“A combination of the old tried and true with modern technology – a reflection of SOTECH.”
Respecting the calls for us to reintroduce our h-harnesses and belts, we recognized a trend to go back to the battle tested designs of the past. In doing so, we wanted to honor our beginnings by doing a reboot of an ALICE Pack predecessor – the ARVN Ranger Pack, a favorite of MACV-SOG and other SOF units.
At a base level, this is a hat tip to our early days modifying ALICE packs, but it’s much more significant than that. SOTECH started in a time when we were issued the same tired designs that barely evolved from World War Two through Korea and Vietnam and into the Cold War of the 80’s.
There was a creativity born from lessons from the field, and a handful of innovators started companies to modify and then create alternatives. In this vein, we took the day pack version of what would become the ALICE and modernized and modified the design with Tegris and improved cuts (the pack was designed for small-framed Vietnamese soldiers). The result is an EDC pack that takes you back to your days in BDUs every time you cinch that ribbed web through those metal tabler buckles.
The ARVN pack meticulously recreated, every small detail accounted for. Original steel hardware upcycled from original issued kit.
Updates from the original:
-Updated 420D Nylon vs canvas. Same nylon as the Medium and Large ALICE packs
-Snap closure front 2 pockets for easier and faster access
-Hidden HDPE insert with foam backer for extra comfort
-Updated frame, from steel to modern laser cut Tegris
-Repositioned bottom shoulder strap ring to the side for extra comfort
Packs go live on sotechtactical.commain page on 4/29 at 12pm PST.
Any plans for a new lightweight/jungle ruck?
The form factor is excellent, and it would be such a high utility product if slightly updated.
-fastex buckles
-small laser cut molle panels on sides and top instead of ALICE
Couldn’t agree more with the above suggestion of fastex buckles and molle instead of ALICEs. The form factor is fantastic. Perhaps add the option of drain holes for the pockets and main body.
I would also request that the female fastex buckle on the two external pockets be sewn in place as opposed to being left to flop around.
The usefulness and practicality of a ruck like this can’t be understated!
Yahoo/Nick,
I happen to like the retro aspect of this pack as is. However, I also know that Raptor Tactical already does a pack they call MARVN which has a similar profile but incorporates some of the modern features you both talk about. Might be worth checking out.
TLB
Another possible modification would be make a little longer shoulder straps
This backpack was designed for small users…. but so tech should understand that not all their buyers have that size.
the raptor tactical marvn backpack is a very interesting design but the price is very high, although sotech has also raised the price of this second series..
Terry,
Great suggestion! I wasn’t aware of the MARVN pack – definitely worth checking out, especially with the additional features that they appear to have incorporated in their version. It seems exceptionally well-designed.
I do agree with you, the retro aspect of the SOTECH offering is quite nice. It looks like they did a great job on it.
Interesting points we will consider. My intent was to build an homage piece to the original ALICE series, and encourage customers to modify theirs on their own the way we all modified our medium and large ALICE packs when we got them. We even looked at including a set of fastex mod straps separate in the package like the ones sold. Y Ranger Joe’s or US Cav back in the day.
Also, on these, we already added 3 inches to the shoulder straps. We also changed the angle of the bottom anchor point.
Thank you for the feedback. I value it and will consider it.
I was happily surprise when multiple ARSOF units placed orders. I thought I was a dinosaur for making these.
And as a teaser – anyone who has been to our office and seen the walls who I am a gear historian… so we MAY be pulling other historic packs down and sliding them into the design roster….
Thank you Jim. As you well know a lot of old designs are not bad, they just didn’t have these new-fangled materials to make them really shine. I look forward to your next updated piece of equipment.
Jim,
Thank you for showing us how this pack came to be, as well as your perspective on how this evolved and the subtle changes from the original. It’s comments and discussions like this that make SSD a really great site.
I agree with Mike that a lof of the old designs aren’t bad at all, and the revitalization of the designs with new materials, processes, and careful modifications to update them for modern-day use is something to eagerly look forward to.
SAS Recce vest please. I like this pack too. I agree a few updates may expand the market for it.