I solved a similar problem the following way :

1) the waist belt of my rucksack is very large at the back (near the sack) and is a standard belt at the font (where the buckle is).


2) I have added two pouches, one on each side :
- left side belt (on the right on the photos): a small Lowepro pouch, designed for a small camera, but used for small Nikon binoculars and a silva compas in the front pocket. There is still some room for another item (like a Surefire 6P or G2 i.e.).
- right side : a larger Bermudes pouch, used to carry my PSK (including Leatherman PST + Surefire 6P + whistle + red Photon 3, ... aso...), with a white Photon 3 dangling on the front ; when I stop and drop the rucksack for sometime, this pouch is easily detached from the waist belt and worn either on my pant belt or around the neck/shoulder (a small strap is provided with the pouch and kept inside).


3) both pouches are secured with a small hook attached to a ring (sewn to the larger part of the belt) so that the pouches do not slide forward on the belt and hinder my movements.


4) On the left shoulder strap, is an Outdoor Edge - Wedge II knife.
And on the right one, I plan to affix a glasses pouch, to carry my second pair of glasses (either the normal or the sun glasses, depending on which I'm wearing)

That way, when I carry my rucksack I have nothing on my pants belt, but essential Items are nonetheless immediatly available.
And I can keep a PSK with me while strolling around camp, without the rucksack.


Alain

Very nice system. I've been trying (unsuccessfully) to add a pouch onto my rucksack that could hold some emergency equipment. The idea is that should i be in a life threating situation (bush fire, flash flood?) or other situation where i cannot take my backpack with me, i'd be able to easily grab this 'emergeny pouch', and have a much better chance of coming out of the situation alive. the pouch would be a large moon bag (fanny pack?), or a hip pack, so i could carry it around my waste. I still havn't got it right though.

so you put the pounches on the space were the buckle is, right ? i just removed a few threats that connect the padding with the webbing so i can fit alice clips over it and since i only removed a little bit at a few places, so the pounches can't slide. The only problem is that mine civilian pounches don't fit in it, so i have to use the millitary pounches i got with alice clips ( annoying comments.. ).

All items are "civilian".
The rucksack is a LAFUMA 30 liters. The pouches are LOWEPRO for the binoculars and BERMUDES for the PSK.
You can use any pouch (bought in any Sports or Outdoor Shops), that fits your belt's width.

Here is another picture, showing the waist belt, with the BERMUDES pouch removed.


When carry the rucksack, I do'nt want anything on my belt or in my pant's pockets.
I only keep an Emerson (either a full Commander or a mini-CQC7) in the right back pant pocket.

I mainly walk short distances (max 20km), for one day hikes. And wear light pants. Even if I decide to buy sturdier pants (something like army fatigues (?)) with many pockets, I guess I still will not want to put many things in these pockets. Too cumbersome for my taste. And not necessary in my case.

Having the PSK in this front pouch, allows for instant access to essential gear.
And as it is easily removed from the sack belt, I can keep it with me (either on pant's belt or on its own laniard) when I leave the sack on the ground, to stroll around the camp site.

I use the same kind of pouch for my EDC PSK, then attached to my pant's belt.
Working in office environment, it's unsafe to leave your wallet in your vest pocket, on your office chair, for instance. You are not sure to find your wallet when coming back from the loo ... <img src="images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
So I opted for a belt pouch and decided to use it for my PSK as well.
It's a bit bulky, right now.
But I will find a good sheath for both my Surefire 6P and my Leatherman, and the pouch will be slimmer.


Alain

SASS sell a Grab n' Go Bag which can go on the side of a rucksack and a SEEK snatch bag which goes under the lid of a rucksack and you can keep emergency kit in it. WOFT, I just thought you might be interested?

thanks ditchfiel. thats what i'm trying to get at, a "Grab n Go" Bag.

My grab-n-go bag has a shoulder strap, and I always wear it just like that -- around my neck and under one arm.

Bear