5.11 on the way

C

Charlie_K

Joined
Jul 16, 2012
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So after much thinking, and much talking about actually doing it, I finally pulled the trigger on a brand new 5.11 brand 72 hour backpack. The basic idea is for it to be a workpack for carrying the small odds and ends I need while on the job, with more compartments and pockets being ordered and applied as necessary.
 
The Rush 72 is a pretty large pack. I have the Rush 24 and find it is a great size for a general use, but maybe a tad large for some kind of EDC role. I placed an order for a Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon 2 yesterday and should receive it tomorrow.
 
I considered the Rush 24. Used a Fieldline Daypack as a base for going over everything that would be getting carried. Ultimately I determined that it simply wasn't big enough for what I needed, and how I would be using it.

The 72 might be on the large side. But it's easier to pack less in a large pack, than more in a small pack.
 
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Okay. So the bag arrived today and it's great. My torso is just the right length for the belt to rest on my hips/waist for proper weight distribution with heavier loads.

The only problem is the yolk straps are resting on the trapezius superior muscle area and it's uncomfortable even with the bag empty. I thought that was only a problem with people who had a thick neck, but I don't have that. Now I'm left wondering if this is because the 72 isn't properly fit to me and I need something else, or if it's simply because I haven't worn any sort of backpack before, and I'm not used to straps running across that area.

How long of a break in period should I give myself to become accustomed to the pack being there, before I write it off as a bad investment, and try a different option?
 
Everyone is built differently. This may be a problem of simply too narrow a strap. There are sheepskin pads for people who have the same problem with seatbelts. Try rolling up a small towel around the strap and see if you get any relief. If so, figure out a longterm pad based on that.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Everyone is built differently. This may be a problem of simply too narrow a strap. There are sheepskin pads for people who have the same problem with seatbelts. Try rolling up a small towel around the strap and see if you get any relief. If so, figure out a longterm pad based on that.
Click to expand...

That's good advice. The only problem is the 5.11 straps are 3" wide, so finding some proper padding it going to be difficult. So I've had to do something that's one part redneck, one part ingenuitive GI. I cut some 1" thick foam padding, and tacked it to the straps with some narrow duct tape straps where it sits on the shoulders. So far so good.
 
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