I am in the market for a pack, but I don't need a 2 day "Tactical" pack. So I far I have searched all over for something I really like but have come up empty. I dislike everything 5.11 has ( I mean everything). There are some fairly acceptable things on Amazon but nothing quite gets me opening up my wallet. I really, REALLY like SOE gear. It's expensive, but it's top quality and well designed. Alas, even they don't really have a pack I want. They have more than a few rigs I like, but.....
The tags have changed and the name is a little different, but the more things change, the more things stay the same. Original S.O.E. Gear has always been -- and remains -- committed to producing the finest tactical gear available, at a fair price.
www.originalsoegear.com
Agree about 5.11, Bob… I have found a handful of things that piqued my interest, and have a terrific belt from them, but on the whole they continually strike me as a quirky company…
There was/is a Co called Spec-Ops Brand that made a terrific heavy duty day pack, and I had two in Iraq. Not a lot of frills but it had the fundamental features I require: bottom dimensions slightly larger than top, and stands upright when u set it on the ground (no toppling over!)… shoulder straps connected direct to the back panel of the pack, ie no U-shape yoke/collar piece going around/over the back of the neck (makes me hot; waste of material, etc etc). A few other things. HEAVY duty material (1000 denier?). Removable sternum & waist straps.
only wish it had been top loading.
I don’t see much of Spec-Ops anymore; I think their hi quality may’ve priced them out from the competition. There’s so many junk choices…