Articles and Reviews

Mystery Ranch SPEAR Patrol Pack Overview

The SPEAR Patrol pack is part of the latest USSOCOM pack suite, which includes Assault, Patrol, and Recce packs. All three packs are manufactured by Mystery Ranch and based around a common SPLF frame system. Read more...


Pack Files: Lowe LCS-84 (with Pack Restoration)

The Lowe Alpine LCS-84 was part of the Vector Pack Systems series of military load bearing equipment. The Vector line was created in 1978 to meet "the needs of the US Army and Marines as well as search and rescue organizations." Read more...

LCS-84

Pack Files: LBT-1477B

The LBT-1477B was London Bridge Trading's take on the notorious CFP-90 pack. Developed during the 1990s and available for sale until early 2001, the LBT-1477B improved on the CFP-90 design. Read more...

LBT-1477B

Pack Files: Big D's 4900

Mystery Ranch debuted the Big D's 4900 pack on their website the second half of 2004, and it was the first proprietary pack offered for sale that was designed for their newly released NICE Frame. Read more...

Big Ds 4900

Pack Files: Tailor Pack

The Tailor Pack was a modular pack system developed by Tactical Tailor and offered for sale from 2000 until late 2001. The pack system consisted of a main assault pack with a removable sleeping bag compartment and internal frame system. Read more...

Tailor Pack

ALICE Pack Options

Since the late 1990s, a large number of aftermarket packbags, frames, and pads sets have been developed as an improvement over the issued ALICE pack components. This article attempts to list as many of those accessories as possible. Read more...

ALICE Pack Options

Gregory ILBE Trial Packs

In 2002, the United States Marine Corps began evaluating a number of commercial packs submitted to replace the then-standard issue MOLLE II system. Read more...

Gregory ILBE Trial Packs

Custom Gear Label Options

So you started a tactical gear company and have a logo designed, and now you want some fancy labels to sew on your gear. What are your options?
Read more...

Custom labels article

Scorpion vs. MultiCam - A Comparison

Recently, the Army's decision to adopt the Scorpion camouflage pattern was announced by Soldier Systems Daily and Military.com. Both the pattern and coloration of Scorpion and MultiCam are similar. Read more...

Scorpion Camouflage

Mystery Ranch Kodiak Review

The Mystery Ranch Kodiak is one of the largest internal frame bags made by Mystery Ranch, and one of only two packs to use their Overkill Guide Frame. Read more...

Mystery Ranch Kodiak

Mystery Ranch Big Horn Review

The Mystery Ranch Big Horn is a mid-sized Tri-Zip pack designed with hunters in mind and growing in popularity with the bowhunting community. The pack has enough room and internal organization for your gear. Read more...

Mystery Ranch Big Horn

Mystery Ranch NICE 6500 Review

The Mystery Ranch NICE 6500 is an extended mission bag that is designed to be used in conjunction with and exclusively for the NICE Frame. The bag is a top loading design with a storm collar. Read more...

Mystery Ranch NICE 6500

Bergans of Norway PowerFrame Review

The 3810 PowerFrame is the largest pack manufactured by Bergans of Norway. It’s a top loader, featuring a detachable top lid, lower half panel access and a storm collar divider Read more...

Bergans of Norway PowerFrame

The Definitive Guide to the Kelty Gila Pack Suite

These limited-production packs were manufactured by Kelty Pack Inc. for Amron International Inc. and were available through several distributors, including Amron Intl, Botach Tactical, and US Elite Gear. Read more...

Kelty Gila pack suite

The Development of the Oneiros Valley Load Lifter Panel

Eighteen hours after I began drawing the idea out in MS Paint, I completed a proof of concept sample, constructed largely of spare fabric and pieces of scrap wood trim. Read more...

LLP prototypes