It’s true, one lucky winner is going to receive their very own Mystery Ranch pack in Coyote. We don’t know what to call it and that’s the catch. To win the pack, you have to name it. Visit here for pics as well as the rules. Good Luck!
Archive for the ‘Packs’ Category
Free Mystery Ranch Pack
Thursday, November 18th, 2010Blue Force Gear Unleashes New Site
Thursday, November 18th, 2010
Blue Force Gear has done a great job of updating their look and added a few new features as well including product videos featuring BFG spokesmodel Larry Vickers. BFG has developed several brands that we love including the Denied Area Pattern line of packs and accessories. If you’re not familiar go find out what you’ve been missing. And while you are there take advantage of free shipping from now until Christmas!
Expandable Backpacks
Wednesday, November 17th, 2010
Mission Workshop offers two expandable pack models; the large Vandal and its medium brother, the Rambler. While they aren’t a ‘tactical’ company, their internal framed packs are pretty cool. Touted as weatherproof they feature an expandable main cargo compartment that can be configured for use as either a “roll topâ€, or a traditional “flap down†opening. Made in America with a lifetime warranty, the bags are offered in a variety of colors including a ‘digi-cam’ that looks mysteriously like Woodland MARPAT.
Name That Mystery Ranch Pack
Monday, November 15th, 2010Mystery Ranch has asked us to sponsor a contest to name their newest pack. The pack is currently referred to internally as the “two zip” and while it does describe the pack well, we are pretty sure you guys can come up with something better.
We wanted you to get a good look at this pack. It is a lightweight, simple affair that you will want to toss over your shoulders and carry on to the objective. In fact, it is great for the “fight off your buddy’s back” concept as you can easily pull down on the handle and open the pack to access the interior. Additionally, its limited size means you won’t overload yourself and narrow profile won’t hangup on obstacles. Yet, it still features a frame sheet to keep its shape no matter what you stuff into it. This panel loader is accessed via two full-length #10 zippers and is secured at the top with a combination of velcro and a side release buckle. It can also be rolled before it is secured. The outside takes it easy on the PALS webbing so you won’t over do it. Conversely, the interior also features PALS webbing to make it easier to compartmentalize your kit in pouches. Naturally, like all Mystery Ranch packs, it is Berry Compliant and available in a variety of colors.
All contest entries have been received and a winner will be selected by Mystery Ranch who will win one of the packs in Coyote.
New Tactical Tailor Covert Carry Case
Monday, November 15th, 2010
Tactical Tailor has been quietly revamping their line over the last year and recently unveiled a slick new Covert Carry Bag. When you look at the exterior the radiused lines don’t give away the contents like so many ‘boxy’ bags do, which almost scream “gun!” Additionally, the two tone color scheme, despite being in what are traditionally, ‘tactical’ colors help to soften the image. The bag features wrap around handles so you won’t drop your bag and two exterior pockets as well as a clear ID pocket.
When zipped fully open the padded bag can be used as a shooting mat and integrates three fully adjustable weapon tie downs. Additionally, the center spine of the bag will accommodate a one piece cleaning rod. The mesh pocket is designed to accommodate manuals as well as items such as ear plugs. The two zippers in the interior are to access the foam padding. As you can see, the sample we examined fits a standard 16″ carbine fully assembled and it is our understanding Tactical Tailor will offer additional sizes. Constructed of 1000D Cordura nylon and padded with closed cell foam rubber, the Covert Carry Case we saw was two tone Coyote Brown and Black but look for additional color combinations when it is released.
Marines Looking for a Few Good ‘MOLLE-Type’ Packs
Friday, November 12th, 2010According to a Sources Sought Notice released in November, it appears as if the Marine Corps has decided on a way ahead for a replacement for the Improved Load Bearing Equipment (ILBE) pack.
From the Notice:
The Program Manager Individual Combat and Equipment (PM ICE), Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM), is seeking industry input that identifies potential sources and best practice information regarding the manufacturing of a government-designed USMC Pack System. The USMC Pack System is similar to the US Army’s MOLLE Large and Assault Packs. The resultant System must be Berry Amendment compliant and as well as be produced at a rate which will result in a total of 108,000 Systems being delivered within 12 months of contract awards. It is anticipated that production would be satisfied through multiple contract awards.
Ironically, Marine Corps dissatisfaction with MOLLE spawned the ILBE program in the first place. Based on commercial backpacking technology, ILBE was developed by Arc’teryx and manufactured under license by Propper. The system includes a large internal frame pack, assault pack, hydration system, and waterproof liners. Issues with the design began to arise after the Marines began to use body armor with integral rear plates as standard issue. The internal frame ILBE was not designed to accommodate the added bulk of the plates and the Marines chose not to undertake a Product Improvement Program. The Marines Corps has looked at dozens of designs over the last two years including a proposal called the ‘WELBE‘ that would have modified their existing packs to accept the Mystery Ranch NICE frame.
Over the summer they announced they were going to conduct a limited test of “five Government owned pack designs”. This is a natural step in the development of a new material solution to avoid starting a new program when there is already a product that satisfies the requirement. If this Sources Sought Notice is any indication, they found their solution with MOLLE, or at least something similar.
MOLLE Gets the Mystery Ranch Treatment
Tuesday, October 5th, 2010The issue MOLLE has been given a makeover by Mystery Ranch similar to the one afforded last year to the Marine Corps’ ILBE. The Mystery Ranch WELBE was unveiled at last year’s Modern Day Marine and is a program designed to adapt the ILBE to a more versatile carrying system; the NICE frame. At this year’s Modern Day Marine, Mystery Ranch showed us their latest adaption; the NICE MOLLE. They have mounted an issue MOLLE Large pack to a NICE frame. As you can see, the NICE frame is more armor friendly and can be used for a variety of other functions such as a pack board for outsized loads.
BFG Name That Pack Contest Winners Announced
Tuesday, October 5th, 2010Blue Force Gear is excited to announce the winning names for the “Name That Pack!†contest sponsored by Soldier Systems Daily a few weeks ago. There was an overwhelming response from the Soldier Systems Daily readership and it took them nearly a week to sort through all the names and decide on the winners. Blue Force Gear decided to go with the WWII Allied Operations theme that many suggested. The four winners will be notified via e-mail. Even if your name was not selected, Blue Force Gear would like to show their appreciation for your time by offering a one time 15% off purchase of any of their stock items. Please use the same e-mail address with which you submitted your pack name suggestions so that they can track those that participated.
Here are the winning names!
Overlord Pack (02) – Named for the World War II (6 June 1944) Allied cross-Channel invasion of northwest Europe.
Skye Pack (03) – Named for a deception plan carried out by the Allies during WWII, in which fake wireless traffic was created in order to give the appearance of units that threatened an invasion of Norway from Britain.
Vulcan Pack (04) – Named for the World War II (6 May 1943) final Allied offensive to clear Axis forces from Tunisia
Jedburgh Pack (05) – Named for Operation Jedburgh which was a clandestine operation during World War II, in which the British Special Operations Executive and the U.S. Office of Strategic Services joined with the Free French Bureau Central de Renseignements et d’Action (“Intelligence and operations central bureau”), and the Dutch and Belgian Armies to parachute into Nazi-occupied France, Holland, and Belgium to conduct sabotage and guerilla warfare, and to lead the local resistance forces in actions against the Germans.
