GORE-TEX Professional

Archive for the ‘Packs’ Category

Grey Ghost Gear – Grif Pack

Monday, November 3rd, 2014

Grif Pack 1

The Griff Pack is a rugged, versatile pack inspired by its namesake, an NCO and friend of GGG who was killed in Tal Afar, Iraq in 2005.

The Griff Pack features plenty of storage space throughout. The top front of the pack has a zippered, cloth-lined compartment for small, scratch prone items. The front pocket has administrative storage, a key hook, and loop panel for attaching hook-backed pouches, and elastic loops for pistol and SMG magazines.

The middle compartment folds open in a clamshell fashion, and is covered in loop panel for the attachment of hook-backed pouches and organizers. Is is perfect for carrying books, a change of clothes, or a day’s rations.

The back compartment features a padded laptop sleeve which can accommodate any laptop up to 17 inches. A field of loop opposite the laptop sleeve can accommodate a hook-backed holster or pouches. Each side of this compartment has pass-through doors which allow the user to access and draw a handgun while wearing the pack on their back. The back compartment also has a zippered pocket for additional storage.

The back panel features air mesh for comfort and breathability, as does the wide shoulder straps.

A 3×5 loop panel is on the front of the pack for patches and name tags.

Grif Pack 2

Available in Grey.

www.greyghostgear.com/product-p/6022.htm

Tactical Tailor – Concealed Carry Messenger Bag

Friday, October 24th, 2014

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Constructed from 500D Cordura Nylon, the Concealed Carry Messenger Bag features Hypalon accents, as well as airmesh lining on the bag and shoulder pad.

An accessory pouch and removable holster come standard with the Messenger Bag. Three internal compartments are lined with loop material so that users can rearrange the accessory pouch and holster to their preference, as well as further customize the bag with hook pouches and other accessories.

Available in all Black, or Black with Charcoal, Typhon, Ranger Green, or Wolf Grey accents.

www.tacticaltailor.com/concealedcarrymessengerbag.aspx

FirstSpear Friday Focus – Mk 32 Punisher Pack

Friday, October 24th, 2014

This week’s Friday Focus looks at a very specialized product from FirstSpear, the Punisher Pack. Designed to carry the 40mm Mk 32 MGL issued to the Marines and SOCOM.

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As you can see, in addition to the 6/12 platform technology, you can carry a rifle or shotgun down the side of the pack. FirstSpear makes a 6/12 SixPack 40mm grenade holder that will keep you covered for reloads.

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Available in Black, Coyote, Ranger Green and MultiCam.

Punisher Pack

www.first-spear.com

Gear History – The Becker Patrol Pack

Monday, October 20th, 2014

In this video, knife designer Ethan Becker describes another piece of kit he came up with, the Backer Patrol Pack.

Back in the day, the Becker Patrol Pack was the pack to have for short duration missions. Designed originally to be compatible with ALICE Slide Fasteners, it features strips of webbing to attach pouches. Additionally, there are six fixed external pouches closed via 1″ SR buckles.

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The design also incorporates Coolmax padding in the back and shoulders for comfort in hot weather. You’ve got to remember, folks weren’t wearing armor all of the time. The shoulder straps also feature suede patches to offer purchase when shouldering a weapon. Like the ALICE pack, the top flap incorporates an internal pocket for maps or other items. Finally, the waist belt is removable and can be worn as a stand alone war belt.

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Eventually, Eagle Industries would introduce a Large version of the BPP (above) with increased volume up around the Large ALICE as well as a MOLLE variant (below) that replaces the outer, fixed pockets and ALICE webbing with PALS.

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OFFPISTE: The ‘UltraPack’ That Moves With You On Kickstarter

Tuesday, October 14th, 2014

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OFFPISTE is currently seeking funding for an UltraPack currently up on KickStarter. Capable of holding 7 liters + 3 extendable liters, this UltraPack is highly versatile and designed for use with all levels of physical activity.

The triangular shape of the UltraPack and the high degree of modularity makes it a great option for hiking, running, kayaking, or general use. Its shape allows for complete freedom of movement in the chest and shoulders while still allowing easy access to any internal items. It’s also adjustable to be worn on either shoulder by adjusting the main strap to either side.

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OFFPISTE has developed multiple modules for the pack such as the LightPack Modular Pouch, a hydration system water bladder, camera pouch, water bottle wrap holder, and more. They will also be offering the finalized UltraPack in multiple colors.

www.kickstarter.com/projects/1987945596/offpiste-the-revolutionary-ultrapack-for-your-adve

This Pack Found At Walmart Looks Very Familiar

Wednesday, October 1st, 2014

We received a message Friday about a new line of tactical at gear at Walmart. The SOG line appears to be from SOG Specialty Knives & Tools but they aren’t available through their website, only through Walmart. Although there are numerous clones in the line, we decided to concentrate on the SOG Squadron Pack which bears a striking resemblance to the 5.11 Tactical Rush 24 backpack.

SOG Squadron Pack

Essentially, both are about the same size and serve the same purpose as backpacks but we don’t believe that the 5.11 Tactical product is patented. Instead, we see something amiss that is going to start showing up a lot; Trade Dress. For those unfamiliar with the term, it’s a form of intellectual property. Trade dress is a legal term of art that generally refers to characteristics of the visual appearance of a product or its packaging that signify the source of the product to consumers.

Pack Comparison

As you can see, aside from the overall look of the packs, there are several features in particular that are the same. What remains to be seen is if 5.11 Tactical has noticed (we are pretty sure they will after this story) and what, if anything they might do about it.

US Army Developed Ironman Ammo Pack Costs More Than Commercial Version It Emulates

Sunday, September 21st, 2014

A little over three years ago the US Army told us about this great new high capacity ammunition carriage system that they had developed for the M240 Machine Gun. It was so awesome they even gave it a cool name. The ‘IronMan’ was created by Natick’s Quick Reaction Cell and the Rapid Equipping Force after a Soldier identified the need for a means to carry and feed up to 500 rounds of linked 7.62. We literally thought this was a one off kind of a thing to support the 34th ID and that would be the end of it.

Interestingly, the Army spent a lot of time (initial prototypes in 45 days with an operational assessment almost two years later) and money to develop these things before they finally purchased a bunch of them. When we first wrote about it in July of 2011, we noted the conceptual similarity to the existing TYR Tactical MICO. The MICO Machine Gunners Assault Pack was created first, on TYR’s dime, and chances are really good that some enterprising GI saw the MICO and wanted one. Instead, he got the IronMan.

Above is the Army’s IronMan and below the TYR Tactical MICO. They are definitely different executions of the same concept.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, it’s been done before. There’s no question, the concept isn’t new. Below you can see a ‘China Lake’ pack system built for the SEALs and used with the M60.

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The difference here is that the government designed something that was already commercially available and incurred greater costs than the commercial model’s. Even worse, we hear reports that the issue models have trouble feeding and that units have been buying the MICO from TYR Tactical as replacements. That’s paying twice for the same capability.

In the time it took the Army to finalize and test their design, TYR Tactical has continued to develop the MICO, not only ensuring it will work with both the M240 and Mk48 but also introducing adapters for the M249 and Mk46 5.56mm weapons. They’ve also developed a tripod carrier accessory for the pack.

If any SSD readers have experience with the IronMan (or the MICO for that matter), please share it in the comments section. We are hearing that most are out of service for various issues.

From here on out, we’ll just refer to it as ‘IronyMan”. When all is said and done, the Army takes years to field a system that already exists commercially and pays more to do it. Sound familiar?

Beyond Clothing – Burrito Rolling

Friday, August 29th, 2014

Beyond Clothing made up this informative video on Burrito Rolling, also known as Ranger Rolling. Burrito Rolling is a space saving packing technique that makes it easier to dig through a pack without making a cluttered mess of the contents, while allowing for packing more items or using a smaller pack. Definitely worth a look.

www.beyondclothing.com