Molle Packs vs sport/technical outdoor packs

J

jscalia

Joined
Dec 11, 2006
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126
I wanted to get some opinions on this. I recently bought a desert camo Camelbak HAWG Extreme backpack which I got because it is covered with Molle attachement points and works great to expand your carrying ability with a bunch of molle pouches. However, I have found that the HAWG attracts to much attention because of its military look. Its not something that I feel comfortable carrying around especially if not in the woods. So I have purchased a camelbak raza, which is blue, and generic looking, but technical enough to suit some of my needs. No molle pouches screaming "military".

What does everyone thing about Molle packs vs sport technical packs?
 
I'm never worried about carrying them here because so many people were camoflage here as a fashion statement even.:D :thumbup:

However the main disadvantage I have found with the military style packs is they are a good deal heavier.
 
I have both. I don't think people worry too much about the looks of Molle packs. Mine is OD, and not camo, never had a complaint about it.
 
That is something I do concern myself with from time to time depending on what environment I am working/traveling in. Generally, I try to avoid the MOLLE packs as much as possible, although I do have a lot of them, mostly issued. For deployments, I usually carry two - one that is non MOLLE for use on the plane and one that is MOLLE for use when I'm in uniform/out in the field. That being said, I try to avoid 511/Royal Robbins pants, OD/tan t-shirts, clothing that has any sort of unit/mil/govt. agency affiliation, etc. You'd be surprised how many people do the opposite. In fact, some people seem to WANT others to know they are somehow affiliated with the USG/DOD, sort of like off duty cops I see with agency T-shirts on.

The other reason why I'd prefer a non MOLLE pack is weight savings. Dude, those straps add a lot of extra weight! That being said, I love the Kifaru packs! Finally, most MOLLE packs are made of 1000 Cordura, which again adds to the weight. However, if you need to carry ammo, frags, mortars, mortar tubes, etc., a sport technical pack made of some lightweight nylon material just isn't going to cut it. Good luck.
 
About a month ago I bought a Camelbak BFM in foliage green. I am not a fan of wearing camo in most situations but I don't see the BFM in green as looking too sinister. I have used it on two Boy Scout events and haven't had any comments. In fact last Saturday I taught a class on uniforms and reminded everyone that BSA policy prohibits its members from looking like someone in the military. I don't think the green BFM with its molle webbing violates that policy. Time will tell.
 
I just recently acquired a MOLLE pack in the ACU pattern. I was going to get Coyote tan, but the wifey commented how she liked the look of the ACU. I plan on using the pack for extended day hikes/outings and lightweight/minimalist weekend camping trips. In between usages, I plan on stowing it in the car with a small complement of gear for impromtu adventures.

I originally wanted the coyote tan pack because I thought it would blend in everywhere better. But, ACU is all the rage these days, and I don't have anything in ACU, so I figured I'd try it. I won't hesitate to haul it along on public lands and what not. It isn't like I'll be decked out in camo clothing or anything. Plus, I see plenty of folks around here sportin' their RealTree camo shirts, or woodland BDU pants when camping and hiking. Meh, I'm not worried too much about what others think.

Jscalia, you have a nice pack there. I don't know where you are, and I feel bad for you if you feel the pack draws 'bad' attention to you. I think that is one of the best, most nuetral color choices you could have made. I wouldn't wory about it so much.

Perhaps I'll load my daily items into my ACU pack this week and bring it in to the office, just to see if anyone says anything. Hmmm...


Edit: I decided to try a MOLLE-type pack not so I could hang all sorts of pouches on it, but but so I can attach larger, bulkier gear to it easier than to a conventional backpack. Not that my Dana Bighorn doesn't have many attachment points, but the MOLLE pack has lots more = more options. The MOLLE sytem is pretty decent, and the loading options are limited to the user's imagination.
 
FYI, I used my Army digital pattern MOLLE pack to bring my lunch and other items in to work yesterday. Lots of people saw it as I came in and made my way up to my office. I was looking for some sort of reaction, but I saw nothing. I asked two people that visited my office during the course of the day if they felt threatened by the appearance of the pack. One guy looked at it and said, 'no,' and another said the grey pattern looked 'girly.' ???

Conclusion: The folks I work with, who are all great and fantastic folks, have no idea what is a 'tactical' or 'military.' Is the Army digital pattern still so new that people don't know what it is? IMO, the Army digital stands out waaay more that the 3-color desert of jscalia's HAWG.
 
What I like about the MOLLE packs vs, sport packs is the durability. They are heavier though. I also have a question for you guys, does anyone here know anything about Eberlestock packs? These bad boys (the military tactical gunslinger and phantom...

www.eberlestock.com/

Any problems with them? I am soncerned that the gun case part should be on the side rather than the back. The reason I feel it might be a problem is that most of the weight will be farther away from your body with this design, causing you to lean forward to support it. Any ideas?

Sorry if this hijacks your thread jscalia, but they are pretty nice looking packs!
 
I use an old ALICE pack that I bought after I got out. Yeah, it's a bit heavier but I really like the quick-release tabs and the pockets. Even after all I have in it it still only weighs around 40lbs as opposed to the 70+lbs I carried when I was active. Also if you pack it right it makes a great camp seat. It ain't no super-light, uber-pack, but it serves me well and it'll last FOREVER.
 
When I carried my HAWG with various molle pouches attached the other day to a Cub scout den meeting I was leading, I got lots of stares and comments...hey are you in the military...is that a army bag...etc....

In addition to the weight the military HAWG had real limitations on how much stuff you can put in it especially with the water bladder full.

Anyway, the new sports camelback is a lot more accepting of stuff, and conforms to the body alot better, and lighter. Plus the blue nylon color gets lets attention.
 
jscalia, perhaps it was what you had hanging on your HAWG that attracted attention, and not so much the pack itself. I do like the MOLLE concept, but rather use it to attach auxillary pouches, I primarily see using the webbing as lashing points for larger, bulkier gear like a tent, tarp, rain gear, sleeping gear, etc.

The pack I have is relatively new to me and it is my first piece of MOLLE gear. The first thing I did with it was load it up with a weekend's worth of camping crap. I made a point of lashing a tent and sleeping bag to the outside. I had plenty of room in the pack for my other stuff, so when I actually take it on a trip, that's probably how I'll set it up. The pack has one squarish exterior removable pouch on it, and I don't think I'll need to add anything more to it.

Sorry, I think I sort of got off onto a tangent there. The HAWG, while a great pack, isn't the biggest thing out there. It's size does limit what you can do comfortably. I have a first gen HAWG that is even smaller than yours. Mine is great for shorter day hikes, but that's about it.

The MOLLE system is fun and all, but if you are having to add a lot of stuff to your HAWG, maybe you should look at a larger pack. But don't be discouraged. As I said, the HAWG is a great pack and has it's niche of application. Camelbak does make larger military and sport packs if you'd like to stick with that brand. Also, there are oodles and gobs of other MOLLE and sport packs out there, too.


scpower said:
What I like about the MOLLE packs vs, sport packs is the durability. They are heavier though. I also have a question for you guys, does anyone here know anything about Eberlestock packs? These bad boys (the military tactical gunslinger and phantom...

www.eberlestock.com/

Any problems with them? I am soncerned that the gun case part should be on the side rather than the back. The reason I feel it might be a problem is that most of the weight will be farther away from your body with this design, causing you to lean forward to support it. Any ideas?
Click to expand...

Dang scpower, I've never heard of Eberlestock before, and I must say, they look like fantastic packs! the prices seem very reasonable, too! I don't think having the weapon sheathed between you and the main pack body is going to cause you to compensate for the shift in weight distribution much, if at all. It looks like the main pack will still ride pretty close to one's torso. Wow, those are nicelooking, well thought out designs! Thanks for the tip!
 
hikeeba said:
Dang scpower, I've never heard of Eberlestock before, and I must say, they look like fantastic packs! the prices seem very reasonable, too! I don't think having the weapon sheathed between you and the main pack body is going to cause you to compensate for the shift in weight distribution much, if at all. It looks like the main pack will still ride pretty close to one's torso. Wow, those are nicelooking, well thought out designs! Thanks for the tip!
Click to expand...

No problem hikeeba, I just found out about them the other day myself. I am really thinking of picking one up. The gunslinger looks like a really decent pack but I think the phantom has a few more feature that I like such as the full frontal opening.

What I really like of course is the ability to toss a rifle in the back and not stand out like a sore thumb. I know the "tail" section makes it seem obvious what is in there, so what I would do is toss a .22 in the pach with the tail folded up and the top raised when I am around people, and it shouldn't be too noticeable.

I also think tossing some take-down fishing rods in there is also a real good use of the space. I believe it will hold a couple of rods plus a rifle without any problems.

Let me know what you guys think, Phantom or Gunslinger???
http://www.eberlestock.com/Tactical Master.htm
 
Fed I too like the alice though I never had to carry in the military. CSM Gear makes some nice add ons to make carrying a bit easier. I have no direct experience with the pads but I have read good things about them.

http://www.csmgear.com/
 
If you worry about what others may think, you need to age a bit.
Eagle, Blackhawk and Spec-Ops are the brands I have and I feel no need to worry about it looking too military. It WORKS and that is all that matters.
 
Terrill that is BS. No, I don't need to grow up and no one here needs to hear such arrogant comments. The fact is every thing we do effects others. On your private land you can dress like the tooth fairy if you want to but on public lands and at events where one is part of a group discretion is the rule. If the gear doesn't fit the situation then changes may need to be made. In my case I reflect the values of scouting every day, not just when I am in uniform. If I were to show up at a scout event carrying a camo backpack, well that would be just plain stupid. It just means I'm looking for trouble because I know ahead of time there will be complaints. This "I don't care what others think" attitude displayed here at times is tough guy talk. It is why we need to have organizations like Leave No Trace to guide people in the propper way to act in the outdoors. The I don't care group cuts trees in parks for firewood, poops on the trail, and leaves their garbage for others to clean up. Outdoorsmen need a better attitude than "I don't care what others think."
 
I really don't understand what complaint anyone could possibly get from wearing camo. I am not trying to stir things up, I am really just curious, what do some of you think people will say? Where I live, Vancouver, B.C. camo and olice drab are in fashion so everyone wears it on the street. What is wrong with wearing it camping and hiking?
 
but what about the gerber pack?
I have one, attached my RAT-5 to it upside down and am waiting on more pouches,

I feel like I have a great product

here
 
Discretion is important. Here in this part of the US many areas are heavily used. If you stand out from the crowd in a bad way complaints will be filed. Camo itself is just cloth, like guns camo doesn't think and act on its own. But if you wear too much camo in say a National Forest the ranger is liable to here from people who don't like what they see. It is better to blend in and not have big brother looking over your shoulder. I spend a fair amount of time in the outdoors, sometimes driving forest roads. When I have seen a dozen 20year olds all wearing camo, driving camo painted trucks all covered with mud I always hope that other people don't see them. These guys haven't been treading lightly, they have been driving off the roads and probably leaving garbage where ever they have been. Worse they have shot up or torn down the National Forest signs. Sometimes camo just screams out asshole.

If in your area camo is ok then no problem. The clothing is durable and comfortable. When it comes to gear such as backpacks what you carry does make a statement. Just make sure is is the right staement.
 
Wald remember some tools are better suited for some jobs while others have a different role to fill. Judgement and discretion.
 
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