Comments on: CFP-90 Field Pack

By: "Ripcord", 5 SF GP,(Airborne), Ret.

"Ripcord", 5 SF GP,(Airborne), Ret. — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 05:49:59 +0000

I spent a lifetime in Special Forces starting with the 10th SF GP. We were stationed in Germany when I was first assigned 1n the 50’s. I have worn almost every kind of issued load bearing equipment from that time up through most of the 80’s That includes all climates from tropical to arctic. I have to correct some erroneous asumptions by some contributers here WE were the very first to be issued the CFP-90. We tested them under the most trying conditions and made suggestions on how they could be improved. They were first manufactured by the military division of Lowe (modified from some of Lowe’s civilian designs.

It is still an exellent design, but for a little bit more, one can have the even better UM-21 system which was originally designed by Bianchi in coperation with DARPA. By the way, I think that the CRP-90 Patrol Pack is next to worthless. The UM-21 patrol day pack is far mor user friendly and can be easily attached to the main UM-21 main rucksack. I have two CFP-90s and one UM-21,

By: Keith

Keith — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 06:30:00 +0000

I have an internal frame pack that is similar. It is the LCS-84. It was apparently issued to cold weather troops and was designed by lowe alpine before they designed the cfp90. Anyway, what I like about the LCS84 is that the straps are attached with webbing and are adjustable. Unlike the CFP90’s plastic suspension, this is not nearly as prone to failure. It also has four pockets instead of two short and one long. The drawback is that it doesn’t seem to have an interior divider, although it does have the fartsack access zipper in the bottom. I’m not sure if it never came with one or if the previous owner customized it. It was issued to a cold weather Marine that I knew in the late 90s, so he could have modified it. It also doesn’t have a flap to cover the top of it, not sure why. There are four female buckle ends inside as if something attaches to them, but I’m not sure what. Anyway, it is a big pack for packing a heavy load. I’m a big man, so naturally I get to hump the heavy gear on trips, not to mention that my gear is naturally heavy due to it’s larger size. So it’s a good bag for me. If anyone has any info on these packs, I’d appreciate it. Thanks

By: Tom

Tom — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 02:15:56 +0000

I got a CFP-90 at a blowout rummage sale a few years ago for about $20. Based on the information I got from the person having the sale, the previous owner was ex-military (USMC) and spent a lot of time out of town. In this instance he left for a job probably in the middle east and had never called or returned. From the looks of what he left behind, he had spent some service time in Europe. He didn’t need his parachuting or cold weather gear in woodland camo in his new area of operations apparently.

My pack was made by DJ Manufacturing. Nobody mentioned that manufacturer yet, so I thought I’d mention it. The care tag is green and is sewn in at the top. This is the tag info:

Field Pack, Large
With Internal Frame
DLA100-91-C-4012
8465-01-286-5356

I found out exactly what it was by looking up the information from the tag on Google.

That’s also how I found out about the history of the CFP-90 pack.

It had no patrol pack with it when I got it, It’s woodland camo nylon backed with some type of waterproofing, there are two external pockets on the left side and a single deep pocket on the right side. Side pockets have a pass through sleeve behind them for poles, or whatever. There is an internal pocket near the top and I can easily fit a gallon jug in it, so water a bladder is not an issue.

The zippers are not YKK, they say “Ideal” and have long pull tabs. The buckles are all either Fastex or ITW Nexus.

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 11:51:32 +0000

Don’t doubt that the issued CFP-90’s are better than any after market versions. However I need a ACU pattern pack, and the issued packs are only in the woodland pattern. Don’t want to spend the big bucks on the latest large MOLLE rucksack. Any suggestions then on a good ACU pack (3 day+)?

By: Thinking Through Bug Out Bags (BoB) « Suburban Survivalist

Thinking Through Bug Out Bags (BoB) « Suburban Survivalist — Mon, 31 May 2010 03:50:16 +0000

[...] my BoB is a U.S. military surplus CFP-90 Main Pack with Patrol Pack, purchased on eBay for about $150 with shipping included. I selected the CFP-90 specifically [...]

By: Kyle

Kyle — Wed, 05 May 2010 22:31:27 +0000

DON’T GET THE PHENIX FROM RANGER JOES! That’s the crappy copy version. Notice how the shoulder straps are directly sewn to the back without the slider adjustment.

Another happy owner of an issued CFP-90 here. The pack easily carries as much as I can lift. Have had it for a couple years, use it for everything from deployments to weekend hikes.

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 03 May 2010 01:52:50 +0000

Has anyone purchased the Phenix version of the CFP-90 from Ranger Joes, or heard any reviews from someone who has? I’m looking for a solid pack for Search & Rescue missions and the CFP-90 looks like a good fit, but I hate buying something without trying it on. Also, does the CFP-90 have an inside location for a hydration bladder? Ranger Joe’s description notes an internal radio pocket, but says nothing of the actual size. Thanks.

By: JC3Hawaii

JC3Hawaii — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:41:30 +0000

Opps, here is the pack fitting guide website http://www.academy.com/index.php?page=content&target=sports_tips/camping/fit_backpack

By: JC3Hawaii

JC3Hawaii — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:40:10 +0000

I lucked out and scored a CFP-90 at a local swapmeet about a month ago. Got it for $25 sans the patrol pack and it hardly looks used at all. In researching the pack this AM I stumbled accross this excellent website. I broke iin the CFP-90 last weekend on a short 5-mile hike. Loaded in tent, sleeping bag and enough gear for a two person 3-day trip. Pack weighed in at just over 70lbs. with H2O. Performed perfectly. Reminded me of my old North Face Snow Leopard. Anyway regarding Seans note about fitting the pack I pretty much applied standard internal frame fitting standards. The attached generic websiite covers basic fitting and the system CFP-90 is pretty much similar to civilian available packs as far as torso and shoulder strap adjustments go. Good luck, you will love this pack!

By: Sean

Sean — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 19:59:47 +0000

I just got one of these, and I have to say its one of the better investments I have recently made. This is a much better backpack than any of the consumer market backpacks I have owned. If you have to carry a lot of weight, this is the pack. The genuine GI issue is truly a one size fits all due to all the adjustments they provide you with. I was lucky to find a genuine GI issue SDS made version off eBay. $130 for the SDS CFP-90 with the SDS Molle II Patrol Pack. eBay seller id – qb8472

I think someone else mentioned this. The major difference between a genuine GI issue and “better than mil-spec replica” is the shoulder pads height adjustment. The replica is not adjustable, the straps are sewn onto the pack. The genuine issue has a Y pad that slides up and down a track for adjusting shoulder height and weight distribution. You can see it in the pictures the author seeded. If you want the genuine one, try to look at pictures showing the shoulder straps mounting point. There are also other minor differences in the pockets and strapping.

PS. – Someone have experience adjusting these backpacks? I’m not sure if mine is set up properly. I have a vague idea of what they’re for, coming from no experience with these backpacks =). If someone would be willing to go over the different adjustments and their purpose. I would greatly appreciate it.

Bruce – I have a idea that might help. I noticed on mine, that part looks like a natural weak-point. I bet yours broke right across the line of stitches sowing the strap in-between the plastic? I was thinking to reinforce mine. I could sow pieces of nylon strapping onto the plastic. Tie-down strapping or something like that. I would have to drill small holes for the thread. If I punch the holes instead of drill them, it will make it weaker than it needs to be. With punching I am just pushing the material sideways and down, stressing the plastic further. A drill will remove the material and not create addition stress to the plastic, other than the line of holes for the thread. And I would probably use Kevlar string for the thread. Google “Kevlar thread or string”. McMaster also sells it. Just be creative, I’m sure you can find a way to fix it.

Anyways, excellent backpack. Glad I made the purchase. Can’t wait to hit the trails this summer.