Reconfigured Winter Day Hiking Kit

I sold my other Kifaru gear except the TG1. It's such a versatile design imo. I don't have the shoulder straps for mine, only the omni belt. For winter i find it hard to fit my bulky Filson double mackinaw cruiser. It is hard to cinch down correctly so i only use it in the warmer months unfortunately.
 
What shoulder straps are you using on the butt pack?

I have a butt pack I like but would prefer to use shoulder straps with it some times. I bought a military surplus "Y" type shoulder strap, but it's too short to work with my Maxpedition Devil Dog.

Anyone have any suggestions for a "Y" or "H" shoulder strap set that is long enough to hang a butt pack on a tall person?

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
guessing he is using the shoulder straps from Kifaru, they may work w/ other packs (might take a little configuring though)
 
Nice kit, I like how you have that Tailgunner configured, and the kit looks good too. I like that short guyot. I might toss in a few Katadyn micropur tabs since they take up little room.


foxyrick said:
Very nice rig indeed - I like it! It's like an upmarket version of mine, based around a Maxpedition sabercat + pouches and spec ops shoulder straps.
Click to expand...

I like the sabercat too. Looks like it comes with pouches that have to be added to the Tailgunner.
 
desmobob said:
...I have a butt pack I like but would prefer to use shoulder straps with it some times. I bought a military surplus "Y" type shoulder strap, but it's too short to work with my Maxpedition Devil Dog.
Click to expand...

It's simple to do. I have a pair of GP straps hooked up on my Devil Dog and they work out pretty well. Criss-cross them behind your back.







For a while I used a short "Y" connector made out of 550 cord, in order to raise the attachment point of the straps higher up my back. It helped keep them from sliding off my shoulders as I moved around. If that interests you, I can make it up again and post a pic.
 
Great work Blue Sky. They look very functional. I do use the shoulder straps made my Kifaru and I don't know how well they would work with other company's gear.
 
Blue Sky said:
It's simple to do. I have a pair of GP straps hooked up on my Devil Dog and they work out pretty well. Criss-cross them behind your back.

For a while I used a short "Y" connector made out of 550 cord, in order to raise the attachment point of the straps higher up my back. It helped keep them from sliding off my shoulders as I moved around. If that interests you, I can make it up again and post a pic.
Click to expand...


Blue Sky,

Thanks for the photos.

I was hoping for something ready-made, and more importantly, quick/easy to attach and remove. My DevilDog came with a single shoulder strap... after seeing your photos I realize I just need to order a second strap from Maxpedition (I hope they still have some) to make the set-up you have.

Thanks again,
desmobob
 
You're welcome, glad they helped. I went through a number of iterations before reaching this point, it's a lot simpler rig than when I started.

You can also slip a pair of D-rings on the compression straps and slide them along the bottom to the rear and attach the straps there instead of the belt. It's a little harder to take the bag on and off that way and tends to put some stress on the compression strap seams, but it also works. Something you may want to try, you may prefer it that way.
 
Would u mind posting some pics of ur trek light. Id like to c what it looks like packed up?
Thanks
 
As for suggestions, I too carry a bivvy in my winter survival kit. You are going to want that if you get caught out there over night. Also a dry set of base layer clothes (mine is REI brand and it works well and is fast drying) would be great to have, although when I was hunting in sub 5-degree temps this december, I just took some dry socks and a facemask.

I also found that a scarf is one of the best heat-conserving devices.

One thing not in your kit that I like to have is one of the small tins of the thermo ointment that you can put on your nose or what not to guard against the frigid wind and air. Very light and compact. It isn't going to save your life, but saving the tip of my nose and ears from frostbite is good enough for me.

Also, I am big on detection and signaling in any survival kit. That, along with first aid, is probably the area where I find myself placing more emphasis than most people. An orange smoke flare (day) and emergency strobe (night) are important parts of my kit.

Another thing hit me on my first day out in the snow when the sun was going down quick and I was somewhat lost and was contemplating the possibility of having to spend the night in probably -10 or -20 degrees ... I had seen there was some sort of rickety shelter where I would have probably gone if I had to spend the night. It was tucked away deep in the woods, as most places are going to be if you are looking for cover from the wind. That means you are going to be pretty hidden away.

Anyway, always good to have some bright orange construction type ribbons to tie to branches or what not for the people who are looking for you. With a marker, you can write a message about where you went on each one. I think Cody Lundin recommends this supply as well. An idea hit me today though--I am going to try to find some reflective ribbons that will show up in a search party's flashlights if it is at night.
 
Good point on the scarf. A lot of collars are neither tall nor snug enough. It can also protect a person's face if they don't carry something specifically for that.

I too carry a small flare and smoke signal. Very light. I must admit I haven't been carrying the signal flasher because it is somewhat heavier.

DancesWithKnives
 
I made some adjustments after my first day hunting--added the scarf and also some of the very small, thin black gloves under my other gloves. I had collars, but the scarf did wonders to keep the heat from escaping out of the top of my coat. Much better than the collars. Made all of the layers over my upper body much more effective. And it can be slid up over the face/ears (and easily slid down when I wanted to listen for deer).

The layering of the gloves also worked very well to keep my hands warm yet I still had a lot of dexterity. I think some gloves are very important to bring both because they can guard against frostbite, but perhaps more imporantly, your hands (along with your brain) are two things that you need when you are in a bad situation, and hard to build fire, shelter, etc. if they are frozen.
 
Great point on the scarf. I typically use a fleece neck guard that can then be pulled up over the nose and mouth. Very effective.

I'm going to reconsider the signaling ideas as well. I could beef up that part of my kit.

I usually use a pair of mitten/gloves, where the top mitten folds over to expose half-finger gloves. Given the weather in my primary hiking area, these style of gloves are very good for both warmth and dexterity.

Thanks for the continued recommendations.
 
I also like those so-called "glomitts". Not too difficult to get your trigger finger out when hunting in very cold conditions.

DancesWithKnives
 
Forgive me if it's already been mentioned, but in that hammock, I would prefer to talk along a pad to sleep on. Get's chilly swinging along....
 
i dont want to steal the thread but i love this type of setup but my wife would have me banished to the forrest if i dropped that type of cash on it so my question would be what other brands offer a similar product?
 
I agree with the fear of how much it costs, but I should mention that this whole kit took (literally) three years to complete. I just picked up pieces when I was able, put more on my Christmas/birthday lists, but the investment was worth it.
 
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thanks for the tip on the older kifaru stuff thats a bit more reasonable to my budget, id really like try out a kit like this for the winter cause as much as i like my versipack it just doesnt make the cut for backcountry snowshoeing in my neck of the woods but i find a backpack a bit too much (and sweaty) for day trips

i like your sabercat setup as well foxyrick i may do some more looking into something along those lines
 
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