I was asked by someone about my pack setup, and I believe that this may be the best forum section to elaborate, even though no permanent modifications were made. While I would love to create an "article" post, I am choosing to create a thread with multiple posts and some pics. Feel free to chime in and/or ask questions, although by no means am I an authority on this subject. Many of the ways that I have chosen to do things may work for me, but it doesn't mean that they will work for everyone, or that there isn't a better way!
I have used several systems over the least few years, but I finally have settled on something that I think is worth keeping (until something else "better" comes out lol, cue 5 minutes...). I bought several separate components and then with some brain-storming I figured out ways to integrate them and created a "mostly" modular system for myself. This system allows me to be most efficient for what gear is necessary and the specific style of each hunt; from a two hour post, to an all-day rut sit, to a week-long camping trip... I also recommend creating "kit" bags or similar, so that when systems get switched, critical equipment doesn't get forgotten! I won't get into what stuff that I have used previously, but here is my current list of items:
- Exo K4 pack: the bag really doesn't matter, but for whitetail "day" hunting I have mine set up with the 2200 bag and no lid. I do own the lid, a 3600 bag, and the 5000 bag, along with extra straps/accessories and the ability to add the lid to the 2200. Choosing to add the lid will get me some extra CI without needing to change the bag as the season progresses and additional layers are needed, or for overnight trips. I have the waist belt set up with pouches chosen for their utilitarian purposes in locations that are accessible when and where I need them (i.e. if I'm in a tree, as a righty, I have access to the left side of the pack belt without movement). I also have the waist belt set up to suspend my saddle from, if I choose to wear it in, and that negates saddle sag or even noticing that you're wearing the weight of a saddle setup at all.
- Battle belt setup: this setup is something that took some trial and error to put together. I tried a few different belts but ended up with a High Speed Gear Laser Sure-Grip Padded Belt. I installed the EWO Lineman's loop belt setup with the rated Cobra buckle so that I can climb sticks, etc., without having to transition to my saddle attachment points. I set the belt up as a glorified fanny pack setup with the Kifaru Claymore Gen2 in the back, a water bottle carrier to the right, and a pocket to the left. I also added a pair of compression straps behind the Claymore pouch for layers, etc. The battle belt also has the corresponding saddle suspension setup, and attachment points to utilize my chest rig as shoulder support.
- FHF Gear Chest Rig Gen2: I have this fully setup to run fast-and-light by itself if needed. I have the following FHF accessories installed: E4 Pouch (front), Foundation Wings (left and right), Wind+Call Pouch (left), E3 Pouch (right), and the General Purpose Pouch (underneath). This setup can cover me for short early season hunts. This system will integrate into my pack suspension by removing the shoulder strap setup and buckling it into place, which carries very well because of how the weight is distributed. I can can also integrate this into my battle belt setup as a shoulder support system (read suspenders).
- Kifaru Sherman Pocket: I can add this onto the back of my pack for additional compression and storage space, or I can add this onto my chest rig shoulder strap system and battle belt system. Adding this onto the chest rig/battle belt will essentially give me a small backpack or water bladder compartment.
- FHF Blaze Panel: Unless I have the Sherman Pocket installed on the pack, this lives on my pack. This supplies extra compression and coverage while adding an extra easily accessible pocket space. Blaze out if it's firearm season, blaze in if it's bow season!
Buckles are your friend, and I have a lot of different friends! There are many choices and the only important part is that they are cross-compatible, in this case. Everything buckles, hooks, or clips into place and it only takes moments to remove and/or switch systems. This is my final rendition, for efficiency, of various configurations that I found to work, or not. The only two systems that cannot be run together are the pack and the battle belt, in any case, this would be a choice of one or another. I am attaching a photo of various buckles, straps, webbing, etc., that I may have used to help create an integrated modular system. While this photo shows quite a few options, I do know that there are other pieces that I used that are not pictured.
I will try to add to this thread as time allows, with pictures, the individual pieces that create the system.
I have used several systems over the least few years, but I finally have settled on something that I think is worth keeping (until something else "better" comes out lol, cue 5 minutes...). I bought several separate components and then with some brain-storming I figured out ways to integrate them and created a "mostly" modular system for myself. This system allows me to be most efficient for what gear is necessary and the specific style of each hunt; from a two hour post, to an all-day rut sit, to a week-long camping trip... I also recommend creating "kit" bags or similar, so that when systems get switched, critical equipment doesn't get forgotten! I won't get into what stuff that I have used previously, but here is my current list of items:
- Exo K4 pack: the bag really doesn't matter, but for whitetail "day" hunting I have mine set up with the 2200 bag and no lid. I do own the lid, a 3600 bag, and the 5000 bag, along with extra straps/accessories and the ability to add the lid to the 2200. Choosing to add the lid will get me some extra CI without needing to change the bag as the season progresses and additional layers are needed, or for overnight trips. I have the waist belt set up with pouches chosen for their utilitarian purposes in locations that are accessible when and where I need them (i.e. if I'm in a tree, as a righty, I have access to the left side of the pack belt without movement). I also have the waist belt set up to suspend my saddle from, if I choose to wear it in, and that negates saddle sag or even noticing that you're wearing the weight of a saddle setup at all.
- Battle belt setup: this setup is something that took some trial and error to put together. I tried a few different belts but ended up with a High Speed Gear Laser Sure-Grip Padded Belt. I installed the EWO Lineman's loop belt setup with the rated Cobra buckle so that I can climb sticks, etc., without having to transition to my saddle attachment points. I set the belt up as a glorified fanny pack setup with the Kifaru Claymore Gen2 in the back, a water bottle carrier to the right, and a pocket to the left. I also added a pair of compression straps behind the Claymore pouch for layers, etc. The battle belt also has the corresponding saddle suspension setup, and attachment points to utilize my chest rig as shoulder support.
- FHF Gear Chest Rig Gen2: I have this fully setup to run fast-and-light by itself if needed. I have the following FHF accessories installed: E4 Pouch (front), Foundation Wings (left and right), Wind+Call Pouch (left), E3 Pouch (right), and the General Purpose Pouch (underneath). This setup can cover me for short early season hunts. This system will integrate into my pack suspension by removing the shoulder strap setup and buckling it into place, which carries very well because of how the weight is distributed. I can can also integrate this into my battle belt setup as a shoulder support system (read suspenders).
- Kifaru Sherman Pocket: I can add this onto the back of my pack for additional compression and storage space, or I can add this onto my chest rig shoulder strap system and battle belt system. Adding this onto the chest rig/battle belt will essentially give me a small backpack or water bladder compartment.
- FHF Blaze Panel: Unless I have the Sherman Pocket installed on the pack, this lives on my pack. This supplies extra compression and coverage while adding an extra easily accessible pocket space. Blaze out if it's firearm season, blaze in if it's bow season!
Buckles are your friend, and I have a lot of different friends! There are many choices and the only important part is that they are cross-compatible, in this case. Everything buckles, hooks, or clips into place and it only takes moments to remove and/or switch systems. This is my final rendition, for efficiency, of various configurations that I found to work, or not. The only two systems that cannot be run together are the pack and the battle belt, in any case, this would be a choice of one or another. I am attaching a photo of various buckles, straps, webbing, etc., that I may have used to help create an integrated modular system. While this photo shows quite a few options, I do know that there are other pieces that I used that are not pictured.
I will try to add to this thread as time allows, with pictures, the individual pieces that create the system.
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