go bag

Grab your gear and go | Here’s everything you’d need to build an adventure go bag

Grab your gear and go. In the military, especially in Ranger School, you are taught and instructed to never have more than one item out of your ruck at a time. It was always entertaining to see some guy in the position next to me with both boots and socks off just as that fateful high pitched squeal of an artillery simulator kicked off. In school, you never wanted to be that guy.

As I’ve transitioned into civilian life, I still strive to never be the one that gets left behind because I didn’t have my gear in order. Many people have go-bags, medical kits, and emergency rations in their vehicles or homes, but neglect the fun stuff. There have been a couple of occasions throughout the years where I’ve missed out on a quick trip to the mountains or a last-minute adventure because I didn’t have my gear together. I vowed to never let that happen again.

The Adventure GO BAG

I previously kept two large Pelican Cases in the back of my truck for easy access to my gear on the go. This worked great for a while until I needed to transfer the gear to a friends vehicle or throw it on my back to pack into distant camp. I’ve since transitioned to three items for storing and transporting all my necessary adventure gear.

As the seasons change I will adjust the contents of my gear to the specific activities or sudden trips that may come up. Although most of the gear may change, the following is gear that never leaves my adventure go bag no matter the season:

First-aid kit
1″ roll of Gorilla Tape
50 feet of 550 cord
Knife
Fire starting gear
Headlamp with extra batteries
Tent
Pad
Stove with one small and one medium fuel canister.
LifeStraw
Bladder Filter
Extra Nalgene
Helmet – One helmet I can bike, ski, and climb in
GOR-TEX Jacket
Polartec Hoody
Lightweight synthetic-fill hoody
Weather resistant softshell pants
Base-layer, top, bottom, and t-shirt
Ranger panties
4 pairs of socks – I keep a mix of SmartWool, Darn Tough, Serket, and Wigwam. They all have different warmth, thickness, and a variety I like to choose from depending on the activity.
Lightweight synthetic gloves
Wool cap
Flip Flops – Have to keep happy feet after a long day on the trail or the mountains.

*A sleeping bag should never be stuffed for extended periods of time and is therefore omitted from this list. With everything else packed it only takes a minute to stuff the bag and go.

Gregory Stash Duffle 115L

My go to duffle is the Gregory Stash Duffle 115L. The 115 liters of space allow me to throw in everything I need and have it ready at a moments notice. Having one large heavy-duty duffle for storing gear is essential. Too large and you end-up keeping it packed with more gear than you will ever use. Too small and you run out of room for trips and events that involve multiple sports and activities.

When traveling there is enough room to keep my primary backpack, summit pack, the gear listed above, and any additional equipment. In the winter this includes a baseline of alpine climbing or skiing gear (minus skis of course). Summer and fall allowing me to throw in rock climbing, mountain biking, or other backpacking necessities – the extra weight is worth it.

The Stash has a full length zipper that allows for easy access to all items and makes stuffing in extra gear a breeze. The built-in shoulder straps with reinforced stitching make this duffle pretty darn comfortable if you need to haul in a large quantity of gear. I did just that on a recent “find the rock climbing spot that no-one has been to before” trip. What was thought to be just a few hundred meter hike turned into over an hour of searching and plenty of boulder hopping to reach the crag.

This duffle behaved more like a pack and was able to haul all the necessary climbing gear, food, and water for an evening at the crag.

Gregory Stash Duffle Specs

Big, large, huge, zippered opening to main compartment provides exceptional access to interior
Can be carried with padded backpack harness straps or with traditional duffel-style handle
Top of bag is padded for comfortable carry against back
Zippered exterior pocket with key clip
Compression straps on each end
4 tubular webbing grab handles
800 D Ballistic and 1680 D Ballistic Nylon main body materials
MSRP — $109, but can be found for less online.

Gregory Alpinisto 50L

I own a number of packs and still use them for very specific purposes and when I have ample time to plan and pack. For my grab and go pack I’ve transitioned to the Gregory Alpinisto 50 liter as my do-it-all adventure pack. Although intended for alpine climbing, this pack is capable of multi-day trips in a variety of conditions. From three and four-day backpacking trips, long day hikes, or alpine climbing in the Cascades, this pack checks all the boxes.

Multiple accessory pockets, modern ice tool attachments, and a designated crampon pocket make this pack a do-it-all gear hauler. The comfortable waistband, ergonomic back panel, and side or top openings make this pack not only comfortable, but easy to access. For shorter adventures or for a day at the crag, the pack can be synched down. The crampon pocket is the perfect size for a guidebook or water bottle when not carrying a pair of crampons.

The material is burley and has multiple reinforced stitching points. The gear loops on the waist belt aid in organizing climbing gear while wearing the pack. If you dabble in a variety of outdoor sports and activities this pack may suit your needs as well. The weight, comfort, versatility, and competitive price make this pack a perfect all-rounder.

Gregory Alpinisto 50L Specs

Stowable crampon pocket with puncture-resistant TPU panel
Stowable, adjustable ice axe attachments
Removable top lid, aluminum frame stay, HDPE framesheet, bivy pad, and hipbelt padding
Top-loading design with side zip access to main compartment
Removable lid pocket with occipital cutout and security pocket on underside
Single wand pocket
Hydration sleeve with locking zip hose port
A-frame ski carry slots with sled pull loops
Side compression straps with integrated ice axe retention
Rope strap and emergency haul loops
Expedition hipbelt with dual gear loops and ice clipper slots
High-visibility exterior and interior liner
Dual-layer HD nylon bottom panel
Sizes: xs – L
MSRP — $239, but can be found for less online.

CiloGear 20L WorkSack

Next to my pack and easily stuffed inside of my duffle is a CiloGear 20L WorkSack. If there is a better summit bag or pack for multi-pitch trad climbs, I haven’t found it. Based out of Portland, Oregon, these guys make every pack to order. Their small operation produces packs that are used and coveted by some of the best climbers and adventurers the world over. I know I’ve got this guy on my wish list.

When on a multi-day climb and you want to move fast to the summit and back, this is the pack to take. At only 330g (10 oz) this pack weighs next to nothing and packs down in into a larger pack until needed. I’ve used this pack on numerous occasions climbing throughout Oregon and California. On longer mountain biking days I used this pack with a hydration bladder and still had plenty of room for lunch, jacket, and other luxuries. The greatest benefit is how this pack rides on your back. It sits up high and between your shoulder blades. It doesn’t get in the way and makes access to a climbing harness a breeze.

CiloGear 20L WorkSack Specs

Weight – 330g
Material: Dimension Polyant VX07: 70d nylon ripstop laminated in a five ply sandwich with dacron X-Pac for rip resistance and structural stability. This fabric is 200 psi waterproof.
Colors: black, red, grey
Two side mesh pockets
Inner ninja pocket for keys and other small items
Inner sleeve that will fit a hydration bladder. I cut a section from an old foam pad to use as a bivy seat and it also protects my back from any hard or sharp objects.
MSRP — $69

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Overall, find what combination works for you. These are what I use today, but I may find something else that works better a week down the line. The most important thing is to always be prepared, have fun, and never miss out on an adventure again. Grab your gear and go. If you have an adventure go bag, let us know what you carry and why.

Check out this setup for more great adventure ready ideas.

Watch: Basic setup for go-bags and 3 day assault packs

It’s a simple topic but one that can always be updated as the times change. Today we take a moment to discuss different types of Go-bags/3-day assault packs and how I would pack one (generally).

You can purchase the Cannae Assault Pack HERE

Tactical Tailor Intermediate Threat Bag: Best medical bag I have used

Tactical Tailor Intermediate Treatment Bag: Best medical bag I have used

I’ve never used any Tactical Tailor products, so I was very eager to try out their new intermediate threat bag. I have had buddies tell me that they have trusted Tactical Tailor products during multiple tours overseas, however, I had never had experience with any of their products until now. The Intermediate Treatment Bag is the perfect size for carrying vital medical supplies into a hazardous area.

The Intermediate Treatment Bag features a large center compartment which is great for large items such as SAM splints, small suction devices, or other similarly sized equipment. The lid of the main pouch has two smaller zipper pouches on both the outside and inside of the lid. Each side of the bag has two smaller pouches that run the length of the bag. Each pouch has elastic loops to help secure smaller items such as medical tape.

Additionally, the bag comes with two smaller removable pouches that fit inside the main compartment. Each of the smaller pouches features elastic loops to secure equipment inside of them. They also open all the way so they can be laid out on a flat surface for easy access to contents. I actually used one of the smaller pouches as its own first aid kit on a trip out of town, and it worked great.

One of the first thing I noticed about the bag was the high quality that YKK zippers used. The zipper pulls are metal and very large for easy use while wearing gloves. However, it would have been nice for the zipper pulls to have a rubber coating on them to help get a secure grip in the event you have blood or other liquids on your hands.

The bag includes a fixed carrying handle at the top and has both a fully removable shoulder strap and waist belt. The lid for the main compartment has a field of velcro for attaching patches. I personally would have liked to see a system of shock cord for external mounting of tourniquets instead of velcro, but that’s just me. Overall the Intermediate Treatment Bag is an excellent choice for anyone needing to carry medical supplies, whether down range or around the house.

Author – Cameron Paidousis is a former Police Officer and is a current member in the Air National Guard where he serves in Security Forces. For his civilian job he works as security contractor for the U.S. Government. When not working he enjoys spending time with his family along with kayaking, hiking, and traveling.

Streamlight PolyTac X Flashlight: Worth going in your go-bag

If you were to ask me what brand I recommend for tactical flashlights, I would tell you without hesitation, Streamlight. Streamlight offers a wide range of practical products at a reasonable price. They do their job, and they do it well. My trusted flashlight for my EDC bag is my Streamlight ProTac HL-X (you can read my review for that here). In this review, I will be covering their PolyTac X Flashlight.

Specifications

High Lumens: 600
Run Time on High: 3.50 hours
Run Time on Low: 36.00 hours
Beam Distance: 205 m
Max Candela: 11,485
Battery Type: 18650 lithium ion battery or two CR123A lithium battery
Length: 5.46 in (13.87 cm)
Body Diameter: 1.00 in. (2.54 cm)
Head Diameter: 1.25 in. (3.18 cm)
Major Diameter: 1.35 in. (3.43 cm)
Weight: 4.90 ounces (138.91 g)
Colors: Coyote, yellow, or black
Features

TEN-TAP^® Programming allows the choice of three programs:
1.) high/strobe/low
2.) high only
3.) low/medium/high
Removable, multi-position pocket clip
High-impact, super-tough nylon polymer with “Rocky Stipple” texture for a sure grip
IPX7; waterproof to 1m for 30 minutes; 3m impact resistance tested
C4® LED technology, impervious to shock with a 50,000 hour lifetime
Limited lifetime warranty

Photo and specifications courtesy of Streamlight

My thoughts and review

I have certain expectations when it comes to tactical flashlights, and you should too. I’m glad to say that the PolyTac X meets my requirements. This is a flashlight that I can trust to put in another bag or carry on the go despite it being bulkier than what is ideal. I have yet to have any serious issues with Streamlight’s products. All of my flashlights have been dropped and beat up from frequent use and they still run great. Like I said, Streamlight gets my nod of approval when it comes to tactical lights.

Output settings and Streamlight’s TEN-TAP Programming

600 lumens is an appreciable amount of brightness and covers a good enough distance. I run my Streamlight flashlights exclusively with the high/strobe/low programming. The highest light output is the most important output because it illuminates the most square feet in a room and the widest area when outdoors. When you need to use a light source, you need it immediately. After all, what is the point of having a high lumen flashlight if it isn’t being used to your advantage? The low output is a convenient amount of light if you happen to be working on something close-up so that you don’t blind yourself.

Momentary on/off switch

The momentary on/off feature is something I require of a tactical flashlight. Like other Streamlight flashlights, the momentary on/off switch activates with slight pressure on the on/off switch and doesn’t have an audible click. When you want your light off, you take your thumb off the switch and it will immediately turn off.

Size

The size of the flashlight is my only complaint. The PolyTac X is roughly the same size as the ProTac HL-X and only about an ounce lighter. The PolyTac X is listed at 600 lumens while the ProTac HL-X is listed at 1,000 lumens. Seeing as the PolyTac X doesn’t offer a significant advantage over the ProTac HL-X, if any at all, I would prefer to have the latter, but it is roughly double the cost. Ultimately, your budget will be the deciding factor on whether or not the PolyTac X is the flashlight for you. With that being said, the PolyTac X is an ideal size for maintaining a solid grip. I noticed that the texturing on the flashlight helps out as well, better than their other models.

Pocket clip

My only gripe about the PolyTac X is that it has a short pocket clip that doesn’t cover the entire length of the flashlight. The flashlight is already a little bulky for EDC, but the short pocket clip makes the flashlight more inconvenient to carry in your pants pocket.

The verdict

The good
-High lumen flashlight
-Sturdy product
-TEN-TAP programming allows for customization
-Momentary on/off feature

The bad
–PolyTac X is a little bulky and users might as well just grab the ProTac HL-X
-Short pocket clip

The Streamlight PolyTac X is fairly priced flashlight and comfortable for any budget. There are better lights out there from Streamlight, but the PolyTac X will suit most users just fine. At the time of writing this article, the PolyTac X is available for $40 on Amazon. Whether you need a flashlight for your go-bag or EDC, the PolyTac X would be worth considering.

We enjoy hearing back from our readers. If you have any experience with Streamlight products, let us know what you think!

5.11 LV18: A low vis 30-liter backpack

Today I’m reviewing the best bag of Shot Show 2019, the 5.11 LV18 “Low-vis” 30-liter backpack. This isn’t your ordinary bag, in fact, I would consider it a piece of my kit now. It boasts a lot of cool features and leaves out the nonsense. I was able to fit my full loadout inside this bag for a quick grab and go of everything I need to operate.

Kelin Ray is a Corrections Officer in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest specializing in man tracking and is a member of the Inmate Recovery Team. He is a former Field Artilleryman in the Washington Army National Guard and served in Iraq as a gunner for convoy security operations. In his free you can find him Tactical Live Action Role Playing with his friends as Batman.

Outdoor Edge Divide: An affordable no-frills everyday carry folding knife

Outdoor Edge is a small but growing knife manufacturer that offers a variety of knives suited for the outdoors and everyday carry (EDC). The Outdoor Edge Divide folding knife reviewed here is a fun knife that is currently available in two different sizes: a 3” blade or a 3.5” blade in either a plain or half-serrated edge. The Divide doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it takes pride in being a simple but practical folding knife. It is a worthy knife to have that is also a low-cost alternative in a market dominated by big name manufacturers.

Specifications

3.0” Divide

Blade: 3.0” / 7.6cm
Overall: 6.9” / 17.5cm
Weight: 3.0oz / 85g
MSRP: $46.95

3.5” Divide

Blade: 3.5” / 8.9cm
Overall: 8.2” / 20.8cm
Weight: 4.2oz / 119g
MSRP: $49.95

Features

Steel: 8Cr13MoV Stainless with Blackstone™ coating
18 Ball-bearing pivot system
Opener: Flipper plus double-sided thumb stud
Handle: Black/Red G10 and titanium coated 420J2 stainless
Pocket-Clip: 420 Stainless with Blackstone™ coating
Lock: Integral Frame-Lock

Specifications courtesy of Outdoor Edge

As I mentioned in previous knife reviews, 8Cr13MoV is a budget-quality steel. It isn’t necessarily a bad steel since steel quality ultimately comes down to the heat treatment used (which is exclusive to the manufacturer and undisclosed), but it won’t hold an edge as well as more premium-grade steels. However, 8Cr13MoV is pretty easy to sharpen; this is often the type of tradeoff you can expect from inexpensive knives. It doesn’t mean it’s a cheap knife, it’s just a compromise for being offered at a low price.

The actual design of the knife itself is practical for everyday use. On one side of the handle you have G-10, which offers a little texture to the handle, and the other side is made of titanium-coated stainless steel. The decision to go with a half steel handle was to implement the frame lock system. The frame lock system functions the same way as the common liner lock but is much more reliable because the frame is often a much thicker steel without extra components. The only real issue with the frame lock, aside from personal preference, is that it is not ambidextrous. However, the deployment of the knife is ambidextrous, so this isn’t necessarily a con.

What I like most about the Divide is the ball-bearing pivot system. This makes deployment of the blade is as quick as is smooth and is comparable to the quality of Kershaw’s SpeedSafe® assisted opening. If you aren’t familiar with the technology or these terms, it means the blade is mechanically secured in place when closed and applying manual pressure on the flipper (see photo) will release the blade, which springs open and locks in the open position.

The Outdoor Edge Divide is a simple, no-frills EDC folder that I would recommend to someone who isn’t looking to spend very much or wants an extra knife as a backup. Aside from aesthetics and steel quality, there isn’t anything to really dislike about the Divide, especially since its available for about $30-$35 from online retailers.

*All photos courtesy of the author, Matt Jin