We at Loadout Room are always looking for innovative products that are also built to last. We’ve had the opportunity to run a good amount of equipment from Grey Ghost Gear recently. While much of it has been overtly tactical in nature, this article focuses on a product that puts the “Grey” into “Grey Ghost Gear”: the Apparition SBR bag. The Apparition is a covert carry backpack, designed to not only securely transport your SBR or rifle, but to do so discreetly. In a world full of flat dark earth/MOLLE/morale patch packs, the Apparition stands out by not standing out at all.
While the Apparition looks like your usual hiking pack, hidden behind the small front pocket and the faux main compartment is the large, “hook and loop” backed SBR pocket. (Quick note: while the manufacturer and this article both refer to this as the SBR pocket, a standard length rifle can fit here if broken down.) The SBR pocket has five customizable velcro straps with which to secure your rifle. If your 10.5″ barreled SBR needs a little extra space for a suppressor or blast shield, there is an external zipper that allows for a ~7″ expansion pocket to drop out the bottom, maintaining the low profile visibility signature. On the reverse side of the main SBR storage region are (2) 30 round mag pockets and a couple of admin pockets.
Once we’re out of that main SBR storage pocket, we’re into premium hiking backpack territory. The Apparition is loaded with features that would make this a standout when compared to dedicated hiking packs. The shoulder straps are not only adjustable for length (standard), they’re also adjustable for height at the point where the straps emanate from the back-padding. Said back padding is mesh covered for ventilation and runs in vertical ribs, allowing for maximum airflow. The hip straps are wide, similarly padded and have a couple of storage pouches built-in. The exterior of this backpack also has a couple of water-bottle sized pockets. The piece de resistance for us who live in rainy climes, a rain-fly is hidden in a tiny pocket located on the bottom of the pack.
While the weight of many SBR’s (or full rifles for that matter) is pretty minimal within the realms of backpack payload, once you’ve added ammo, mags, food and water for a day trip the weight does add up quickly. Thankfully, the Apparition handles it with aplomb. This carries comfortable, with a high center of gravity and relatively shallow depth that keep it tight to your back.
A comfortable, well crafted hiking backpack that looks like it came out of the REI catalog, and just happens to be hauling your favorite SBR without drawing attention to yourself. There are plenty of places where such discretion is necessary and very few where it isn’t advantageous. Considering the level of engineering Grey Ghost Gear has put into this backpack and the quality of the products that they put out, I feel the Apparition is worthy of a full recommendation. The Apparition retails for $250. Check it out!
