• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

Pack Modularity and Integration

Look like you're posting some of the parts in the Classified. Changing system?

I'm putting together a budget version of your setup. I think the Kuiu Pro Hydration or Stalker pack can replace the Kifaru Sherman, on sale for 39$.
 
Look like you're posting some of the parts in the Classified. Changing system?

I'm putting together a budget version of your setup. I think the Kuiu Pro Hydration or Stalker pack can replace the Kifaru Sherman, on sale for 39$.
Yes, the system has been morphing into what it is today lol. I'm pretty good now as referenced by my last few posts! This was thread was not necessarily to point the the utilization of any specific items, but rather to show how stuff can be integrated together with a little creativity! You could replace the chest rig, Claymore G2, or Sherman Pocket, with any molle admin pouch for a heck of a lot less lol (or buy 3 and you're probably still less than the cost of one of those specific pieces)!
 
Well FHF got me thinking... I watched their video on the Hydration Pack attachment to chest rig method and re-worked my Sherman Pocket to chest rig attachment. It's simplified now with less strapping and attachment points.

View attachment 97040View attachment 97041View attachment 97042View attachment 97043View attachment 97044View attachment 97045View attachment 97046View attachment 97047
How comfortable was actually wearing the sherman/chest rig without any padding?
 
How comfortable was actually wearing the sherman/chest rig without any padding?
It's actually fine! I don't use it for heavy weights, but all the weight sits on the shoulders anyway and the side straps are just for stabilization. This specific setup is for UL requirements, like hiking for miles carrying a rifle with minimal likelihood of posting up. I'll throw my basic requirements in my chest rig, and a puffy jacket and water bottle in the Sherman pocket, and go. I'm more likely to wear the lumbar belt setup if I'm going UL and I plan on hunting elevated. It'll be a pack if it's cold and I need layers OR I am going to need to possibly pack a harvest out.
 
Bringing this back to the top since I’m starting to tinker just before the season…

@bowhunthard88 How are you attaching chest rig to tree once at height? Are you hanging both it and the Sherman pack?
 
Last edited:
Bringing this back to the top since I’m starting to tinker just before the season…

@bowhunthard88 How are you attaching chest rig to tree once at height? Are you hanging both it and the Sherman pack?
So, if this was the scenario: I typically would hang them on my gear "strap" from Nite Ize s-hooks. I would disconnect both side buckles, remove the full harness at height and hang the Sherman pocket from the tag end of the gear hanger (like I would any pack), then I would disconnect the two top buckles and hang the chest rig in front of me as my workstation. The harness would stay connected to the Sherman pocket.

On another note, if I need that amount of space, and I'm hunting from an elevated position; I seem to choose my lumbar belt setup over the chest rig. The chest rig and Sherman pocket combo truly excels in a ground hunting/fast-and-light or scouting scenario, and has become my preference for rifle hunting.
 
"Final" rendition of my current use MG/Kifaru/ATS/FHF lumbar setup. I can connect the Kifaru Sherman Pocket as a small pack if needed/wanted, as well. The photos show the FHF Folding Field Seat installed, but I typically only use that during turkey season or hiking/scouting with the rifle.
 

Attachments

  • 20240504_112548.jpg
    20240504_112548.jpg
    702 KB · Views: 35
  • 20240504_112602.jpg
    20240504_112602.jpg
    687.2 KB · Views: 34
Nice! My wife is very concerned about my obsession with bags/pack and always trying to figure out the perfect setup. After season this is going to be on the top of my list!! I'll just deal with the "eye rolls"
 
Tagging this thread so I get updates as this is a system I'm interested in.

BT
 
Complete battle belt setup integrated with chest rig and Sherman Pocket with saddle underneath.
View attachment 89804

Complete battle belt setup integrated with chest rig and Sherman Pocket.
View attachment 89803

Sherman Pocket, front.
View attachment 89802

Sherman Pocket, back. Side buckles are a split-bar type and would be removed if actually being used in this configuration. The side buckles facilitate the installation on my Exo K4. I also don't know if I'll continue to use the Kifaru bottom attachment points or replace them with Slik-Clips, although the Kifaru attachment hardware is much heavier duty (this isn't for heavy duty use, so...).
View attachment 89801

Sherman Pocket top left attachment point loop and Marsupial Gear hardware attachment.
View attachment 89800

Sherman Pocket, installed onto chest rig harness, top view.
View attachment 89799

Sherman Pocket, installed onto chest rig harness, rear view.
View attachment 89798

Sherman Pocket and Claymore (battle belt) attachment loop points and hardware.
View attachment 89797

Sherman Pocket and Claymore (battle belt) attachment loop points and hardware, installed on the left side.
View attachment 89796

Sherman Pocket installed on battle belt setup.
View attachment 89795
I do something similar, with suspenders and a kifaru guide lid (bane) with buckles
 

Attachments

  • 20241129_201652.jpg
    20241129_201652.jpg
    565.6 KB · Views: 31
I do something similar, with suspenders and a kifaru guide lid (bane) with buckles

This is very near what I had thought up when looking into this method. What are those packs on the belt? The kifaru ones?

Do you strap a platform and sticks to this, and if so, how? Does it carry good without having a more structured back panel like a backpack has?

BT
 
This is very near what I had thought up when looking into this method. What are those packs on the belt? The kifaru ones?

Do you strap a platform and sticks to this, and if so, how? Does it carry good without having a more structured back panel like a backpack has?

BT
carries great. I attach a ewo 1stick to my chest with d-clips. the pouches are tethrd lockdown and some sitka pouches off a tool belt. I sling my bow on my back, able to ride a ebike real easy like this. I get to tree and take stick off chest and climb, no unpacking. get to car same thing
 
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.
What are those clips called?
 

Attachments

  • 20241221_143908.jpg
    20241221_143908.jpg
    293.3 KB · Views: 17
What are those clips called?

 
Marsupial gear XL lumbar belt, modular yoke, lumbar pack, nalgene holster, large shotshell pouch, mystery ranch gravely 18, and left/right echelon pouches thanks to @bowhunthard88 !!!!


1000012595.jpg

This is 99.5% lumbar pack Nirvana. I gotta figure out a better attachment method for the top of the Gravely but it feels great. If I were being super picky I may have a problem with the slight color difference between the Gravely and everything else. I could always get a Kifaru Bane instead lol.



BT
 
Marsupial gear XL lumbar belt, modular yoke, lumbar pack, nalgene holster, large shotshell pouch, mystery ranch gravely 18, and left/right echelon pouches thanks to @bowhunthard88 !!!!


View attachment 114331

This is 99.5% lumbar pack Nirvana. I gotta figure out a better attachment method for the top of the Gravely but it feels great. If I were being super picky I may have a problem with the slight color difference between the Gravely and everything else. I could always get a Kifaru Bane instead lol.



BT
How many bones that whole set up set you back?
 
Back
Top