A Chest Rig for Trackers

Relating to monitoring, survival, and fieldcraft, gear choice is extra than simply about comfort—it is about effectivity and flexibility. A chest rig that lets you transfer freely, entry important instruments immediately, and get rid of pointless weight is price its weight in gold.

Throughout my programs, lots of my college students seen one specific piece of apparatus I at all times carry: the Recon Package Bag by Hill Folks Gear. After repeated questions on its performance, practicality, and benefits, I made a decision to interrupt down my expertise with it.

This can be a evaluation primarily based on real-world use, a whole lot of hours within the area, and a real appreciation for the flexibility of this excellent pouch.

Picture from hillpeoplegear.com

Subscribe As we speak and Save!

Recon Package Bag Chest Rig by Hill Folks Gear

The Recon Package Bag is a skinny, but rugged chest rig, making it a perfect selection for a fast entry monitoring pouch. This pouch is was primarily based on Hill Folks Gear’s authentic Runners Package Bag, and is an evolution of the unique idea carry extra versatility and performance.

Among the Key Options

• PALS Grid for Modular Growth – The entrance MOLLE system permits for added pouches or attachments.
• Hid Carry Compartment – The principle compartment is designed to discreetly retailer a firearm or different important gadgets.
• Powerful Construct – Constructed from 500D Cordura, making it light-weight but extremely sturdy.
• Snug Put on – The mesh-backed H-harness makes it simple to put on alone or underneath a pack or jacket.
• Safe Storage – Options loop and dummy wire loop for added retention choices.

The 2 zippers guarantee fast entry, whereas the design permits customers to hold important gear with out counting on belt-mounted pouches, which may limit motion.

Spending lengthy hours monitoring and shifting shortly throughout various terrain, I’ve discovered this chest rig to be a game-changer. Whereas a cumbersome pack would get in the best way whereas navigating terrain the place bending, crouching, or shifting via tight areas is required, the Recon Package Bag permits for fast and straightforward motion with out sacrificing entry to important gear.

Chest Rigs: How and Why They Work

My introduction to the Recon Package Bag got here from two of probably the most revered figures within the area of monitoring—Kenneth Galbraith and my mentor, David Michael Hull. I first noticed the Recon Package Bag in 2015, of their photographs, and instantly acknowledged its potential.

At the moment chest rigs the place not as widespread as they’re right now, I had by no means seen something prefer it—a compact, high-mounted pouch that regarded light-weight but able to holding important gear. I shortly realized the worth of this arrange versus different bag choices.

• Usability – The whole lot is well accessible on the chest.
• Consolation – Doesn’t pressure the neck, chest, or shoulders, even after lengthy hours of damage.
• Resistance – Constructed for harsh environments, from scorching summers to freezing winters.
• Practicality – No want for cumbersome belts or hip pouches that get in the best way.
• Versatility – Works year-round, each over a shirt or underneath a jacket.

As soon as I acquired my arms on it, I hung out testing totally different load-outs. The objective was to make sure I solely carried the necessities whereas sustaining velocity and mobility over difficult terrain.

Recon Package Bag Chest Rig In Motion

My preliminary observations when utilizing the Recon Package Bag within the Area:

• The Recon Package Bag allowed me to lighten my backpack, protecting crucial gadgets simply accessible.
• It eradicated the necessity for a heavy-duty belt with pouches, which frequently restricted motion and brought on discomfort.

I quickly started pairing it with my Tarahumara Backpack, an ultralight day pack that complemented the Recon Package Bag’s performance completely.

My Load-Out: What I Carry within the Recon Package Bag

For me, the Recon Package Bag turned my devoted Monitoring Package, that means all the pieces inside was chosen to assist my monitoring work.

Important Gadgets Inside My Chest Rig

• Cellular Telephone & Charging Station – Vital for navigation, communication, and documentation.
• Pocket book & Writing Instruments – A pen, pencil, and waterproof notepad for recording tracks.
• Gentle & Coloured Sticks – Used for marking tracklines.
• 4-Coloration Flashlight – Purple, inexperienced, blue, and white for monitoring in varied mild situations.
• Measuring Gadgets – Plastic ruler for analyzing tracks.
• Compass – Important for navigation and orientation.
• Sign Mirror – Used for emergency signaling and area observations.
• Gloves – Safety in opposition to sharp terrain, chilly, or harm hazards.

The group contained in the Recon Package Bag permits me to achieve any merchandise immediately with out disrupting my workflow.

What NOT to Pack within the Recon Package Bag

When arrange as a monitoring pouch, the Recon Package chest rig supplies probably the most worth by being mild weight and straightforward to hold. As with all issues, expertise is the best trainer, via trial and error I’ve discovered that cumbersome, heavy, or inflexible gadgets cut back the performance the Recon Package Bag.

Gadgets do NOT advocate carrying:

• Meals Rations – Take up an excessive amount of house and don’t match effectively.
• Canteens or Water Bottles – Too heavy; finest saved in a backpack.
• Massive Survival Knives – Not best for chest carry; higher suited to a belt or pack.
• Binoculars – Too cumbersome; higher saved in a facet pouch or daypack.
• Cameras – Until they’re compact, they take up an excessive amount of house.

At all times remember, the Recon Package Bag is just not designed to be a full survival pack. Whereas giant packs have their place, a monitoring pouch is designed to offer you entry to necessities at a second’s discover.

Customizing Your Load-Out

The Recon Package Bag is flexible sufficient to adapt to totally different wants and talent units. Listed here are some various setups relying in your particular use case:

Hearth Package Load-Out

• Firestarter (Ferro Rod & Tinder)
• Stormproof Matches & Lighter
• Small Folding Knife

First Support Load-Out

• Compact Medikit (Bandages, Antiseptic, Painkillers, Tourniquet)
• Gloves & CPR Masks
• Trauma Shears

Navigation & Survival Load-Out

• Map & Compass
• GPS Gadget & Further Batteries
• Emergency Whistle

The hot button is to adapt your Recon Package Bag primarily based in your private priorities, actions, and mission necessities.

Actual-World Use: When and The place I Use It

The Recon Package Bag has confirmed itself time and time once more in assorted actual world situations. I first built-in it into my monitoring coaching, but it surely quickly turned a staple for a number of conditions:

• Man & Animal Monitoring – The hands-free design makes it good for monitoring work.
• Survival & Distant Life Courses – Retains vital instruments accessible with out including bulk.
• On a regular basis Carry (EDC) Bag – Supreme for city exploration, mountaineering, and fast excursions.

Even after years of use, the Recon Package Bag stays an important a part of my gear.

Ultimate Ideas: A Reliable Companion

Some gear comes and goes. Others turn into everlasting companions. The Recon Package Bag by Hill Folks Gear is certainly a permeant companion! It has all the pieces you possibly can search for in a chest rig, it’s sturdy, useful, comfy, and adapts to any variety of situations. It has eradicated the necessity for heavy belt-mounted pouches, streamlined my gear, and saved all the pieces I would like inside quick attain. Should you’re on the lookout for a compact, sensible, and well-designed chest rig, I extremely advocate the Recon Package Bag.

Picture from hillpeoplegear.com

Hill Folks Gear Recon Package Bag Chest Rig Specs

• Weight: 0.81 lb
• Size: 1.00 in
• Width: 11.50 in
• Top: 7.50 in
• Dimensional Quantity: 86.25 Cubic inches
• Materials: 500d Cordura Nylon

Get it at Hill Folks Gear’s Web site

Learn Extra

Don’t miss important survival insights—join Recoil Offgrid’s free publication right now!

Take a look at our different publications on the net: Recoil | Gun Digest | Blade | RecoilTV | RECOILtv (YouTube)

Written by Kyt Lyn Walken