Tactical MOLLE packs

JavaHog said:
Don't need much more than this.

View attachment 467063


You can grab these Gen 2 Marpat 4500 ci ILBE's made by Arcyteryx pretty damn dirt cheap these days compared to just a few years a ago. Just do some homework and make sure they are complete with the lid, belt, etc. While you're at it grab the assault pack at 1500 CI. These are the real deal. Heavy but can take whatever you throw at them.
Click to expand...
I have that exact pack. That and the USGI molle II. Im looking for something smaller in the 2500-3000ci range. I want something i can molle my knife to and head out to scout deer for a few hours, or take with me on an over night.
 
I have a bunch of maxpedition and really like them. They're hard to beat for the money.

Another US manufacturer I like that is very high quality is http://www.goruck.com/en/rucksacks. They may not be exactly what you are looking for but they make quality gear.

.
 
A quick tidbit that you may not be considering... Most tactical packs are designed to be worn over body armor. Therefor they are not made with a lot of support or a frame and are also lacking ventilation. I like ATS, Tactical Tailor, Tactical Assault Gear (TAG), Specops Brand, and even the Camelbak Max Gear packs. I have a TAG, Specops Brand, ATS and Camelbak HAWG.

Arc'teryx, Kifaru , eberlestock and mystery ranch make really nice, high end stuff that has good support/frames and ventilation.

There are many really good pack makers out there, especially if you widen your search to include hiking packs
 
RussMo said:
5.11 Tactical RUSH 72 Backpack is what I use (Main Compartment Dimensions: 23.00" x 13.50" x 8.50" (2,639 cu.in.).
Click to expand...
I havent searched ALL the suggested packs, but I think I really like the Rush 72. Its easily a 3 day pack, but not too monsterous to be a day pack. It has molle everywhere, front, sides, bottom and even on the waist belt. I love the expandable pouch between the front pocket and main compartment. I can shove a small hiking tent or sleepimg bag in there without taking up pack space. The back has a hard plastic frame and an aluminum rod. The shoulder straps have more molle, (for a small busse of course) and the waist belt is stowable when not in use. Theres more internal dividers than i can count and even has velcro for moral patches... bonus! I dont know why I originally looked past it when i first went to 5.11s website. 1000d nylon and 2800ci. This pack is the front runner so far.
 
Last edited:
I've carried a few packs, from alice packs to the modern military versions. My favorite 3day is the camelbak Trizip, it has the mystery ranch suspension system. Which is a real plus for taller folks. Most 3 day packs the hip belt hits me in the short ribs instead of on my hips, neither useful nor comfortable. The trizip on the other hand the frame is adjustable to your torso length. That makes carrying it loaded or light a hundred times more comfortable. Try a few on and see where the belt hits you and see whats the most comfortable to you. Any of the brand mentioned above make tough great packs.
 
Plus one on the camelback tri zip. I love mine and the mystery ranch suspension system makes the pack VERY comfortable. I carry a ton of gear in mine and could. It be happier.
 
I have a Crossfire DG-3 on the way. Its a 75 ltr molle cross civilian style.

They come in Olive ,Tan & Australian Camo.
 
Does the DG3 use the Mystery Ranch harness ??? I know one of the Crossfire jobbies do.
 
cricketdave said:
I've carried a few packs, from alice packs to the modern military versions. My favorite 3day is the camelbak Trizip, it has the mystery ranch suspension system. Which is a real plus for taller folks. Most 3 day packs the hip belt hits me in the short ribs instead of on my hips, neither useful nor comfortable. The trizip on the other hand the frame is adjustable to your torso length. That makes carrying it loaded or light a hundred times more comfortable. Try a few on and see where the belt hits you and see whats the most comfortable to you. Any of the brand mentioned above make tough great packs.
Click to expand...

RWT said:
Plus one on the camelback tri zip. I love mine and the mystery ranch suspension system makes the pack VERY comfortable. I carry a ton of gear in mine and could. It be happier.
Click to expand...

Another +1 on the Tri Zip. The suspension system is extremely comfortable and the straps breath easy. You can have a lot of weight in it and still be pretty comfortable.

I got one several years ago and have never really needed another pack (not to say I haven't looked, but the Tri Zip is great)

A little heavy for what it is, but the comfort level is very nice.
 
RussMo said:
5.11 Tactical RUSH 72 Backpack is what I use (Main Compartment Dimensions: 23.00" x 13.50" x 8.50" (2,639 cu.in.).
Click to expand...

Another vote for the RUSH 72. I take it on the long work trips and it is more than enough bag for a 2-3 day trip. It can hold a VERY large amount of stuff so I'd recommend avoiding packing to its limits and sticking to whatever weight you're comfortable with. Add on a couple smaller bags for your med kit/sleep system (recommend Hennesy Hammocks) etc and you are good to go.
 
There is a lot of good advice here ... the most insightful comment is that Molle Packs are designed to be used with Military Equipment and often lack the weight distribution and torso adjustability of civilian counterparts. A 3 day pack is my most used format of pack and like many here I have lots of packs. If I were putting on a Kevlar vest under a military smock and using a webbing belt system over the smock for ammo, knife, water bottle and stainless mug, mini stove and rations and water purifier pump and lightweight down jacket and first aid kit ... the back kidney pouches are fairly full and the trick to carry comfort for the pack is to get the torso size right so the pack sits on the kidney pouches and the webbing belt used with a hippo pad can take the weight off the shoulders in the same fashion as a civi pack with a good hip belt. You don't really want a big padded belt on the pack as there is no room to use one and the frame of the pack matters little as the thickness of the Kevlar vest acts like padding and frame comfort cannot be felt in the same way as a civi system used with a tee-shirt.

The point being that what works well in a military "system" is not so good on a stand alone use of a pack where you are not using webbing and want a fully adjustable back system and good padded belt to assist in stability and weight distribution and ideally good back ventilation to stop sweat build up on your back.

I find that the best 3 day packs which are to be used as a stand alone pack are civi packs which are of the non molle type.

If you get a Molle pack suited for stand alone use it is not good for military use because the first requirement in a military role is that if you ditch your pack - you need to have a webbing system you can live off and continue to fight with - and ditching your pack is very likely necessary if you get into a contact and need to move fast and present as low a target profile when prone as possible.

So once you factor in the differences between the two systems - a good Molle stand alone pack is a bit of an unusual "spec" and unlikely to be an "issued" bit of kit ... like as not you will find more comfort and less weight and better torso adjustable systems on a civi pack.

For military use I use Arcteryx LEAF packs ... for civi use I go light-weight for a 3 day pack and use Osprey or Berghaus or OMM.
 
kdstrick said:
Another US manufacturer I like that is very high quality is http://www.goruck.com/en/rucksacks. They may not be exactly what you are looking for but they make quality gear.
Click to expand...

Highly recommend the GoRuck GR1 for what you're looking for. They carry weight better than the Kifaru Marauder & Mystery Ranch Assault that I tried. They are also extremely versatile...I use mine for Rucking, hunting, work (has laptop slot), and travel (it's a great carry-on). Lots of already included pockets / zipper sections for storage. Can't beat the Scars warranty either.
 
These days I mostly use my CamelBak BFM (mine is in black) and I really like it a lot.
It is extremely well designed and the actual construction is Top Notch.

cb60135_3.2.jpg
 
PeterPHWS said:
There is a lot of good advice here ... the most insightful comment is that Molle Packs are designed to be used with Military Equipment and often lack the weight distribution and torso adjustability of civilian counterparts. A 3 day pack is my most used format of pack and like many here I have lots of packs. If I were putting on a Kevlar vest under a military smock and using a webbing belt system over the smock for ammo, knife, water bottle and stainless mug, mini stove and rations and water purifier pump and lightweight down jacket and first aid kit ... the back kidney pouches are fairly full and the trick to carry comfort for the pack is to get the torso size right so the pack sits on the kidney pouches and the webbing belt used with a hippo pad can take the weight off the shoulders in the same fashion as a civi pack with a good hip belt. You don't really want a big padded belt on the pack as there is no room to use one and the frame of the pack matters little as the thickness of the Kevlar vest acts like padding and frame comfort cannot be felt in the same way as a civi system used with a tee-shirt.

The point being that what works well in a military "system" is not so good on a stand alone use of a pack where you are not using webbing and want a fully adjustable back system and good padded belt to assist in stability and weight distribution and ideally good back ventilation to stop sweat build up on your back.

I find that the best 3 day packs which are to be used as a stand alone pack are civi packs which are of the non molle type.

If you get a Molle pack suited for stand alone use it is not good for military use because the first requirement in a military role is that if you ditch your pack - you need to have a webbing system you can live off and continue to fight with - and ditching your pack is very likely necessary if you get into a contact and need to move fast and present as low a target profile when prone as possible.

So once you factor in the differences between the two systems - a good Molle stand alone pack is a bit of an unusual "spec" and unlikely to be an "issued" bit of kit ... like as not you will find more comfort and less weight and better torso adjustable systems on a civi pack.

For military use I use Arcteryx LEAF packs ... for civi use I go light-weight for a 3 day pack and use Osprey or Berghaus or OMM.
Click to expand...

Enter the Crossfire DG-3 Fully passed for service . http://crossfire.com.au/shop/dg3-long-range-pack/

http://packsandbeyond.com/2011/03/review-crossfire-dg-3/
 
The Crossfire pack is well thought through as a military or stand alone option but at 75 Litres it is a bit oversized for a 3 day pack ... the Arcteryx Khard 30L or Khard 45L is a better option size wise but is not a traditional Molle/PALS set up ... although internally it works great with velcro slot in mission/option internal pouches which can be chosen for specific needs ...

At present there is a move away from the Molle set up to a cleaner outside profile ... and this may account for a lot of good deals on Molle systems which are on sale ...

The current thinking is that a well set up 3 day pack enables you to retain an ability to go prone and still be able to shoot accurately and move through jungle, urban and vehicles/aircraft without hang ups or having to ditch key kit which caused a lot of problems from the Falklands through to the Gulf Wars when coming into a contact ... fast and light but well enough equipped for a Spartan long term existence if need be ... lol ... actually going back to how kit was carried in WWII ... which makes a lot of sense compared to carrying a 75L-80L house on your back which gave you more potential long term patrol time ... up until you had to fight whilst wearing it ... because when prone you were hardly able to raise your head or get up ... and ditching the Bergan would leave you vulnerable to hypothermia and lack of rations if you couldn't get back to it.

I really like the Arcteryx stuff ... from their waterproofs and combats through to their sacks ... it all performs well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top