Updating the 64 Rucksac

[Timmy!]

I'm currenlty thinking about making a few of these, myself. It would be a 64 rucksac bag, with MOLLE paneling on the outside and a Gortex liner inside. And to get real fancy, the shoulder straps will be quick release. While the rucksac bag lid, will be floating design.  Also asking a few contacts about making a new frame set up for it. Same design as before.


Just looking for the material right now. Anything else you would like to add? No pictures yet, in the planning phase now.

Your thoughts?

Regards,
TN2IC

 

[dangerboy]

Wondering why you would need the inside to be gortex?  A good waterproof liner would be good enough, it will not need to "breath".

 

[Lerch]

I pretty much did just that. I used one of the newer 64 bags and rebuilt it to use with my MR NICE frame.

I started by stripping the bag and opening it up so I could work on the sides easier. All the pockets and webbing came off the outside. I liked the through-sleeves under the side pockets, so I kept those and they ended up being the base for the MOLLE panel.

Anyway, I added side-release buckles to the lid, routing for A7A straps under the bottom, strap layout on the bag to attach to a MR NICE frame, free-floating lid, three 3x3 MOLLE panels (the centre panel has D-rings on the sides of the top, the side panels have a sleeve behind them), and there's a short length of 2" webbing on the sides near the frame for carabiners or small pouches if I wanted. I think that's it...anyway, I didn't bother with a larger storm collar or Goretex lining because I use a dry-bag for my kit.

 

[Timmy!]

Wondering why you would need the inside to be gortex?  A good waterproof liner would be good enough, it will not need to "breath".

What would you suggest? I figure Gortex was a good idea. Care to educate me a bit more please.

Regards,
TN2IC

 

[Lerch]

Most bags I've seen lately use 500d Cordura. It's a tighter weave than 1000d, lighter and more water resistant.

 

[Lerch]

Just an idea, forget the Goretex lining, it'll save on weight and keep costs down, and you can use a dry bag or anything similar inside. Instead go with a 500d Cordura bag, double the bottom, and add a storm collar.
As for the lid, a floating design isn't bad though it looses the point IMO when its used on a jump ruck (bag is on the bottom with kit being stacked on top). What would be nice is an elasticized lid similar to the British PLCE bergens.

 

[Timmy!]

CADPAT TW or OD?

 

[dangerboy]

I would go with whichever you can get cheaper.  Chances are you are going to put pouches on the main body and the valise on top.  SO most of it is going to be covered anyway.

 

[Lerch]

CADPAT would be more expensive...and hard to get. OD or coyote brown would be much easier to get.

 

[noneck]

I updated my 64 pattern a few years ago. There are pics of it on this site if you check my posts.

Basically I had a local kit manufacturer make me a new bag, but extend it to the top of the 64 pattern frame. He then added a floating lid and snow collar, covered the exterior in molle and added two bergan sized side pouches (that would fit on the bergan OD Harness).

I should add that all of this was in CADPAT TW that I acquired from another local shop that was producing gear in CADPAT TW (Factory second cordura 500, but good enough for gear).

I was basically looking for a CADPAT bergan that would fit on the 64 frame, that I could top load and stuff everything in through the top. The end result was extactly what i was looking for, cost was about $200 in materials, fabric, buckles and webbing.

Noneck

 

[noneck]

Here is the link for anyone that is interested (about half way down the page). The pics were posted and modelled  by a member that is no longer professionally associated with the manufacturer. I don't even know if the manufacturer would have the materials and or the time to make another, so the pics might just serve to spur other manufacturer's to make something similar:

http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/69575/post-765625.html#msg765625

Noneck