@levfromagilite283 not a great bivy. It's a little short imo but paired up with a poncho it's not a bad sleep system. Just kinda narrow. At 210-230 I was stuffed in it. Now at 175 I like it better. It's also almost 200 bucks so I prefer to connect it to the poncho regardless to protect it better
For the larger rucksack I'd recommend the Savotta Jääkäri L with 2 side Large pouches. The bag is 55L (+lots of overfilling capacity) and the side pouches are 6L each, so a total of 67L. Its NIR-properties are according to the FDF (Finnish Defense Force) standards. The inside is laminated with some kind of rubberized material making it highly water resistant. If that is not enough, then there is the XL-variant that gives you 80-100L of space.
I have it, and it's one of the best invesments I have ever made. I use a Savotta Jääkäri M and L with my Agilite K19 and for me it's very comfortable. Although for long rucking I prefer to use a chest rig.
Even playing airsoft with no plates in the carrier starts to get unbearable after 7-8 hours. I couldn’t imagine wearing it that long during actual combat, with real plates.
Shopped around for battle belts, watched videos, read reviews, and spoke to a couple guys who used them and this belt is the best choice for me. Awaiting delivery now!
Hey Lev part of the test team here, I use a grey and green Kelty 75L that has been replaced with the asher line. If I have spare volume the top can be cinched down into roughly the size of the of a 65lb pack. It has good support is rigid in the way you need to allow external strapping if you really need to haul the beef. I have used it for multiple 200mile+ back pack in the High Sierras in all seasons over the past decade and a half with the longest being 450 on a one way. It does everything you need without breaking bank. That said I would recommend the old trekker line from the 70s I inherited mine from my dad who was a geologist in Africa during the bush wars, the stories are as wild as you would think. I recommend the older ones as the side walls of the tubing frame is thicker than the modern ones and the alloy has been changed that is not as durable to impact as the old frames. The Savvotta Jakkari packs are also excellent and the modular side packs are excellent. I use them on my other packs.
A great new product would be a large soft ballistic vest that also accepts rifle plates, and that is secure like a plate carrier. So ballistic 3a protection all around, maybe the new and thin SafeLife Defense panels, but then also a way to safely hold plates above that. Like the german MOBAST vest - but better! This would appeal to a lot of police/swat teams that mostly face handgun threats and appreciate greater soft armor coverage while also having rifle protection (ideally from thin and light level3 or level 4 ICW plates). But vehicle turret gunners and grunts that mostly dig trenches against artillery shrapnel could also use it.
Mystery ranch has some good options. They have done some contracting for the US military. Very comfortable packs and very well built. Thanks for the load out video. Good info
The "test things out before you get on the field" part is spot on i can only imagine someone making a new upgrade and having it not work out on the field.
Mystery Ranch makes great backpacks in general. Their packs have been around for a long time, under the name Dana Designs before they became Mystery Ranch. Not only do they have incredible packs for the outdoor enthusiast (hikers, climbers,backpackers, and skiers) but they also make equally as well engineered products for specific markets like hunting, military/LEO, and firefighting. So you’re able to get a pack that is well thought out and appropriately designed for military use that is built upon the awesome load carrying foundation of a tried and true expedition grande pack. Aside from the kick ass packs they have a full range of accessories that can help out with gear organization (Zoid Bags, Dopp Kit), convenience/quick access (external water bottle pocket), and padded pouches to protect important gear (like optics).
They make great packs but you really should consider if they are worth the price. I used to buy and MR packs for my CFR stuff and as a patrol pack and used them in Afghanistan and Mali. The problem is that gear will wear down to the point it breaks and having to buy the same thing again makes you question if you really should have those nice things. Everybody knows how fast you can run through gloves and you can ask yourself: is it worth to put 100$ gloves on you hands because they give you a 5% advantage or is it ok to wear 30$ ones that are not as tacticool? Not beeing issued with MR gear I figured out that my best choice is the middle price range or the pack/gear that gives me the most advantage for my bucks. If those less costly items break it is way more easy to cut the losses and move on.
Having served in several different climate zones during my career in the’80’s & ’90’s, it was challenging to find gear that worked across zones. I was fortunate to serve in a cold mountain environment first so I learned a lot about what was actually “necessary.” You learn that lesson quickly when you’re patrolling in the mountains. At the time we were patrolling the Czech border (before the wall fell) and the difference between live ammunition and blanks in training was very noticeable, especially for me as a M60 gunner at the time. We were fortunate to be one of the first units to receive Goretex jackets, pants and boots (Danner). We were also issued the old wool GI 5-button sweater (which I still have) which served me well in the Gulf War as well. The wealth of great out there today is the unfortunate result of several decades of conflicts and war, which Israel knows all too well. Great video
Hi my name is Roland Goetz, I am one of your outside testers a South African ex-RECCE now known as SA Special Forces. We were modelled on 22 SAS Sqd, so a lot of our kit, is based on their designs. We are issued with our kit but have staff who will custom-make what we need. About your request for info about a back-pack, we are issued with a Burgen. The one I have currently is what we call cabbage cammo. It could be worth your while to check it out. Capt Roland C. Goetz JCD. ( Ret)
Solid advice. Suggestion from the Nordics: terrywool is far superior to fleece. Light and warm even when wet. Doesn’t need to be washed and do not retain odour. Wool is a super material with millions of years of R/D-process behind it.
Do you have any recommendations for specific products ? I love wool, but it is often heavy. I obviously only use wool socks , and have had good experience with smart wool base layers
Woolpower Full Zip 600 is what the Finnish and Swedish military use. There’s a similar shirt from Varusteleka too. I have three of those and have given away another three to friends and family. Once you start using it you cant be without it. It’s only drawback is that it doesn’t offer much wind protection.
@@levfromagilite283 It might be worth to reach out to the Finns at Varusteleka for a review of their Särma stuff. They are very socmed savvy and probably familiar with your channel. God bless Israel
Last time I served you were given a packing list. You could not add to or take away from. Guys like me, on our ops could add but the basic loadout was the same.
A rucksack I really can recommend to you is the Berghaus MMPS series. Great confort, extremely robust and versatile with intelligent solutions. I do have the crusader 90+20 and soon the spartan 60. Interesting option is the side molle plates that can be swithed out with two ten liter attached sacks.
Love it @Lev, another great vid - not as much of your usual dry humour :-), I guess you’re tired from all that travel 😂. Another solid vid like the one with @GarandThumb. Another order from me placed - love your work! stay safe my dude.
I love your k-0! I’ve been using daily for about 6 months. I can say with 100% certainty, it’s the best plat carrier I’ve used in 20 years using various plate carriers. I Everyone at work has been asking me about it and many have ordered and started using it.
Wet shirt - I use shock cord webbed through a molle lattice or points to retain and then air dry wet shirts, etc. Tie off/secure goods to your backpack/ruck - they can get dropped easily.
I would recommend BRASA DEFENSE SYSTEMS patrol bag, it has really comfy belt system which is not static, but have a moving mechanism where it connects to bag, so even though you are carrying a big backpack you still have the ability to lean your body side to side without breaking your backbone
For a larger bag. I’ve been rocking the mystery ranch Komodo dragon. I threw two large sustainment pouches on there. Depending on the climate I can sustain myself for about 5 days to a week off that bag. If it’s a cold climate I’ll typically need something bigger like an Alice pack.
Can we talk about the sandbag a little more? I'm used to either burlap or crappy polypro weave ones; I'd love a little more info on these because I love how they're used as SSE bags and that's a great idea.
Love both of your carriers, but i would love it even more if you had more color options in the future. The German army plate carrier notoriously sucks, but we can't buy yours for duty use unless you make them in Flecktarn camo. And i am sure the French and British would also love one in their respective color patterns. Also, NIR compliance would be huge. Plus, invent a thermal equivalent of NIR compliance.
Really enjoy your stuff, you’re a badass! You need to come and stay in the states and train us, looks like or gov will have their “T’s” keeping us pretty busy over here.
Machine gunners are a diffrent breed, I spent 6 yrs as USMC HMG(heavy machine gun) we always had thousands of rds more than they said our combat loadout was.
From my personal experience I would recommend either Mystery Ranch Military Backpacks: 6500 BVS (105 litres), SATL (60-65 litres), Overload (50 litres) or the Blackjack Range (100 / 80 / 50 litres). The materials and quality is rock solid. All backs offer a lightweight external frame (Nice Frame / Military Light Frame) which detaches the load from the harness / load bearing shoulder straps / belt. Some also offer the Overload feature, so you can put heavy oversized items between the frame and the bag. Superb comfort. Tested several military / hunting packs with a similar (civilian) frame at mountain trips to the alps (25kg+, altitudes 1.500 - 2.500). The Blackjack range offers some external pockest already, but you can always attach stuff via PALS / MOLLE. .OR. Tasmanian Tiger Packs, e.g. Base Pack 75 (75-90 litres) or MIL OPS Pack (80+24 litres) which both have the V2 Frame System for high loads and are both MILSPEC (German Bundeswehr) according to TL 8305-0278 and TL 8305-0281 (this includes all required frabric specs and NIR specs) - the color Stone Grey Olive would obviously fit quite nicely with the rest of your kit.
Since the K-Zero is your most compact and shooting/agility friendly carrier, could you also add different form factors? Like a dedicated carrier for shooters cut plates, so they don't wiggle around. And/ or add the two adjustment straps from the K19 back in, they were cool for both securely and tightly holding the plates and also distributing their weight.
Very good video, very interesting, found it interesting that the battle belt went into the rucksack. We used to keep it on, even on 50 km marches. It helped relieve some weight of the rucksack as it supports the rucksack with the belt-bags you have at the back. But this may depend on your constitution and the need of engaging during march and Lev has certainly more of battle experience, so if you‘re in doubt, go with his advice👍
Lev, If you're looking for a different ruck, look at the Crossfire DG3, a great 3 day pack with 55 litre capacity. If you need something larger try the Crossfire DG16 at 85 litres. Crossfire makes excellent rucks, well thought out in design and construction. I have used both on extended spec op missions and have no complaints. Probably the best rucks I have used.
Man, although all of this is helpful and informative, but you’re showing it to a bunch of people (the average civilian) that would never even dare carry over probably 15lbs worth of gear. Either because they physically can’t, have never done it, don’t wanna break a sweat, don’t wanna get out of their comfort zone, have never been in a simulated training exercise, or just wanna have the gear because they’re a “soldier wannabe.” The average civilian wouldn’t even dare lay on the ground and get a little dirty/uncomfortable. It’s one thing to have all the useful gear, but if you can’t / aren’t willing to carry your own weight in full combat load or everything you have for “war”, what good is it lol This is coming from an 8 year marine vet, but that’s just my viewpoint.
Exo Mountain Gear for the pack. Its designed to carry hundreds of pounds of game meat out of the remote backcountry. Build quality is superb, it's extremely versatile, and scalable. Frames are comfortable, strong, and there's various accessories for stowing long guns, etc. Check them out. I have two and love them for carrying BIG loads out of rough terrain. Great customer service and they offer public safety and military discounts..
Hey Lev, for austere and extended operations without frequent resupply, in the larger category I have to recommend the Blackjack from mystery ranch. They have a few different liter options, and personally have found exceptional comfort and usability especially on mission with the 80L. Best of luck
AGHHH Prickly Heat is what we called it in Afghanistan. On mission for extended periods of time we would scrub our backs with a wet hand towel to get the grime off.
Lev, check out either Mystery Ranch or Karrimor SF's Nordic series! In Denmark we are issued the Thor 40 as a daysack and the Odin 70 as the normal bagpack and they just do the job really well!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU, for calling your stuff GEAR, and not kit like a european. When I saw the title "gear" in the video,I had to watch it. Awesome job. I carried a massive ruck for years.....
For a larger pack I have used the Source 90 litre. I prefer the 45 litre in order to keep weight down, but for really carrying a lot of stuff I find the larger one hard to beat.
Cool loadout. I had the 5.11 Rush 100 pack, 60L. I used it for a few years before giving it away, but it carried everything I needed and then some and was very comfortable.
T&E here Lev. If you can, Get an old style British army Bergan and tailor it to suit your needs. mine has 3 bottom admin pouches and a Basha stash above that. plenty of room.
It's as close to perfect as one can get. I would respectfully add "bonuses" (chocolate, easy reding novel, maybe sound to bone music all liked to the same device -increased moral and synch- , "beauty care" pouch (with couture kit, toothbrush, universal liquid soap, towel.) . You need a compression belt to protect the lower spine after a certain age. For rash : use organic essential oil of eucalyptus radiata (and not another model) at first symptoms. For wet feet use apple vinegar (rtfm).
Thanks Lev. Always informative. I’ve always wondered how you mount your knife on your plate carrier. I have a Mystery Ranch and they make some great packs. Thanks and stay safe.
Hey Lev, British Army infantry reservist here, cheers for the video. What about your sleeping system? Or do you guys simply utilise the structures you clear (given it's a very urban focused mission)?
Check out the new ARK frame from kifaru it carries light or heavy loads both very well. And the new KU 4300 pack/bag is sick and weight conscious. But u add the lid and that adds another 750 cubic inches to a 4300 cubic inches pack. Therefore it ranges from 75 liters to 82 liters with straps to add more to the outside. The waist belt is sick with reinforced laser cut molle that is made even more durable then traditional. The lumbar pad is not memory foam and non compressible so it's strong yet forms to ur unique shape. The shoulder straps are higher quality firmer padding then previous kifaru straps. The waist belt no longer slides down. The ARK FRAME Is indestructible and light and so comfortable. Buy once cry once but so nice. Quick easy adjusting for body size. Nothing beats a kifaru and the progress now is so stoked. And the cool thing about buying the frame is u can add any other separate bag/pack to it that u may want to use for another scenario. Good luck sir!!!
Watched both vids in the last 24 and the content was great. Looks like I ordered the last K0 in RG. Looking forward to kitting it out when it gets here. Our thoughts are with you. Take care, Lev!
