shoe. That way they will have something to talk about when they loot your body.

I've been running a 35L dry bag, it's worked really well and kept my gear dry with this unusually wet year we've had in the southwest. Also it is great for my DayZ LARP.

Dude, your video format and narration style is iconic. Somehow, your running monologue combined with loosely synchronized video content really works.

For those looking for something similar to the Amp 24, the LBX titan lite is very similar. It doesn't have the edc type pockets/compartments/dividers. It's very barebones but allows ALOT of modularity. Loving mine so far!

The FILBE has been my favorite pack system so far. I might be partial because that's what I am used to but I appreciated how tight the main pack stayed to my body because of how wide and short it was, allowing me to attach the assault pack on top of it instead of further away from my body like some other pack systems I've seen/tried. The FILBE assault pack really needs the kangaroo pouch on the top back molle section, and canteen pouches on the side to flourish in my opinion but that's also how we always needed it for our mission types. For a standard assault pack load out, ie what we always brought in it regardless of mission was: Poncho liner (woobie/jungle bad) and bivy sack, tarp, 2-3 skivvy rolls in water proof bags (undershirt, underwear, and a pair of socks rolled up tight), baby wipes, foot care items (mole skin, vaseline, powder, etc), one 3 liter camelbak bladder, 2 canteens, land nav gear (map markers, protractors, notebook), red lens head lamp, electrical or 100 mph tape, 1-2 MREs, spare batteries for NVGs and peq16s. Team leaders typically also carried a lensatic compass, the maps, spare signaling devices, and spare radio batteries. Point men/ nav men tended to buy wrist rockets out of pocket (Garmin wrist mounted gps) so they had spare batteries for that too. Automatic rifleman would keep 18-21 spare pmags in it. It was very common to bring a grid fleece (lightweight quarter zip) or silk layer frog top just incase a cold front came in depending on where we were. Who ever had the lightest bag would typically get assigned to carry spare snacks or mission specific gear so we could all move at a similar pace. When speed mattered like taking a building in MOUT the first team/buddy pair would run packless and take a foot hold in the building, then a following team/buddy pair would bring the packs back up to the lead group. Or more often for a large offensive, lead team/squad would drop packs in the first secure building and have only the camelbak, spare mags, and snacks in their cargo pockets until the end of day when they got swapped out to rest. I'm probably forgetting some things since it's been a while since I got out so may edit those in later.

In this Episode, Bagfacts indeed secures the bag.

I recently got the Mystery Ranch Blitz 30. I think it makes a lot of sense for civilians in a smaller rucking or tactical assault style pack. It has an "A, B, C" outer pocket organization design with a main inner compartment. In my eyes, it's a modernized 2 day assault that has more organization, without having ALLL the organization that becomes too much, if that makes sense. Worth checking out. They have a 35 version too.

Love that you called out the knockoff flatpack; mines the "Krydex" brand. I went through this cycle of [backpack > duffel bag > sling bag > repeat] for EDC looking for the one that did right by me. Found the flatpack last year and I love it so much. I added some shotgun sling pads to the shoulder straps and it improved the comfort a lot.

Brassfacts Friday 🎉🎉🎉🎉

I have the LBT 2657 ruck for winter gear. Basically a modern large Alice pack. I absolutely love it and will be taking it to deer camp this year. It gets crazy cold at our camp sometimes. -10F before windchill is not unheard of. So a ruck allows me to carry in the extra stuff I may need.

Love your sense of humor. Comment about gray man - "Dude you're wearing a rifle with kit..let's not kid ourselves." I laughed out loud while enjoying a bourbon at the end of the day. I love your deep dive into subjects. Thank you for the excellent content.

I've been running a 1 day Karrymore pack that has been quite good. I found out about the brand while looking to replace my previous Vaude pack. YKK zippers and real MOLE with lots of options. I've been happy with the strap system. I've hiked with it over 12,000' and didn't regret the setup.

Yes! a video to validate my eberlestock purchase.

I have an AWS version of eagle yote and it’s awesome for short duration shenanigans especially in hot weather with the ability stow your sweat helmet. Also have both medium and large alice. I love the ability to cinch packs down and also strap unconventional items to the pack. The spur similar to the medium alice are super versatile like you said as they can shrink to almost assault pack size but can stretch to colder months are bigger shenanigans

Make fun as needed... but I'm a fan of the 5.11 packs I used them in Iraq and AFG and for fun stuff back home. The Rush 24 is a nice size for light 2-3 day stuff, the Rush 72 was good for 5-7 days in most regards. I add a MOAB that can clip onto those if i need some expansion with something detachable. They aren't perfect, other packs have better features, but I've got the stuff, I know the durability and how to maximize the space and attachment points and I'm too cheap to replace them.

Awesome breakdown! Love the insight, and you had me chuckling. Subscribed!

Love your videos and how you tackle the philosophies behind different ideas and ways of doing things. You open up folks minds to ways of thinking they probably hadn’t considered unless they’d served. TL;DR You’re doing good shit man, keep it up!

Great video as always. I really enjoy your breakdown and analysis. I've been running my gear for a while but this gives me a better understanding and ideas on how to use it better.

Personally I have a FILBE, and it’s a great rucksack, especially for the money, but it goes wide instead of tall, and I’m actually thinner than the frame, so it occasionally snags on brush. At the same time, it’s easier to shoot with because of its chode-like qualities and it’s also easier for me to run and climb in then similar taller bags

One surplus accessory that ive found useful for getting a sleep system onto a pack without taking up the entire pack is the MOLLE II waist pack. It'll clip into any bag with molle rows on the bottom of it. It is big enough to store a temperate climate sleeping bag and pad easily without taking any space whatsoever from the main compartment. Its awesome for the bulky but not heavy things you often need to bring along

Coming back to this video after some time, and I'm not sure if I already commented on this before, but here it goes... If your favorite pack has trouble with not being tight-enough (meaning when not fully-packed it hangs loose and flops around a lot, and even when halfway stuffed it flops around) you can use shock cord (elastic cord) weaved around the exterior to take up slack when not full. Some assault pack manufacturers already do this to one extent or another, but I usually only see it on medium to small packs. It works fine on larger ones as well. I recommend just starting off with a criss-cross weave through the molle straps on the back, not the sides. If you do the sides there's a chance your cord will cover a zipper and then you'll have difficulty completely unzipping something. That may not be an issue for you, especially if you're only usually packing soft or small items. You can also do it in two sections. On my largest pack I have two criss-cross sections on either flank. The key is to have the pack fully stuffed till it's as expanded as it could ever be, then weave the cord through (this also makes it easier to see what you're doing) and then tighten the cord down till it's as taught as can be without the end caps coming off. That way you get maximum tension when packed full, but also maximum tension as items are removed. From then on, you pack won't flop around when not fully stuffed. You can also use this criss-cross cord section to quickly store flat items, like a radio antenna or maps or whatever else.

Hey man. Really enjoying your content. Would love to see more on the PDW concept. Specifically more on the USW-G and/or/vs Recover Tactical 20/20 chassis. Those seem to be the two dominant choices at this time.

Our group landed on the ILBE pack system fielded during 2004-2011. The main ruck is 75L and the added 24 hour pack (24L) integrates into it well. It’s hard to pass on a pack system designed by Arcteryx and often affordable at around $100-$150 for the full system. My main EDC pack is a 40L REI Ruckpack and that works wonderfully in that 3-4 day range with the advantage of being urban friendly

You need a pack that's big enough to carry Nova on your back like Luke carried Yoda on Dagobah.

You should try the USGI medium rucksack, it can float right between assault pack and ruck and you can scale it up with side pouches.

The LAP/ medium ruck/ mountain ruck is the GOAT for most civilian applications, and I found that my eberlestock fac track is way more comfortable with body armor as well. Winter time though, I definitely have to transition to a large ruck with an assault pack stashed inside. Currently running a CFP90 with an aftermarket external frame rigged up from a hunting pack. The Molle II rucksack we were issued gets the job done but they aren't the greatest thing out there. The UCP versions can be color dyed to make them usable though, very cheap.

+1 for the large ALICE. These things are insanely durable. With some modification, extra pouches, replacement hip pad, etc. They quickly become the ultimate pack. Before picking a civillian style high backpack...put your helmet on...now go prone. Before picking the Molle madness try putting one together. Then go ahead and buy a replacement frame now...the one you have is about to break. Others i have tried relied on zippers that ultimately blow out. Some rattle. Some have straps that flail all about and get caught on everything. Some are genuinely good bags, but, are simply too small as you realize you are going to be out in the bush longer than you realized. Lastly come the 3 day assualt bags. Can't say enough good about them. But they are best utilized as emergency-ditch bags. Meaning one for medical, comms, extra ammo/smoke,etc. Best use case is in-conjunction with vehicles and day missions. All that said, over 20 years the best pack i ever had was my ALICE. Best of luck, Phil

All great info! I'm in love with any and all Hillpeoplegear packs! Most comfortable packs on the market.

From a backpacking background the only difference between the gear you need for 3 days and staying in the woods indefinitely is food. The shelter, layers, and other necessary items are 35l of fixed cost. Everything else is just sustainment.

I'd like to hear more of Hop's thoughts on bugs.

Me being a Marine I've got a special place in my heart for the FILBE assault bag. The main pack, ehhhhhhh it gets the job done. I have the bag itself without the frame and I'm planning on getting an external one to add to it because I've heard good things about that concept. Good video. Keep 'em coming.

Love your videos just for the scenery. Oh, and you are 100% responsible for the Mystery Ranch 32L I now own 😁

I use a Mystery Ranch SATL for my LAP/3DAP and the AWS Assault Pack for whatever assault packs are for.

Ngl the music makes the videos like 10x better but I still love em regardless !!!

If you need a backer for the Camelbak pack, I'd recommend the Bundeswehr folding sleeping mat. I have one in most of my packs and it works wonders as a backer and can be somewhat useful as an additional protective ground layer for your sleep system. However it's far from comfortable on it's own.

Currently planning for a 3 day 2 night FTX with about 10-12 dudes in the MI upper peninsula in late December, working with a Mystery Ranch Komodo Dragon. Very tight fit but making it work, could definitely be better off with something a bit bigger lol. Good video as always.

Sorting gear in to categories with acronyms tickles my brain

These videos are like the subway surfer family guy shorts to me. Roblox at 10 fps on my laptop and Hops rant/prep vids.

I manage with three 75l, 25l and 10l. 75l, compressed to 50-60l for three days or more in warm season... Or with fully extended chimney for camping capabilities in winter/low temp. So it fits inflatable mat, winter sleeping bag, extra fleece etc. Equipment that guarantees comfort in freezing temperatures alone fills half the backpack. 25l for 24/48h, with tarp, hammock and warm season sleeping bag. If I need a bit more space, I use straps to attach externally + I can mount side pouches (with water, so they empty first) and if it's enough, just compress it. 10l just for water, food, spare socks and rain protection. And it usually goes inside the 75 big guy if I'm camping and want to hike out. Helmet always in external helmet holder This matches pretty well :)

My urban loadout is an original 5.11 Covrt18, low-profile but very versatile. Got a large IIIa tombstone at 1.5 lb, good for running from robbers but not mass shooters, might upgrade, but the weight and coverage is hard to beat. Have a bunch of IFAK items plus multitool, headlamp, and so on. If you carry a firearm but not an IFAK, you aren't worried about safety, you crave exerting power. Also electrolytes (what plants crave) and 600 calories of simple food. Plus lots of odds and ends (gloves, Buff, earplugs, pens, Chapstick, medicines, and on and on). All this coming in under 10 lbs, and it goes with me everywhere and no one knows what it is, it's my portable problem solver. Despite all the crap, it still has tons of room but stays compact the rest of the time.

Classic Brass Facts. Let’s go!

I’ve got one massive ruck type so far. I was a moron in my early days wanting all the capability but now I think I need a 3DAP to cover my bases. No mountains here, but winter sucks bad. Definitely going to visit venture surplus next payday

I appreciate that Brass facts pays some respect to Nutn, he’s the OG

For reference the backpacks your parents bought you for school would be rated at 25 to 30 liters of capacity. That's how small the little 10L assault pack is. My wife has gone through phases with a larger purse. Also, it occurs to me that if you're making a 2DAP or even a 3DAP the only reason not to buy a bag from Walmart is durability. How hard can you yank on those straps before they come off the bag? How much weight can you put in it before the stitching on the bottom fails? Will the material handle walking through brush? How long until the zipper breaks? You probably don't need an expensive bag. But I doubt a $20 Walmart bag will survive more than one use. Don't be like BrassFacts, shop around and get the best deal on something good enough for your use case.

Speaking of sleep systems in sustainment packs, I’d like to hear you talk more about your philosophy when it comes to sleep systems/shelter in a small team environment

I needed this

You’d be surprised how many caprisuns fit in a camelback 3L reservoir lol

Got an old tri color woodie 3 DAP. Works great and sits on the back just right when paired with my old harness and web belt kit.

Eberlestock makes great modular bags that can be added to or taken away from, depending on your purpose....I Love them.

Always strapped the day pack to the top of a ruck. Ruck carries the camp, day pack for recon. Works pretty well with a chest rig. Plate carrier can go in the ruck if you have one 🤙

I can't believe those girls just walked by and didn't say anything about that dope Black Beard flag patch. What do women even want?

Sounds like the Austrian KAZ03 Alpine pack fits all of the requirements for all of the styles of packs as it's able to remove sections of the pack to reduce it's overall size or expand up to accommodate more with the ability to add expander pouches to the outside of the pack. all while having an internal frame system.

I’m just here to support Nova. That said, I’m a big fan of Mystery Ranch packs.

I went through a lot of packs and a couple years ago I settled on the Agilite AMAP II, I think it’s the best and now they have a version III that I would love to try,

Most Marines I know pronounce it "fill-bee"

Nothing beats the classic ALICE pack design imo. Everything I need immediately is right on the outside, in the outside pockets or strapped onto the lashing points. The ALICE Pack is designed to compress with cinch straps. The large pack even has a set of outside pockets for 6 extra mags.. Extra clothes and sleep system are kept inside in dry bags. A shelter system (tarp, ground padding and rope) is kept in a waist bag slung underneath the pack on the dedicated points. An extra bonus is that the Medium ALICE pack can be used without the frame if you want. And that's my assault pack. And the biggest advantage? No zippers. If a zipper pops off the track, its fucked. Sure, you can quick fix it by snipping below the zipper, putting it back on, then sewing a zipper stop in, but that's a bitch to do. Especially when a busted buckle (carry a baggie of replacement buckles) on my buckle modded ALICE pack takes 2 minutes or less to swap.

My MR Komodo Dragon has done me well for a few years now, and their warranty/customer service is good enough for me to not worry about training with it. It's kind of in between the 3DAP and LAPs in terms of capability, and at about the same weight of a 3DAP. I can carry about 45-50 pounds comfortably inside it as long as I didn't just randomly throw stuff in, and actually pay attention to how the weight is positioned within it. I kinda wish they'd bring back the padded waist belts though. The new ones without them are fine, but the old ones felt a lot more secure and comfortable.

If you've got a crye carrier, Mayflower AP or AVS1000 are the goat. If you want to carry Belted ammo, 40mm and maybe some water/food. TradesMan is solid for that. Plus you can have quivers for a Hooly, strip charges and a little scabbard to use with the compression straps for a LAW/RPG-22 AT/AP weapon.

I wish you made this video a year ago. Over a year of monthly training outings I went through a bunch of wildlly different LBE configs. Started with a 100L patrol ruck that had me bowing down to every overhanging branch and fiddling with straps to keep all my stuff from bouncing around the half-empty internal volume. Then tried to pad out my 2DAP (5.11 All Hazards Prime) with two 5L PALS-attached side pouches and cram all my stuff into half-opening compartments and org pockets. That also sucked. Eventually landed on the LAP concept, same as you. Got myself a W I D E assault pack in the ~50L range, with a huge main compartment, two big pockets large enough for downrange utilities and extended medkit respectively and four 2L side pockets for camping stuff like boiler stove or tarp+lines. The thing is exactly as wide as my shoulders when fully loaded and the main compartment comfortably fits a 5L water bottle laying sideways, amongst other things. We'll see if it will carry me through the winter, but the pack is stable and comfortable enough that I can do some CQB with it in summer.

Venture Surplus is an awesome shop. (Based Venture Surplus enjoyer.)

I have in ascending order of size: camlebak mule, m81 Molle 2 patrol pack(patrol not assault), Agilite AMAP 3, medium Alice with frame and molle sleep system pouch.

You can make that flat pack easy to take off with some buckles, straps, and a bit of ingenuity

My Condor backpack is the Assault Bag I have at home. I've used it for years

You ever mess around with Hill People Gear packs? Even though they’re more for backcountry hiking/hunting, I like to use mine in the context of a 3 day pack.

Great video. Thought provoking. I prefer a assault bag for my uses and physical build (5'7"/150lbs). I prefer speed over armor and sustainability.

Mystery Ranch Crew Cab. Infinitely scalable. Can be compressed down to basically a day bag, or open it up and shove dry bags into it. More of a cross between a ruck and a pack board in concept. Sadly I think it's also discontinued.

Liking the O.G. Nut’n opening!

Sleeping systems in the future? I love to hear your opinion about tents, bivys etc. Last month, I bought surplus Dutch Army Carhintia bivy, and I highly recommend it for stealth camping. You're making great videos. I can't wait for more. Greetings from Poland.

i spent the money on a Eberlestock G4 operator bag. its massive but i love it. i like got it down to 40 pounds with full gear. i working on a tool kit for it so i can fix our stuff in the field and so forth.

I really want to see a sleep system video, sleeping bag, tent, hammock, tarp, ect for SHTF. It would be a fun video to watch.

Beautiful intro mane!

Thanks!

This is... hrm, interesting food for thought. I'm working on something that makes me feel like I should reach out to pick your brain on, i.e. simulating bulk in a modern tactical tabletop game.

I use a dg3 slick and pack in my trex arms eagle assault pack and just transfer items I need for said assault or patrol that way it’s an all in one kit I’m looking into the expanding lid for the dg3 right now to expand it out for up to a week

i also have a bag problem, thank you for your emotional support.

Tfw I went on a 12 mile hike with my crye jpc, ronin belt and a rush 72 mostly at max load. I'm 5'6 and 135 lbs...

If you like the assault + size bag I highly recommend the mystery ranch SATLs you can find them for a very reasonable price on the surplus market. I would even be down to send you mine for a review.

Ever making a video breaking down your hybrid chest rig setup, or setups you've done in the past?

I'm a huge fan of the 2DAP but for EDC use for tactical stuff it would be the Switchblade. for 3 day I'm a fan of the rush 24 or Redwing 30 or even big trick. for 4 day the Eberlestock Kite, or team Elk from them or FacTrac. Ruck is my Tactical Tailor Malice or Large Alice for modern stuff would be the Eberlestock Warhammer/little brother or kelty coyote 80

I'm looking at the medium MOLLE 2 ruck sack. I might not have to fill it up, then I can compress it down a bit. I like because it is supposed to fit over a plate carrier. I can also MOLLE my E-tool, sheers, and folding saw to the outside. Oh, I can also use my helmet carrying thing attached to the outside. Shit, now I'm carrying too much.

In a hot environment the large Alice pack is perfect because of the distance between the actual pack and your back which has air flow so it doesn't get sweaty. 62 liters isn't that big.

Didn't want a kit along _the front_ somewhere but the Uinta's are more forgiving... 😆

Only thing I don't like about the assault packs on the market, is a lot of them lack sufficient hip straps/pads that transfer the weight of the load you're carrying onto your hips. This is a big deal, especially if your shoulders are already bearing a load from a plate carrier or chest rig. That's why my "assault pack" is usually a green/tan/brown hiking pack, or a hunting pack. They have WAY better hip support than dedicated military style assault packs.

If you’re able to but I doubt will, take a wee look at the PRI 45ltr day/radio pack, single compartment with a 2 pockets in the lid and pockets on the sides, however the pack was designed to accept PLCE kit so it can take rocket pouches, medical bags, etc etc, because it’s PLCE it can also be zipped together greatly reducing the size of the bag The civilian version is the karrimor SF predator patrol 45, practically the same bag but comes with a wee waist belt also Kombat U.K. make a knockoff of the bag which also accepts PLCE but I would avoid that one tbh

FILBE bag on alice frame is the GOAT

Can we pretend it’s ten years ago and get a Brass Facts Bug Out Back/Get Home Bag/ Bag that lives in your car video? With all the contents?

Cannae Phalanx! one of my favorites

This sort of thing IS my bag, baby.

Okay well what are you packing your pack? Essentials, optional, unnecessary equipment, etc. If you already have a video on the stuff my bad, new to the channel. Awesome work!

to be fair in a SHTF situation I think I'll be too risky to commit going away from your main safehouse for longer than a night. I understand recon of the area is important, but most groups wouldn't have the man power to sustainably do so for long periods of time

Hey @BrassFacts Have you ever tried the Hill People Gear packs? I've been thinking about getting a Ute, and though it expands to be like 60 liters, I think it would basically be a LAP.

I really like the look of the Direct Action Dragon Egg, and I think it'd pair well with my belt kit with its size having it wear over the butt pack. My only question though, is how would you fit a helmet to it?

Ive had a couple bags that had the "beach ball" problem. ive found a hard plastic mudflap from a heavy truck works great. cut to size for the bag and if worried about weight use a 2" hole saw to remove materiall without losing rigidity.

Dog stays with his human, excellent!

I prefer to size up and pack down when it comes to bags. Having the extra space is a godsend when you don't have time to perfectly cinch down everything and perfectly arrange it all in a game of ruck Tetris and have to dump your shit in and leave ASAP. Leaves space for the inevitable extra bullshit you'll find out you need to bring last minute.

would love to see some more bushcraftish videos

I’ve got an old USMC “ass” pack but the lack of pockets make it only a good bag for rock climbing. I’ve got a cheaper Ross 12/24hr day style bag that fits good on my “overt” set up. But I want the MR 3day and an Alice to finish out my “needs”.