I miss Molle

[Mark@Sea]

But not that much. I've been on a hiking equipment binge lately. One major piece of gear I picked up was a Gregory Baltoro 70 pack.

40 pounds in my old medium alice (with frame) feels like I'm carrying enough bricks to build a homestead.

A full load in a murse I bought after reading a post here digs in to my shoulder in just the right spot to ride a nerve junction, apparently.

40 pounds in the new pack feels like I've got a coat over my shoulder.

The suspension system for this thing is great. Most of the weight rides on my hips.

I could carry more weight, but the pack is pretty close to full now. I've got about 4 days worth of food in it*, and while a little bulky, food isn't that heavy. OTOH, not sure what else I'd carry. If I needed to carry ammo, I could move my sleeping bag to the top (outside) and easily shove several bandoliers or a half dozen M14 mags in the bottom compartment.

Unfortunately, it isn't molle compatible, thus all the tacticool kids will laugh at me. Seriously, I'd like the ability to add a small pouch here and there, but until someone makes a molle system with this suspension, the tacticool kids will have to catch up to me, first.

* Mountain house, breakfast/lunch/dinner

Edited November 12, 2009 by Mark@Sea