PMCI - May 2021

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I’m going to come straight out and say this, I’m a packbeliever! Call it what you will, pack, backpack, ruc,rucsac, or gear-hauler, it’s all the same to me, butin my opinion EVERY shooter worth their salt shouldbe able to carry all they need for a training day,and indeed if you’re into any kind of “preparation”I don’t believe you can consider yourself “full on”unless you own a pack or “go bag” that’s able tokeep you in the field for multiple days!I worked for many years for one of the very best pack makersin the outdoor performance industry before I decided todevote myself entirely to shooting and matters tactical, soyou could say I know a thing or three about how a packshould be put together, how it should be fitted, and indeedhow it should be packed and used. I’ve spent many, manydays with different packs on my own back, and covered lotsof miles in the wild places of the world with my life strappedto my back.I’ve seen many cheap packs fail, and many people endingup in a world of hurt due to this, or to poor fitment.A badly fitting back will sit wrong and lead to fatiguevery quickly, and the way you carry items inside will alsohave a bearing, but that’s a topic for another day. In thisarticle I’m going to look specifically at what I (and manyothers!) term “Patrol Packs”, models up to 45 litres that willtake you from a day training right up to a multi-day clementpmcimagazine.comKIT: PACKSCHOOSING YOUR PATROL PACKWhen it comes to using a pack there are many differing opinions as to what is best, or indeed if youshould bother carrying one at all as a part of your EDC/tactical gear! Bill takes a look at this questionfrom several angles, and comes up with some solutions that may make you think again!30
weather scenario. “Big Packs”, or in military parlance, “Bergans”,for winter use are a whole other ballgame, and although many ofthe principles are the same they are beasts with a character andtemperament all of their own, and deserve to be treated withutmost respect!Choosing the best “patrol pack” is a difficult and personalthing, and there is no single definitive answer as to what willbe best for you, but ultimately it’s all about getting the job donesafely and efficiently; there is simply “no one fits all” patrol packthat will suit every individual, and it all really comes down to howyou’re planning to use itFor any situation that’s going to involve more than youcan carry in your pockets, you’re going to need a pack! Even asustainment pack fitted to the back of your plate carrier will help,and as much as I love these, I will usually opt for a standalonepack for a number of reasons. You may think that “all packs areequal” but they actually have lots of functional differences. I amof the opinion that even one pack will not be adequate for allscenarios, and even as a believer in “light is right” I have multiplepacks for different scenarios; having two to three dedicated packscan cover you for pretty much any scenario you find yourself in,and although you can wing it with a single model, having morethan one allows you more choice, and more tactical flexibility.Are you a person that likes to cover all the bases, one thatis prepared for any kind of weather that “Old Ma Nature” maythrow at you, the player that’s prepared to bivvy at the drop of ahat? To begin to work out what size and type of pack is right foryou, first think about the following:• Fit: This is paramount to me for a tactical pack; if it weren’t Icould just drag around a big old trash bag containing my worldlygoods!• Role: How you’ll use the your pack, and in what setting, canwill give you an idea of the features you’ll need• Capacity: Just HOW MUCH gear are you going to be lugging (askyourself why; do you REALLY need it all!)• Features: How many pockets do you need, and why? How easyis the pack to access? How easy is it to dump if you need to bugout fast?Patrol packs come in all sizes, great and small, so when you’rethinking about what you need to buy, REALLY think about whatyou need to have in it. Can the pack swallow up a box or two ofammo, a cleaning kit, some snacks, and water for a day on therange? Will it be large enough to carry and extra layer and yourwaterproofs on a bad-weather day? Do you need to carry anyspecialist items like comms? Let’s look at things by size first!• Up to 10 litres : These can be great for a range day where youjust need to have a few choice essentials, and are usually prettystable as most models will be designed for hi-speed pursuitswhere little bulk or weight is really carried. They’re great if youcan head back to the car whenever you need to, but at any othertime you’ll be wanting something bigger!• 10–20 litres: This is my “go to size” if I’m going to be workingclose to a base or from vehicles, as generous re-supply will stillbe relatively close at hand. At the larger end of this spectrum a20 litre pack will let you carry additional shell garments, a moresubstantial FAK, and more food and water so you can sustainyourself for a longer period if needed• 20–45 litres: When it comes to multi-day training scenariosthen this is where I look to have enough packed on my backto last, with occasional re-supply of rations and water, for someconsiderable time! I’ve gone into packing lists for multi-dayscenarios before, but the 40-45 litre mark is where this reallyclicks into gear for me; you can go smaller if you’re REALLY superminimalist,but around 40 litres is the absolute sweet spot as faras I’m concerned!KEEPING THINGS STABLEYou’ll find that many smaller, lightweight packs do an excellentjob of adapting to the shape of your back, and if you’re in 0-20litre territory you can make do with very little mechanical supportas part of the pack construction. When you move up in size, andtherefore potentially in the weight that you may carry though, youneed a little help to get the right fit and correct support that willhelp you avoid discomfort and fatigue! Many mid-size packs havean internal frame that helps support the weight you’re carrying;some will have plastic parts that add lightweight structure, whilstothers will make use of alloy rods or staves to support the load.Bottom line; the sturdier the frame, the more the pack, andyou, can handle safely and comfortably!But the framework of the pack is only the beginning ofgetting the “fit” right, and your pack should be as individual inhow it interacts with your body as you are! A good pack “fit” willgive you the correct size appropriate for your torso length (NOTyour height), and will offer support via the hip belt which shouldbe a snug fit if it’s a padded version such as those you’ll find onlarger models; for the smaller, low-volume, low-weight packs thehip belt can be more minimal and is really there for stability.You’ll find that some mid-size packs are available in multiplesizes to fit a range of torso lengths, and that ranges vary bymanufacturer and by gender. While trying frame-packs on,position the hip belt so the top edge is just above your hips, thenlook at how the shoulder straps work on your back and shouldersthemselves; with no weight in the pack, the straps should sitslightly proud of your shoulders, enough that you can slip a fingerbeneath without feeling pressure, as when you add weight thestraps will be pulled down. If there is a big gap the pack is likelytoo long for you! If at all possible try on your potential new loadpartnerwith some weight in; most good stores or outfitters willhave weight bags specifically for this. Some packs feature anadjustable torso that lets you really dial-in the fit; if you struggleto find the right fit with other packs, consider one with anadjustable torso. This is also a good idea if you’ll be sharing thepack with someone too!KIT: PACKSpmcimagazine.com
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PMCI - May 2021

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