PSK container/bag

All,

I'm looking for a new bag (maybe a new container) for my PSK. Right now, I'm using a pelican case, think its model 1040 (http://pelican.com/cases_detail.php?Case=1040). Yup, its alittle on the large size, but after years of playing with the items, I havn't seriously modified it for awhile.

I've been thinking of going the route of getting out the of pelican case (I sail quite a bit and anything 'dangerous' we do, its clipped to me and stored on my PFD in the back pouch).

But i'm doing more and more hiking (the case is heavy in its own right), and was looking at getting a bag where I can wear it with my backpack (or on my person somewhere).

I was thinking of Maxpedition's FR-1 pouch (http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=14&idproduct=404), give it a shoulder strap and it'll be with me. But I don't know how I could attach a 1 litre platypus fold up canteen to it? I was thinking of a rolypolly, but don't want extra stuff sticking on the outside when not in use (I doubt can put the rolypolly inside the pouch with what I carry).

sooooo... I was looking into Maxpeditions's Remora (http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=12&idproduct=384). Its phyically quite a bit bigger, comes with its own shoulder harness, and more room. I'm sure it has the room for what i want and then some. BUT how would one carry it with a backpack? Up front?

So, now i'm stuck. I basically want something just like the FR-1 pouch, just a tad bigger. And I need for the pouch/bag to be able to carry a full 1 litre platypus canteen somehow.

Of course, staying put in an emergancy situation is ideal, but i'm trying to account for the possiblity of being mobile.

Would anyone have any ideas?

Thanks in advance!!!
Kris

Correct me if I'm wrong but the back or the Remora looks like it lends itself to sliding the waste belt of your backpack through it, that way alowing for either a right, left or center carry in the front. And depending on the backpack you already have or chose, I'm sure there is a way to attach malice clips so that way you would have the option of attaching it to the backpack, either on the side or back. I would have to look at it closer though and don't have the time right now I have to go to work. Hope you find what your looking for.

If you want something that has a less tacticool look, Mountainsmith might be an option.

Personally I love their stuff; tough as nails, well designed, and attracts less attention than tactical gear. Their camera bags and pouches might fit the bill nicely...

http://www.mountainsmith.com/products.asp?categoryId=13

Hope this helps,

Shadow,

For the time being, I can't see any Maxpedition's stuff. I'm planning a trip back to the mainland soon, but it could be a few months. I have no idea what it looks like in person. I'm guessing that both the remora and the fr-1 will do the job, just by details from what i'm finding on websites, etc.

I wish i could get some good feedback from people that have it.

As for attaching it directly to the back pack (the remora), good idea, and definitly a possiblity. Just need a way for it to be stable on the pack, but be able to take it off quick.

Kris

MedB,

Thanks for the url, i'll check it out now.

Kris

I'm glad you have had good luck with Mountainsmith. I haven't. The very first time I used their medium dog pannier backpack, two straps ripped out within 1 mile. I was very disappointed to find the straps were just sewn into the seam of the bag with no reinforcement. The dog is well behaved and the load was only about 6 lbs. I bought from them because of their reputation for quality. Oh, well . . .

Jeff

I have for the last year or two carried a maxpedition fatboy
for my psk. it has the room for additional gear depending on where i am heading. (http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=6)
I have never used the remora but it looks to me at first glance it would hold what i edc in my psk.

Well, based on the internal volume of the 1040, how about something like the SpecOps Brand X-6? I usually preach the road of non tactical, but in black it looks like a camera/binocular case, and the "speed back" system is probably the best version of the PALS/MOLLE system I've ever seen. You can put it on just about any kind of belt or strap, and with a pair of d-rings, a chunk of 1" webbing, and some triglides you can rig a sling in a few seconds that looks like it belongs. (In a hurry, skip the D-rings and triglides, just use a length of line or webbing.)

7.5 high, 6 wide, 3 deep, it will hold a pair of small Nalgenes (or a rectangular one liter), or a USGI canteen, so it should fit a 1L bladder pretty well. Or your kit as is, in the 1040. You could get by with the smaller X-4, but it would be borderline on the bladder (and being narrower, it looks a little more like an ammo pouch). The top is held down with both velcro (there is a silencer flap if you want to use it) and an side release buckle, and extends down a ways over the sides so you don't have a risk of loosing stuff out the sides. And they are just about bomb proof- it is probably the best buy in nylon I've found. They should run you about 25$ plus shipping. I've got a bunch of them in different colors and vintages, they are one of my "standard" packages.

http://www.specopsbrand.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductID=46

IronRaven,

I wish there was more pictures of the The SpecOps Brand X-6. I'm curious how you would attach D rings to it (if they don't come already with them).

How strong is the pouch? How would it compare to a Maxpedition product?

Good find!

Thanks,
Kris

I would put it a small step down from Maxped in terms of durability, but not in terms of quality. The reduced durability is becuase it doesn't have as much weight to it- SpecOps is only significantly overbuilt compaired to MaxPed's massively overbuilt. :P I've used their gear for several years, after being introduced to some that had been used by friends in various branches of the service. If those guys can't break it, nothing short of artillery or air strikes can. I'd put it solidly in the same class as Tactical Tailor, ATS, the lighter Eagle and the better Aites items.

As for attaching the d-rings, look at the image here (not going to hotlink it from their site). Look at the top of the backs- you lace the straps through the D-ring, then down through the backs and close them. It would ride "flatter" to your side than the usual side mounts for D-rings. (You could do the same to any of the molle-type gear, but I think the system that SpecOps developed is one of the most robust and versatile variants without as radical a redesign as the MALICE type.)

Or you could just lace them through the webbing to make a "belt loop" big enough to mount on just about anything. It doesn't have to be flat, I've hung X-6s off things like lengths of pipe and cross braces for bunk beds.

I'd post a picture or two, but the camera isn't with me right now.

IronRaven,

I think your on to something... My next order from the states, I'll see if I can get one of the X-6's and do alittle experimenting.

Thanks for the idea!

Now just have to figure out the webbing harness creation. I'm not all that great with sewing and stuff. But I would like to continue this with a custom shoulder strap that's very minimum (less items to break, etc).

Kris

Oh, no need for sewing. Use triglides, like these and nylon or polypro webbing like climbers use, or that are used in cargo straps. Increases your versatility, can be set up in a minute or two, and doesn't require any understanding of needle and thread. :P

I currently am using a LONG length of 2" flat nylon webbing as the strap for my bag of tricks, and it just held together with several triglides. I'll see if I can get a picture of the sling tomorrow, it will show what I mean better than I'm probably explaining it.

Cool... Looking forward to the pic!