Hi I had a request to show my old SnugpaK Rocket mods and I found 3 long lost photos from the early 2000's i'm guessing that from the garden the photos were taken in 
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Which means the Bag in the photo is at least 10 years old!
P.L.C.E. half inch male clips were added to the front to allow for a 3rd pouch (not pictured) to be mounted to the front (and held under the cords.
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4 Buckles 4 square "D" rings were added to the lid to carry things like a rool mat, but due to the overall softness of the pack it is very "flappy" so only works well if the top pocket is also totally full.
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The most important Mod by far is the shoulder straps that draw the top of the pack towards the shouders (you can see the square "D" rings mentioned in the previous picture).
I also added QR straps to the compression straps, otherwise you had to thread the straps through the "Jet" packs every time(see 1st picture), unlike the PLCE bergen the straps are left loose and untidy, the PLCE has shorter compression straps under the "jets" so no threading needed, It's very annoying in a hurry! the compass pouch seen on the shoulder and barely visible sternum(chest) strap are both long lost
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Since then, I swapped the bag for something in a surplus shop, My friend bought it and eventually gave it to me, neither of us knew it was the same bag. The front half inch PLCE male clips were removed from the front, but everything else is pretty much as I left it Minus the side "Jet packs", but I have PLCE sidepouches that fit and do the same thing, so no loss.
The only recent mod I've made is to fix the QR bucles on the side more neatly, and to totally remove the elastic straps as I rarely use them but they catch on everything.
As it's a little older now, it is slightly worn, It is still very floppy and has slight wear on the mesh back pad but otherwise it's fine, and in perfect working condition, it's at least 10 years old, I have never trusted the fabric, though it hasn't ripped it always felt to soft to cope with things like brambles and barbed wire or scuffs on trees and rocks.
IMHO not a perfect bag but comfortable andvery usefull with loads of features including: 2 waterproof covers (sand/Camo), a water bladder pouch. I still prefer a tougher PLCE type cordura, as it feels stronger, but that's more psychological than practical.
Given the choice I'd use a longer tougher pack for anything other than hiking/camping.
This may also interest potential buyers of the sack, it has overall good points...and bad!
Snugpak rocket opinion
(I wrote this around 2004-5?)
For something this small and discovering the problems I now find it a very useful sack a little on the small side but something I can get used to.
Adding the top medic bag pocket adds another 10L making the overall size 80L, which is a big sack! There is now also provision for a further 10L side pocket on the rear of the back! And there is always the option of using belt pouches too.
To put it into perspective, during my most arduous training, days camping/hiking in the Lake District, I used my PLCE Bergen with the side pockets empty (I could have carried less!) and that 80L (ish) was fine.
I think the most annoyance is always going to be mistaking the compression straps with the lid straps and that s only ever going to be a problem when attaching the side pouches which might only be once a weekend! Not much of a problem!
Being the size it is, it's far more useful as both a full-on Bergen and a day sack it would also pass as a climbing sack with ice axe loops and mesh pockets to carry walking poles/tent poles.
Observations after modification
Since my modifications the whole sack feels very different, it sits much closer to the back, higher, and tighter, far easier to adjust and less tiring to use.
I can now run with the bag and even when it is loaded as the weight has been moved up and forward towards the centre of balance.
It is possible to attach standard belt type pouches to the compression straps (PLCE pouches fit easily), which is convenient. It could be elevated with some sort of tie down strap or permanent clip on the pouch but possibly more hassle than it is worth
If the top pocket is filled with heavy items (an example being 2 water bottles) the medic top pocket will move violently if a jog or run is attempted and may damage the clips, unless the main sack is full and holding it s weight.
Having the roll matt under the bungee straps is very convenient and unnoticeable when carried. Only downside not able to use the waterproof cover, if both are needed there are two options either: carry a Thermarest instead or use the roll matt to line the main sack (it is just possible but it dramatically reduces the overall size).
After using it on a BCUK meet-up, I found it a good size, fine for weekend Bushcraft or camping if anything too big.
Caution is needed when packing large amounts because the sack is soft it can slip to the bottom an it could balloon outwards this is annoying as it forces good organization. (this does not happen with the PLCE Bergen)
A positive and a negative is overall size, 70l total size, PLCE Bergen s are 120l which is getting on for twice the size. Originally regretting selling my PLCE Bergen.
(2016) I did eventually buy another PLCE Bergen.
:Which means the Bag in the photo is at least 10 years old!
P.L.C.E. half inch male clips were added to the front to allow for a 3rd pouch (not pictured) to be mounted to the front (and held under the cords.
4 Buckles 4 square "D" rings were added to the lid to carry things like a rool mat, but due to the overall softness of the pack it is very "flappy" so only works well if the top pocket is also totally full.
The most important Mod by far is the shoulder straps that draw the top of the pack towards the shouders (you can see the square "D" rings mentioned in the previous picture).
I also added QR straps to the compression straps, otherwise you had to thread the straps through the "Jet" packs every time(see 1st picture), unlike the PLCE bergen the straps are left loose and untidy, the PLCE has shorter compression straps under the "jets" so no threading needed, It's very annoying in a hurry! the compass pouch seen on the shoulder and barely visible sternum(chest) strap are both long lost
Since then, I swapped the bag for something in a surplus shop, My friend bought it and eventually gave it to me, neither of us knew it was the same bag. The front half inch PLCE male clips were removed from the front, but everything else is pretty much as I left it Minus the side "Jet packs", but I have PLCE sidepouches that fit and do the same thing, so no loss.
The only recent mod I've made is to fix the QR bucles on the side more neatly, and to totally remove the elastic straps as I rarely use them but they catch on everything.
As it's a little older now, it is slightly worn, It is still very floppy and has slight wear on the mesh back pad but otherwise it's fine, and in perfect working condition, it's at least 10 years old, I have never trusted the fabric, though it hasn't ripped it always felt to soft to cope with things like brambles and barbed wire or scuffs on trees and rocks.
IMHO not a perfect bag but comfortable andvery usefull with loads of features including: 2 waterproof covers (sand/Camo), a water bladder pouch. I still prefer a tougher PLCE type cordura, as it feels stronger, but that's more psychological than practical.
Given the choice I'd use a longer tougher pack for anything other than hiking/camping.
This may also interest potential buyers of the sack, it has overall good points...and bad!
Snugpak rocket opinion
(I wrote this around 2004-5?)
For something this small and discovering the problems I now find it a very useful sack a little on the small side but something I can get used to.
Adding the top medic bag pocket adds another 10L making the overall size 80L, which is a big sack! There is now also provision for a further 10L side pocket on the rear of the back! And there is always the option of using belt pouches too.
To put it into perspective, during my most arduous training, days camping/hiking in the Lake District, I used my PLCE Bergen with the side pockets empty (I could have carried less!) and that 80L (ish) was fine.
I think the most annoyance is always going to be mistaking the compression straps with the lid straps and that s only ever going to be a problem when attaching the side pouches which might only be once a weekend! Not much of a problem!
Being the size it is, it's far more useful as both a full-on Bergen and a day sack it would also pass as a climbing sack with ice axe loops and mesh pockets to carry walking poles/tent poles.
Observations after modification
Since my modifications the whole sack feels very different, it sits much closer to the back, higher, and tighter, far easier to adjust and less tiring to use.
I can now run with the bag and even when it is loaded as the weight has been moved up and forward towards the centre of balance.
It is possible to attach standard belt type pouches to the compression straps (PLCE pouches fit easily), which is convenient. It could be elevated with some sort of tie down strap or permanent clip on the pouch but possibly more hassle than it is worth
If the top pocket is filled with heavy items (an example being 2 water bottles) the medic top pocket will move violently if a jog or run is attempted and may damage the clips, unless the main sack is full and holding it s weight.
Having the roll matt under the bungee straps is very convenient and unnoticeable when carried. Only downside not able to use the waterproof cover, if both are needed there are two options either: carry a Thermarest instead or use the roll matt to line the main sack (it is just possible but it dramatically reduces the overall size).
After using it on a BCUK meet-up, I found it a good size, fine for weekend Bushcraft or camping if anything too big.
Caution is needed when packing large amounts because the sack is soft it can slip to the bottom an it could balloon outwards this is annoying as it forces good organization. (this does not happen with the PLCE Bergen)
A positive and a negative is overall size, 70l total size, PLCE Bergen s are 120l which is getting on for twice the size. Originally regretting selling my PLCE Bergen.
(2016) I did eventually buy another PLCE Bergen.
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