I.L.B.E Pro Mods, no hack-job mods! 

I bought the two sustainment pouches off of ebay a few years ago for mine. I also got a radio pouch and took it apart, and used the largest piece from it as a re-enforcement on the bottom of the pack, by cutting it in the shape of the bottom and gluing it on the outer bottom. It works really well.

I know this is a seriously late addition in the comments... but, I never cared for the shoulder or waist straps. I use an eberlestock pack for hunting and needed to replace a broken buckle, I looked at their website and found they also sell their waist and shoulder straps separately. I bought them and with minimal effort, they fit my gen2 great and are far more comfortable for me. The price is better then the used replacement parts on ebay and for me are far more comfortable

I agree with the other commenters. I was lucky to get this pack before they went way up in price, and I bought it for all the reasons they butcher it. The sleeves on the side are perfect for securing my longer axes, bows, rifles, etc. The PALS webbing is perfect for when you need to lash something weird to it. And the rubber hose on the zipper pulls? It's FANTASTIC when the weather is cold or rainy, gives a quick, easy grip, no fumbling. I know some commented that they did it because "pounds equal pain", but really, they would have saved much more weight going with a commercial pack of the same size that used 360 denier fabric over the 750 denier fabric of the ILBE, as well as not having the PALS webbing.

I agree, if you want a lighter version of the ILBE, just get the Arcteryx Bora 80...basically the same pack, civilian version.

It's better to focus on losing 5lbs of body weight than going through all that trouble to ruin a great pack. The cheaper nylon packs aren't waterproof, and the even lighter cuben fiber ones only last one through hike or two. Cuben fiber is also weak against abrasion, so attempting to bushwhack with it will surely do some damage. Everything is a tradeoff, and personally I prefer the pack to be durable since it carries everything. Save the weight on what you put in it.

I've got the bigger Ilbe Recon version that has rows of molle all down the back of the pack plus what they call the tail that buckles to the back of it which is also covered in molle webbing. So pouch attachment and lashing point possibilities is only limited to your imagination. I also have 4 of the recon sustainment pouches and 2 custom made ones. I luckily got all this stuff back a few years ago when they weren't as hard to find and as expensive as they are now.

I think I saw that video where the dude cut off ALL the PALS webbing. I was like WHY!?!?!?

Added the ILBE Recon sustainment pouches to mine. Another great accessory to add to great ruck.

Prolly PreparedMind101 who hacked off all his straps. Bad idea. I loaded my ILBE for a week solo in the mountains of New Mexico one winter, and I was very happy that I retained all my straps. Its a killer pack. By the way, those side 'grab handles" are primarily for mounting your pack. Lay your pack face down with the waist belt farthest from your body and the lid up against your knees. The waist belt will be pointing up. Stick your hands through the shoulder straps, grab the side handles and just flip the entire pack up and over your head, onto your back. The shoulder straps will automatically slide up your arms and onto your shoulders, and all you need to to is fasten your waist belt and sternum strap. Presto. In five seconds your pack is on, locked and ready to move out.

I agree. Only added accessory (non-issue) pockets. This pack really saved us on an elk hunt. Carried a rear quarter out in the dark up a steep canyon.

I recently picked up an ILBE and after using a Army issued Alice pack (both medium and large) while assigned at Ft. Bragg and in participating on numerous deployments and airborne operations, for a few years, the ILBE reigns superior. I jumped a 100 lb😂 ruck and boy did that hurt. Anyway, this ILBE is very well designed and moreso mission caoable to the forementioned Alice pack. As of this writing, I am not sure if the ILBE is "jumpable" given its design, but that is for another subject or topic. So far, I really like it and will be putting it through its paces in the very near future. I, personally would not molest its design or remove anything from it. Is it perfect? No! With that said, find your gear and equipment and sell your ILBE to someone that would appreciate the initial design of the intent of the ILBE. Airborne!

I agree with that analysis ! When I go camping and hiking I'll use the pack fit for the mission. I have the ILBE and a medium Alice and a large Alice, so whatever trip I'm planning I grab the pack I'll need. carry on !

I agree. The versatility of having the molle available out weighs the pack stripped of them. Some people complain about the straps because they do not bob up all the straps and get them organized.

The hipbelt and shoulder straps he replaced them with were made by Hill People Gear in Colorado. Probably some of the best USA made gear next to Kifaru. You don't need thick belts and straps for a pack to be comfortable. In fact, sometimes they are superior to thicker ones. They are not flimsy or junk at all. That all said - yes, I agree with you - he cut WAY too much stuff off of the pack.

I totally agree. I own an ilbe and I would never strip all the straps. They far out weigh the benefits of having them to cut them off to save 2 pounds. If a grown man can't handle 2 pounds of extra weight then he needs to just get a different pack altogether. The strapping is one of the main reasons for getting this pack in the first place. The people that remove it probably quickly wish they hadn't after they have to start adding straps back to attach things they need. Thanks for the video. I'm glad I'm not the only one that thinks its a huge mistake. Keep up the great work bro.

If I did not have a water proof rain cover, I would consider adding two to three (small) drain hole grommets to the bottom. I would like the bottom to have had a leather wear panel like the Swiss mountain ruck sack. Other wise leave well enough alone. Plus if I leave it as stock and I decide to sell it retains it's value. I counted four ILBE packs in my gear closet with only one ILBE assault pack. Beware the after market lids they are not as durable nor as good of a fit as the real (issued) lid cover. They are of the knock of marpat pattern/color and the buckles are of a shiny darker brown color. Like the ILBE assault pack the real ILBE lids are getting expensive.

Did you just invent a new phrase: "Pack castration"

If they want to save weight, Lowe Expedition is the origina design, it doesn't have as many attachment points and is made lighter weight. And there are several knock offs, REi made something similar for awhile.

Extend your ILBE VOLUME by attaching an ILBE hydration packs on the both sides of the ILBE

Beautifully said brother thankyou for saying it 100% truth!!

agree 100 %, if you want a walmart bag buy a walmart bag😂😂

I don't get it when people start cutting stuff off. Get a different pack that doesn't have the straps.

Yep, and they modified the Lowe Expedition idea, good mods for the most part.

Google, molle dive belt adapters. Use them to add pouches to all my ruck waist belts.

ILBE stands for Improved Load Bearing.........what's the "E" stand for? Equipment?

You can buy the ilbe lid really cheap and use them as a cheap alternative to the expensive sustainment pouches.

Can you guide to a place or places to buy these at a good price

If they don’t like the pack, why could they not sell it to someone who want one as is. These are getting much harder to find complete, and all to save 2 lbs. you got the wrong pack to start with!

where did you get those buckles ? one more question is that a gen 1 or gen 2 ? the reason I'm asking is that I noticed the lid is a gen 1.

I feel personally insulted since I'm using an ILBE with a dry base weight of 37lbs😂

Just an FYI for you there is a guy on EBAY that has made marpat accessory bags for the belt and side pouchs

When all is said & done, people can do what they want with their gear but it does seem a shame that some choose to butcher a great pack just to save a few ounces. It looks like these weight saving RU-vidrs never appear to carry any significant weight so prehaps they have the wrong pack for their needs.......you don't need a 4x4 if you only drive in town. ILBE packs are becoming rarer now on the market (& more expensive) so it's better to leave these packs to those who appreciate their qualities & will use them as they were intended to be used. Long live the ILBE pack in all it's "straptacular' 9 lb glory.

I've never hacked any of my military packs. I don't understand why some people do that. I figured it was designed that way for a reason and it's battle tested. What are they thinking?? The only problem I have sometimes is figuring what the different straps, loops etc. are meant for and how I can utilize them for their intended purpose.

I would not hack it up either. If the weight is that important sell it to someone that wants an ILBE and go find another pack!

hey man my stiching is popping right by the load lifters pack side, how can i fix this? i just did a vid on this with the usmc flc vest. id like your advice

Just shows the mentality and IQ level of certain ppl. Doing minor mods to suit your personal preference I can understand hence the existence of PALS webbing. Completely modifying something when there are perfectly good fit for purpose gear already out there, I can only put down to fanboy wannabes. I.e. I must have a military ruck no matter what to look cool even though I need a purse.

black eyed peas

Great video audio is horrendous

About time. I have watched in abject horror at the way some RU-vidrs butcher the ilbe pack with 'their mods' just to try to save some weight. If you notice when they are out they only have a bologna sandwich in thier pack so why do they feel the need to ruin a very good pack. They would be better off with a pink My Little Pony pack. I got a real kick at one idiot who started fighting with people who questioned his mods in the comment section.

So I’m only 5 foot 3 so how can I make this pack fit me better because as is it’s a little to long torso wise, how can I fix this?

The pack weighs 12lbs by itself... Just to let you know. But well worth it compared to its strength and versatility. I agree .. Why hack it up when you could use it or at least have the extra options.

mine weighs 266 pounds now

Also, I'm like you. I ended up adding more to mine so I could make it even more versatile han what it started as.

I tamed "Strap Zilla". I cut off 3 1/2 pounds. Unlike you video rambos 70% of Americans over 40 can not hike 4 miles with several days of substinence. Cut away and get in shape. Having a pack for 18-20 year old male,Marines who carry it with 100lbs is only after they went through 9 weeks of physical training to carry the ILBE in the first place.

Police your straps man... Cut up some bicycle tires into ranger bands to sleeve over your straps.

+49th Parallel You know people that butcher what's probably the best of the large, heavy duty, "carry everything" rucks ever made? And they do this by removing one of the most important features of a good ruck, the large amount of MOLLE? To save a couple pounds? How stupid. I live in the isolated, heavily wooded mountains and I've trained with that pack full, with the assault pack attached which is also full. I've done this in full combat gear, tac vest/plate carrier ( I don't normally run plates and would only do so if heading into a certain, heavy firefight scenario) with lots of extra high capacity mags, a rifle (usually AKM or MIA/M14), pistol belt loaded with mags for pistol and rife and other stuff like KA-Bar, bayonet, more rifle mags, etc......, tactical shotgun with the "assault package", CCW handgun as backup pistol to my primary full size pistol, extra weapons, extra high capacity mags and vaccum sealed ammo to reload all my mags at least once in the pack, water bladder, essential gear, and I pack ammo heavy and gear heavy ( but smart. I make extensive use of a variety of MOLLE pouches, including the large sustainment pouches, both MOLLE'd onto the pack's webbing and pouches MOLLED together, labeled, and put into labeled compression sacks inside the pack, which really saves room and gets the most of the room). I'll shoot more than a couple pounds of ammo during a single weapons and tactics drill while training in the woods. I've lived for more than a week with that pack ( ofc you need knowledge of wood and bush craft, supplement your diet by hunting, foraging, and fishing [we luckily have abundant wildlife here, lots of flowing creeks, streams, brooks, and springs which have good water and good fishing] , and how and what to pack ) in all kinds of weather. A lot of people simply don't know how to pack a ruck to maximize it, make full use of ALL of the MOLLE, how to carry their entire sleep system, including the right mil surp sleeping bag, sleeping pad, mil surp tunnel tent and stakes/poles all rolled up in it's compression sack and lashed to the bottom MOLLE on the bottom of the ruck. I've carried that ruck and it's assault pack full, with everything I need to live for a week and more, and I'm partially disabled ( I walk with a cane sometimes), and if I can do it with chronic pain ( so I have to bring a lot of meds/drugs for that and panic disorder as well as mfak set up as a trauma kit and a couple of large drug bags) plus lots of extra high capacity mags, rounds, weapons, tac vest, and full combat load in this kind of terrain, they can do it. As you said, if that's gear heavy enough to make someone butcher such a fine combat, survival, and good for everything pack (which is cleverly and expertly designed to let you carry tons of good stuff by making full use of every feature, panel, MOLLE loop, nook, and cranny of that backpack), there are tons of really good 3-5 day bags they can get and not pack as weapon and ammo heavy as I do, or even go into the wild unarmed (which I don't recommend, especially when lots of psychos choose to live in the wilderness and there is lots of powerful wildlife that will eat you). You obviously understand how to pack smart and recognize a great ruck and how to utilize it to it's fullest