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Back Pack Special

Back Pack Special

Pete Wadeson says ‘hump that ruck’ as he details his favourite back packs well suited to any form of hunting

ALLEN SUMMIT DAY PACK

Measuring 17 X 7” at the base, the Summit is manufactured from hard-wearing, silent heavy-duty Nylon with a PVC inner in Realtree apg HD camo.  With a 1075 cubic inch capacity this narrow, semi-clamshell design is configured to take as much or as little as you require with its ‘tier’ system. The main compartment opens with double zippers to reveal a generous amount of storage.

From this is an open-topped pocket, made into two separate compartments using a full dividing mesh top with an adjustable drop down webbing strap and clip fastener. Another double zip fastened pocket is set on this with a slash zip fasten pouch on the outer plus an adjustable elasticated bungee cord system on the outer to carry extra gear. Shoulder straps are wide and well-padded with a breathable mesh lining.

Designed to take an ‘optional’ water bladder, in a rear pocket the ‘hose’ securing clip is positioned down the right shoulder strap for optimum position. There’s also an adjustable (up to 50”) waistband with snap buckle fastener. The rear is very well padded and uses the same ‘breathable’ mesh lining completed by a top webbing grab handle for a quick pick up. It’s practical, well featured, plus the bonus ‘Hydration’ facility makes it versatile and certainly very comfortable to wear.

HS ‘STRUT’ ULTIMATE WAIST BAG

For sheer innovation of design and quality of manufacture the STRUT is well worth consideration! This 15-pocket ‘wonder bum-bag’ can swallow up a lot of gear. It’s made from 600D, hard wearing, waterproof rip/tear-proof material in Realtree apg HD camo. There’s a 28 X 6” padded, inner mesh lined ‘pocket support band’ that all the bags are built onto. Coupled with the strong 2” webbing with a heavy-duty snap fastener it adjusts to fit the largest waist with keepers to stop any excess flapping around.

Layout from (l-r) is a 5 X 4 X ½” deep overflap secured and lined pocket, a bottle carrier with twin-height set securing cover, then the main bag itself. Measuring 9 ½ X 6 X 2 ¼” with double zip opening. Sitting side onto this are two separate and cover secured ’magazine holders’ - useful for monocular, field knife, multi-tool etc… The front flap has side zips that allow it to drop down for full access. Inside are two square, closed pockets belt side, and two zip fastened mesh pockets on the opposite side. Next a 6 X 4 X 1 ¾” top zip pouch with another generous front zip pouch capable of holding most midi-binoculars. Last a 4 ½ X 4 ½” square pocket with four, elasticated internal shell loops – airgunners could use it for ammo & magazine store. All flaps secure with silent and strong magnets’. Add a top grab handle and twin D-rings and this could well be the finest, most practical waist bag ever!

BACK PACK FOR LOWER BACK

Measuring 11 ¾ X 14 ¼ X 6” it’s a bit different as it ‘sits’ on the lower back. Manufactured from 100% polyester, 600D and PVC the ‘pack’ consists of two, separate, equal sized bags, the top and lower having double-zip opening to access the compartments that remain attached at the rear. The top section has an internal rear zip close ‘stash’ pocket, two small top side pockets and a mesh pocket. The two larger side and front pockets are on the lower bag. All close with strong waterproof zips with ‘rubberised’ pulls. The padded back with mesh outer increases wearer comfort.

The harness has adjustable, padded shoulder and sternum straps and a waistband with well padded side support. All can be detached, so you can wear it as a rucky of bumbag and removing the waistband leaves you the option to use the integral carry handle. Two, adjustable, full- length, wrap- over compression straps give extra strength and the bottom is reinforced and waterproof. All main carrying straps use clip fasteners and press studs. Available in green or Deerhunter’s Innovation camo it’s an innovative design and one that I highly recommend.

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JACK PYKE 25LTR RUCKSACK

Measuring 20 ½ X 12 5/8 X 8” excluding side pockets it’s designed along the lines of the Web-tex Patrol Pack, although subtle changes are made, by way of external pocket layout, carrying harness and capacity. Manufactured from hard wearing Cordura, the top cover is part elasticated at the sides and has extra padding to protect ‘kit’ stowed in the main, PVC-lined draw cord toggle fastened main compartment. It fastens using two strong clips on adjustable webbing straps and there are also two pairs of D-rings on the outer back for clipping on game carriers.

The rear features what they call Airjet Technology, it’s padded and keeps air circulating in hot weather and retains warmth in colder weather therefore offering a degree of comfort. It has two external generously sized double zip closure side pockets. There is also stowage for longer items like tripods or shooting sticks too. Available in green, English Oak and English Woodland camo patterns and considering the price it’s a well designed, robust and usefully featured.

NAPIER RANGER 3 30LTR BACK PACK

Measuring 18 7/8 X 11 X 9 7/8” the Ranger 3 is manufactured from a hard wearing, soft and ‘silent’ material in Advantage Timber camo pattern. A Packweight EVA bonding on the inside ensures full waterproofing. A heavy duty double zip around back flap, allows you to immediately access everything inside. There’s also a generous but slim zip pocket on the outside and two elasticated open top mesh side pockets

The pack offers adjustable compression straps - a large one at the top and two along either side, all secure by clip fasteners. A really ingenious feature is the semi-rigid moulded base. This allows the pack to stand up when placed on the floor, no matter how full or empty it’ll stay upright and watertight. The adjustable shoulder straps with D-rings are well padded and reinforced for extra strength with adjustable sternum strap and wider waistband. The back is well padded and mesh provides air circulation. With a host of well thought out features the Ranger 3 is an essential piece of kit for the hunter.

RIDGELINE 30L MEDIUM HYDRO DAY PACK

Measuring 22 X 14 X 6 ¾” Ridgeline use their Quiet-Tex material with a PVC lining. The outer has the company’s Buffalo ‘Hide & Seek’ camo pattern. A ‘water bladder’ can be bought as an optional extra, attaching to the outside so internal stowage space isn’t lost. It has two adjustable, padded shoulder straps with D-rings and adjustable snap buckle sternum strap plus a larger snap buckle fastening waist band.

A grab handle affords a quick and easy pick up. The back is contoured, well padded and semi-rigid making it comfortable. There’s a reinforced Nylon base with waterproof liner so nothing will get wet should it be placed on ground. A large adjustable clip fastener secures the top flap and there are four adjustable compression straps with clip fasteners (two per side). There are also two elasticated open top side mesh pockets. A pouch for a mobile phone or two-way radio is included on one side of the carry harness. Ridgeline produce quality kit at reasonable prices and this certainly proves it.

APEX PREDATOR HUNTERS GAME SACK AND WAIST BAG

Though designed primarily as a fold-down roe sack the Apex Predator is equally useful for any hunter. Made from 420D nylon ripstop in original Realtree camo combined with soft quiet pockets it looks like a waist bag, it’s adjustable belt with QD Clip can handle up to 60.” There are four, zip-closed pouches including ‘two piggy back’ pouches (varying size) an open top drawstring and a toggle fastening drawstring bottle holder. This means lots of storage to carry essentials and all or as little as you need all pockets are lined and waterproof.

However, undoing two press studs deploys the full size 26 X 20” roe sack that folds out from the waist bag. A detachable Y-harness is included for rucksack use. Not only will it carry a full size roe but alternatively it could easily swallow up 25-30 rabbits or a shed load of pigeon and squirrels. It features a removable washable liner and comes with a spare. This is a radical and practical design indeed; my one whinge is the old-style camo Napier use, which will not be to everyone’s tastes…Contact: Napier of London 01235 812993 for nearest stockists, www.napieruk.com

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