My large daypack/kit

[wildmanh]

A month or two ago you guys helped me out a bunch on deciding what to put in my day packs for regular and emergency use. Well I've finally come up with a list of things thats working for me and also got some pictures of most of it to share with you all. My day pack is always loaded with the items below, I just need to add stuff to it for the given activity.

Stuff I currently have packed:
2 Quarts Water: 2 Military Canteens
Cup: Canteen Cup
Flash Light: Inova X5
Head Lamp: Princton Tech Aurora - Tan
First Aid kit:
Band aids
Gauze
Sterile pads
Tape
Ibuprofen/Aspirin
Wet Wipes
Hand Sanitizer
Neosporin
Fire Kit:
Magnesium steel sticker
Matches
Candle
Bic Lighter
1/8oz lighter fluid
Wax soaked Lint
Vaseline Cotton balls in Blue Going Gear Battery capsule
Lint - Tin
Grass Tinder - Tin
Poncho: Green
Cordage: 50’ Para Cord - Tan
Stove/Fuel: Optimus Crux Lite/4oz canister
Utensils: LMF Spork - Green
Rag: Dish Towel
Toilet Paper: Small roll
Spare Batteries:
2-CR123A
3-AAA

And the stuff I still need to add/buy:
Compass:
Signaling mirror:
Liquid soap (nature safe): Dr. Bonners Magic Soaps
Note pad/pencil:
Water Purification tablets: Katadyn Micropur MP1
Sun Screen:
Whistle:
Space Blanket: Space Brand All weather blanket
Whistle:
Glow sticks:
Water Filter: Hiker/Hiker Pro

All of this fits nicely into a Condor Butt pack with Military Surplus web bed belt and Y-harness. The Flashlight and Seal Revolver hang off the shoulder straps and everything but the canteens and cup are in the butt pack. Rides comfortably on my hips and I hardly notice the weight. I added a spare Frog from an HI Khukuri in case I want to carry a large flashlight, hatchet/hawk or Khukuri. Here are the pictures:

Front of my LBE:

Back of LBE showing the Butt Pack:

Top pocket has the First aid (IHC first aid kit), Fire Kit (band-aid tin), Tinder (round tins), and Hand Sanitizer:

Everything laid out for all to see:

My Fire kit + extra tinder:

The large main pocket is empty and there is still plenty of room in the 3 side pockets for stuff. The bottom of the butt pack has tabs for strapping something to it like a sleeping bag, bed roll or pad. This might not be the ideal setup for some or most people, but I sure like it. If I need more room for things I can always add more pouches to the belt or throw a backpack on over the harness.

Am thinking of taking this setup with a bedroll and pad on an over night backpacking trip in the next few months. :thumbup: Hope you all enjoy the pictures and information. Let me know what you think. Thanks,

Heber

 

[jca21]

would love to see a picture of how that fits with you carrying it dude.

looks like an awesome setup and well thought out.

cheers

 

[kfranz]

Why do you have the knife on the suspender strap instead of the belt?

 

[wildmanh]

would love to see a picture of how that fits with you carrying it dude.

looks like an awesome setup and well thought out.

cheers

Thanks! I'll get some more pictures this afternoon.

Why do you have the knife on the suspender strap instead of the belt?

It's some times hard to wear a knife on your pants belt with the LBE so either I have to wear my Fixed blade on my LBE Belt or shoulder strap. I went with the shoulder strap because the belt loop on the Revolver's sheath does not work with belts as big as the LBE webbed belt. Plus I find it handy. Hope that helps,

Heber

 

[kfranz]

Thanks! I'll get some more pictures this afternoon.



It's some times hard to wear a knife on your pants belt with the LBE so either I have to wear my Fixed blade on my LBE Belt or shoulder strap. I went with the shoulder strap because the belt loop on the Revolver's sheath does not work with belts as big as the LBE webbed belt. Plus I find it handy. Hope that helps,

Heber

Gotcha. Hadn't considered the belt loop sizing.

 

[ROCK6]

I have the regular Crux and it's a great little stove. Your kit looks pretty thorough. About the only two items I would add would be a simple cravat/bandana...a lot of uses. Second would be aluminum foil for cooking in or making a small lid for your canteen cup.

Can't go wrong with that set up!

ROCK6

 

[TheGame]

Nice set up! Looks like you are good to go. Let us know how it works when you get out with it :thumbup:

 

[Hammer27]

I'd go with a stiffer or padded belt. I'm a fan of the Blackwater one. It's MOLLE compatible so it'll work with your ALICE gear with some thinking but it won't handle that canteen pouch with the super old school hooks. Blackhawk and TAG make a belt pad that'll work with that rig which seems to be your best bet.

 

[wildmanh]

Guys, thanks for the comments and compliments. I'm going camping Sunday and Monday with my family and will put the pack to use. I'll try to remember to let you know how that goes.

I'd go with a stiffer or padded belt. I'm a fan of the Blackwater one. It's MOLLE compatible so it'll work with your ALICE gear with some thinking but it won't handle that canteen pouch with the super old school hooks. Blackhawk and TAG make a belt pad that'll work with that rig which seems to be your best bet.

Been thinking of changing the belt and old canteen pouch out for a new one. Got any links to the belts you mentioned? Thanks!

Got my room mate to take some pictures of me wearing my LBE and here they are:

Thanks for looking,

Heber

 

[Munky88]

I like it alot. cheap setup too.

 

[jca21]

awesome dude, that rig looks like it'd be great for long treks. although, now that i've seen how the belt frog rides i'd probably ditch it and go for something else on a newer belt setup. just my observation. or atleast move it to the back, it looks like it could get in the way if you were trying to do some climbing or manuvering while leaning forward.

I like it alot. cheap setup too.

yeah it looks like the entire setup could be picked up at the local surplus store (poco military or westley's or gorilla) and its very functional.

 

[Munky88]

that condor stuff really is inexpencive. The buttpack is like 20, they have a stiffer belt for 10, that comes with mag pouches for beef jerky... Throw in a drop leg platform and the other hikers will disappear from fear in under a week.

how much was the harness?

 

[Cpl Punishment]

I love LBE gear rigs.

Just FYI, if you're going to carry weight with that a lot, check out these guys:
FMCO

8 point LBE harness:

A LOT more padding and far more stable than surplus Y-yokes, also more expensive.

Also, a pistol belt pad:

Also, if you run 550 cord through the eyelets on the belt, you can use it like belt keepers for stuff attached with MOLLE straps or ALICE clips.

 

[wildmanh]

I like it alot. cheap setup too.

Thanks, it was fun to setup and isn't to expencive.

awesome dude, that rig looks like it'd be great for long treks. although, now that i've seen how the belt frog rides i'd probably ditch it and go for something else on a newer belt setup. just my observation. or atleast move it to the back, it looks like it could get in the way if you were trying to do some climbing or manuvering while leaning forward.

yeah it looks like the entire setup could be picked up at the local surplus store (poco military or westley's or gorilla) and its very functional.

Worked great on my last hike which was about 4 miles and I'm sure it would work for longer ones too. Normally I have the frog behind my left hip but for the pictures I had it almost infront. I agree Hiking or climbing you definantly want it in back.

The whole setup can be picked up pretty inexpencively from a suplus store. I got the belt and canteen case on the left from an uncle that served in the 50's.

that condor stuff really is inexpencive. The buttpack is like 20, they have a stiffer belt for 10, that comes with mag pouches for beef jerky... Throw in a drop leg platform and the other hikers will disappear from fear in under a week.

how much was the harness?

My Buttpack was $20 to $25 and the Y-Harness was around $15. The Canteen, case and cup were around $8 each. So around $60 total for the gear. Everything was new except the belt and left canteen case/canteen.

I've been looking at drop leg rigs to carry my First aid kit, fire kit or other things in. Just have not spent the money yet.

I love LBE gear rigs.

Just FYI, if you're going to carry weight with that a lot, check out these guys:
FMCO

8 point LBE harness:

A LOT more padding and far more stable than surplus Y-yokes, also more expensive.

Also, a pistol belt pad:

Also, if you run 550 cord through the eyelets on the belt, you can use it like belt keepers for stuff attached with MOLLE straps or ALICE clips.

CPL, thanks for the information. I'll bookmark that site for futare reference/use. I have another kit, it has a Milsurplus modified 8 point H-harness (I removed the 4 extra straps) that I really like. Think it was $10 to $15. You are correct, it is more comfortable them my Y-harness even with only 4 straps. I've been thinking of getting one for this pack.

Using 550 cord for belt keepers is a good idea. I've been using old wire coat hangers and you gots to be carefull how you do it with those. The 550 cord would be much nicer I bet.

Will try to get pictures of my other kit up shortly.

Heber

 

[wildmanh]

As I said earlier, I have another kit thats almost the same as my Large day pack. It uses an old Military surplus Buttpack and H-harness, a new webbed belt, M16 mag pouch and 2 canteen cases. My poncho is in the M16 mag pouch and fits nicely. The first aid kit is in an older Camera bag I had laying around and my Princeton Tec head lamp is in the compass case. Everything else is in the buttpack. My flashlight is on the right shoulder strap and an empty Mag pouch is on the left, still don't know what I'll put in it yet. Here's a list of things in the kit:

Already have:

2 Quarts Water: 2 Military Canteens
Cup:
Flash Light: Coast V12 LED
Head Lamp: Princton Tech Aurora - Blue
First Aid kit:
Band aids
Gauze
Sterile pads
Tape
Ibuprofen/Aspirin
Wet Wipes
Hand Sanitizer
Neosporin
Fire Kit:
Magnesium steel sticker
Matches
Candle
Bic Lighter
1/8oz lighter fluid
Vaseline cotton balls
Poncho: Yellow/Black
Cordage: 50’ Para Cord - Tan
Compass: Brunton Type 7
Stove/Fuel: Esbit style/Tablets
Utensils: LMF Spork - Pink
Rag: Dish Towel
Toilet Paper: 1 roll
Food
Spare Batteries:
1-AA
3-AAA
Glow Sticks: 1


Need to Buy:

Signaling mirror:
Liquid soap (nature safe):
Note pad/pencil:
Dried food:
Water Purification tablets:
Sun Screen:
Whistle:
Glow sticks: 1

Here's some pictures of me wearing it:

This kit is a little more comfortable to wear then my large one partly do to the belt and my preference for the H-harness over the Y-harness. Though the Y-harness isn't bad, the H-Harness I like better.

Heber

 

[Fraser]

Nice set up. I see you included a candle and a dish towel. Good. I think they are overlooked sometimes.

May I suggest you add a pair of socks.

 

[mdauben]

May I suggest you add a pair of socks.

Something I always include in my daypack. Even on warm sunny days if your feet get wet in a stream crossing, its much nicer to be able to finish the hike with dry socks that to potentially have to walk several miles wearing wet, squishy socks!

 

[rroundy]

looking good brother Heber.

ryan

 

[sodak]

I always had problems with the Y suspenders not staying in place when I was in the Army. The front "buckle" would end up under my chest, and the buttpack under my butt. Does the H suspender pattern avoid that problem? It's really a shame with the Y's because I love the LBE design, but that makes it a pain for me to wear...

 

[wildmanh]

Nice set up. I see you included a candle and a dish towel. Good. I think they are overlooked sometimes.

May I suggest you add a pair of socks.

At least one extra pair of socks is a must for hikes. I rotate which pair I take depending on the weather, which water proof boots I'm wearing and my mood so I don't keep a pair stored on my packs. It's something thats always added before each trip just like my food supply is. But thanks for mentioning it. :thumbup:

I always had problems with the Y suspenders not staying in place when I was in the Army. The front "buckle" would end up under my chest, and the buttpack under my butt. Does the H suspender pattern avoid that problem? It's really a shame with the Y's because I love the LBE design, but that makes it a pain for me to wear...

When I first got the Y-harness is didn't work for me either. But after making sure the belt and harness were adjusted just right it seems to be behaving it's self better. Had to make sure that the back straps were shorter and the front straps a little longer. If they are the harness rubs me wrong and moves around more.

The H-Harness on my small pack is IMO more comfortable. Doesn't move as much and seems to sit better over all. Maybe you should try that one out? If your ever in Central Utah I'd be more then happy to let you try my H-harness out. I'm thinking I'll by another one to replace my Y-harness cause I like the H-harness better.

Heber