Light on Weight, Heavy Everywhere Else

I caught wind of a new pack from Granite Gear. The 6500 cube Chief Recce has been designed to be as light as possible while carrying 100+ pounds comfortably. Using a lighter-than-you’re-used-to 500D Codura fabric, the pack weighs in at 7.75 pounds and a custom designed framesheets consisting of multiple plys of fiberglass each sandwiched in nylon resin. The frame can withstand signifigant deformation and always return to its original molded shape. This is a significant advantage over a pack with aluminum stays, which will need to be reshaped after getting bent.

The pack also sports removable shoulder strap padding that gives soldiers better flexibility while wearing body armor. It also rides surprisingly low for a pack this large, allowing decent helmet clearance while standing or prone. It also has an internal radio pocket, a novel hydration port arrangement, has top mounted haul loops, and a allows top or front access. $400-600 depending on accesorries.