As an ex grunt just watching this makes my back hurt. Tip: put ur sleeping bag in a trash bag to help keep dry. Worked in Germany with rain and snow. God bless!
Nice video. I carried a USMC ILBE Gen 2 pack for years. They are indeed a giant bucket and can haul well upwards of 100 lbs. - although you really don't want to do that on longer rucks. Not sure if you're aware but your "water bottle pockets" are actually designed to carry one mortar shell each. That's why they're bigger and not as deep as you'd find for water bottle pockets on civilian backpacks. Since each Marine is considered infantry personnel, the pockets allow a mobilized platoon to disperse the shells among the individuals in the group for easier transport - and safety. There is also a smaller matching assault pack that can be rolled up and carried on the back of the main pack, a radio pouch that clips inside the top of the main pack, and an internal hydration bladder that clips to the hanger at the top of the main and assault packs. Although it's heavier than most commercial backpacks, all in all this is still one of the best gear hauling systems around. You just can't kill these things. And the internal aluminum stays that provide the frame make this an amazingly comfortable system once you get the torso adjustment set correctly and the stays bent to fit your back.
Still looking for the "perfect big pack" , some are very good , but still looking . If I had the money , I would be looking at either a Scandinavian pack, like a Savotta , or an Eberlestock of some kind . The ILBE is pretty hard to beat for the money .
The grabbing of the bag from the bottom and throwing it over your back is a military expedient method. The reason is that when you have your IBA on, it's very hard to use your method. It also allows for your Ruck to grab on your body better, and it's not uncomfortable. Love your video, and you made some phenomenal and educational points.
I'd bet you could put a small BIC lighter or a SPARK WHEEL on the bottom of your cook pot under the fuel canister as it's concaved. Then you'd have an ignition source for your stove right in the cook kit as well as another fire ignition source as back up. JMHO 🤔
I have a jungle cord larksheaded to my bergens drag tape, about 7 feet. If you see an overhead limb you just throwover, unclip waist belt and loosen shoulderstraps, feed your JC through the relevant loop and pull to tension. That lifts the weight from you and you just step out of the pack leaving it at a good height for re-entry without lifting. Also allows you to spin it for pouch access. The space under your gas canister can be filled with your scrubby, a couple of instant drink sachets or wipes etc. 10l collapsible bowl fits nicely in the bottom of a bergen, acts as food prep board, wash/shave/washing up bowl. And if you have an air pump for mats/pillows and a bit of tube that bowl makes a fkng amazing footspa after a long day :-) I like your w bottle tip, that's stolen 👍
Excellent load out video, you have some great ideas and tips that you don't see on other channels. I really like the idea of putting your pad inside of the bivy sack and running the compression staps through the outside items. Cheers 🇨🇦🍻!
And I to love the sawyer water filter... there a great back up filter... but I started using a grayl ......a little more expensive but imo absolutely worth every penny and the sawyer as a back up
My Long Range Bug Out Bag is also the USMC ILBE Main Pack, I have the ILBE Assault Pack set up as a Get Home Bag or short range loadout. Really great pack, very comfortable with weight in it, if set up properly. I also use the MSS Modular Sleep System and switch the Green and Black bags out depending on the season, also really good kit. Been using the ILBE for years now, I've thought about upgrading to a newer pack like a Mystery Ranch or something but the ILBE does fine and I've been spending money in other areas of preparedness
Wendell I've been riding the fence over whether to get an ILBE or a Savotta Large this month for my go-to multi day pack. Over teh last two days I made up my mind to go with the ILBE due to the pass through sleeves which are important to me for specific items. Your videos have been a constant source of useful info for several years at this point. I simply wish to express my gratitude for all the mistakes you have spared me from learning from. Your friend, Bill Doyle from Upr Grnwd Lk, NJ
Good kit and tips! Pouches with a translucent front like those from Vanquest AND having color coded pouches make it easy to identify its contents. For me, a front loading/panel opening pack is easier for getting gear out than a top loading/duffle bag style pack.
Hello 👋 my outdoors friend, thank you for sharing another informative video. I'm impressed, you are well organized. All the best to you. Stay safe out there. 🤗
Great video. Yeah I've never known why people remove the sternum strap. You may want to do an edited version of this video on how to correctly put a pack on, as I've seen many noobs get this all arse up.
And yes loose items hanging off packs only leads to you losing it and or getting caught up on.... great point....... that's so so true.... no one ever mentions that
Excellent advice for stuff sacks of various colors/sizes/designs. My only question: where’s the map 🗺️ and compass 🧭? Too many hikers and backpackers rely on electronic devices and that’s potentially a major error. 25:06
I still use the medium ALICE pack, modified to my own liking and comfort. Pretty much in the same orgabized fashion as yours. I'am no longer serving in the Infantry, so, I carry only what I need.
I don't like molly packs also because it draws attention to ya. I do use my med. Alice pack and try to make it look more just for bushcraft. I made my own waistbelt for it. I even got the wrong shoulder straps. I got the ones for a belt system. I just centered it and tied it up in the middle if t he frame with bankline . Still workin that way for 8 years. I may make a pack from what we called in the navy a " seabag" . The rest of the military called it a duffle. I think I'm gonna dye one in black walnuts so it doesn't look military but still have a neutral color to it.
My problem is I pack too many things, can't get myself to keep things simple. I know that the most 'general' set up and gear will more than likely serve you well through the most situations that you could find yourself in. I just get 'gear happy'.
It's really hard NOT to pack many things. Especially if you live more North and are packing for winter scenario on foot. Yeesh. I still can't get my winter pack weight below 45-ish pounds. I also have the USMC ILBE and while it's a heavy pack by itself, it absolutely does carry everything comfortably.
I have the same issue. I'm new at prepping and am working on go bags and I'm also older and find my go bag is heavy. I'm trying to make sure I'm not over packing it but it's tricky
@@pamelasmith6459 if I may give some advice. the total weight of your pack shouldn't exceed 25% of your total body weight, with an added 5%-10% weight based on your body strength and fitness. and when you are judging your body strength and fitness you should also underplay it too, if it's still heavy then maybe it's not the weight but the pack it self. a lot of people over look it, but a packs size and straps adjustments can have a negative impact on how heavy the pack feels. so for pack size you should measure the length of your back from the 7th cervical vertebra to the iliac crest, and the back of your pack should rest only between those two points. as for strap setup...honestly it'll turn this comment into a wall of text, so I'll post a link to a good vid about the process. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_5vPDrU2X5A.html&ab_channel=BackpackingTV as for item selection, honestly that one is for each individual. usually I start off with asking my self - whats are the bare 10 essentials, whats items am I going to really use and whats merely a comfort item and what items have multiple uses - 2 uses or more based on weight of the item. an example in my pack I'll carry a folding shovel with the head made of high-carbon steel, I can use as a shovel of course but also as a hammer and as an axe(by sharping one side of the edge) additionally by adjusting it's to a 90 degree angle I can use it as a hoe or the back end as a pick. it only weights in at 1.3kg(2.8lbs) and is one of the most used items I carry.
You should maybe think about getting a high quality back pack cover in your pack in case it starts raining... having a way to protect your pack is very important.... at least it is for me... its something I keep on the outside of all my packs
And make sure everyone actually gets a pack that's comfortable for them... not how it looks but how it wears and feels carrying and using it.... buy a quality a good quality pack... yes there expensive but a cheap bag will absolutely start falling apart as you start using it
It's also very important to let ppl know maybe who don't know.... for sleeping bags and other various types of gear like that.. to NOT keep in stuff sacks while they are not being used...I hang all my woobies and sleeping bags by special hangers while I'm not using them to keep them lofty much longer....
I would carry a propper mess kit . Either the Soviet DVD kit , or the WW2 German style , I think its the M31 , or both . They still make both . If you could only take one , then probably the Soviet paratrooper kit would be the way to go . Just gives you more choices and flexibility in general , than just a water bottle . Both are heavy aluminium , so its not like they are going to be a burden . having a container of af any kind is something people dont think about . If your stuck out there , you will need to forrage , and have something to put it in . People dont think about that , until they wish they had it . Never short yourself . The more bare bones it is , the more miserable you will be , if days , turn into weeks . Minimalist is fine , it has its place .....which is strictly on the trail . If I were out in it , I would wat a bit more .......just in case . I'm not political , I dont care who makes it , if its a good piece of kit . Just Sayin .
These kids who pack an 18 pound potato chip bag of a backpack & walk three day stints in between tiny cafes, post offices and “trail angel” stops on the AT are gonna be shocked when they hear the words “no resupply”
And I see alot of ppl... bringing way to much stuff out with them....I always say take a 2 or 3 day camping trip with minimal gear and take notes every time there's something you forget and or need and then next time you'll only bring out the stuff you actually need not everything plus the kitchen sink!!!! Lol
Everything is fine, I guess. Thank you. BUT!!! Never be left without a knife on yourself! Any knife should be on YOURSELF!!! Not in a bag, not in a backpack, not anywhere else! On yourself, on your chest, neck, in your pocket, in a sheath !!! The scabbard is only on a free suspension and long, so that the waist belt of the rukzak could not press the suspension or block it and you would not be able to use the knife if necessary !!! This must be known and remembered!
