CTS RUCKSACKS

[Matt_Fisher]

Pappy,

Andy is correct about that pack you posted pics of.  It was a Canadianized version of the much-despised Gregory UM-21 that itself was developed for US SOCOM. 

I have a reliable source that tells me that a certain Canadian client has ditched the Gregory ruck, decided not to wait or use the CTS ruck and has purchased a sizable number of Kifaru EMRs in coyote brown.

On the subject of the new Arc'Teryx ruck, I've heard mixed reviews of it from folks in the Corps.  Some guys love it, while others complain that the hipbelt chafes.  It's leagues above the old ALICE pack though, but I'm not going to be retiring my Kifaru EMR for it when I get it issued...which is probably a moot point as my enlistment is up next May and our unit is still issuing ALICE med. packs w/o frames, USGI LBVs and other ALICE gear.  We're probably the only unit in the MC that didn't go through the MOLLE 1 and MOLLE 2 issues.  I'd put money on the belief that if I came back to the unit in 5 years time, they'd still be issuing the same beat-up ALICE gear. 

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

Its funny hearing about our brothers south of us complaining aboot kit.

 

[kyleg]

Nice touch on the aboot 

I just discovered that I can stuff my issue sleeping bag into my Outdoor Research Helium compression stuff sack (size #4 I believe) and it cinches down the the size of a fattened football. I was pretty surprised.

Cheers,
Pinky

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

Thank you.

 

[Matt_Fisher]

I've got all kinds of complaints...

My Gen II ECWCS woodland gore-tex doesn't match my digital uniform, I'm having to wait for the new digital Gore-Tex APECS stuff
I'm having to use a set of AN-PVS 7B NVGs rather than a set of the new PVS-14s
I've only got to go to the range 3 times this year to put about 1200 rounds of 25mm through the spout of my LAV-25
And the list goes on...


By the way, those OR stuffsacks are the bomb.  I'm using an older pre-china outsourcing #4 OR Hydroseal Compression Stuff Sack.  That thing will swallow my modular sleep system (patrol bag, intermediate bag and bivi cover) and compress it into the size of a small medicine ball. 

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

In know why is the following a dispresct to you.  I feel your a valuable member and think highly of the service your in.  It is therefore understandable that your gripes have more weight then mine so

we have a rubber shower curtain for a rain coat
I think we have the MNVG's your refering to but JUST got them
range time of any caliber is once or twice and that's 5.56.  25mm Live, no chance unless we're oversea's.

 

[Britney Spears]

My Gen II ECWCS woodland gore-tex doesn't match my digital uniform, I'm having to wait for the new digital Gore-Tex APECS stuff

Was there EVER a time when all our uniform items (including helmet covers, Armour,  jacket, rain gear) matched? I've never seen it. Maybe during WWII.... 

 

[pappy]

If we don't complain, somethings wroug.... haha
I think that holds true for all militarys

A bitching Marine is a happy Marine

I bet if you looked hard you'd find my name on some of that old ALICE crap  haha, yeah the Marine Corps does like to get thier moneys worth out of gear - using it till it's just worn out thread / fuzz

 

[Matt_Fisher]

In case you guys missed it, my remarks were on the sarcastic side of things.  ;D

When I left the CFs and became a Marine I thought that the Corps had cat's arse equipment.

Then when I was in Iraq and my unit got relieved by the 82nd Airborne, I realized what the true meaning of 'high speed kit' was.  These guys had M-4s with ACOGs and PEQ-2s, EVERYBODY had a set of AN-PVS 14s, the intra-squad radios, MICH helmets, kneepads and new MOLLE vests.  Their squad leaders had SINCGARS compatible MBITRs along with, their SAW gunners had the nice little 100 round cloth bags and the Elcan scopes, all their .50 cals and Mk-19s had thermal sights.

As Pappy said, a happy Marine is a bitching Marine. 

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

I forgot you left the poor cousins.

 

[Andyboy]

These pics are a bit crap, they were taken with an old digital camera that was pretty shite. I have a few more pics if anyone is interested but they are about the same quality. Edited to add: Here's the photobucket account: "http://photobucket.com/albums/b277/AndrewKent/?start=all"


<img src="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/AndrewKent/DCP02212.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

<img src="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/AndrewKent/DCP02230.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

<img src="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/AndrewKent/DCP02217.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

<img src="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/AndrewKent/DCP02225.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

<img src="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/AndrewKent/DCP02221.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

<img src="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/AndrewKent/DCP02232.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

 

[Kal]

What is the volume of this pack?  It doesn't seem to be near the 80 litres of capacity stated on the clothe the soldier site.  Perhaps the pictures do not do it justice, though.

 

[Matt_Fisher]

Me thinks it looks a bit small for an 80L as well, but it's probably my eyes deceiving me.

I wonder what made them go for a U shaped sleeping bag compartment rather than the traditional clamshell design?

 

[PViddy]

hey guys,

from the looks of it, i'm thinking it's somethin like a 65 expandable to 80.  I've been looking at a copuple of Lowe Alpine bags that have a similiar feature. 

Anyhow Matt, In my experience (with civi expedition bags) that u shape design works much better than the "clam shell" design you were referring to.  It opens and closes a lot easier with a compressed bag.  Also, the ruck will probably (?) have a drawstring divider inside the sperates the main compartment from the sleeping bag compartment so you can either side load or top load the bag.  Or if you need somthin in a hurry....

Anyways looks like a pretty good bag, is that last pic of the sleeping bag compartment ? if so, i love the design-looks like it has a stuff sack sewn into the bag ? nice.


cheers

PV

 

[pappy]

I noticed that suff sack too, nice touch Andyboy! Something tells me you have some input on that ruck.  Andyboy has a ton of great ideas, if DND is smart you guys in service will be seeing them.  Thanks for the pictures Andyboy

I like Kifaru's E&E bag idea Docked and locked to a larger pack, something you can grab on the down side you have to dump the larger ruck. 

 

[Andyboy]

Thanks for the replies guys,

I don't know what the volume of this pack is but I do know that it's pretty big, pretty heavy and has some problems with the suspension system. Through a friend I managed to borrow ten or so of these prototypes for a Cambrian team a few years back. I think all but a couple opted to use packs of their own instead, the ones who didn't used a lot of gun tape. Part of the problem was not receiving any instruction on the packs and part of the problem was that the packs needed instruction at all. They are a bit complicated and seem to be a bit "overdone". Just my opinion of course.

Pappy, I wish I had the opportunity to offer some input, as I'm sure most people here would. I'm afraid though that the design for this pack was completed long before I came on the scene. Thanks for the kind words, the really do mean a lot coming from you. If anyone in the mainstream CF is going to use any of my ideas it will most likely be through private purchase, as opposed to through an issue item. Better for everyone all around I think!

 

[Britney Spears]

I don't know what the volume of this pack is but I do know that it's pretty big, pretty heavy and has some problems with the suspension system. Through a friend I managed to borrow ten or so of these prototypes for a Cambrian team a few years back. I think all but a couple opted to use packs of their own instead, the ones who didn't used a lot of gun tape. Part of the problem was not receiving any instruction on the packs and part of the problem was that the packs needed instruction at all. They are a bit complicated and seem to be a bit "overdone". Just my opinion of course.

Great, I'll be setting aside time in my schedule for the "New Rucksack - POS" thread when it comes, then.

 

[pappy]

Britney, I think until they start to issue pack mules with Ruck's soldiers and Marines everywhere will still compain about their ruck's  ;D

Or pack goats  ha ha we all know how some field exercises turn into giant goat screws...

Did some hiking with pack goats, interesting to say the least.  But something tells me once all the ordnance started going off so would the goats

wonder when the rations are gone which would be more tasty Goat or Mule?

 

[Matt_Fisher]

Goat.  Plus before you resort to butchering it for the meat, you could milk the nannies and make some field cheese.  ;D

 

[pappy]

yummi Goat cheese and ham slices.....  ;D


Oh man now PETA's gonna be after me....