Here's a review of two pieces of gear I used extensively on a winter training exercise last week. I had used the Jumbo in NOLA as my EDC and it worked out great. It carried well, and everything was always within reach. I just got the Proteus as an impulse buy, mostly to add minor supplementary items, and didn't expect much from it.

As it turns out, the Jumbo sucked for this type of situation, and the Proteus was far superior. I'm definitely going to have to rethink the gear to scenario from now on. The big difference was that in NOLA, I'm was pretty stationary, so the Jumbo worked great being right at my side. This past week, we were all over the place, moving constantly, and the Jumbo was always in the way. I suppose that if I'd been able to use the loop on it to attach to my belt it would have been different, but there was no way to do that with the multi-layer clothing. The Proteus, on the other hand, rode perfectly right under my parka, out of the way, but accessable. The gear pics aren't exactly where and what I carried, but I tried to recreate by memory.

Here's me at the start of one of our climbs:
http://webpages.charter.net/dougd/bottom.jpg

Here's me at the top of the climb:
http://webpages.charter.net/dougd/top.jpg

Jumbo:
http://webpages.charter.net/dougd/jumbo.jpg

Jumbo contents: Nalgene, lightstick, Micropur, MRE, trioxane, paracord, batteries, cook cup/stove, extra glasses, personal [censored], fire starter stuff, sanitizer.
http://webpages.charter.net/dougd/jumbostuff.jpg

Proteus:
http://webpages.charter.net/dougd/proteus.jpg

Proteus stuff: MRE, Benchmade fixed blade, Surefire A2, paracord, emergency blanket, binoculars, ass wipe, Gerber multitool, whistle, compass, spares carrier for A2, gerber recon, NATO matches, stethoscope, shears/hemos. "Last Chance" setup in CountyComm pouch.
http://webpages.charter.net/dougd/proteusstuff.jpg

I am very interested in the "Jumbo" myself. Please continue to update your field test. I'm hoping for the best!

Thanks for the review. I have a Jumbo and like it a lot. I was wondering how you rate the volume of the Jumbo vs the Proteus?

Thanks,

-john

The volume of the Jumbo is substantially more than the Proteus, probably 2 -3 times more (I'll try to get specific measurements for you). However, the setup is different. The Jumbo, as you know, is set up like a backpack. The cargo volume is in deep pockets, so that items are stacked on each other, and under the flap. The Proteus has two wide, more shallow pockets, and two side zip pockets, similar to the one on the Jumbo. As I mentioned in my original post, each have a different situational use. If you're stationary, or traveling in a vehicle, the Jumbo wins hands down for capacity and ease of use. However, if you are on the move, the Jumbo does not move well with you. We snowshoed extensively, and the Jumbo was flopping back and forth on me. Even on steep uphill grades, it slid forward, seemingly against gravity.

One of my thoughts from now on may be to Malice the Proteus to the bottom of the Jumbo for travel, and then, hopefully having segregated my gear accordingly, split off the Proteus as a waist pack for specific use.

Just curious why have a stethoscope packed?

Nice pics btw. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Adam

It was a wilderness medical training exercise. My primary function is commo, but everyone on the team, including admin and logistics has a medical certificate of some kind. I'm an EMT-B.

It's part of any decent medical kit. ad a BP cuff as well. If someone gets injured, you can at least monitor minimal vital signs.

I agree that a stethescope (and BP cuff) are good items to have.........BUT..........AFAIK basic first aid does NOT teach people HOW to take a BP. If the person is skilled in it and if they have the equipment...great, otherwise I'd just as soon tell a person not to bother.

I can't disagree with you. I do think that everyone should take a good first-aid couse though. If your family's well being is at stake it's worth it.