Any wildland fire fighters.....Need pack advice

[EricW]

Son #2 is a wildlands fire fighter for the Wa Dept. of Natural Resiurces. He got issued a day pack but it sounds like it falls a little short. Anyone have any ideas/leads on which packs are good for the job, and where to purchase?

Sounds like he spends half his time in an initial response truck cruising around, but the other half is with a 10 man crew where they do put in long days away from camp and supplies. Beyond that, I don't know much more info that would be relative to a choice of packs or options.

Any help/advice is appreciated. Have a good one. EW

 

[xrated]

contact Rob1334 on here, wild land firefighter.

 

[Rob1334]

I would not hesitate to order anything that is TRUE NORTH brand. There is a reason that most of the wildland guys will trade most their bags and the issued gear inside them for someone elses older standard issued bags. Our agency does not issue True North anymore and went to a more generic type pack, a blue pack that is garbage in my opinion, just does not fit.

The other pack that I have looked at is the wolf pack, but it is twice as expensive as True North gear's setup. It also looks really comfortable, and already has integrated hydration in it, and sits nice on your hips. I have not worn this pack before so i will not say one way or the other on it, but I have heard good reviews.

The pack I have is an older firefly model. What I like about it is that it is real easy to get in and out of the main bag, and that main bag does come apart in times you need just the web gear, which is a life saver to drop all the weight and just wear the straps and the accessories and the fire shelter. They have large oversized zippers that are built strong, and everything is reinforced many times over. I like their gear so much I have bought their radio harness, which if he caries a radio make sure he gest one that is mesh backing and a three strap design, much easier to wear long periods and is a lot cooler for the body. (only downside is on the body storage, which I just use the cargo pant pockets for anyways....)

Make sure that he has the added accessories that he will need for it, flagging pouch, canteen pouch, etc. I went and bought just a camelbak locally later, bought the insulated hose cover, and added it to my pack, cheap option or just use one you already have.

Places to buy online are the easiest, and by far the cheapest route for gear. http://www.firecache.com is one of the best sites for all gear, or http://www.wildlandwarehouse.com/ is another great place to buy from. Wolf packs i have seen before on the firecache and they also carry true north, but here is their site too, http://www.truenorthgear.com/home.php.

If you need pics of how I have mine setup to see if that is what he likes, shoot me a PM or something.

 

[Supplicate]

Met a few wildland firefighters a while back that swear by Mystery Ranch packs.

 

[EricW]

Thanks for the leads and advice. I sicked Kam on them and he is reading up on the different ones between doctoring blisters and chaffing welts. Maybe his training program of beer & pizza at College wasn't the ultimate in physical fitness preparation. Must get it from his mom. lol. EW

 

[xrated]

Thanks for the leads and advice. I sicked Kam on them and he is reading up on the different ones between doctoring blisters and chaffing welts. Maybe his training program of beer & pizza at College wasn't the ultimate in physical fitness preparation. Must get it from his mom. lol. EW

yep his mom...you would never touch beer, i have you pegged for a whiskey guy

Is he gonna do a better job of minding his hose this year instead of oggling the lady fire fighters?

 

[Rob1334]

Thanks for the leads and advice. I sicked Kam on them and he is reading up on the different ones between doctoring blisters and chaffing welts. Maybe his training program of beer & pizza at College wasn't the ultimate in physical fitness preparation. Must get it from his mom. lol. EW

They actually make a cream called body-glide for chaffing, your sack will thank you later....(comes in a little deoderant thing, on fire your skin will dry bad, sweat a lot, and friction everywhere, this really does work to catch i before it gets bad.)

Also, invest in good boots and good socks, and if he still gets blisters there's always mole skin haha..... (Boots and socks is anther post, maybe tomorrow, have a workout to tend to in the early AM...)

 

[Nikolai]

Those Mystery Ranch packs are FN sweet and I would love to have the Kodiak for when I hunt by myself and have a lot of gear...but $650

 

[Rob1334]

Forgot one other thing, make sure that the pack will hold a new generation ffire shelter, or he may be sitting on the sidelines and not be allowed out with the pack. I modified mine to take the new style fire shelters, but they are slightly bigger and weigh a little more than the old design, so keep that in mind. Best place for them is to get the shelter case that goes under the main bag, but most of them do this already, it can really dig into your hip if you wear it on the side of your belt.

 

[EricW]

Again, thanks. We will run down the leads and info posted. He is just getting a pair of custom Whites broken in. Given the fact that they are appearantly in the top 2 or 3, I was surprised to see how bad his instep was bruised while wearing them. He said he was on very steep ground for long days, but he was literally purple in the instep. Might just be a foot to boot toughening process.

Thanks again. EW

 

[Rob1334]

Just got my first pair of whites here not to long ago too, they are a little different as they do have the highest arch of any boot, something your foot has to get use to but once broke in anything else feels wierd.

They do seem to take a long time to break in, but one product I like for my boots is Red Wing Shoes "All natural Leather Dressing". It really conditions the leather, and made the break in process rather quick. If this is also his first time out make sure to keep a small amount of boot grease in his pack, (I just use the white's grease they give you when you buy) when you get solvants such as slurry or nozzle foam on them it can damage your boots severly before you get home. Quick wash to get the stuff off and grease them.

PM me when you figure out what gear he goes with, lots of great options out there and love hearing reviews on products... never know when this pack is going to be retired...

 

[KamW]

Thanks for all the info, Im looking at the wolfpack and think i will go with that. and on the boots i had them broke in last year and absolutely loved them, i would wear them over my shoes on any occasion i could. But something about this year is different, i did start out the fire season in the Omak area that is mostly desert and the ground is way harder than anything i was on all last year so i was thinking that had an effect. Once again thanks for all the info. KW

 

[Rob1334]

No prob. bud, let me know if ya need anything else, maybe trade some crew shirts haha. Cheers bud and be safe this year

 

[KamW]

yeah will do, what size shirt do you wear and ill get it coming.