Speaking of rucks
Well, having just spent 22 days under a Kifaru ZXR on combat patrols and recon missions in the jungles of a country south of where most of you are... I can tell you that I wouldnt take it back for a second go round if I had an ALICE pack.
While the ruck is as comfortable to wear as one can hope for bearing 90 lbs of light weight gear it isnt as user friendly as I would have liked. I found the small size of the top opening quite annoying when looking for something, however the bottom opening seemed to be about the right size. The pack wore well over my rack but use of the waist/hip belt is mandatory if moving more than 50 meters and would be near impossible if utilizing a vest or other LBE which hangs low. I tried using it sans belt but due to the tendency of the back to round when the cinch straps are used; the shape of the back padding; and the lumber pad it beat me to death (listing side to side) while trying to maneuver thru the thick foliage and vegetation found here.
It also takes a considerable amount of time to get into and adjusted, which I found to be a problem when moving out from a halt (the Indig dont wait for you to get your shit on and adjusted before they start moving out, and they will leave you.) The slide locks for the shoulder straps seem to work themselves loose during movement which required constant adjustments to the shoulder straps, lift offs, and sternum strap; this become more than annoying after a short amount of time.
I also found the ruck too tall, for me atleast, to use in this environment due to the number of wait-a-minute vines and low hanging trees; my XTL caught on everything it seems. The side slot pockets were useful for holding my hydration bladders until I bumped into a black palm and pierced one of them on the thorns then I started carrying the other inside the main compartment.
All that being said, the ability to go "slick" was a benefit. The XTL was great for get to quickly items and again it was pretty comfortable.
And the worst part about the whole thing... the inability, due to how low it extends past the lumbar pad, to do a rucksack flop and remain in a reclined position...
Crip
Well, having just spent 22 days under a Kifaru ZXR on combat patrols and recon missions in the jungles of a country south of where most of you are... I can tell you that I wouldnt take it back for a second go round if I had an ALICE pack.
While the ruck is as comfortable to wear as one can hope for bearing 90 lbs of light weight gear it isnt as user friendly as I would have liked. I found the small size of the top opening quite annoying when looking for something, however the bottom opening seemed to be about the right size. The pack wore well over my rack but use of the waist/hip belt is mandatory if moving more than 50 meters and would be near impossible if utilizing a vest or other LBE which hangs low. I tried using it sans belt but due to the tendency of the back to round when the cinch straps are used; the shape of the back padding; and the lumber pad it beat me to death (listing side to side) while trying to maneuver thru the thick foliage and vegetation found here.
It also takes a considerable amount of time to get into and adjusted, which I found to be a problem when moving out from a halt (the Indig dont wait for you to get your shit on and adjusted before they start moving out, and they will leave you.) The slide locks for the shoulder straps seem to work themselves loose during movement which required constant adjustments to the shoulder straps, lift offs, and sternum strap; this become more than annoying after a short amount of time.
I also found the ruck too tall, for me atleast, to use in this environment due to the number of wait-a-minute vines and low hanging trees; my XTL caught on everything it seems. The side slot pockets were useful for holding my hydration bladders until I bumped into a black palm and pierced one of them on the thorns then I started carrying the other inside the main compartment.
All that being said, the ability to go "slick" was a benefit. The XTL was great for get to quickly items and again it was pretty comfortable.
And the worst part about the whole thing... the inability, due to how low it extends past the lumbar pad, to do a rucksack flop and remain in a reclined position...
Crip
