A review of the Italian Mountain Rucksack

[Widerstand]

Italian Mountain Rucksack - Rugged Affordability - YouTube

Here is a video review of the outstanding Italian Mountain Rucksack, it's a great combination of durability and affordability.

Since the quality level's can vary greatly on these bags I suggest finding one at a surplus store or a gun show, but if you are still unable to find one at those places the internet would be your best bet.

Enjoy the video!

[Seeker]

the 'weird little strap' on the lower back is for tying the pack into the soldier's web belt, which keeps it from bouncing while running, or from going up over one's head while getting up from a prone position.

the two 'short' straps are probably only designed to hold a poncho or shelter half, not a blanket or sleeping bag. i like how you fixed them by making them longer with paracord. you could also cut them back to about 2-3" long, and then sew much longer webbing straps to them.

i also like how you replaced the metal buckles with fastex buckles.

are the insides of the side pockets also that rubberized canvas? or just the tops?

[Widerstand]

the 'weird little strap' on the lower back is for tying the pack into the soldier's web belt, which keeps it from bouncing while running, or from going up over one's head while getting up from a prone position.

the two 'short' straps are probably only designed to hold a poncho or shelter half, not a blanket or sleeping bag. i like how you fixed them by making them longer with paracord. you could also cut them back to about 2-3" long, and then sew much longer webbing straps to them.

i also like how you replaced the metal buckles with fastex buckles.

are the insides of the side pockets also that rubberized canvas? or just the tops?

Thanks for informing me about that little strip. Makes sense now.

Yeah my plan is just to make the straps longer on the bottom.

Also the side pockets are also fully rubberized on the inside.

[solocanoe]

they are nice packs -great review, W!

[Panzer]

Awesome review! Much appreciated. Looks like a really handy pack that has some great features for bushcrafting. Someone looking for an economical pack should check these out.

[Taliesin]

Good review and mods! www.swisslink.com has these in NEW CONDITION for $24.99 + shipping.

http://www.swisslink.com/products/pa...kpack-16-1807/

I've looked at these before as more of a day pack or over night pack. They seem nice. I liked the idea from the video about removing the lacing on the side pouches and replacing with 550 cord. I also like the way he lengthened the straps on the bottom. I think I would look for a way to expend the top so that water or snow couldn't get into the main compartment. I also think I would add a second strap to the outside middle of the pack for an additional loop for holding a hand tool of some sort like an axe or a hawk more securely.

[Roamer]

Thanks for the review, looks like a good pack. I love the sticker on your notepad -- cast my vote for that!

Couple questions:
-- Will the side pockets hold a Nalgene?
-- You mentioned the shoulder straps are kinda short. Will this pack fit a 6-footer?
-- How does it carry? A lot of these vintage packs are plain uncomfortable to actually hike with.
-- Is this replacing the canoe pack you've talked about before (Granite Gear, I think) or is this like your dayhike bag? Just curious.

Thanks again!

[Taliesin]

I wonder if you would be able to replace the shoulder straps with ALICE straps?

[borumas]

Nice review, I also use one of these for my main pack when doing dayhikes and would feel comfortable using it for an overnight or two as well. I like what you did in adding the buckles and paracord on the bottom, will have to work on that with mine.

Couple questions:
-- Will the side pockets hold a Nalgene?
-- You mentioned the shoulder straps are kinda short. Will this pack fit a 6-footer?
-- How does it carry? A lot of these vintage packs are plain uncomfortable to actually hike with.
-- Is this replacing the canoe pack you've talked about before (Granite Gear, I think) or is this like your dayhike bag? Just curious.

Thanks again!

To answer some of your questions from my experiences:
--the side pockets will comfortably hold a Nalgene. In mine I use a metal coffee can/billy can to hold the Nalgene then use a nesting cup on the top of the Nalgene and still have room for a cup lid, large fold-a-cup, and small bag with condiments in it.
--I'm 6'2" tall and a big guy, weigh around 280 (need to get my fat behind back under 220), I added some paracord loops to the straps to give me the length needed to use the pack. I've taken the pack out over 20 times and the loops have held up nicely on walks of 2-6 miles.
--The carry comfort can vary depending on the load-out, I find it is comfortable when I have the load around 15 pounds or so, once I go over that it loses some comfort but is bearable, I believe adding a chest strap would help increase comfort with a large load but haven't tried it out.

I had an issue with the first bag I ordered with a lousy seem but after ordering from another site, I got a good conditioned bag. The other bag was repaired with some bankline cordage and I keep it as a spare.

[Widerstand]

I wonder if you would be able to replace the shoulder straps with ALICE straps?

Yeah if you want to do some sewing I think it would work.

Thanks for the review, looks like a good pack. I love the sticker on your notepad -- cast my vote for that!

Couple questions:
-- Will the side pockets hold a Nalgene?
-- You mentioned the shoulder straps are kinda short. Will this pack fit a 6-footer?
-- How does it carry? A lot of these vintage packs are plain uncomfortable to actually hike with.
-- Is this replacing the canoe pack you've talked about before (Granite Gear, I think) or is this like your dayhike bag? Just curious.

Thanks again!

Ill mail you a few stickers if you want just PM me.

They hold a Nalgene and then some, for shoulder straps you might need to extend them some by sewing on additional webbing, I hear you on the uncomfortableness of vintage packs and this is the only one ive found that i like.

It's not replacing that canoe bag I have really cause I still use that for big trips in the winter hopping trains...etc. but you never know it seems like the more I learn the less stuff i carry.