Blackhawk

A

acwire_2125

Joined
Mar 23, 2006
Messages
546
Helo guys!

I have seen this BlackHawk Tactical L.R.R.P. Butt Pack in my local store. I would like to ask, is this pack suitable for hiking and bashing into the jungles? Is it waterproof? Any one here has used it before, please kindly share your experience! Thanks!:p
 
Blackhawk gear is not considered the best by most hard users of tactical gear. Generally they prefer Eagle, and consider Kifaru to be about the best of the best.

If it is a butt pack you are looking for, the Kifaru tailgunner is well liked. Kifaru:
http://www.kifaru.net/MGhome.htm

Scott

P.S. You will need a dry bag if you want something waterproof in a jungle-type environment. However, a better solution is to use things that can remain functional while soaked. The Blackhawk gear I have is well coated, but is not intended to be waterproof. You could go through a brief downpour ok, but for "hiking and bashing," it will leak.
 
beezaur, you said it will leak. Wad does leak means? I saw the bag at my local store and it has drainage holes at the bottom of all the compartment. I think this featuer is great as it helps to drain water from the bag when it is wet. But then again, this only proves that the bag is not waterproof. Any idea how do coat it into water resistant/water proof?


P.S. As I stay in Singapore, the weather here is of the tropics. It rains quite often.
 
What I meant by "leak" is that, when the fabric gets wet on the outside, water soaks through the fabric. It will either soak through at stitching or where there is a worn spot in the fabric's coating, which is on the inside. Anything in the pack that touches the fabric will be touching wetness, and ends up getting wet too. If you are carrying something like clothes, they will start to get wet where they touch the pack fabric, and eventually will get soaked.

Some backpacks have waterproof covers which can be stretched over the pack for rainstorms. These are too weak for going through brush.

What I do is use a dry bag (the kind used for kayaking) inside my pack. I put things that must be kept dry (toilet paper, clothes, etc.) in the dry bag. You can use a plastic garbage sack too.

In my experience there is nothing that you can do to a pack to make it waterproof. Coated fabric works a little bit toward that end, but only when it is new. Even uncoated fabric isn't that bad, in all honesty.

Scott

P.S. The main point of the backpack covers seems to be to reduce weight. You are carrying a loaded pack and a wet cover, not a wet pack, which is much heavier.
 
Kifaru makes some pretty nice gear; two problems with the packs that I have seen so far: 1. They are heavy (BOMB-PROOF) compared to other packs and may not be what you're looking for if you're just hiking around. 2. They are relatively expensive. That being said, I own a Tailgunner and couldn't be happier with it. I like the fact that it is virtually indestructible and if I do happen to damage it somehow; it has a lifetime warranty. I appreciate that it's made in the US; in Wheatridge, CO to be exact which is just down the street from where I used to live. If price and weight are not a big concern, I'd definitely go with the Kifaru; the ergonomics are really very good and even with the Tailgunner pretty loaded for a day trip, it was pretty comfortable.

Mike
 
Blackhawk gear is not considered the best by most hard users of tactical gear. Generally they prefer Eagle, and consider Kifaru to be about the best of the best.
Click to expand...

Spec Ops makes some nice gear, especially for the price. I have a blackhawk regular buttpack and have never had any leaks or tears or rips. I haven't had any problem with their tactical nylon products. Their gloves, kneepads, etc are a different story. I have a marauder on order, but still the stuff seems priced pretty high. Really Spec-ops makes some durable pouches, london bridge is really good, eagle is probably on par with spec-ops and blackhawk and kifaru is the best.
 
Any specific products to recommend? I would really like to get a buttpack. I've read that many people here do consider the Kifaru's Tailgunner. The probem with me is that I do not live in the USA and Kifaru products are not sold in my country. Do they do international posting? If yes, how much does the tailgunner cost me? I heard the tailgunner II is better, and idea how it is better? I've also got another option, it's the Maxpedition Devildog Versipack. Wad do you guys think?

Thanks!
 
Go Kifaru for packs. Spec Ops or Eagle for other stuff. A lot of Blackhawk stuff is made in China now.

cliff
 
Everything is made in China now. Maxpedition is made in Taiwan.

Anyway, I thought one of the big beefs with Blackhawk was that it is made in Vietnam. Not ideal, but supporting Vietnam is better than supporting China, IMO. Supporting US-made Eagle or Kifaru is better yet. :)

Scott
 
I've got a few Blackhawk items and they're ok for the price. If I want extreme durability and quality, I stick with Eagle and Kifaru. I've got a Kifaru Marauder pack that's probably the best pack that I have ever or willever own. It's practically indestructible! I've got an Eagle 3-day pack I purchased over 15 years ago thats still in perfect working order. I can't say to much about Maxpediton as I just had a warranty issue with them and lost faith in their customer service. Goes to show you get what you pay for!

Steve

BTW, London Bridge Tactical Nylon has some good stuff also!
 
any idea wad's Eagle's website? I saw those that are Maxpedition. They don't seem to be as good in material as Blackhawk. Any comments?
 
've got a Kifaru Marauder pack that's probably the best pack that I have ever or willever own. It's practically indestructible!
Click to expand...

Glad to hear I have one on order with an E&E coming. I've always had good luck with blackhawks material it's real durable, it's the stitching that seems suspect. IMHO the kifaru tailgunner seems way overpriced especially relative to their other gear.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top