Daves "middle season" Kit Configuration

[comanighttrain]

Hey chaps,

Kind of stemming from my Poncho thread and as some info for anyone who is interested. I've set myself a goal for the remainder of the year to create 2 kit configurations: one for late spring, summer and early Autumn and one for late Autumn, Winter and Early Spring. Obviously there is room for variance given weather conditions.

Reason is simple - try to spend less time as a checkout bushcrafter and more time and money outside! In addition to this I have a blizzard bag. I am assured it will keep me alive if it hits the fan, but I don't want to test it as I cannot vacuum it again and I have little faith in something I can't test...

Objective - All kit except Boots, trousers, base and middle jacket covered by cheapish and as-light-as can gear that can fit in as small a container as possible which would allow one to sleep overnight outside in mild weather without ill effect the next day. In serious weather one could consider it enough to "get you through the night" if you end up stuck somewhere.

I'm working on the warmer season one at the moment - All input is welcome!

Model I'm currently working on looks like this:

PLCE Day Sack (basically two 15L sacks held together)
Poncho
Walking Poles
Bungee Cord
Sleeping Mat
Shock Blanket
Wooly Hat
Fleece Buff Scarf
Wooly Gloves

And I'm working on what else to add... I'm thinking of getting a Bufflo inner bag (I have the outer...having both would give me a 4S synthetic config)

Also see German cold weather trousers floating about for £15... possibly a good addition as the bag will offer tremendous protection alone

I do already have a goose down bag that is supposedly comfortable to -10 - I'm cautious about using it without a bivi bag on it though, as I know down isn't as good as Synthetic in that respect and I want to keep the volume of stuff as low as possible...more on this later.

[Martin]

I believe that you can send your Blizzard bag back to be re-packed. Might be worth checking out? Mine just stays in my rucksack in case the SHTF.

Martin

[Silverback]

It wont keep you alive if the shit hits the fan. It may but there are no guarantees.;) they are good though. Judging by the list unless seriously injured you would end up at worst spending a less than comfortable night out

[comanighttrain]

I believe that you can send your Blizzard bag back to be re-packed. Might be worth checking out? Mine just stays in my rucksack in case the SHTF.

Martin

Yeah I heard that - I did a bit of digging though and someone did a review of it on ARRSE and noted that it developed tears whilst being removed from that plastic packet. I think if the SHTF one may not want/be able to remove it from the sack as gently as they'd like? It concerns me a bit...


Judging by the list unless seriously injured you would end up at worst spending a less than comfortable night out

probably about what I'm aiming for...

[comanighttrain]

Buffalo bag doesn't compress enough to fit in a 15l half-a-sack....

Any other bag suggestions? the snugpak ones don't seem to review well...

[Silverback]

Buffalo bag doesn't compress enough to fit in a 15l half-a-sack....

Any other bag suggestions? the snugpak ones don't seem to review well...

Molle sac 30 l ?

[comanighttrain]

Molle sac 30 l ?

I was worried about....this £16?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0032TE0VQ/ref=asc_df_B0032TE0VQ9373621?smid=A1AHD7IIF0L9NT&tag=googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22218&creativeASIN=B0032TE0VQ

[comanighttrain]

meh...bad review...weight is not significantly less than the 40L I have without the rockets... hmmm

[comanighttrain]

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/185174_10152040404150058_1348771126_n.jpg

got this so far.

Poncho
Buffalo 4S Outer
Rucksack as pad

Waterproofs
Softie type jacket

Poles

[comanighttrain]

hmmm scratch that...still not feeling right... think i'm just a compact sleeping bag away from acceptable...

[comanighttrain]

U-turn. The day sack is not fit for purpose....

[Martin]

What are going to do now, Dave?

Martin

[Silverback]

35L NI patrol sac ? Something by osprey ?

[comanighttrain]

Had the day sack with most of the envisioned kit in it today - felt heavier than it is, swung about too much, no hydration pack, not great for running in... although no my intended use I can imagine this will be rather irritating if your getting shot at and you lose all your kit!

hmmm I'm not sure.... most mil type bags are the same/heavier than my rocketpak sans rockets

My mrs got an osprey mutant and I like the design....shame her back is smaller than mine or it could be reappropriated

Choices for the moment seem to be live with the snuggy or invest in some type of climber bag

[jus_young]

I have been looking for a decent day sack for when out and about with the family and dog as the Exos 46 is way too big and my old 25L work bag has seen better days. Need something that will carry food and drink for us all as well as the obligatory waterproofs, FAK etc. One I am considering due to the weight and reasonable reviews is the Lowe Alpine Yocton at under a kilo and I just went to find a link to post up here and found GoOutdoors have it at less than half price at the moment. It may be an option for you

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/yocton-35-p181305

[Martin]

Have a look at these, Dave. http://www.theomm.com/products/packs?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=36&category_id=1

I really like mine and I'm looking for ways I can use it for an overnight trip. I'm sure it's possible/capable of it. It's a proper, lightweight pack and even comes with a built in 'sleep' mat (for very heavy sleepers only). Has a hydration pocket and is generally a great design.

Martin

[Silverback]

Choices for the moment seem to be live with the snuggy or invest in some type of climber bag


You know what I get up to and i have a Berghaus Extrem Pro

[comanighttrain]

Cheers chaps!

jus_young - that looks like a possible option! nice price too...

Martin - Yeah I was actually looking at OMM before... where does the hydration bladder sit on that one? Sleep mat doesn't need to be great... can use a little skill to make up for it...

Sapper - which model is it you use? there seems to be a few with that name

[Silverback]

Same one as Alan hinkes.......

[Martin]

Cheers chaps!

Martin - Yeah I was actually looking at OMM before... where does the hydration bladder sit on that one? Sleep mat doesn't need to be great... can use a little skill to make up for it...



There's a pocket inside for the hydration bladder and openings for the tube to come out if you use that system. There is also a small chest pouch available for this system which I find really useful. I keep my compass, pace beads, gps, laminated map section, pencil, note book, whistle, mobile phone etc etc in. It's like having the top pocket of your rucksack strapped to your chest.

Martin

[comanighttrain]

Same one as Alan hinkes.......
Ahh is this old season? I can't see it here...

http://store.berghaus.com/c/equipment/packs/backpacks-rucksacks/?page=1

[comanighttrain]

There's a pocket inside for the hydration bladder and openings for the tube to come out if you use that system. There is also a small chest pouch available for this system which I find really useful. I keep my compass, pace beads, gps, laminated map section, pencil, note book, whistle, mobile phone etc etc in. It's like having the top pocket of your rucksack strapped to your chest.

Martin

Ahh yeah I seen that too...that is a pretty good idea!

Does the hydropack run down the middle or on one side?

The rocketpak it sits on the left side...which is annoying as your balance gradually changes throughout the day

[Martin]

Ahh yeah I seen that too...that is a pretty good idea!

Does the hydropack run down the middle or on one side?

The rocketpak it sits on the left side...which is annoying as your balance gradually changes throughout the day

Down the middle. There are two 'pockets' inside, one in front of the other, one holds the sit/sleep mat and the other the hydration pouch. My Platypus fits nicely inside and doesn't flop about when you run (not that I run very often either).

As this is your mid season pack, and I assume you are in no rush to get this put together, I'll try to pack it for a night out next weekend. I fancy a solo night out and why not go ultra lightweight (for me)? I'll do my best to do a video of the pack whilst I'm out.

Martin

[Silverback]

Ahh is this old season? I can't see it here...

http://store.berghaus.com/c/equipment/packs/backpacks-rucksacks/?page=1

I've had it a while so it will be........bought in 2005 its been battered by some seriously bad weather, thrown about in the back of a landy, rolled down a mountain, gone through 2 SARDA assessment courses, regularly dragged by the dog and been chucked out of a helicopter more than once.

On the model I have there is no hydration bladder sleeve although this has never presented me with a problem, i just put the bladder between the back padding and the contents and it stays put

[comanighttrain]

Down the middle. There are two 'pockets' inside, one in front of the other, one holds the sit/sleep mat and the other the hydration pouch. My Platypus fits nicely inside and doesn't flop about when you run (not that I run very often either).

As this is your mid season pack, and I assume you are in no rush to get this put together, I'll try to pack it for a night out next weekend. I fancy a solo night out and why not go ultra lightweight (for me)? I'll do my best to do a video of the pack whilst I'm out.

Martin

Oh please do that would be awesome!

And yes... won't be long before the nips back in the air now... ha actually might be worth starting to look at my winter gear before it really gets started!

[comanighttrain]

I've had it a while so it will be........bought in 2005 its been battered by some seriously bad weather, thrown about in the back of a landy, rolled down a mountain, gone through 2 SARDA assessment courses, regularly dragged by the dog and been chucked out of a helicopter more than once.

On the model I have there is no hydration bladder sleeve although this has never presented me with a problem, i just put the bladder between the back padding and the contents and it stays put

Tough is good!

I don't suppose you've had to run with it on?

[Silverback]

Tough is good!

I don't suppose you've had to run with it on?

Not had to run with it on.... but have done so.... not the happiest experience but given we as humans arent really designed to walk upright let alone run what is ;)

Running with weight on your back is bad for you...ask ANY ex squaddie

[comanighttrain]

Not had to run with it on.... but have done so.... not the happiest experience but given we as humans arent really designed to walk upright let alone run what is ;)

Running with weight on your back is bad for you...ask ANY ex squaddie

Oh I know... stiff as a board after yesterdays escapade!

[comanighttrain]

Waist Packs have caught my attention - I'm wondering if there would be a pay off for loading stuff onto the hip and putting light bulky stuff into the bag...

[comanighttrain]

I've had a visit from the idea fairy...

If I can get a lot of stuff into a belt pouch, then load a doss bag into a light backpack with hydrobladder. I can move weight away from my back (so run...well run with less injury).

[comanighttrain]

Another idea

Use a hydration bladder that can be attached to a rucksack externally but centrally

[jus_young]

Warm water is not the best. On my Exos 46 the mesh back panel has a space behind that the bladder can fit in if I find space is a premium inside the pack. It still stays cool and allows for that extra bit of flexibility should it be needed

[comanighttrain]

Another thought on external idea, could carry smaller volume bladder with more water inside bag if required. Advantage is not digging EVERYTHING out of the bag when needing to refill bladder....

[comanighttrain]

Warm water is not the best.

ahhh true and noted! cheers

[comanighttrain]

got a working model! Will post pics later!

[comanighttrain]

53095310531153125313

[comanighttrain]

Alright,

I could easily get by with all that I've packed.

Some additional items can be carried in my pockets (gloves, hat etc)

What I can take is well suited to trails or low level camping... in a mountain environment there's just not enough room for the additional protective clothing AND a sleeping bag.. might be possible with a smaller sleeping bag

P.S. the fire stove box is my fire kit... I can't fit a cooking cup on here either...

[AL...]

Nice compact kit I like that.

Cheers
AL

[comanighttrain]

Ahhh...bag didn't work out too well. Due to the bladder being separated from my back by a thin bit of plastic the water quickly became lukewarm. Horrible to drink when you are overheated from effort