Ribz Front Pack Get Home Bag

Ribz Front Pack

A few months ago I got a chance to review and give away a Ribz Front Pack for my big contest. While testing out the pack I fell in love with it. I felt that in the role of a Get Home Bag or an Escape and Evade component to a full Bug Out Bag Ribz Front Pack was perfect. Then I had to give it away to a very lucky reader. Hopefully he is putting it to good use. Right before Christmas I had the funds to buy one of my own. I’ve talked plenty about the why’s of buying this pack, and there are many. Today I’m going to share my current load out for my Ribz Front Pack G.H.B. I played around with this configuration a lot and will continue to do so. I was amazed at how much I could cram in there. Actually I crammed in too much, the Ribz Front Pack were huge. Deciding what to take out took a big of work but I think I have it…for this week at least. So let’s get down to pictures and philosophies on why I chose what I did.

For this Ribz Front Pack I really wanted to take a minimal approach. To be as light on my feet as possible but cover as many needs as possible. The only thing I had issues with was the shelter component. I originally wanted to pack my trek light hammock and the bivy sack. In the end I decided the bivy was slightly more useful since I really couldn’t fit them both comfortably.

Shelter

For my shelter needs I decided to go with a USGI poncho and a AMK bivy. I found the combination to be the lightest and most versatile. Since the purpose of this kit is to be light and built for maximum mobility I decided to nix the hammock. I do love hammock camping and would choose them for all my full size kits. In this one though, with only being able to choose either the hammock or the bivy, made of emergency blanket material, I chose the bivy for warmth. Hammocks can get very cold without sleeping bags, foam pads or under quilts. I can always build up leaves and even stuff them in and around the bivy sack.

Fire!

Alright we got shelter covered now time to make a fire. I went simple with this Vaseline soaked cotton balls and a ferro rod. Normally I would throw in a lighter. But I couldn’t find one laying around so I’ll have to grab a bunch. Lighters are the low hanging fruit of making fire. When its cold and raining or sleeting playing around trying to make a fire nothing is as nice as flicking your bic and being done. Making a bow drill fire is a great skill to know but saving calories is better.

Water

The lightness and quickness is highlighted again with the drinking water gear. I chose my Guyout Designs Stainless Steel Nalgene and the Aqumira Frontier Straw. I can boil water directly in the nalgene bottle unlike the plastic versions. This means that I can fill it up and boil when I set up camp. With the Straw I can drink from the Nalgene before boiling while one the move. Reading the specs on the Frontier straw it filters well enough for me, especially while on the move. Combined I feel they work perfectly well to compliment each other.

Food and Drink!

I kept the food simple and ready to eat. Nothing here that needs to be cooked. It’s meant to provide energy on the move while being nutritious. I have some almond butter, tuna fish, spam, a tanka bar and instant coffee. I will not be the happiest camper ever but It’s enough to keep going for at least a little while until I can get more food or get to my destination.

Cutting Tools

For the cutting implements I went simple, light, and rugged. The combination of the Pathfinder trade knife and the pocket chainsaw are the best combination of tools for my needs. With the pocket chainsaw I can bring down and process smaller trees for shelter building and processing wood for fire. The stout little trade knife will battan through all smaller diameter pieces of wood with no problems to make kindling for a fire. I would also trust the trade knife in a defensive situation as well.

Headlamp and Spare Batteries

I’ve reviewed and ranted and raved about this Coleman Max headlamp. In a on the move situation and in most I prefer a headlamp over a flashlight. Having your hands free is a huge benefit. I carry enough spare batteries for four changes plus whats in the headlamp. It’s not the smallest nor lightest but price to functionality this headlamp rocks.

Writting

No big reason here I just always like a means of writing things down. I had a spare write in rain notepad and tossed in a pen and a marker.

Hot Hands

I toss these in everywhere I can. If you stock up on Hot Hands in the off season they are too cheap not to. I’ve been stuck in the cold too many times wishing I had some to not stockpile them now. Cold hands and feet suck!

Fully Loaded

Here is the pack loaded out and ready to go. This time it is not bursting from the seams and in fact have room a to add a few things. In fact I realized while writing this I was in fact missing a few things. First and foremost is a bandana. No need to go into the million and one uses for one. I will have to go grab a few extras. The weight is not too bad and rides very comfortably. Don’t forget you can pick up a RIBZ front pack for $20 off using coupon code “Survivalpunk”.

Have any suggestions? Let me know in the comments!