Molle Iba
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 Molle 2 Point Tactical Sling For IBA ARMOR W Fasttex quick release $24.95 Time Remaining: 9d 16h 11m Buy It Now for only: $24.95 |
Molle Iba
Help with packing my ruck?
I'm currently using the issued MOLLE II ruck with the buttpack attached to the front for my wet weather top and bottoms. When I go out into the field I need to take my poncho, IBA, ACH, Hygiene Kit, up to three uniforms, socks, PT Shoes, sleeping bag, and so on. What's the best way to pack? I'm mainly looking for some accessory I can buy to stash the sleeping system in, for that is what takes up a lot of my space despite my efforts in making the stuff sack as small as possible.
How does everyone else pack there rucks?
Close the internal divider and pack as much as you can fit into the upper compartment. Weight rides easier when it's higher up. Compress the straps tight to prevent items from shifting around too badly, and use the uniforms to keep the IBA settled. Ditch whatever sleeping bag you don't need, summer or winter, and put the sleep system in the bottom compartment. Put your shoes and hygiene kit into the detachable side pockets. If you are still stupidly hard up for space, your assault pack can attach onto the ruck with its seemingly excess buckles. If you are somehow still have no room, wear your ACH and/or IBA. If you have your ruck, odds are your are either driving (have to wear the ACH) or rucking (might as well wear the IBA to keep some weight off of your back, heat permitting).
If you are rucking, tighten the shoulder straps as much as possible. Buckle the waist belt and chest strap, as doing so shifts a good portion of the weight off of your shoulders and upper back and onto your hips. If your shoulders or hips start to tire while you are moving, tighten or loosen the upper shoulder straps (the higher of the two shoulder straps, not the lower ones you pull when putting on your ruck). These are designed to shift the ruck's weight between the shoulders and hips when you adjust them. Personally, I prefer to keep them tight, but you might decide otherwise.
Preventative foot care is just as important as anything you do with your ruck. Invest in some decent boot socks. $10 a pair might seem like a lot, but your feet will thank you a few miles in. Make sure they are nicely padded and wool. Cotton boot socks are God's punishment for idiots road marching. They get too wet too quick and speed blistering. If you know you blister easy, wear sock liners or use mole skin.
The best way to get better at rucking it to load up your ruck and march. Four miles once or twice a week at a decent sub-fifteen minute a mile pace will make it much easier to do legit road marches later on. Up the distance as you get closer to whatever you are working towards. Your body will get stronger and you will figure out how you like your ruck packed and carried.
Spec-Ops Over-Armor vest: "Zip-On LBE" by Nutnfancy