Silly Question Regarding Backpack/Assault Pack
 

I figured this would be the proper area to put this since TFP's military guys tend to 'hang out' here.

Been in the market for a bigger backpack. Since I'm in law school, I tend to carry around copious amounts of textbooks and my laptop. My current Jansport holds 1900 Cu. In. of space and I end up having only enough space for 2 subjects. I usually end up carrying my laptop and books for my third subject in a separate briefcase.

I've also been in the market for an assault pack. We carried assault packs in BCT and I figured it would be a handy bag for for range trips, or to bring with me when I get deployed (assuming we can use personally owned gear).

My question is this: Would I scream 'poser' or 'wannabe' if I carried around a backpack with MOLLE looping on it?

I would like to purchase this bag as my 'every day carry' bag:

Kelty Raven 2500
http://www.kelty.com/images/Product/medium/262.jpg

Kelty Raven 2500 Military/Tactical Backpack

2300 Cu. In. of space, with molle looping I can use to attach an E-tool/2QT if I ever use it as a deployment pack

Or should I go lower profile and stick with a non-MOLLE pack, the Strike 2300 or MAP 3500?
Strike 2300
http://www.kelty.com/images/Product/medium/263.jpg

MAP3500
http://www.kelty.com/images/Product/medium/264.jpg

I think I might rule out the MAP3500 as it only offers a 50 Cu. In. improvement over my Jansport. Price point for the Strike & Raven are about the same ~$150.

Thanks for any input.

Hold on, the MAP 3500 has only 1950 CI of space, WTF, did they fail math class or am I missing something?
It's only a guess, but I would say 94.3% of people on college campuses do no know wtf MOLLE anything is, so I think you're safe in that area, and as far as being a poser, I am sure that dozens of people will have mil-surp type stuff and no one will really give it a second glance (unless they're jealous of your super book-carrying prowess). If anyone gives you a hassle, shoot them.
FWIW, the straps on the Strike and MAP appear to have more comfy looking straps, but that could just be the picture.

So, you are in law school and will be serving our nation as a soldier? You aren't posing as anything - you ARE!

Thank you for your service.

Not remotely. MOLLE gear is getting really popular with outdoorsy types: you'd be utterly amazed at how many granola-munching, dreadlock-rockin' hippies carry that kind of thing. People dig MOLLE because they can hang whatever off it, and look like the Beverly Hillbillies on a ruck march to score weed.

This and the fact that being in the military completely exempts you from poser status.

The first one looks good to me. Is money an issue?

Thanks for the replies! No, money's not an issue. If you order from Amron International, there are substantial discounts on all the packs. Thus, the Raven and Strike are approximately $150, whereas the MAP is $100 (IIRC).

I went ahead and ordered the Raven. I'll probably wander the halls of my law school a couple of days and then provide a review for the Raven.

Again, thanks for the input!

Yep.

Plus, with lots of guys coming back with MOLLE gear, you see it on campus a lot--at least on my campus.

To misquote Dr. Seuss:

Be who you are and carry the pack you want, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.

I and a few other dudes in HS in the 90s used Alice packs when all the cool kids had Jansport or some expensive stuff. We had legit 'Nam era stuff and didnt care what others thought.

Nowadays the molle gear really IS useful. I use 5.11 24/72hr backpacks but I am sure the stuff you got is equally as nice. For my combat bugout bag they really hold up to dirt, being kicked around and getting jet fuel spilled on them. I can shove anything into them or tie anything onto them in a hurry. The zippers won't give out and its waterproof.

I like my OD bags because they stand out against all the Army doodz with ACU so nobody walks off with it. (I am a C-130 pilot and army doodz steal our stuff). Same goes for school campuses I suppose.

For a stateside airport or school bag it would do great too. I use the molle loops to put pens in, attach smiley face patches to (just cut a strip of loop side velcro and slip it into the molle for the hook sided patch to grab onto).
You can also use a carabiner to hold key or anything else and hook it right onto molle.
I now look at ANY pack without molle the way people with Iphones look at a corded home telephone. I suppose if you want to get odd looks throw some glowsticks in the loops along side some extra long ZipTies.

I think the only way somebody is a poser is if they have anything that says VET or veteran of..... on something. Otherwise I see it like wearing a Lakers jersey or having a Yankees hat on. Some people like sports, some people like blowing stuff up and getting paid for it and each need to root for their team.

Looks like a great general purpose pack. Kelty has always made great stuff. My only objections to it are;

1) The external side and back pouches cannot be removed. I like my modular pack to be completely modular so I can add/remove pouches to suit the needs of the day.
2) The molle system is set up on pre-existing external pouches. Attach a pouch to a pouch and its not all that stable, meaning it will be swinging all over the place unless the pouch you attach it to is stuffed full.
3) The retention straps on the main external pouch look cool and I have several packs with them, but they don't seem work any better than the regular compression straps located on the sides of most assault packs. Instead, their main purpose is to provide a bit of a cavity outside of your pack. Anything you stuff in cavity is held in there only by the tension of the straps. Simply put, you cant put anything in there that you cannot afford to lose. (I use mine to store trash that I'm packing out, sandals or wet socks.)
4) The Kelty is made of Kodra as opposed to Cordura. From what I understand, Kodra is a South Korean knock-off of DuPont's Cordura. If memory serves, the Kodra is slightly lighter, the Cordura has better abrasion resistance.

If I were shopping around for a pack that was going to see use on campus and at work, I would go with one of the "classic" 3-pouch assault packs with the smooth sides and back. That way you can customize your kit to suit your needs.

I really dig this pack from Diamondback. The dimensions appear to be just a bit smaller than the Kelty, though you have to remember that the 2500cu of the Kelty includes the external pouches.

Diamondback Tactical 3-Day Assault Packs - Diamondback Tactical ? U.S. manufacturer of tactical gear, ballistic body armor, plates and protective apparel

Oh, and the D-back is $50 cheaper, meaning you can spend that extra $50 on a mix of large and small molle pouches.

No worries with the backpack, just refrain from hanging magazine pouches, Major Leage Infidel patches, etc. off of it.

Also, go with a plain tan color rather than multicam or ACU...it camouflages at least as well and doesn't raise alarm bells.


I have never been a fan of Kelty products...I have destroyed several of their products simply backpacking and going to school. I don't have any faith they will hold up in combat. It isn't the 'extreme' nature of anything so much as the omnipresent dust that destroys lightweight zippers and the fact that you will often have your pack stuffed full of heavy things like magazines banging against other ammo cans...lightweight nylon will quickly abrade and rip. Any money you save by going cheap on a backpack now will be wasted when it shits the bed halfway through your fist deployment.


For what you will likely use it for I highly recommend:

Diamondback Tactical SOF Assault Pack with Side Pouch Flaps - Diamondback Tactical ? U.S. manufacturer of tactical gear, ballistic body armor, plates and protective apparel

With the added laptop sleeve.


Don't be scared by the price, they usually pull about 50% off or greater for soldiers.


I have their 3 day Assault pack and have been using it nonstop for 5 years now...still going strong and couldn't be happier with the basic functionality of design and unbelievable toughness.


The pack I linked is probably a good fit for you...it has more room for books and a computer (which you will be tied to very closely, even in combat)....Enjoy.


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Slims, Walt & Remy,

Looks like I should have consulted with you three before purchasing. Kelty seemed like it was highly regarded by some forum members on Lightfighter.net. We'll see how it holds up.

My BCT money should be (finally!) coming in this Friday. I will give DBT a call and see if I can't snag their SOF pack with Laptop sleeve.

Looking forward to carrying all my textbooks in one pack. :D

When I deployed I bought a ACU camelbak BFM, its seen better days I would use it to shoot over and I accidentally didn't realize that my muzzle wasn't past it so it has a few problems with it...But I use it all the time as a carry on when I travel or back pack to the gym...

I realize you already bought something but check out this website Kifaru, International ...

If I deploy again I am going to buy a ruck from them....

A few essentials I bought from them is their woobie comes in super handy, there sleeping bag (super warm and packs up really small)...and one of there best products is the lock n load pouches...makes all you crap super organized and keeps the dust and bugs out of what ever you decide to store in them...

Some of their rucks they make custom for you, depending on your body type, and you can customize the hell outta them

Yeah, Kirstang: Definitely check in before deploying to see what might be worth spending money on and what you shouldn't worry about.

I shall play devil's advocate for the sake of this thread.

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Hey, I'm just some dummy off the street but it seems a little ridiculous that our boy is going to buy a ruck / assault pack to haul around school books and a laptop. All of these bags are probably more than he needs for the job, IMO. It's school, not scout camp.

Regarding the OP: If location of availability is any indicator of quality, Kelty sells a few outdoor products at Target. I'm guessing that means that they sell cheap / disposable products. I'd imagine they'd be okay for "mobile storage" and light use but nothing involving GI Joe tasks.

Avoid anything with mesh pockets, especially on the outside. Mesh is probably the worst material you can have on a hard-use bag due to snag/tear potential. The mesh water-bottle pockets on the sides of bags? Garbage. Mesh internal organizers? Pain in the ass.

And who gives a fuck what you look like, bro? You're modest. Trust me, you won't be the weirdest looking military dude wherever you go. Just don't talk about your supposed body count, m'kay? Leave the masturbatory unit PT shirts at home and avoid sewing Ranger tabs onto everything you own.

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You guys sure have a boner for the Diamondback stuff. That good, huh? I'm not as impressed with their armor. But I digress. Anyway, I used a plain black OGIO Mastermind backpack with a built-in sleeve and file cabinet pocket while I was in college and I'm sure I carried just as many giant WestLaw texts around. It cost me ~$60 and has yet to fail on me. Would I use it for a combat deployment? No. It's a bookbag, not a rucksack. I don't eat my dinner with a shovel and I don't carry my school books in a military rucksack. Proportionality? Yeah, I guess I'm that guy. The "universal backpack" thing might be good for a vacation to a third world country but is largely unnecessary for everyday use. I see these as good bugout bags but overkill for everyday use. Keep in mind that I say this as a guy that drives a dorky high MPG hatchback instead of a turbo Suburban on 34s with a bumper'd tow strap.

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And humble me if I'm wrong but I'm 99% sure you're never going to put a 2-quart and an e-tool on a friggin' assault pack so don't make that a requirement. Your unit will probably have some silly rucksack / assault pack packing list / use policy anyway. FWIW, my philosophy was one e-tool per fire team and the two-quarts were dummy corded with a bowline and secured inside a sustainment pouch if they were carried at all. Most of the time we just rocked a few small bottles of water and Camelbaks despite my long love affair with 2-quarts (I always carry two on my personal rucks).

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Also: Are your law texts available as E-books? That was becoming popular at my school before I graduated. It would lighten your load significantly. Retarded man's logic, I know... instead of looking for a better way to carry your heavy load, why don't you find a way to lighten your load?

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Check it out: Our brother KirStang has a problem with excessive gear purchasing and you guys aren't helping. He's a Geardo and needs intervention.

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All that being said, I'm going to hafta check out the DB SOF Assault Pack if I can actually get it for ~$150. My Camelbak pack isn't doing the job anymore.

The best quality rucksack to get is Berghaus, but if you just want something to carry your books in you could probably get something cheaper that would do just as well

When you talk about getting deployed - I would presume when you join the army, or if youre already in the army and get sent somewhere to fight, they give you kit rather than you having to buy your own? I do have some mates in the army and I know they took their own boots and stuff because supposedly the ones the UK army give you arent comfortable, but a bag is a bag.

I hope this doesn't end up like one of those over-extended debates, but a bag is not just a bag. The issue assault pack isn't bad, but the straps and weight distribution tend to result in it digging in to your shoulders. It also is not very big.

So to sum up, your mates buy their own boots because it's more comfortable, right? Same deal with assault packs/rucks.

Kelty is pretty much a commodity pack, it's fine for lugging around books. The only Kelty I've owned had an 11 month life span before a seam blew out.

Living in Colorado, I'm pretty tough on packs. I tend to overload them, smash them into rocks, drop them down steep inclines, and dare my dog to get the biscuits out herself.

I just had a pack made this spring by Dan McHale.

McHale Custom Packs

The pack was overpriced. Dan is the crankiest perfectionist I've ever dealt with. The fitting process and lead time suck; but the fit and construction of the pack are phenomenal. Mine has a Spectra cloth bottom, with Spectra ripstop pack fabric.

While I don't generally get shot at, I do put myself into situations where equipment failure has serious consequences. I've trashed a lot of packs, I expect this one will outlive me.

Kifaru and Mystery River are also worth looking into. I opted for McHale because he could best accommodate my camera.