Ok, so I was all set to buy the cheap MOLLE deployment bag from CTD when a good price on a Proteus was found on Ebay. I pulled the trigger, and after about a week here are my impressions.
The bag is small, smaller than most lumbar type packs that you can purchase at most outdoor stores. That being said, this pack is just the right size for the essentials, and I have tried several load outs.
Trial 1 - Short hike with the dog. The I loaded the Proteus with my basic survial items, things I try to have every day and on every hike. The main pocket took the Adventure Medical kit (with a few added extras) and a Colemans disposable rain poncho. Front pocket took a Kershaw Chive, Silva Compas, Waterproof Matches, Doan Firestarter, and a Doug Ritter Pocket Survival Kit. Left side pocket held my Leatherman Charge ALX, and the right side held a small role of duct tape and a Streamlight 1L Twin Task. Outside of the right side pocket I clipped my mini griptilian, and put one pen in the pencil holder. Bag was carried as a waistpack, was very comfortable for the 1.5 hour hike - fits close to the body, and the buckle and straps did not loosen.
Trial 2 - Bag was used with carry handle and thrown in car on long car type errand. I know this is not as exciting, but the loadout was different. I was running and errand that required I not carry certain items on my belt. All gear was the same as above with the addition of 2 Sig 229 9mm magazines, 2 HKS 36A Speed Loaders, and my Palm Treo. I carried it by its handle, instead of as a waist pack. All the items fit in easily, and in such a configuration as I could get to them easily without pushing things out of the way here and there. I could tuck it behind the seat in the car or in the foot well of the passenger seat.
By no means is this an exhaustive trial, but I was surprised given the small relative size, that I was able to fit all my essentials and then some in the small and handy package. I plan on expanding it using the MOLLE system, and I have some ideas for what I am going to add. Hopefully I will hit a more friendly trail and attach either my Nimravus or Rat 3 to the outside for easy access, but for now it carries everything I really need. My only concerns are that it seems well balanced the way it is now, and you could go crazy strapping things to the outside. I figure a flat expansion pocket on the front, and a bottle holder and corresponding pouch on the opposite side to balance out. The bottle holder might end up on the belt portion though, which is another obvious option.
Well thats my semi-quick review. I will add something more thorough as it progresses.
The bag is small, smaller than most lumbar type packs that you can purchase at most outdoor stores. That being said, this pack is just the right size for the essentials, and I have tried several load outs.
Trial 1 - Short hike with the dog. The I loaded the Proteus with my basic survial items, things I try to have every day and on every hike. The main pocket took the Adventure Medical kit (with a few added extras) and a Colemans disposable rain poncho. Front pocket took a Kershaw Chive, Silva Compas, Waterproof Matches, Doan Firestarter, and a Doug Ritter Pocket Survival Kit. Left side pocket held my Leatherman Charge ALX, and the right side held a small role of duct tape and a Streamlight 1L Twin Task. Outside of the right side pocket I clipped my mini griptilian, and put one pen in the pencil holder. Bag was carried as a waistpack, was very comfortable for the 1.5 hour hike - fits close to the body, and the buckle and straps did not loosen.
Trial 2 - Bag was used with carry handle and thrown in car on long car type errand. I know this is not as exciting, but the loadout was different. I was running and errand that required I not carry certain items on my belt. All gear was the same as above with the addition of 2 Sig 229 9mm magazines, 2 HKS 36A Speed Loaders, and my Palm Treo. I carried it by its handle, instead of as a waist pack. All the items fit in easily, and in such a configuration as I could get to them easily without pushing things out of the way here and there. I could tuck it behind the seat in the car or in the foot well of the passenger seat.
By no means is this an exhaustive trial, but I was surprised given the small relative size, that I was able to fit all my essentials and then some in the small and handy package. I plan on expanding it using the MOLLE system, and I have some ideas for what I am going to add. Hopefully I will hit a more friendly trail and attach either my Nimravus or Rat 3 to the outside for easy access, but for now it carries everything I really need. My only concerns are that it seems well balanced the way it is now, and you could go crazy strapping things to the outside. I figure a flat expansion pocket on the front, and a bottle holder and corresponding pouch on the opposite side to balance out. The bottle holder might end up on the belt portion though, which is another obvious option.
Well thats my semi-quick review. I will add something more thorough as it progresses.
