Tactical Pack Advice

[Hellfish]

So I've decided to do the Para 10 Tab next year and am eyeing up kit.

Already got some boots (Altberg Sneekers) and am now looking at load carrying.

As well as training, I'll also be using the pack as my EDC for commuting to work, so am looking at the higher end kit on the market.

Been looking at either the 5:11 Rush 12 or the Wisport Sparrow 20l. Both are of a similar size and cost, but considering I'll be carrying a minimum of 16kg, just looking for any opinion or advice with regards to co destruction, durability, functionality etc (I have googled this before anyone asks, but am looking for as broad a range of opinions as possible)

[angry pirate]

Re: Tactical Pack Advice

I'm quite long out of the tabbing game but if I was carrying weight on a tab I'd start with the back system and work out from there.
Will you be wearing webbing, plate carrier?
If all the weight was in my pack I'd use and old fashioned top loader pack with a decent pack like a Berghaus Vulcan and compress it in if I was carrying heavy stuff like rounds rather than bulky sleeping kit.
The day sack I use for airsoft makes a decent wee patrol pack but I wouldn't fancy a long tab with weight in it.

[Cornish]

Re: Tactical Pack Advice

Altberg sneekers are a great choice in boot. I'd also look at getting some "1000 mile" socks, they are great for avoiding blisters.

I've spent the last year or so using Warrior Assault Systems kit and can't recommend it enough.

[Hellfish]

Re: Tactical Pack Advice

1000 Mile socks are also on my list to get.

Will take a look at Warrior.

[Hunter512]

Re: Tactical Pack Advice

Kelty packs are nice for the price point, very adjustable and they have aluminium "S curves" in to profile the back correctly.

I wouldn't be without mine. They are 3 day assault pack sized so might be too compact for what you want but they are set up for a camelback and the side pockets hold a jetboil nicely

[Hellfish]

Re: Tactical Pack Advice

Para10 is 10 miles with 16kg pack .. no plate carrier or anything like that. I'm 4 years out of air soft, but was hoping the milsim/weekender people who will have carried weight into a game would provide some insight.

Looked at the Kelty stuff and they are all a bit big. Anything above 25L will be oversized for my needs I think.

[angry pirate]

Re: Tactical Pack Advice

25 litres, really? What are you carrying? (Not a dig, I don't know kit list for an event like this.)
I used to routinely run 10 milers with a 10 kg pack and I used a 40 litre civvie climbing pack. Mind you, I'd have mostly filled it with water bottles.

[emergencychimp]

Re: Tactical Pack Advice

Para10 is 10 miles with 16kg pack .. no plate carrier or anything like that. I'm 4 years out of air soft, but was hoping the milsim/weekender people who will have carried weight into a game would provide some insight.

Looked at the Kelty stuff and they are all a bit big. Anything above 25L will be oversized for my needs I think.

The trouble with smaller packs is they aren't designed to take weight, the back systems on the karrimor sf sabre 45l is completely different to the one the next size up.

You should be able to fit your kit in a 45 l ruck for a weekender, however it's rarely that heavy and for weight you need a good back system.

16kg isn't a huge amount but I would still be looking at a proper Bergan, you can normally reduce the internal space.

[Hellfish]

Re: Tactical Pack Advice

The trouble with smaller packs is they aren't designed to take weight, the back systems on the karrimor sf sabre 45l is completely different to the one the next size up.

You should be able to fit your kit in a 45 l ruck for a weekender, however it's rarely that heavy and for weight you need a good back system.

16kg isn't a huge amount but I would still be looking at a proper Bergan, you can normally reduce the internal space.

Valid point, well put and TBH I hadn't thought about that. I assumed that a small capacity pack designed for a day patrol would be sufficient.

Perhaps I should be looking at packs like the Karrimor Sabre Hydro 30l?

[emergencychimp]

Re: Tactical Pack Advice

The difference between a 25l and a 30l is feck all. I tried doing an event with 25kg in a karrimor sf sabre 45 and the back system just wasn't good enough- it absolutely sucked.

Stick to a well known brand- look at a karrimor sf 80-130 l ruck back system to understand the level of difference to their 30l packs then buy accordingly, check out Cotswold outdoor to try stuff on if you don't have a good tactical retailer nearby.

[Hellfish]

Re: Tactical Pack Advice

25 litres, really? What are you carrying? (Not a dig, I don't know kit list for an event like this.)
I used to routinely run 10 milers with a 10 kg pack and I used a 40 litre civvie climbing pack. Mind you, I'd have mostly filled it with water bottles.

To make the weight uniform, I plan on using well padded weight plates (3 x 5kg & 1x1.25kg and high density packing foam) and I'm not looking to carry water, only energy gels and maybe a snack bar or 3, hence me looking at smaller packs like the Rush 12 or Sparrow 20l.

Comfort is an issue of course, but so is durability and stability. I'm trying to avoid having a big pack heavily padded for what could and should be a small (but 16kg) load.

[Fizzy]

Re: Tactical Pack Advice

am looking at the higher end kit on the market.

If you want high end packs, look at either Mystery Ranch or Kifaru. Neither will come cheap, but you do get what you pay for.

[Hellfish]

Re: Tactical Pack Advice

I looked. Bloody expensive packs!!!

[angry pirate]

Re: Tactical Pack Advice

The main issue is back length tbh. Longer packs will be able to put more of the weight onto the hips with a decent hip belt.
I can happily chuck 16kg into my winter climbing pack once two half ropes, axes, crampons and a winter rack have been accounted for and it's a comfortable carry as the pack has a supportive hip belt. The same load in my patrol pack would be agony!
When I've carried lightweight loads for bushcraft stuff or weekend skirmishes I've found its much nicer to pack it all into my Berghaus Vulcan and cinch the compression straps right in rather than chuck it into a patrol pack.
If I was wearing webbing/belt kit then a short back makes sense as the rear of the pack will perch on top of the rear admin pouches but as I don't, long back is the way forward.
I used to pack weights in mine bulked out with a sleeping bag to prevent bouncing.

[Hellfish]

Re: Tactical Pack Advice

As tacticool as the Wisport and 5.1 Rush are, and after extensive Googliness, I've opted for a Karrimor SF Sabre in Multicam.

Thanks for everybody's input.