Have you really tested your gear bag?

I just finished an ironman triathlon a couple weeks ago and am devoting the rest of my year to obstacle course races like; Tough Mudder, Spartan , GORUCK Challenge and back to my general Adventure Racing / Adventure Hiking stuff. (Tired of swimming and biking as much)

Anyway. I've been doing weighted ruck runs. 15-20 lb range so I can run the whole time. Rather than use my usual well framed and padded hiking packs, I've just been adding extra weight to my daily backpacks and going for it.

Two of my bags suck. The straps really cut into my neck or don't cinch down tight enough. I've gone back to an older Bug Out Gear pack. Which has a much better suspension system. The trade off is about an extra 1.5 lbs.

I am really glad that I have been testing my gear this way, in a real world scenario, if the SHTF, flash riot or I'm just having a bad day, I know I'll have tested the stuff on me pretty thoroughly.

Have any of you challenged your gear bag to perform at a higher level than just hang there during a walk?

Have you made adjustments to the bag or switched it when it did not perform as expected?

When I was active in SAR (some years ago), my backpack was critical gear. I used ones that carried well and that did not shift when climbing, rappeling, or otherwise contorting my body. It had to hold an appropriate amount of gear (40 pounds plus), and stand up to abuse - thrashing through brush and rubbing against rocks. On various occasions, I would run with my pack. If it was good enough for those SAR applications , it was just fine for a normal recreation walk in the woods.

I have tucked one of those packs away beneath my bed, lightly packed with necessities. It would still work very well in a SHTF situation.

I've taken all my packs on jaunt hikes,& a few overnighters.I haven't used them with my complete bob contents.I've thought of it many times,I just seem to categorize my stuff,pertaining to weather/terrain,probably in the 25lb range.I use my Mountainsmith Day pack often,& it gets beat up fairly well,probably Nowhere near a true bug-out situ.No competitive stuff,& My present bob weighs close to 45lbs out the door!

I use my daypack for travel, hiking, and EDC so I'll know pretty quick if it doesn't work for me. Other stuff like boots and shoes get lots of usage too. Don't want any surprises with critical gear.

I have found the perfect rucksack yet, although the Lowe Alpine Contour Crossbow 50 is pretty good. I have found that the crossbow system makes for a very stable load system when scrambling over rocky terrain. Perhaps a pack which can take additional PLCE zipped side pockets such as the Karrimor Sabre 45 combined with the contour cross bow system from Lowe Alpine with the back system from a Berghaus Freeflow Pro using lightweight and tough dyneema ripstop fabric would be getting there.

Another problem is that when you find a pack you really, really like and you need a replacement it is generally not available a few years/decade later. This also it seems applies to other things such as boots.

Colin Fletcher referred to that as Herblock's Law: "If it's good, they'll stopped making it". This can be countered with Gerhardt’s Law: "If you find something you like buy a lifetime supply - they’re going to stop making it".

Do you know of any mud races that are about 3 miles long? I personally have no motivation to train for a 12 mile mud race, but I would like to do one, just not so long.

EDIT:
I think I found something...
http://warriordash.com

Tough Mudder advertised it on their website, criticizing Warrior Dash for being too short. I guess that means it's perfect for me.

ireckon, Muddy Buddy and Warrior Dash are both 5k events. Spartan Sprints are 5k+ events but not really more than 5 miles from what I understand. Any of those three events pretty much anyone could do, great to do with a SO or buddy.

Hmmm.... actually ... no.
It's a cheap knock-off of some mil-spec bag, from CTD. It sucks. Mainly it holds a lot of stuff conveniently in one place. My plan isn't to walk out of anywhere, at least initially. I live in a region that's nearly all peninsulas, so there's bridges everywhere. Plus my current 'bug out' means going to the hospital to work.

Now, if I had to repack it quickly and start hiking, I have 2 trusted large rucks I could use, and another 2 smaller daypacks I trust. Take me 5 minutes, maybe, to repack the bag. It'd take more time getting my dog and wife rounded up (they're quick when the want to be!)

Thanks

Muddy Buddy says 6.3 mi (10k). Is that distance cut in half because of the buddy?

http://muddy-buddy.competitor.com/event-info/san-jose/

Not into those sports, but I do use my bags regularly. The ruck is a large ALICE. I know those hold up. The belt pouch/fanny pack is Outdoor Gear and works well except for the belt- it loosens on its own. My EDC backpack isn't packed for anything more than what I need during a day. Usually I just carry lunch, my library book, Marcus Aurelius, toilet paper and my coffee jar o' stuff.

Same here. Partly for cost issues, buying a nice bag and preparedness gear is expensive so getting use out of it helps ease the cost. Sure you can buy cheap stuff but it helps to justify more expensive stuff if I get more use of it.
I found a modular pack so when just going on a simple bike ride I can remove two layers and have just a hydration bladder and psk and the additional gear is in the truck where is supplemets the get home gear. Then if going on a hike I can add on a layer or two.

On the same vein, I want to include accessories provided with our gear. I was going to start a new thread on this specific peeve of mine but feel it can be served here. It really bugs me to buy an expensive or important piece of gear and the extras are flimsy, low budget, fray easily and require additional out of funds by the purchaser.

The provided carry case for a SPOT2 is horribly weak. First time out on a run, it shredded apart and had I not heard it hit the ground would have lost it in the middle of the desert.

I am looking at buying a Dry Case brand soft sided waterproof case. It's clear, it has a lash point molded into the hard plastic top and I am almost positive the unit will work from inside it. So I'll be able to see the lights and press buttons w/o taking it out.

It will.

IIRC, Kifaru actually has a suspension system to place the load onto your hips where most of the popular ones like Maxpedition do not.

-john

Most reasonably large backpacks, 4000 cu in and up, will have a suspension system that transfers the load to the hips. This development traces back to the classic Kelty frame packs of the 1950s.

Maxpedition packs are essentially daypacks, adorned with a lot of MOLLE bling. The Vulture II, their largest, is listed at a mere 2810 cu in. At that volume hip transfer is not a big deal.

I picked up an Outdoor Products Skyline 8.0 backpack from Walmart. Originally, I got it because it was on sale and it looked decent. I threw it in my closet to use as a loaner.

I just tried it out yesterday. It's actually really nice for a day pack. I tried running with it, and it rode well. The waste strap distribute some weight onto the hips. Also, there's a removable aluminum frame that I just discovered.

I test my kit and bags almost every weekend and I can tell you that I have shelved many bags/packs or given them away over the years as after multiple field testings and outings, they did not suit my particular needs

Currently I have 3 non-used packs sitting in the corner that along with a Rubbermaid container of assorted kit will once again be donated to the local Boy Scout troop as there is always a few kids who need gear and cannot readily afford to purchase it.

Right now I have no less then 9 packs or bags that I use on a regular depending on destination, terrain, expected weather, number of days, kit selection taken etc.

That said, there is another pack on display at the the local gear store that is of great interest to me...