Best 24 Hour Pack Configuration

[abdsp51]

Bit late to the party, but MOLLE-II is garbage. Stay awaaay from MOLLE-II.

MOLLE equipment is excellent, and there are plenty of MOLLE packs out there that would be excellent for the more active team members out there. Blackhawk equipment really is no longer anywhere close to top-tier anymore either.

And what real world experience do you have to judge what is garbage and what isn't? 

[etc]

Bit late to the game and I'm in the same boat...

Looking at a MOLLE II assault pack and a FLV.. I'm a bit new to the game but I'm getting the assault pack and FLV for free so... shrugs

Should be good enough though, right?

[SierraOneThree]

And what real world experience do you have to judge what is garbage and what isn't?

The fact that I've handled more snapped MOLLE-II pack frames than I'd care to count, and my primary method of making money over the last 4 years involves handling rather large amounts of tactical nylon.

MOLLE-II is made by the lowest bidder, generally with SDS designing the stuff, DOD handing out the contract to whoever saves them the money, and idiots or politicians making the decision on what gets put into the field (there's a really excellent example of this if you're interested). Then, the shoddy design is approved and contracted out, so companies like SDS's parent BaE Eclipse and Eagle Industries have to get contracted out to support production on a massive scale.

Just get an ALICE pack and upgrade some of the components with Tactical Tailor parts, like the Super Belt and Super Straps. It's superior to a lot of stuff that's general issue nowadays.

[abdsp51]

And what real world experience do you have to judge what is garbage and what isn't?

The fact that I've handled more snapped MOLLE-II pack frames than I'd care to count, and my primary method of making money over the last 4 years involves handling rather large amounts of tactical nylon.

MOLLE-II is made by the lowest bidder, generally with SDS designing the stuff, DOD handing out the contract to whoever saves them the money, and idiots or politicians making the decision on what gets put into the field (there's a really excellent example of this if you're interested). Then, the shoddy design is approved and contracted out, so companies like SDS's parent BaE Eclipse and Eagle Industries have to get contracted out to support production on a massive scale.

Just get an ALICE pack and upgrade some of the components with Tactical Tailor parts, like the Super Belt and Super Straps. It's superior to a lot of stuff that's general issue nowadays.

Have you used the system at all?  If not then handling something that was broken  to begin with is different from actually using it.  I have used this ruck and still have one and it has held up.  I have used many different bags and kits over the years and in general the MOLLE II ruck and FLC will hold up to use and abuse.

[SierraOneThree]

I've used it plenty on several 24-36 hour operations, yes. It's weight distribution was average, but my main dislike is the shoddy plastic the frame is made of. I suppose my itch is the fact that my packs are generally used outside of CAP as well, and in the mountainous terrain as well. I know there are better packs out there, so those are what I opt for nowadays.

[Pingree1492]

MOLLE II is garbage, eh?  I can tell you I've handled and seriously abused those things more than you can probably image and never had one break (even underneath a 400-lb generator... PAX can be very dumb sometimes...)  Will the plastic fail over time?  Of course.  Is it made by the lowest bidder?  Probably.  Is it going to last longer if you take care of it and assemble it correctly?  You betcha.  It's not the best thing out there, but it's certainly not garbage, and if you can find it cheaply on eBay, and it meets your needs, go for it.  (Just don't pay $150-200 for the thing like some surplus stores want- that's a ripoff).

To answer the original question though- the best gear is going to be something that fits you and that you'll actually USE.  If you don't go do day hikes (or longer) with your equipment, then why do you have it?  If you never get outdoors in your area, then why do you do SAR?  How can you expect to help others if you're a newbie to the outdoor environment yourself? 

My advice is to get outside and hike.  Even if it's just a few miles in the morning/evening when you can spare an hour.  Use the gear you have.  If you don't like it, go rent something you may like from your local outdoor store- you can do that cheaply and try out a bunch of different gear till you find something that works not only for what you need to carry, but for your body type and walking style as well.  They'll probably even give you a discount on their rental fees if you tell them what you're doing.

To use a personal example- I just started learning how to dive.  I'll probably spend my first few dives renting equipment from my local mom-and-pop dive shop, and trying different things to see what I like.  I've already worked out a discount on not only the rental equipment, but on the purchase of my gear once I find out what I works for me.  SAR gear works the same way.

[NM SAR]

My advice: use a comfortable pack with a padded hip belt, a sternum strap, and a rigid or semirigid frame (can be had at wal mart for about $30), along with a small vest for your compass, notepad, and other immediate-use items. I use something very similar to Tactical Tailor's Mini MAV, but I built it myself. For those who don't have $70-$80 to set up a PALS vest like that, I recommend some sort of pre-sewn chest harness. Just be sure that the vest straps are thin enough that they don't chafe under the packstraps.

[043ES]

I use a Kigali 30 (30 L) pack with a Conterra Tool chest radio harness for 24hr gear. And a Molle II external frame pack for 72hr gear.

[UH60guy]

I'd echo what others said- use the first year of your GTM qualification to find what works for you before you spend too much money.

Start with a basic backpack that you already have, bring along what GTM gear you already have, and a pen/paper with you. Do a few missions, and after each, write down what you used and what you wished you had. As you start to realize what YOU will need in a 24 hour pack (I guarantee you it will be different for each person) then you can think about what to put in it, as well as how to confgure it.

In your notepad make a note, just a little hash mark is all you need, each time you use something. For example, your compass may have been accessed 30 times, but your 550 cord was accessed only once. Now you can start thinking about placement (and I'd agree with others on MOLLE for ease of configuration) and put the stuff you need frequently closer to your hands, and the stuff rarely used in the bottom or back of the pouch.

[nathan88]

I use a medium ALICE pack. Camelback (thermoback) and a MOLLE vest.