Mystery Ranch first mentioned their new spadelock technology around SHOT Show and now it’s available. The Spadelock system is modular in nature and accommodates a variety of accessories such as an MR laptop sleeve or a military radio. They fit inside the bag against the body panel for protection and quick access.
These 3 Day Assault Packs integrate the Bolstered Ventilation Stability System for use with body armor and are available in Coyote and Foliage.
Kifaru Tactical was launched in June of 2002. We’ve known them this whole time and they’ve been a great supporter of SSD.
Here is a excerpt of a thread on their message board by Mel of Kifaru Tactical –
“Here’s a little trip down memory lane for you guys that might not know the story of how Kifaru Tactical came to be. I contacted Patrick in Nov 2001 in my search for an American made military pack with mountaineering grade suspension, and asked if they had ever thought about entering that market. I had done my research and was familiar with Patrick’s reputation from Mountainsmith and really liked what he was doing with Kifaru. Also, I believed in his suspension philosophy of thinner and drapier shoulder straps and waistbelts. In our e-mail exchanges Patrick showed interest in possibly starting a military division at Kifaru. We decided to meet at a hunting show in Reno in Jan 2002. I was pretty familiar with the Kifaru line and offered to help in their booth while out there. We hit it right off when we met, sharing a lot of the same interests and outlook on life in general, as we grew up in the same era. Patrick made the decision to start a military division at this time, and gave it a 110% effort right out of the gate. After working the booth during the day, we headed up to the hotel room in the evening and started work on designs for the new military packs, which initially were the EMR and Scout. Actually, that is where the Dock n Lock system was born, along with the Piggyback Wrap Kit. We worked on this all three nights and a few weeks later, my wife and I drove out to the shop in Colorado and spent a week there working day and night on the new designs with Patrick and crew. From Jan 2002 to June 2002, Patrick, the Kifaru crew, and myself worked tirelessly on the soon to be Kifaru Military Gear division (in later years changed to Kifaru Tactical). The launch was in Jun 2002 on the website and message board, and the rest is history.”
I remember when Mel called me and told me he had contacted Patrick. I too had been a Mountainsmith fan and when Mel told me about Kifaru I was pretty stocked. I’m glad he is such a great salesman in convincing Patrick Smith to launch a tactical line. We’re all the better for it.
Long before there was a Mystery Ranch or even a Dana Designs, there was Kletterwerks. Although short lived, it was Dana Gleason’s first pack company. And now, it’s back. At least, after a fashion. Kletterwerks is the baby of the Dana Gleason III, better known as D3. It’s envisioned as an update to the original line but from a lifestyle angle rather than hardcore outdoor. The initial run, already sold out, will premiere in Japan. We can’t wait to see what they’ve cooked up.
Follow them on Facebook to keep abreast of their latest updates.
Designed utilizing the personal combat experience of the founders of Ares Armor, they have developed the Combat XII Medical pack to meet the needs of medics out in the field who need an organized bag that offers increased mobility during a firefight. The pack is manufactured with 1000D Cordura Nylon and is Made in the USA.
The Combat XII Medical Pack’s main compartment zips down on each side to flip open for easy access to all supplies. The internal walls are lined with loop lined webbing that can be used to integrate hook backed or MOLLE compatible pouches. The medic pack comes complete with two 12-inch and two 9-inch pouches with hook backing and full length zippers for organization of individual equipment or addition supplies.
The pack also includes five individual hook attached loops to hold tourniquets, trauma shears, compression bandages, etc., as well as one multi-loop to insert needles and catheters, which includes a threader to integrate the loops. The main compartment also integrates a hydration carrier that can port out the top of the pack through each side of the drag handle.
Much like the original Combat XII Pack, the new Medical pack has two built in external pouches. One small general purpose pouch for a cricothyrotomy and surgical kits as well as airway adjuncts. The medium sized pouch has a dedicated chest seal pouch and integrates a Velcro loop lined webbing to add more organizational pouches. It too flips open for easy access when on the ground. Both of these pouches webbing on the outside for additional MOLLE compatible pouches, sheaths, etc.
A top magazine mount is also present on this pack which can fit three magazines in each of the three sections. Each section of the top mount can also carry a 500 ML IV bag, gauze, quick clot, or other quick access supplies. They have added a flap to each section which help block out UV rays and secure the contents. The outside of the mount is lined with Velcro loop to secure the flaps and add any patches.
The pack can be worn with the shoulder straps that it comes with or can be directly attached to any armor carriers with the MOLLE webbing on the back face. The Combat XII Medical Pack is now available for order at PredatorARMAMENT.com and is offered in A-TACS AU or FG, MultiCam, Black, Coyote, and OD Green. They also have a few packs in A-TACS AU and Coyote for first comers with the full production run for all colors available at the end this month.
The Hill People Gear Runners Harness is now available for purchase. Coupled with a Tarahumara pack and any kit bag, you get a solid, all around day pack. HPG created the system to get your pistol, possibles, and day pack items all in one comfortable package.
Now through June 30th, Chrome honors US Military personnel by inviting Veterans and their families to bring their military duffles or fatigues to one of Chrome’s four HUB locations in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, and Portland. Chrome bag makers will use this material to create a Custom Citizen Messenger bag for the cost of a regular Citizen Messenger bag.
This Custom Salvage Citizen was built last year for Army Veteran Jared Morford of Watertown, South Dakota from the duffle he carried to Iraq.
Hit up a HUB near you for more information:
San Francisco at SFHUB@chromebags.com
Portland at PDXHUB@chromebags.com
Chicago at CHIHUB@chromebags.com
New York City at NYCHUB@chromebags.com
www.chromebagsstore.com/customsalvage
TYR Tactical has added 6 new Zip On Back Panels to their website. These are designed to work with the PICO plate carrier but due to the design, you can adapt them to most armor carriers. The adapters just MOLLE into place on the rear of the carrier.
Options include a beaver tail model, PALS models with hydration pockets and admin variants with hydration pockets.
Manufactured from PV, they are available in MultiCam, Coyote, Ranger Green and Black.
www.tyrtactical.com/products/list/accessories-PICO/pico-and-pico-mv-main/
One of our astute readers ran across this Russian video of the Chechen War featuring a Soldier firing a PKM machine gun fed from a backpack. The scene depicted above is at 1:13 on this song video from the move, “Specnaz.”
Thank you LF.
