Cerberus' BOB Version 2.0

[Cerberus]

This is the latest version of my BOB. I am trying to change a few things over the next few months. Let me know what you think.

Spec-Ops T.H.E. Pack





I really like this pack. It is smaller than the hiker-style I had before, so I am running a little tight on space. After seeing Woods Walkers pack, I am wondering if I could fit a medium pod under this pack. This pack is definitely tougher than pack I had before, which was only 500D.

Here is the tools and smaller items in the pack.

Ka-Bar
Pelican 1040 Dry Case
Ziplock Freezer Bags (3)
Duct Tape (10 yards)
Leatherman Wave
Pocket Widgy Pry Bar
USGI Sharpening Stone
Fishing Kit (in OD match case)
Norton's U.C.S.
RIR Memo Pad
Mechanical Pencil
Mini Sharpie (Red and Black)
55 Gal 4 mil Trash Bags (2)
LED Light Sticks (2)
Princeton Tec Quad LED Headlamp
AAA Batteries (3)
Sewing Kit
USGI Earplugs
USGI Trip Wire (80 ft-OD)
Firesteel
Cottonball/Vaseline Tinder
Wetfire Tinder (4)
Bic Lighters (2)
First Aid Kit
Compass
Playing Cards
Sanitary Kit
Lightload Camp Towel
Toilet Paper
Wet Wipes
Purell Hand Sanitizer
Foot Powder (1 oz)
Handkerchief


Camelbak Unbottle (3L)
MSR Miniworks EX Filter
Katadyn Tabs (30)
Nalgene Bottle (1Qt)

The only thing that I want to add to this section is a MSR Dromedary Bag (4L). I am happy with the filter, bladder, and nalgene. I haven't tried the Katadyn tabs yet, but they are supposedly excellent.


Mountain House Freeze Dried Meal
Mainstay 1200 cal Ration (3)
Harvest/Cliff Bars (4)
Propel Drink Mix Packets (10)
Salt (2oz)
Stainless Steel Canteen Cup (wrapped w/ 27ft paracord)
Light My Fire Spork

This section could use some work. The mainstay ration and bars are getting old, so they will be replaced with new versions. I am going to add 3-4 MRE entrees to round out the food. The canteen cup will be replaced with a MSR Titan Kettle. I want to add a stove. I haven't decided between the Trailstove (wood burning) or a MSR pocket rocket or similar (canister).


GI Poncho
AMK Thermolite Bivy
Alum. Tent Stakes (6)
Paracord (~75ft)
Thermarest Ridge Rest Pad

This section will have to be modified soon. The poncho, paracord, and pad are all good, except that I have been using the paracord for other uses and need to put another 50-100 ft in. The thermolite bivy did not pass my testing. It is a first generation and is not durable enough. It developed a tear. It will be discarded when I get my new sleeping bag. I also want to find a good gortex bivy. I had a AMK Heetsheet, which got moved to the GHB, so I want to get one of the larger casualty blankets for the BOB. Some stronger tent stakes will need to be added.


Camp Soap (4oz)
Contact Solution
Contact Case
Spare Contacts
Toothbrush/Paste
Lightload Camp Towel
Razor Head
Vial of Vitamins (9)

I need to add a spare pair of glasses and change out the crappy camp soap for some Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap. Also, ditch the wet wipes from the earlier picture for some Hoo-Ahhs.


Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Heavyweight Polypro Bottoms
Nylon Balaclava
Polypro Glove Liners
Fleece Watch Cap
Boonie Hat
Synthetic Insulated Socks
Wool Insulated Socks

I am assuming that I will be wearing seasonally appropriate clothes when I bug out. My choices for clothes is mainly to increase warmth of the clothes I am wearing. I need to change out the cotton t-shirt for a synthetic one and add some boxer-briefs and lightweight boot socks (3 pair).

[Squirrley]

looks very good! I don't know where you are, was gonna say you might want a real sleeping bag instead of the thermal bivvy, but you've got good clothes, and in a small pack like that you don't really have room for a big ass sleeping bag.

Where'd you get the OD firesteel?

And why do you want to trade out the wet wipes for Hoo-Ahhs?

I keep on thinking of things to comment on, but then re-reading and seeing you've already covered that, like LED light sticks instead of chemical ones, trading out the camp soap for Dr Bronners, adding a headlamp which I didn't see cause its all OD, and some others.

Really very nice, I'll be interested to see what other people have to say about your bag.

[ironraven]

*starts to scratch behind Cerberus' ears* Hm.... running out of hands....

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Spec-Ops T.H.E. Pack

Excellent item. How do you find your Unbottle rides in it? I tried it with a lesser brand bladder, and it wanted to shift a lot, so I've got a folded tarp in the hydration pocket of my THE.

Fishing Kit (in OD match case)

I see matching match cases, and no label. Not a big deal, my anal retentiveness showing.

Mechanical Pencil

I prefeer a regular. Less to go wrong, you can shave it for tinder, and even on RIR, wet paper + mechanical pencil = pain in the ass.

Cottonball/Vaseline Tinder

The second match case?

Wetfire Tinder (4)

Watch the time on these guys- they have a shelf life (3 years I think, maybe 4? don't remember), and the original manufacturer wasn't as forthcoming on that point as I would have liked. And if they get holes in the packaging, they can go stale pretty quick apparently.

Bic Lighters (2)

Well, one Bic and one not-a-Bic. Zip ties under the plungers so you don't get an accidental activation.

First Aid Kit

details?

Handkerchief

See if you can find a blaze one- signal panel if needed. White just looks like snow, or you are being mooned by a deer.

Nalgene Bottle (1Qt)

I like, but I'd kill the USGI canteen cup for one of the Olicamp, GSI or MSR cups that fit on the bottle of a Nalgene- free space.

I haven't tried the Katadyn tabs yet, but they are supposedly excellent.

Very much so. The smell of a swimming pool makes me almost hurl, and I can't drink most municple water due to the amount of chlorine scent involved, but these are good after a minute or two to breath after their hour is up.

I haven't decided between the Trailstove (wood burning) or a MSR pocket rocket or similar (canister).

Add both, in a way. Rather than the trailstove, make a chimney stove (looks like a charcoal starter for a grill) out of a coffee can. Store the canister stove in the wood stove. Almost free space, very little added weight, and between the two you are good for any conditions. Don't worry about the strength of the coffee can- I've had them glowing before and they didn't fail.

AMK Thermolite Bivy

The current generation is supposed to be quite a bit more robust- haven't had a chance to test one. I'd say email AMK, tell them what kind of eval you were doing. They might not send you gear, or even credit towards gear, but they love feedback. ESPECAILLY when gear craps out, so they know what needs fixing.

The closest REAL sleeping bags I can think of to this size are the SnugPack Jungle and Traveler lines- the lighter Traveller packs to something like a 5" cube, and is supposed to be good down to about 45 degrees. The Jungle is the same basic thing, just not in red, and with a bug screen attached- packs to about 6" on a side.

Spare Contacts

I'd rather see real glasses. I've seen too many eye injuries were something got under the contact. Nothing serious, but it is enough to mess with you and while I have seen it, very BAD things can happen with contacts in the field.

Oh, I didn't read far enough, n/m.

Razor Head

I've seen this before in other kits- can you actually shave with this?

I like most of what I see. I'd rather see more water, but that would mean hanging things on the side of your pack. (If you do, SOB's SAW and the PPM Medium Modular pouches hold a pair of Nalgene bottles nicely and fit on the lower webbing perfectly. And they wouldn't stick out more than the sleeping pad does.) Not knowing your terrain and duration of your plan, I can't comment on some things.

For an urban kit, I'd like to see a few dust masks, a current sniffer, and maybe a silcock key (the thing for outdoor water faucets). For a purely rural bag, you called out your own short comings, but I'd like to see a small cook pot (more than your canteen cup) and a small trowel (compromise digging item). In either case, signals (whistle, mirror- you don't have to use, but if you need and don't have...), maps and some currency. But as is, for a short duration bugging in warmer weather, I'd carry it as is.

The other thing, and it could just have been removed for the photos, bag your clothes- my THE pack has so far been water proof, but shit happens. If something goes wrong with the bladder, or the cap of your bottle is loose, and your pack turns into a wading pool for rabbits, freezer bags (or doubled) around the stuff that really needs to be try to be useful is cheap insurance.

[Cerberus]

Thanks for the replies,

The sleeping bag would fit in a Kifaru POD if they are able to be attached to the bottom of the pack. I'll have to see about that. The OD firesteel was from countycomm.com. The Hoo-Ahhs are bigger, stronger, and more of them in a package.

Yes, the fishing kit and cottonball tinder are both in match cases. I might get around to labeling them, but for now they are in different pouches and if you shake the fishing kit, it rattles and the tinder doesn't. I'll break down the FAK in the next couple days. The razor is more for shaving around cuts for cleaning and bandaging, but yes you can, with a little patience, shave with it. Most of the items were in freezer bags and were taken out for the pics. I want a stuff sack for the clothes eventually.

[Gunny]

Pretty good start.

Few thoughts:

Where's your flashlight and its replacement batteries? I see the headlamp, but add another flashlight. No one's ever complained about too much light.

Add a pair of spare underware.

Ditch your Mountain House meal and replace it with a brick or two of Mainstay rations. You can squeeze so many more calories out of the same space if you try a bit harder.

You should be able to mount your slumberjack pad on the top of your back or underneath it, have you tried?

What's in your IFAK? Looks mighty small.

More paracord.

You bought a pack with PALS webbing, but you're not using the system at all except for your pad. The PALS system isn't for looks, it's for attaching more gear. Go to your surplus store and pick up a few big pouches for a few bucks each and double your cubic inches.

[Dr. Quickdraw McGraw]

Why did i not know about those mainstay rations? The site i found them on say that they give a "pleasing lemon flavor", does that mean it tastes like monkey butt sprayed with pledge or do they taste acceptible? I know we're talking about a BOB here but there is no reason to be uncivilized

[Gunny]

looks very good! I don't know where you are, was gonna say you might want a real sleeping bag instead of the thermal bivvy, but you've got good clothes, and in a small pack like that you don't really have room for a big ass sleeping bag.

Where'd you get the OD firesteel?

And why do you want to trade out the wet wipes for Hoo-Ahhs?

I keep on thinking of things to comment on, but then re-reading and seeing you've already covered that, like LED light sticks instead of chemical ones, trading out the camp soap for Dr Bronners, adding a headlamp which I didn't see cause its all OD, and some others.

Really very nice, I'll be interested to see what other people have to say about your bag.

Squirrley: Hoo-ahhs are just military wet naps, there's no need for him to replace'em.

[canuck]

Swap out clothes for merino wool or fleece if you can (cotton is the devil) and opt for a jacket with the pack if you can.

I'm surprised it all fits in there, and I have the same sleeping roll.

+1.

[Squirrley]

Well he said that the hoo-ahs were bigger and more of them in a package, and stronger. So it'd seem to me that they're just military wet-naps. Not enough of a difference for me to go spend $20 or whatever online for them when I can go down to the store and get regular wet naps, but yea.

Also, I'd suggest only switching out your mountainhouses for mainstays if you're only concerned about calorie count and shelf life and all that, or don't mind eating military Lembas bread for days in a row. I dunno about you guys, but I like having real hot 'food' that tastes almost like real food.

[A.C.E.]

Really nice pack. One question though, have you thought about mountng the sleeping pad vertically on the back of the pack instead of horizontally across it?

I always manage to get the pad snagged on all sorts of stuff if i put it across the pack, I don't know how wide the Ridgerest is though, maybe it stays out of your way anyhow.

[JIM]

The AMK Thermolite II bivvy is a lot better and stronger than the original. I have one in my BOB and I like it.

[ironraven]

Quickdraw, how hungry are you? They aren't the greatest thing you'll ever eat, but they aren't bad- certainly better than a lemon pledged monkey ass. More like a lemon pledged supermodel ass. Which still beats the coconut flavored crap. (Hate coconut.)

ACE, there really is no good way to do that without adding another pouch. PALS webbing is kind of restricted to it's axis. You could probably add something like a hydrocarrier or a sustainment pouch to the outside, and tuck the pad in there, but it would interfere with access to the lower pocket if done on the back. Possible on the sides, but you'd want something on the other side to counter it.

[A.C.E.]

I guess you're right. It's probably more of a personal preference thing than something of real tactical significance, unless your pad is really wide or you have to negotiate tight spaces and difficult terrain.

[Cerberus]

Thanks for all the replies. I don't have time to address all the questions and tips right now, but I will in the next couple of days.

[Dr. Quickdraw McGraw]

Quickdraw, how hungry are you? They aren't the greatest thing you'll ever eat, but they aren't bad- certainly better than a lemon pledged monkey ass. More like a lemon pledged supermodel ass. Which still beats the coconut flavored crap. (Hate coconut.)

I'll have to order some and try them out

[CB4]

what is RIR?

[sheddi]

what is RIR?

Rite-in-Rain or something similar.

[Cerberus]

I'm sorry it took so long to reply but I've been really busy and kind of forgot about it. So I'll try to answer all the questions now.

Gunny
I've been looking at a few flashlights, but I'll wait til after the holidays before I buy one. The spare underwear and more paracord was mentioned in original post. The mountain house is going to stay because I like having a hot meal at the end of the day. But you are right that I need to add some more calories. I am going to add a few MRE entrees to up the calories. It seems like I strap the pad somewhere different each time. It is currently on top of the pack. I will have to break down the FAK later. Thanks.

I'm surprised it all fits in there

I have quite a bit of room left over. I could probably fit another 1000 cu in of gear in it. That is before the camelbak gets filled. Thanks.

A.C.E.
I could but it would take up all the pals webbing on the back of the pack. I will have to make an update with my GHB that is in a EOD molle bag which I want to be able to attach to the pack.

Thanks for all the replies and sorry about the slow response.

[Cerberus]

Since my BOB is linked to in the new sticky, here is a little update of my BOB.

Since the original post, I added the two 5.11 VTAC bottle carriers to the pack itself (need some pics). The slick stick system that they use is pretty cool. Doesn’t really make putting on any faster but taking them off is lightning fast.

EDIT
Here is the pack as it is now, minus the thermarest that didn't make the pictures.


Here is the 5.11 VTAC bottle carriers that were $10 each from BQ. They are solid. I think that they could do without the velcro and only use the buckle to close the top.


The compression straps on the pack aid in controlling any movement of the new pouches.



Tools
Fiskars Camp Hatchet
Kabar Combat/Utility Knife
Leatherman Wave.


Shelter
GI poncho
Paracord
Tent stakes
Casualty blanket
2 contractor trash bags.


Water
3L Camelbak Unbottle
2 32oz nalgenes
MSR Miniworks filter
Katadyn Micropur Tablets
Canteen cup wrapped in paracord
Scotchbrite pad w/ soap in it
Light-my-fire spork.

The food section is not pictured but it is the same.


Clothes
Synthetic quarter zip top
Polypro bottoms
2 pairs insulated socks
2 pairs boot socks
BDU belt
Fleece watchcap
Nylon balaclava
Boonie hat
Polypro gloves.


Fire/Light
2 Bic Lighters
Swedish Scout Firesteel
Cottonball/Vaseline Tinder
4 Wetfire Tinder Tabs
Princeton Tec Quad LED Headlamp
3 AAA Batteries
Inova X1 LED Flashlight
2 AA Batteries
2 LED Lightsticks

Also pictured is two of my EDC items on my keychain:
BSA Hotspark
Princeton Tec Keychain Light


First Aid Kit
4- 2x3 Gauze Pads
6- 4x4 Gauze Pads
1- 5x9 Gauze Pad
3 Rolls- 3.5x100" Gauze
1- 1x100" Tape
1-1/2x100" Tape
1 Roll Cohere Bandage
6- Bandaids
3- Knuckle Bandaids
4- Wound Closure Strips
1- Moleskin Pad
1- Antimicrobial Wipe
2- Povidone-Iodine Ointment
3- Triple Antibiotic Ointment
3- Benzalkonium Chloride Antiseptic Towelette
3- Sepp Benzoin Tincture
1- Blistex Ointment Packet
1 Pair- Nitrile Gloves
Small First Aid Booklet
4- Safety Pins
EMT Shears
Finger Nail Clippers
Tweezers


Sanitation
Toilet Paper
Wet Ones
Handkerchief
Lightload Camp Towel
Foot Powder (1 oz)
Dr. Bronner’s Camp Soap (4 oz)
Tylenol (8 tabs)
Vitamins (9 tabs)
Disposable Razor Blade Head
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Spare Contacts
Contact Case
Contact Solution
Purell Hand Sanitizer


Misc
Pelican 1040 Dry Case
RIR Memo Book
Mechanical Pencil
2 Sharpies (Black/Red)
Playing Cards
3- Ziplock Bags
Fishing Kit
Knife Sharpener
Sewing Kit
USGI Trip Wire (80ft -OD)
Silva 426 Compass w/ Sighting Mirror
10 Yards Duct Tape

[Rumblefish]

how do u like THE PACK?

[mega-hertz]

great bob cerberus;
+1 on the mountain house meal.
on the subject of wet-naps, i have used both types. i use them 3-4 times a week in between showers.
the hoo-ah's are very strong, but they don't clean well.
wet ones are smaller and tare easly, but they realy clean well, smell better, and if you rub them they'll lather up.



more shit paper please

[Murph]

Awesome! Your setup looks a lot like mine does.

Here's the stuff I have packed in mine:
http://zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=738902#p738902

[Dogan]

Just thought this was too well made a pack to let this thread die. Also, has anyone else used those battery glowsticks?