Camelbak was handing out these tan velcro-backed morale patches at AUSA and Modern Day Marine. The inscription exclaims, “Aquam Bibe aut Morere” Latin for Camelbak’s trademarked motto, “Hydrate or Die”.
Archive for the ‘Packs’ Category
Camelbak’s New Morale Patch
Sunday, October 12th, 2008Eagle Industries Assault Pack
Saturday, October 11th, 2008
Eagle Industries has been showing this assault pack at trade shows since SOF Week but they have been shy about releasing photos in order to foil counterfeiters. Designed at the request of a demanding user, early versions featured removable shoulder straps so that it could attach directly to a chest rig. Eagle has improved the design in order to offer comfortable, permanently affixed straps as well as retain the modularity of the design. Additionally, the large beavertail pocket is designed to hold a helmet with NODs mounted.
As you will see in the Military Times video below, the pack is laden with features. Eagle reps informed me that it will be available after SHOT show along with quite a few other surprises.
Camelbak Moves to 500D
Friday, October 10th, 2008Camelbak is switching their entire line to 500D Cordura from 1000D. This is a great move and will lighten the load with only a negligible compromise in durability. Not only that, but the 500D fabrics look “softer”. Unfortunately, some customers don’t get it and think that moving to 500D means a much lower level of durability. This isn’t the case at all. Equipment doesn’t all need to be manufactured from multiple layers of 1000D Cordura.
Load Bearing Armor from Archangel Armor and Mystery Ranch
Monday, October 6th, 2008
Newcomer to the armor game Archangel Armor has teamed with load bearing genius Mystery Ranch to produce what we consider the next evolutionary step in body armor design; Load Bearing Armor. Take a look at the photo above. Mystery Ranch has adapted their pack frame system to distribute the load across the shoulders and waist like a pack. Additionally, this design provides for better air circulation and helps to eliminate injuries from back face deformation. The design utilizes life support capable Cobra buckles to bear the weight of the armor and any plates or packs attached to the frame. They are currently working on a single pull cut away system that will activate all of the buckles simultaneously and will simplify reassembly to, in the words of developer, Paul Carter, “20 Seconds”.
You really have to see it to believe it and this video shot by Marine Corps Times at Modern Day Marine gives you a pretty good idea of the concept.
Photo and video from Marine Corps Times.
BattleLab Optics Bags with or without Laptop Insert
Sunday, September 28th, 2008Over the past few months we have published articles on equipment designed for reconnaissance and surveillance operations. This type of work generally requires quite a bit of communications and electronics that can be vulnerable to environmental conditions if not stored properly. Diamondback Tactical’s BattleLab division has a couple of pack inserts designed specifically for this mission set called the Optics Bag and it comes with or without a laptop insert. One is for optics only, the second for optics with the addition of a padded computer sleeve.
The Optics Bags are padded bags and constructed of 1000D nylon with YKK brand zippers. Modular in design, the user can configure the bag to fit his specific equipment such as laptops, night vision systems, telephoto lenses and cameras or optical recording devices. The lid features four zippered pockets including a utility pocket, a large mesh pocket for storing small objects and two clear plastic pouches for storing items that need extra protection. The Optics Bag is also available with an external padded computer sleeve on the lid.
Each insert is specifically designed to fit into a BattleLab SOF Assault Pack or the BattleLab Jumpable Backpack but can also be used as a stand alone bag. The insert features a grab handle to facilitate movement.
To order go to Diamondback Tactical.
Photo courtesy of Diamondback Tactical.
Gerber Graspâ„¢ now in AUSCAM
Monday, September 8th, 2008Available exclusively from Platypus Outdoors in Sydney Australia, the Gerber Grasp™ is finally available in AUSCAM. During development of the Grasp™, Gerber conducted a great deal of research asking military personnel what features they would like to see in a modular on-the-move drinking system. Armed with this information they developed the Grasp. A truly modular system, it includes: an Adjustable Load Deck (ALD) and two removable compartments, 150 oz. Grasp™ external fill reservoir, 2760 CI total cargo capacity, IR 1000D nylon Cordura® fabric, webbing, trims, antennae and communication cable ports, internal radio sling, MRE pockets, MOLLE webbing, ergonomic back padding and lumbar support, padded, adjustable, removable shoulder straps, removable waist belt, and spare field repairable buckle.
The Graspâ„¢ can be used in seven different configurations:
1. Reservoir Carrier without Shoulder Straps
2. Reservoir Carrier Closed
3. Reservoir Carrier Open
4. Reservoir Carrier + Large Gear Pack
5. Reservoir Carrier Closed + Small Gear Pack
6. Reservoir Carrier + Small Gear Pack + Waist Belt
7. Reservoir Carrier + Large Gear Pack + Small Gear Pack
The Graspâ„¢ is also available in Coyote, Black, and from other vendors in UCP.
To order contact Plat a tac.
Mystery Ranch Overkill NICE Frame
Monday, August 25th, 2008
Designed to haul extreme loads up to 200 lbs, the Overkill frame from Mystery Ranch was the next logical step in development of their NICE technology which was designed to carry loads of up to 120 lbs. Unfortunately, some career fields regularly find themselves carrying packs weighing in excess of 100 lbs and this is exactly the application that the Overkill frame was designed for; sustained heavy loads. So what makes the Overkill different than the standard NICE frame? It features the new Overkill Futura yoke that is two inches wider than the yoke on the NICE frame and it is also reinforced by an additional (two total) full-length aluminum stays for stability. Additionally, the Overkill incorporates MR’s 5 Segmented Lumbar Wrap which has a hard shell.
Naturally, adaptability is the key and the the Overkill frame can be used either in conjunction with a multitude of specialized pack bags (Mystery Ranch has five) or alone as a pack frame to move irregular loads.
A great accessory for any NICE frame is the Straps ‘N’ Flaps which is designed to mate an ALICE pack to the NICE frame.
The NICE and Overkill NICE frames are available in Coyote and Foliage.
For more information contact Mystery Ranch.
All photos property of Mystery Ranch.
Gregory SPEAR – Made in USA but Sold in Japan
Thursday, August 14th, 2008
Whodathunkit? Leave it to the guys at Gregory, the only company shaken loose when BAE purchased Armor Holdings to make some headway with what is essentially a repackaged military product. The Gregory SPEAR line is inspired by the same products that they offered to the military during the beginning of the SPEAR program. Its almost ironic. But after all, they did bring us the UM-21. Nothing screams SPEAR more than that. While everyone referred to the pack by its nickname, the Strapmaster 2000, in all fairness you can’t blame Gregory for the design. They built to spec and those packs are bomb-proof. The line has been around for about a year. The reason you haven’t seen it? Its only available in the far east market.
The entire line is made in the USA using American materials and its quality the Japanese are after. The new SPEAR line is made up of an assault backpack, helmet bag, shoulder-bag, waist-pack, duffle-bag, and several small pouches. Materials are 1000D Cordura in Foliage Green and MultiCam. The Black color is 1680D Ballistic.
To view the line you will need to visit Gregory’s Japanese web site but to actually purchase the line you will need to go to Japan. If you’d like to take a look at any of Gregory’s other products visit: Gregory Mountain Products.
