Some time ago I purchased a Gelert 55 litre pack. However, it turned out to be folly as although the back system was really good, the bag itself was near unusable. The pack had two side pockets in odd ovoid shape and not even big enough to take a mess tin or a .75 ltr bottle... it also had two odd "waterproof" zips in the front which leaked and served no purpose, the list goes on - I could not even get my down schlafsac in! I thought it was about time to trade in my old army Cyclops Roc which has been with me for the thick end of 28 years and getting a bit tired, but is a very useful design and build quality.
So the Gelert was pretty much never used and hung on the door of the land rover being used to store "stuff". Anyway, I had some canvas left over from making an awning for said Land Rover and figured I could use the back system and add a decent usable bag made out of canvas and make it to my own design suitable for bushcraft and tabbing around Blighty and its neighbours.
The end result uses my home made belt pack system as the waist belt which can be used in two ways because of the great range of back length possible with the Gelert back system and the addition of pouches clipped to the bag to suit my needs (water, tools, cook kit, brew, first aid, tourism, basha etc). The finished article is as desired and usable to all my needs (I can even get my schlafsac in!).
So not a complete loss.....
I've posted some pictures at: http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/116407774413027622942
So the Gelert was pretty much never used and hung on the door of the land rover being used to store "stuff". Anyway, I had some canvas left over from making an awning for said Land Rover and figured I could use the back system and add a decent usable bag made out of canvas and make it to my own design suitable for bushcraft and tabbing around Blighty and its neighbours.
The end result uses my home made belt pack system as the waist belt which can be used in two ways because of the great range of back length possible with the Gelert back system and the addition of pouches clipped to the bag to suit my needs (water, tools, cook kit, brew, first aid, tourism, basha etc). The finished article is as desired and usable to all my needs (I can even get my schlafsac in!).
So not a complete loss.....
I've posted some pictures at: http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/116407774413027622942
