LMT66
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2008
- Messages
- 11,158
I picked these up a while back and really like both so I thought I'd share. This is a setup I like for scrambling thru the woods over hill and dale. It's like your pack-less and just blazing a trail! A pleasure to wear. Please keep in mind that my intended use for this is day-hiking light, thru overgrown areas and bushcraft.
The gear is designed by Evan and Scott Hill who run Hill People Gear.
The two HPG items I have are the Tarahumara Pack and the Runners Kit Bag. I also have the standard Kit Bag which also has a concealed carry compartment. The Kit Bags (chest packs) are both a slimmer versions of the Koala bag and are excellent chest packs to hold frequently accessed items or valuables you need on you at all times. (Possibles)
The Tarahumara is 17"x9"x4", @750ci. I compare it with the Kifaru E&E at 14.5 x 9.5 x 4 @ 100 ci.
Although the Tarahumara has 250ci less capacity than the E&E, it works better for me and I can pack the same amount of gear in it as I can my old E&E. Plus the Tarahumara is tapered top to bottom which is a nice slick package for hiking or biking. It also can be docked to a large pack with Molle webbing.
I observe that most folks that buy the E&E do so to use it as a day-pack for urban use or day-hikes. The E&E is a great design as a military Escape and Evade bag or a laptop bag but, in my opinion, it is a pain as a day-hiking pack. Hard to get into, fills up fast and adding side pockets for water bottles overburdens it and makes it unstable in my opinion.
The HPG Tarahumara Pack specs:
internal hang loop for a water bladder
1/4" closed cell foam back panel back panel with horizontal baffles to discourage pack rounding also contours to the shape of your spine
dual slightly dimensional slot pockets big enough to accommodate USGI 1qt canteens
500d cordura
single main compartment with hydration bladder hang loop inside
17"x9"x4", ~750ci
dual compression straps that protect zipper, allow a very tight cinch, and will also hold a fair amount underneath them
very comfortable and capable shoulder harness
bottom parachute cord compression and gear storage
slot pocket between back panel and main compartment is large enough to take a netbook or lever action rifle
1.25lb empty including shoulder harness. Without shoulder harness, it weighs 1lb.
Can be used as a compression panel or back pocket
The HPG Runners Kit Bag specs: Note that this comes with a strap setup so you can wear it on it's own or attach it to the shoulder straps of a pack. Worn on it's own, you can go ahead a put your main pack on and take it off without having to do anything to the chest bag.
Made in the USA by First Spear for Hill People Gear
500d cordura
11.5 x 7 x 2"
comfortable mesh backed H harness
docking system that interfaces with most types of packs and allows for a natural hang without twisting
concealed pistol panel, main compartment, front compartment
main compartment and front compartment each have 2 slot pockets and 2 matching dummy cord loops
color matched #8 zippers sewn inside out for abrasion resistance. #8 zippers are stronger than #10 according to YKK.
closed cell foam insert with cutouts next to the body for comfort and structure without too much heat build up
empty weight 1 pound
smooth pistol compartment for easy access and quick draw
Elastic strap keepers
I must make clear that I have removed the stock HPG shoulder harness and installed an extra set of Kifaru Scout straps I had. The HPG shoulder harness is excellent but I'm partial to traditional straps. With just a couple buckles from my Kifaru hardware repair kit, I was able to install my Scout straps in just a minute without cutting anything. I can convert it back to the HPG shoulder harness in about a minute.
I also installed a Kifaru waist stabilizer strap I had. You can make one buy buying a couple buckles, a length of strap and 2 Slik-clips.
A few pictures of it in use to show the setup.
Foliage Tarahumara
Side view.
Front showing the Runners Kit Bag
The combination of both pieces of gear, which you barely notice your wearing, will allow you to get thru overgrown areas with ease and to be very nimble doing it.
I crossed this creek about 20 times today, either by log crossings or using my hiking stick to pole vault across. Neither chest pack or back pack ever moved. Very secure setup.
Glimpse of the inside of the Runner's Kit Bag. Quick access to your items and all in one place.
The Tarahumara, although slender, will hold a woodsbums gear with no problem. My 12" Fiddleback Machete in kydex fit inside the pack just slightly off from straight up and down. It also fits perfect into the rear slot pocket. The Busse rode along today.
The side bottle pockets are a big plus. The will hold 1Qt Canteens or any bottle that is the same diameter as a standard Nalgene. The dual cinch straps will even secure a tall 48oz Nalgene bottle. Here is is with canteens. Note there is no room to nest a canteen in a canteen cup, canteen only.
When I got home I took a series of shots showing different water holders and my pack contents today. Also not that you can use the dual cinch straps to haul a heavy coat or?
The Tarahumara has a bladder loop. I mounted a dump pouch on the loop. Stores it for use if needed or it can be "dumped" to further organize the interior.
Will haul and axe several ways.
Slipped in the rear slot pocket.
1 Qt Canteen's and 40oz Kleen Kanteens (same diameter as a standar Nalgene).
The Runners Kit Bag to show its size.
XL gloves and my ML & sheath which is 10.5" long with the dangler folded over.
Zipped up.
The Runner's Kit Bag Front compartment has two slot pockets with a full length area in front of those.
These make a very nice setup for power hiking (think Pitdog climbing those peaks several times a week). Quality materials with designs that are well thought out.
Adding Kit and Runners bag pictures:
I stuffed them both with thick books to show them maxed out.
With a Kifaru Handwarmer.
The gear is designed by Evan and Scott Hill who run Hill People Gear.
The two HPG items I have are the Tarahumara Pack and the Runners Kit Bag. I also have the standard Kit Bag which also has a concealed carry compartment. The Kit Bags (chest packs) are both a slimmer versions of the Koala bag and are excellent chest packs to hold frequently accessed items or valuables you need on you at all times. (Possibles)
The Tarahumara is 17"x9"x4", @750ci. I compare it with the Kifaru E&E at 14.5 x 9.5 x 4 @ 100 ci.
Although the Tarahumara has 250ci less capacity than the E&E, it works better for me and I can pack the same amount of gear in it as I can my old E&E. Plus the Tarahumara is tapered top to bottom which is a nice slick package for hiking or biking. It also can be docked to a large pack with Molle webbing.
I observe that most folks that buy the E&E do so to use it as a day-pack for urban use or day-hikes. The E&E is a great design as a military Escape and Evade bag or a laptop bag but, in my opinion, it is a pain as a day-hiking pack. Hard to get into, fills up fast and adding side pockets for water bottles overburdens it and makes it unstable in my opinion.
The HPG Tarahumara Pack specs:
internal hang loop for a water bladder
1/4" closed cell foam back panel back panel with horizontal baffles to discourage pack rounding also contours to the shape of your spine
dual slightly dimensional slot pockets big enough to accommodate USGI 1qt canteens
500d cordura
single main compartment with hydration bladder hang loop inside
17"x9"x4", ~750ci
dual compression straps that protect zipper, allow a very tight cinch, and will also hold a fair amount underneath them
very comfortable and capable shoulder harness
bottom parachute cord compression and gear storage
slot pocket between back panel and main compartment is large enough to take a netbook or lever action rifle
1.25lb empty including shoulder harness. Without shoulder harness, it weighs 1lb.
Can be used as a compression panel or back pocket
The HPG Runners Kit Bag specs: Note that this comes with a strap setup so you can wear it on it's own or attach it to the shoulder straps of a pack. Worn on it's own, you can go ahead a put your main pack on and take it off without having to do anything to the chest bag.
Made in the USA by First Spear for Hill People Gear
500d cordura
11.5 x 7 x 2"
comfortable mesh backed H harness
docking system that interfaces with most types of packs and allows for a natural hang without twisting
concealed pistol panel, main compartment, front compartment
main compartment and front compartment each have 2 slot pockets and 2 matching dummy cord loops
color matched #8 zippers sewn inside out for abrasion resistance. #8 zippers are stronger than #10 according to YKK.
closed cell foam insert with cutouts next to the body for comfort and structure without too much heat build up
empty weight 1 pound
smooth pistol compartment for easy access and quick draw
Elastic strap keepers
I must make clear that I have removed the stock HPG shoulder harness and installed an extra set of Kifaru Scout straps I had. The HPG shoulder harness is excellent but I'm partial to traditional straps. With just a couple buckles from my Kifaru hardware repair kit, I was able to install my Scout straps in just a minute without cutting anything. I can convert it back to the HPG shoulder harness in about a minute.
I also installed a Kifaru waist stabilizer strap I had. You can make one buy buying a couple buckles, a length of strap and 2 Slik-clips.
A few pictures of it in use to show the setup.
Foliage Tarahumara
Side view.
Front showing the Runners Kit Bag
The combination of both pieces of gear, which you barely notice your wearing, will allow you to get thru overgrown areas with ease and to be very nimble doing it.
I crossed this creek about 20 times today, either by log crossings or using my hiking stick to pole vault across. Neither chest pack or back pack ever moved. Very secure setup.
Glimpse of the inside of the Runner's Kit Bag. Quick access to your items and all in one place.
The Tarahumara, although slender, will hold a woodsbums gear with no problem. My 12" Fiddleback Machete in kydex fit inside the pack just slightly off from straight up and down. It also fits perfect into the rear slot pocket. The Busse rode along today.
The side bottle pockets are a big plus. The will hold 1Qt Canteens or any bottle that is the same diameter as a standard Nalgene. The dual cinch straps will even secure a tall 48oz Nalgene bottle. Here is is with canteens. Note there is no room to nest a canteen in a canteen cup, canteen only.
When I got home I took a series of shots showing different water holders and my pack contents today. Also not that you can use the dual cinch straps to haul a heavy coat or?
The Tarahumara has a bladder loop. I mounted a dump pouch on the loop. Stores it for use if needed or it can be "dumped" to further organize the interior.
Will haul and axe several ways.
Slipped in the rear slot pocket.
1 Qt Canteen's and 40oz Kleen Kanteens (same diameter as a standar Nalgene).
The Runners Kit Bag to show its size.
XL gloves and my ML & sheath which is 10.5" long with the dangler folded over.
Zipped up.
The Runner's Kit Bag Front compartment has two slot pockets with a full length area in front of those.
These make a very nice setup for power hiking (think Pitdog climbing those peaks several times a week). Quality materials with designs that are well thought out.
Adding Kit and Runners bag pictures:
I stuffed them both with thick books to show them maxed out.
With a Kifaru Handwarmer.
Last edited:
D) as he should have the best comparison for you. I'm probably going to pick up a foliage Kit Bag as well for "work", but my issue for A-Stan is going to be multicam...coyote would probably work better. When traveling, I always carry my M9 in a high, chest mounted holster...it's just easier with the cramped quarters and helo bucket seats. The Kit Bag may be a good alternative if it will ride over the IOTV/armor...