| Arrived today, so I can deliver you a 'open arrival review.' Well packaged out-of-box, great textile smell. Excellent stitching quality, seemingly durable zippers. Had a minor scuff on lower clasps, (likely someone dragged it across a floor ONCE to create such a minor flaw.) Fits all my SHTF gear well, with plenty of room left! Front pocket setup is great for map sets, compass, log books, utensils, binoculars, firestarters... basically all of your smaller survival goodies. Next pocket has such great mesh pocket stitching, I was thoroughly impressed to read the tag and see the all-to-familiar MADE IN CHINA stamp. Good zippers in here as well, and I've put my fishing kit, sewing kit, and hygiene kits all in here, with a towel, washlcoth and 200 feet of 550 cord as well. The back pocket, and largest, snuggling holds my rubberized water carrier in pouch backing, as well as a woolen GI blanket at the base with 3 days rations and 2 extra boxers and 3 pairs socks! And my absolute favorite area of the bag is the exterior! Solid stitching once again, great broad columns of webbing, equips my platoon medikit in front. Machete alongside left web paneling, which adapted with little effort, and my water canteen and Emergency Radio carrier fit nicely on the right. The primary chest-strap even has webbing which I couldn't resist utilizing and have fashioned my combat/survival knife to it length-wise perfectly. Upon hefting and securing the bag, WITH all of these goodies I found the position of the main strap a bit odd, but it sized up and secured nicely across the chest area. Straps even have velcro bands to keep them from flailing around while you move. All in all it's a bit too snug but should hold up nicely in the SHTF event, may it come. I'll have to endurance test it this weekend to see how it holds up on a 5 mile hike! Thanks CTD! |