Hi everybody,
Quick question (didn't see a thread for this in an admittedly quick scan of the threads listed):
Does anyone use a lumbar pack for carrying their GT gear? I don't mean the old LBE w/butt pack. I mean something like these:
http://s.stpost.com/eccStoreFront/product_images/82078/f_82078_1.jpg (http://s.stpost.com/eccStoreFront/product_images/82078/f_82078_1.jpg)
http://www.gear911.com/product.php?productid=16143&cat=250&page=1 (http://www.gear911.com/product.php?productid=16143&cat=250&page=1)
Mainly looking for experience/opinions for this pack compared to a "regular" backpack or ALICE/MOLLE setup. Any thoughts out there?
They look interesting. Never used one, but look comfy.
The problem with having everything in the back, is that everything is in the back.
If you're doing land nav or other GT-y stuff, you tend to be digging for "this or that" all the time, which is why vests with front pockets tend to be better.
As Eclispe said, you'd be trying to find things. I'd personally use both a light MOLLE vest and this pack. YMMV.
I used a lumbar pack for GT for a little bit. One of the issues I had was by the time I had all the gear in it, it tended to flop around on my backside quite a bit as I walked. That got old fast. If you get the Mountainsmith, they have shoulder straps you can add that are kind of cool.
Quote from: Eclipse on April 12, 2012, 09:09:34 PM
The problem with having everything in the back, is that everything is in the back.
If you're doing land nav or other GT-y stuff, you tend to be digging for "this or that" all the time, which is why vests with front pockets tend to be better.
That's a valid point, however I used to just spin it around on my waist to the from and I could easily get at everything. That being said, if you get the shoulder harness, then that option doesn't work.
I used one like the first one for awhile as sort of a "low impact" search gear...more of a 12 hour gear pack. I actually used to carry it on the ambulance at one of my jobs that had a good amount of back country territory. I have a set up currently like the second as part of my Technical Rescue team set up (it has a rucksack that attaches to the same harness/buttpack that can be dropped off, but not carried independantly)
Both have their shortcomings and thier advantages. The advantage is lightweight, the biggest downside is limited storage if you need to add extra items (like download outerwear as the environmental situation changes)
For both arrangements I had/have a small chest rig (non military type...like commo pouch with a storage pocket) for quick use items....compass, whistle, GPS, flashlight, flagging tape, etc etc)
With the independant wait pack I had the "rest" of the 24 hour type items in a day pack that usually stayed in the vehicle unless going substantial mobile....
mk
I used one similar to the first example for a while as an EMT. As was stated above, my experience was it tended to bounce/ flop around. I usually ended up slinging it over my shoulder, which totally defeated the purpose of it being a lumbar pack. YMMV