Has Anyone Used This Pack?

[GTCommando]

I've been thinking of upgrading my 72-hour gear, and this is the best pack I've found:
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd_images/lgprod/MOLLE-126.jpg

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd_images/lgprod/MOLLE-126_A.jpg


http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd_images/lgprod/MOLLE-126_B.jpg

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd_images/lgprod/MOLLE-126_C.jpg

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd_images/lgprod/MOLLE-126_D.jpg

It's larger, more modular and more organized than the pack I'm currently using. Cheaper Than Dirt has it for $59.95. I figured the quality should be pretty good, because it's gotten an avg. rating of 4 stars out of 80-something reviews over a 5-year span. If anyone has experiences with this pack, be they good or bad, please share.

[JayT]

Is that a Camelbak BFM without the water bladder?

[GTCommando]

^I'm pretty sure it's a Voodoo 3-day pack.

[SarDragon]

I can't find the item on CTD. Got a linky to the description?

[Polecat]

It is a Condor bag, they are usually low quality bags that are prone to failure. I would suggest saving up for a better quality bag. Just my opinion though.

[GTCommando]

I figured the quality should be pretty good, because it's gotten an avg. rating of 4 stars out of 80-something reviews over a 5-year span. If anyone has experiences with this pack, be they good or bad, please share.

^^Look up item# MOLLE-126.

[Polecat]

I have used Condor products before, and have known lots of people that have. I USE my gear a lot, it doesn't just sit in the trunk or closet all the time, and I think Condor gear is sub standard for frequent use. If you do not want to hear about negative experiences and want to just emphasise again about some reviews on CTD (who has been known to edit bad reviews out in the past), then maybe you should just buy it and learn about it yourself.

[GTCommando]

^We run maybe 2 SAREXs per month, but other than that and some hard-core tinkering, I really don't use my gear too awful much. I was able to look at the same type of pack at my local army store and it looked pretty solid. Thanks for the advice.

[Senior]

I think Condor stuff is for the paintballer types.  I would compare the cubic inch capacity of a GI Issue Large 3 day assault pack with this pack. I would lean toward the 3 day assault pack.  You can find them on ebay pretty cheap.  If you participate in a SAREX once or twice a year you might be okay with Condor pack.   

[DakRadz]

^We run maybe 2 SAREXs per month, but other than that and some hard-core tinkering, I really don't use my gear too awful much. I was able to look at the same type of pack at my local army store and it looked pretty solid. Thanks for the advice.

Just a thought- my springer airsoft pistol had a high rating, too. So do the 99 cent ones. Why?

For the price, they are good values. But they are expected to break.

Check ebay and other sources- look for real GI gear if you want solid stuff. Listen to the BTDT adults here; I swear to you, they have more experience than us, generally..

[GTCommando]

Okay... given the replies I've gotten, it would seem I would be better off staying away from Condor. I've come to respect senior members and have learned to listen to what they have to say. With that being said, what do you all think of the CFP-90 pack?

[Senior]

The CFP-90 is designed for carrying a lot of gear.  The pockets are single stitched which can blow out.  The plastic shoulder strap adjuster can break.  I would consider using the Molle Large 3 day assault pack.  A Large ALICE Pack will carry all the weight you need to carry.  Another alternative is the Large(single piece) Molle Pack.
It requires the plastic frame(the black ones will work fine for CAP) shoulder straps and a waste pad.   If you are in one or two SAREX's
per year or less go with the ALICE or 3 day.  Save your money for
a car or college.  Use your resources and time wisely. 

[GroundHawg]

Not a single person in my reserve unit likes the molle pack. We all still carry the Alice or Malice ruck when afforded the opportunity. I cant see spending the $ on a aftermarket pack when a med or large Alice pack with frame, straps, and kidney pads can be had for around $25.

[BTCS1*]

I'm not too sure that the pack you posted at first would even hold all of your 72 hr gear easily. However, a large ALICE is perfect for a 72 on a budget. It will go through hell and keep going, the only downside is that its not the most comfortable pack in the world, but it does what you need it to.

[GTCommando]

^Actually, the pack I've got holds all of my 72-hour gear, plus most of my 24-hour gear, with the exception of my web belt and the pouches thereon. However, it's a pain to make it all fit. The pack I originally posted about is over 300 cubic inches larger than the pack I've got. CTD doesn't list the cubic space, but another site, www.rangerjoes.com, has the exact same pack, which it lists at 4224 cu. inches. The pack I've got, also from Ranger Joe's, is listed at 3920 cu. inches. Also, given the pack I want to purchase has much more webbing, that takes care of the pouches on my web belt.

And concerning the remarks made as to the quality of Condor products, I will keep your advice in mind, however I've purchased several Condor-made products in the past, all of which have held up to some major use, though I try to take care of my gear. My squadron runs sometimes 2 or 3 SAREXs a month, and even though half of my squadron is qualified GTM2 or higher, our GTLs never fail to make it challenging for us. 

Below are the linkies to 1: the pack I've got, and 2: the pack I originally posted about, but from the same site as the other one.

1: http://www.rangerjoes.com/code-alpha-pack-tac-day-hydration-p-4663.html

2: http://www.rangerjoes.com/pack-advanced-day-combat-p-4730.html

Here's the link to the actual pack I'm considering purchasing. It's the same pack as linky no. 2, only different site.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ItemDetail.aspx?sku=Molle-126

[NIN]

as was previously stated, that pack looks a lot like the Camelbak BFM:


I got my BFM used on eBay for $75.  I had to replace one of the fastex buckles (it was jury-rigged together and I actually owned the pack for a month plus before I noticed it was busted), and I've sewn velcro over the guy's name that was sharpied on the back of it, but other than that, *awesome* pack.

I'd troll eBay a bit for a real one at a used price, versus buying a knock off that's prone to come apart for about the same amount.

[Thom]

Just a point I'll make about quality of items for ground teams:

I personally believe it is fine to go 'cheap' or 'inexpensive' on many things. But some items are simply so troublesome when they fail that you need to try and buy good quality. The Backpack is one of those. Imagine that you are 2 miles into a 4 mile hike to a search site (uncommon but not unheard of) when your pack gives out: the bottom blows out and most of your stuff lands on the ground. Now you've got to find some way to finish carrying that stuff to the search site, and then back to the van. That extra few bucks for a more durable backpack doesn't seem like such a bad investment at that point.

And, as someone else pointed out above, you can always get surplus ALICE packs relatively cheaply. You might have to dig a little these days, but they are available and an inexpensive solution to the problem.

Good Luck!

Thom

[GTCommando]

I know it's been a while, but here we go. What do you guys (and gals) think of the company Fox Outdoor Gear, and the quality of their products? I wanted to know because they seemingly have a good lineup of packs, and I know where to find some of them for individual sale (Fox is purely a whole-sale company).

[Stonewall]

Below are two quotes about the Camelbak BFM, one from earlier in 2010 and one from 2007.  I still carry mine at every drill weekend and actually just put it through a rigorous 17 day pre-deployment train-up.  I intend to bring it with me next week on another 3 week train-up and then over to OEF.  It's expensive but well worth the money if you can afford it.

I had to go back and search, but I posted this back in 2007 about the BFM.  I use it in the field all the time for the National Guard and love it.  In fact, back in October my Squadron Commander noticed it and liked it so much he ordered 50 of them for the squadron.

Here is what I wrote back in 2007:

Something I wish I had BITD (Back In The Day), is the Camelbak BFM.  It's quite costly, like $150, but to me, it is the most practical pack I've seen and used.  I didn't get it until 2005 when they sent one to me to T&E (Test and Evaluate) for use on my protection team.  They also sent us a "med bag insert".  Its an insert that turns the pack into a medical bag with several different internal pouches designed for medical gear.  I was able to keep both but never used the medical insert because we already used the STOMP pack by Blackhawk.

The BFM is larger than a regular 3-day pack, but smaller than a large rucksack.  And the internal and exeternal pouches are perfect, I mean perfect, for storing smaller items.  Inside the pack, there are straps to tighten things down and keep things separate.  If you see one at a store, open it up and look inside, you'll see what I mean.  In one of the outside pockets, sort of the "admin pocket", it has two pouches for handheld radios.  I'm telling you, it's the Bee's Knees.

Camelbak BFM


MedBak Insert

Those vertical pouches on the left and right side are perfect for a Nalgene Bottle, accessory pouch like first aid or signalling, or gloves/hat.  The horizontal pouch on the bottom fits a US Issue poncho perfectly.

I used the Blackhawk Nylon Utility Pouch to carry medical supplies or other accessories in those vertical pouches.  Fits perfectly and keeps everything organized.

[GTCommando]

UPDATE: All things considered, I decided to risk it and buy the pack off of CTD. Turns out, it was actually a Voodoo Tobago 3-day Pack, and it fits everything I've got quite nicely. I will try to post some pictures and specifics when I get time.

Thanks again,
GTCommando

[SARDOC]

Not sure about this bag....But I caution buying anything from cheaper than dirt because their product quality leaves a lot to be desired.  I;ve bought three products from them and they were all substandard/defective

[GTCommando]

^ I agree, for the most part. From the reviews that I've read, most of their gear is rather cheaply made. However, the gear I've purchased so far has all held up pretty well. I've already received the pack a while back, and it seems to be surprisingly solid. As already stated it is a Voodoo pack, and though I haven't yet had the opportunity to train with it, I trust that it will hold up.

[HGjunkie]

^ I agree, for the most part. From the reviews that I've read, most of their gear is rather cheaply made. However, the gear I've purchased so far has all held up pretty well. I've already received the pack a while back, and it seems to be surprisingly solid. As already stated it is a Voodoo pack, and though I haven't yet had the opportunity to train with it, I trust that it will hold up.

As long as the stitching doesn't randomly fall apart...

[GTCommando]

I finally got some pictures of my pack uploaded. Check them out under Gallery on my profile page.

[kc0wqh]

Not sure if you purchased a new one yet. Just joined this site so I may be a little late. I happen to have this pack for over a year now and it seems to be holding up just fine. Compared to others I have had it's comfortable too. No complaints yet!

[Turbine 33]

Not a single person in my reserve unit likes the molle pack. We all still carry the Alice or Malice ruck when afforded the opportunity. I cant see spending the $ on a aftermarket pack when a med or large Alice pack with frame, straps, and kidney pads can be had for around $25.

This is the ticket! I completely agree. There is WAY TOO MUCH low quality airsoft junk out there. Get your self a Large Alice ruck in good condition and enjoy. They are simple, cheap and don't have zippers, which are a failure point. Yeah there are other cheap bags out there but they are weak by design. The Alice ruck is a strong design. There is a reason these things are ofter 20+ years old when you find them, they last! Take care of your gear and your gear will take care of you.

[Stonewall]

+1 on the large ALICE pack.  I modified a brand new one in 1992 and used it for the following 9 years in the Infantry as well as the next 19 years on CAP ground teams. I recently used it as part of a Cross Fit routine and it's still holding up strong.  It even spent 6 months with me in Bosnia in 1997.

Can't go wrong with a large ruck, that's for sure.  But I have used other packs in lieu of the ruck on several occasions.  It just depends on the mission.

[UpstateSAR]

UPDATE: All things considered, I decided to risk it and buy the pack off of CTD. Turns out, it was actually a Voodoo Tobago 3-day Pack, and it fits everything I've got quite nicely. I will try to post some pictures and specifics when I get time.

Thanks again,
GTCommando

after looking at the pictures that bag is the same exact bag as a condor 3 day assault pack that I bought from amazon.  I know that it is a condor bag because the same bag is on the condor sitehttp://www.condoroutdoor.com/125_3_day_assault_pack.aspx.  You, my friend, got tricked.

[GTCommando]

  You, my friend, got tricked.

Yep. I'd kinda forgotten about this thread, but at least this gives me a chance to eat some crow. It turns out, the pack I bought on CTD really is worthless. I realized this fact after I put my gear through it's biggest test to date: Hawk Mountain. As soon as I got home, I went to the flea market and bought a full original MOLLE pack with side pouches, which has held up perfectly. My sincere apologies to those who tried to warn me about that pack on CTD. I had to learn the hard way. 

[SARDOC]

^^^ Thanks for Bringing out the Lesson Learned.  It took me the hard way to learn this too.  Cheaper than Dirt is exactly that Cheap...and what your getting might as well be dirt.

[AngelWings]

I refuse to buy anything from a website that says that it is cheaper than dirt, since most of the time it is all about the quality and not the price. I only buy military backpacks and gear for ES because they are designed for MUCH worse conditions than I will ever put them through. If it is designed to be ripped at by barbed wire and bullets, I am certain it can survive thorn bushes and flying insects. Also, a great deal of the military bags I have seen are reasonably priced and well adaptable for ES situations.

[NM SAR]

The number of people recommending the Big Green Wart (ALICE pack) actually kind of scares me....

ALICE was designed in Vietnam. yes, it's durable, but that, in my opinion, is it's single redeeming feature. okay, and it's cheap, but that's because it's obsolete. it's mostly made up of a single pocket, top-loading sack. the piece if equipment you need will invariably be at the bottom of that sack. the straps make it difficult to open. it's designed to carry a lot of gear, but stay below neck level; good for a soldier trying to shoot prone, but it means the pack tries to pull you over backwards when you walk.

oh, and did I mention comfort? rather, lack thereof? terrible strap design, terrible frame design. Will send you to the chiropractor.

companies like Tactical Tailor and Mystery ranch make aftermarket suspension systems that make it a bit more bearable, but they're expensive enough that you may as well buy a better pack to start with.

it's 2012, not the 1970s. Do yourself a favor, and invest in a modern backpack.

[niferous]

I've been able to get my ALICE pack pretty dang comphy and it cost me very little.  Get one with the LC3 straps and it's a whole lot more comfortable. 

[RogueLeader]

The number of people recommending the Big Green Wart (ALICE pack) actually kind of scares me....

ALICE was designed in Vietnam. yes, it's durable, but that, in my opinion, is it's single redeeming feature. okay, and it's cheap, but that's because it's obsolete. it's mostly made up of a single pocket, top-loading sack. the piece if equipment you need will invariably be at the bottom of that sack. the straps make it difficult to open. it's designed to carry a lot of gear, but stay below neck level; good for a soldier trying to shoot prone, but it means the pack tries to pull you over backwards when you walk.

oh, and did I mention comfort? rather, lack thereof? terrible strap design, terrible frame design. Will send you to the chiropractor.

companies like Tactical Tailor and Mystery ranch make aftermarket suspension systems that make it a bit more bearable, but they're expensive enough that you may as well buy a better pack to start with.

it's 2012, not the 1970s. Do yourself a favor, and invest in a modern backpack.

If it is pulling you over, it is not loaded right. WIWOAD we had molle rucks that had the same ability to be loaded wrong,or be uncomfortable. Just because it is old does not mean it is out of use. Just because you can't see a use for it, it doesn't mean we don't.

[ThatOneGuy]

I currently use the Voodoo 3 Day "Assault" (don't get stuck on the word) Pack for my 24 hour pack, and thus far it has served me pretty good. Large, tough, insanely modular. I only wish it had a few more small pockets though...

[Turbine 33]

NM SAR I agree however there's some issues with The TT and MR solution. Top tier nylon is way out of most peoples reach. It is always the better choice, most folks just can't afford it.
I my self have a Kifaru Zulu that is fantastic as well as an ATS RAID II in addition to several other packs. So I'm all about getting what you pay for.
However the large ALICE is time tested. CAP folks aren't humping a ruck day in and day out long enough to cause back pain.
The large ruck is too big for a 24-hr bag which leaves the 72-hr ruck. Which again is not humped around the search area. Load it and unload it in the vehicle. Haul it to your staging area and leave it.
Save your money for the high speed 24-hr bag. That's genome you're going to need the superior suspension an construction.

Just my two cents.