CFP-90 Field Pack

Packs and bags 43 Responses »
Feb 052008
Rating 5 of 5 stars
Design internal frame Field Pack
Size large
Number of Pockets 3
Max. Load Carried 45 lbs
Price Paid $115
Pack Weight 6.5 lbs
Total size 4026 – 4250 cu inches w/o Patrol Pack

The CFP-90 was my second foray into US Army rucksacks. The medium ALICE Pack was not comfortable for even short(er) hikes, and I wanted something with an internal frame and a hip belt. I looked at several civilian internal frame backpacks at local retailers, but none of them ‘turned me on’. The suspension systems were well designed, the size was right, but they were either too expensive, or ugly, or ‘just not right’. I then looked online for various military designs, and saw some very well made packs in the $300-$700 range. These bags were simply out of question! I am used to buying surplus military gear way below retail prices, and somebody wants $300 for a backpack? No way. After some more searching on the internet, I came upon an obscure pack made for the US Army, and never used. The CFP-90 was designed as a replacement for ALICE gear, but never adopted. The Army started using MOLLE gear instead. Which, I suppose, is good for the Army, and great for the civilian hiker because surplus Army gear became even cheaper and easier to get.
Continue reading »

Posted by dmitry at 2:00 pm Tagged with: , , , , , , , ,

ALICE Pack

Packs and bags 6 Responses »
Feb 052008
Rating 2 of 5 stars
Design frameless rucksack
Size medium
Number of Pockets 3
Max. Load Carried 45 lb
Price Paid $18
Pack Weight 3.5 lbs
Total size 2484 cu inches

The medium ALICE Pack was my first ‘real’ camping backpack purchase. I bought it on eBay, after seeing one of my friends use his on a camping trip. The ALICE pack is a no nonsense, strong and cheap design from 1960s. There were several versions made for the US Army, medium ALICE and large ALICE. The medium pack can be worn without an external frame, the large pack has to have the external frame because of its size. I am not a big fan of external frames, so my pack does not have one. While a vast improvement over a school book-bag, the ALICE pack is not the most comfortable design out there. It is still one of my favorites because of our camping history, and because it is tough. I have strapped tents, gallons of water, firewood, all kinds of things onto it, and nothing ever broke The fabric is very durable, and the straps are extremely strong. I dislike the frameless design because the bag bows out, and sits on your back in an awkward way. The shoulder straps are not heavily padded, and there is no hip belt. With the external frame, you have to use a hip belt, so that may be an improvement in comfort and usability. The stock shoulder straps are about 2.5″ wide, and have less than 1/2″ of padding. When used without the hip belt, all of the weight rides on the shoulders, which makes even a short hikes extremely uncomfortable, and back-breaking. Both shoulder straps have old-school quick release buckles.
Continue reading »

Posted by dmitry at 11:57 am Tagged with: , , , , ,

UTG (Leapers) Pack

Packs and bags 1 Response »
Jan 212008
Rating 3 of 5 stars
Design Frameless 3 Day Assault Pack
Size small-med
Number of Pockets 4
Max. Load Carried 40 lbs
Price Paid $65
Pack Weight 5.5 lbs
Total size 2110 cu inches

A.K.A.: Leapers Assault Pack, Leapers Web Pack or UTG Web Pack.

I bought this pack at the end of the summer in 2007, and used it twice last season. This design is very comfortable. The padding on the shoulder straps is nice and thick, the back panel is padded, and the hip belt is wide. This is especially important because other packs I have seen have only a inch wide strap for the hip belt, and it’s uncomfortable to wear. Especially if you put load on your hips, and it cuts into the skin. UTG designed their hip belt to be 4″ wide, and it has padding inside. Not too much, enough to be comfortable. It has 3 rows of webbing for MOLLE for other web gear. Looks like only 2 (top and bottom) rows should be used for proper attachment of web gear, or maybe just the middle one. UTG used a pad of Velcro to attach the hip belt. It’s like and envelope, and the hip belt goes inside. Take a look at the pictures below to see what I mean. The hip belt can be removed completely.
Continue reading »

Posted by dmitry at 12:16 am Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

MOLLE II Assault Pack

Packs and bags 21 Responses »
Jan 212008
Rating 5 of 5 stars
Design Frameless 3 Day Assault Pack
Size small-med
Number of Pockets 1
Max. Load Carried 25 lbs
Price Paid $65
Pack Weight ~4 lbs
Total size 1650+450 cu inches

This is my second MOLLE Assault pack. The original one is first generation Woodland Camo version. I am using the Woodland pack as my BOB, and the Desert Camo version for 2-3 day summer camping trips. Both are my by SDS (Specialty Defense Systems). There are several differences between the first and second generation packs.

  1. Shoulder straps are different
  2. Gen 2 pack has a waist belt
  3. Gen 2 large pocket has a zipper instead of draw-cord
  4. Gen 2 has an additional small Velcro pocket on the outside of large pocket
  5. Gen 2 has four cinch straps on the sides

Everything else is pretty much the same. Fabric, zippers, buckles and total volume are the same. This pack is constructed from 1000 denier Cordura. The fabric is vulcanized on the inside to make it waterproof. SDS used YKK self-healing zippers, glide easily, and do not break.
Continue reading »

Posted by dmitry at 12:05 am Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , ,
Newer Entries
© 2010 CampingGearReview Powered by CrimsonShift, LLC