Murphnuge
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- Joined
- Feb 27, 2010
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Finally sat down for a bit to do a quick write up of the coveted Eagle Industries Becker Patrol Pack(BPP). From what I've been told, I have the regular(medium) versions. I would put it in the category with a medium ALICE pack as far as size and load handling. I was lucky enough to score two of these packs before I had even received the first. I'm very happy I got both! Hopefully Ethan and some others can jump in to explain the origins and design of the pack, but for now here's my take.
The Becker patrol pack is a well thought out answer to the idea of the ALICE sack, er..pack. There are three organization slots on the inside main pouch. One in the middle front of the pack the runs the whole depth and two pockets on either side that go about halfway down. They work very well for keeping the stuff you want to be able to find quickly in the main pack to stay where it should. There's a small storage area in the flap of the ruck that I use to keep t.p. and matches high and dry. On my OD version it's a zippered pocket under the lid, but on my woodland version it's a pocket similar to the ALICE.
There are six external pockets; two on the lid, two under the lid on the main pack and then there are two on the sides that are a bit bigger. This to me is what sets the BPP apart from the ALICE. The ALICE has three external pockets that are a bit big for the smaller items I carry. The BPP has two different size pockets; the two on the sides are about twice as big as the four on the front. Allowing you to customize your gear spacing a bit more. Not a big deal, but I like it.
The BPP is more narrow than the ALICE (with or without frame). Ethan explained to me that it was a conscious design point to keep the pack more narrow than the wearer's shoulders. It keeps you from getting caught on branches and whatnot in the bush. Until I saw pictures of myself wearing the BPP, I honestly had no idea how it looked compared to how it felt. It doesn't exactly feel like a large pack, but it's a liitle smaller on my body than I had imagined. On the couple of hikes I have had it out on it performed as designed. No catching at all in the woods either from the sides or from above when I scrambled under fallen trees.
I'm able to fit pretty close to the same amount of gear in the BPP as I have ever been able to fit in a medium ALICE. Maybe a bit less, but not enough to ever keep me from carrying it versus the other.
I can honestly remember being 12 or 14 and dog earing US Cav catalogs and the one page that was always marked was the page with the BPP on it. For whatever reason I never ended up with one while growing up or during my time in the Corps. Hell, I'd never seen a Becker pack in person until a gathering when Psyop brought his. I had really elevated it to a grail like status. So, I was almost nervous when I awaited my packs arrival. I hoped that I wouldn't be let down. I'm pleased to report that the grail like status was well deserved. The Becker Patrol Pack is my go to pack from here on. It has even bumped my beloved Kelty MAP 3500 from my daily carry. Sorry Dubz!
In short, get one!
Anyway here's some pix of comparison with my MAP 3500 and some key features of the ruck. I'll add more to this, including pix, in the future.
The BPP with another Becker legend.
The zippered pocket under the flap on my OD variant.
The rolltop closure under the lid on my OD version. My woodland version has a drawstring.
The pass through slots behind the side pockets are a handy feature for carrying an axe or any other similar item.
Inside look at the pocket organization. My pistol is in the front pocket that goes full depth.
The Becker patrol pack is a well thought out answer to the idea of the ALICE sack, er..pack. There are three organization slots on the inside main pouch. One in the middle front of the pack the runs the whole depth and two pockets on either side that go about halfway down. They work very well for keeping the stuff you want to be able to find quickly in the main pack to stay where it should. There's a small storage area in the flap of the ruck that I use to keep t.p. and matches high and dry. On my OD version it's a zippered pocket under the lid, but on my woodland version it's a pocket similar to the ALICE.
There are six external pockets; two on the lid, two under the lid on the main pack and then there are two on the sides that are a bit bigger. This to me is what sets the BPP apart from the ALICE. The ALICE has three external pockets that are a bit big for the smaller items I carry. The BPP has two different size pockets; the two on the sides are about twice as big as the four on the front. Allowing you to customize your gear spacing a bit more. Not a big deal, but I like it.
The BPP is more narrow than the ALICE (with or without frame). Ethan explained to me that it was a conscious design point to keep the pack more narrow than the wearer's shoulders. It keeps you from getting caught on branches and whatnot in the bush. Until I saw pictures of myself wearing the BPP, I honestly had no idea how it looked compared to how it felt. It doesn't exactly feel like a large pack, but it's a liitle smaller on my body than I had imagined. On the couple of hikes I have had it out on it performed as designed. No catching at all in the woods either from the sides or from above when I scrambled under fallen trees.
I'm able to fit pretty close to the same amount of gear in the BPP as I have ever been able to fit in a medium ALICE. Maybe a bit less, but not enough to ever keep me from carrying it versus the other.
I can honestly remember being 12 or 14 and dog earing US Cav catalogs and the one page that was always marked was the page with the BPP on it. For whatever reason I never ended up with one while growing up or during my time in the Corps. Hell, I'd never seen a Becker pack in person until a gathering when Psyop brought his. I had really elevated it to a grail like status. So, I was almost nervous when I awaited my packs arrival. I hoped that I wouldn't be let down. I'm pleased to report that the grail like status was well deserved. The Becker Patrol Pack is my go to pack from here on. It has even bumped my beloved Kelty MAP 3500 from my daily carry. Sorry Dubz!
In short, get one!
Anyway here's some pix of comparison with my MAP 3500 and some key features of the ruck. I'll add more to this, including pix, in the future.
The BPP with another Becker legend.
The zippered pocket under the flap on my OD variant.
The rolltop closure under the lid on my OD version. My woodland version has a drawstring.
The pass through slots behind the side pockets are a handy feature for carrying an axe or any other similar item.
Inside look at the pocket organization. My pistol is in the front pocket that goes full depth.
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