- Joined
- Feb 8, 2011
- Messages
- 103
Ok guys as some know a while back I was looking for a good medium sized pack for weekend trips and overnights, so I proceeded to purchase a Camelbak Linchpin. The Linchpin turned out to be a disappointment when it came to a weekend, it could do it if you were going minimalist with your gear selection.
Now to the good, the linchpin being a bit smaller than I anticipated did not work for my weekend bag, but I found it to be a great size for a light overnight pack and it is the BEST day pack I have ever used, bar none it kicked my old Maxpedition Sitka's but and did laps around my old Kelty Shrike. Size wise the Linchpin was right in between the Sitka and Shrike.
Lets start with the suspension, the mystery ranch futura harness is by far the most comfortable suspension setup I have had the privilege(yes its that good) to use. The adjustable yoke and shape of the back panel are the key to the pack. To adjust the yoke you remove the plastic framesheet and use the framsheet to seperate the velcro that locks the yoke inplace, this is best done with the help of a friend while you wear the pack to get the right placement, I went over how to do that on my video on the Futura harness.
The secondary reason I went with the Linchpin was the amount of organization in the pack. It has 6 external, 1 main, and 1 bladder pocket. The 2 pockets on the sides of the pack are designed to carry 3 M4 mags, I found they are best used to carry my USGI Ponch and my FAK in the other, both are very roomy and will eadily fit most FAK size pouches. It has the normal front pocket for odds and ends not much to say about it. The large front pocket has 5 divider pouches to organize compases, notebooks, maps ect, it also has an attached key lanyard with clip. The outer top pocket is great for a smallish set of bino's or sunglasses but I kept my flashlight, headlamp and spare batteries there. The bladder pocket is shaped to hold a 100 oz Omega water bladder perectly. It has a bladder hanger which is a give in but the 3 exit ports are what I loved about the bladder pocket, one on the top of the pack and 2 on the bottom one on either side on the back of the pack. There is also a shove it pocket on the ront of the bag it is behind the man outer pocket on the front and is expandable with elastic and fits an MSR 1.5 qt seagull pot perfectly. The main pocket is fairly normal, but does have 4 inner lashing points to urther secure items inside the pack.
The overall construction of the pack is excellent. It is made of 500d Codura and is very rugged, with reinforced box stitching on stress point. It has YKK zippers, and Silent release buckles for the shoulder straps. The foam mesh backpanel is very comfortable and sturdy yet it flexs with your body as your climbing over logs or crossing rocky creek beds.
Overall I love the pack and would recommend it to anyone looking for a daypack especially bigger guys its made to fit over armor and is highly adjustable. I would give the pack a 10/10 and 5 Stars. If your looking for a great daypack look no further. It can be picked up new for about 135-150$ depending where you get it and more in other places.
I probably left something out, if I did and your wondering just lmk and ill do my best to answer your questions.
Here is a video review I did of it, I know its crappy camera work but my tripod is busted and im HORRIBLE on camera. Thanks for watching and I hope this helps somebody lol.
Thanks Bill
[video=youtube;lK5lf4bKHvg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK5lf4bKHvg[/video]
[video=youtube;lOdi0UkHdAE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOdi0UkHdAE[/video]
Now to the good, the linchpin being a bit smaller than I anticipated did not work for my weekend bag, but I found it to be a great size for a light overnight pack and it is the BEST day pack I have ever used, bar none it kicked my old Maxpedition Sitka's but and did laps around my old Kelty Shrike. Size wise the Linchpin was right in between the Sitka and Shrike.
Lets start with the suspension, the mystery ranch futura harness is by far the most comfortable suspension setup I have had the privilege(yes its that good) to use. The adjustable yoke and shape of the back panel are the key to the pack. To adjust the yoke you remove the plastic framesheet and use the framsheet to seperate the velcro that locks the yoke inplace, this is best done with the help of a friend while you wear the pack to get the right placement, I went over how to do that on my video on the Futura harness.
The secondary reason I went with the Linchpin was the amount of organization in the pack. It has 6 external, 1 main, and 1 bladder pocket. The 2 pockets on the sides of the pack are designed to carry 3 M4 mags, I found they are best used to carry my USGI Ponch and my FAK in the other, both are very roomy and will eadily fit most FAK size pouches. It has the normal front pocket for odds and ends not much to say about it. The large front pocket has 5 divider pouches to organize compases, notebooks, maps ect, it also has an attached key lanyard with clip. The outer top pocket is great for a smallish set of bino's or sunglasses but I kept my flashlight, headlamp and spare batteries there. The bladder pocket is shaped to hold a 100 oz Omega water bladder perectly. It has a bladder hanger which is a give in but the 3 exit ports are what I loved about the bladder pocket, one on the top of the pack and 2 on the bottom one on either side on the back of the pack. There is also a shove it pocket on the ront of the bag it is behind the man outer pocket on the front and is expandable with elastic and fits an MSR 1.5 qt seagull pot perfectly. The main pocket is fairly normal, but does have 4 inner lashing points to urther secure items inside the pack.
The overall construction of the pack is excellent. It is made of 500d Codura and is very rugged, with reinforced box stitching on stress point. It has YKK zippers, and Silent release buckles for the shoulder straps. The foam mesh backpanel is very comfortable and sturdy yet it flexs with your body as your climbing over logs or crossing rocky creek beds.
Overall I love the pack and would recommend it to anyone looking for a daypack especially bigger guys its made to fit over armor and is highly adjustable. I would give the pack a 10/10 and 5 Stars. If your looking for a great daypack look no further. It can be picked up new for about 135-150$ depending where you get it and more in other places.
I probably left something out, if I did and your wondering just lmk and ill do my best to answer your questions.
Here is a video review I did of it, I know its crappy camera work but my tripod is busted and im HORRIBLE on camera. Thanks for watching and I hope this helps somebody lol.
Thanks Bill
[video=youtube;lK5lf4bKHvg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK5lf4bKHvg[/video]
[video=youtube;lOdi0UkHdAE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOdi0UkHdAE[/video]
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