East German Combat Pack

In preparing to steamroll all of Europe, the Soviets amassed a considerable quantity of gear in East Germany. To this day there are warehouses still full of the stuff. The rain pattern pack is just one of those things that never seems to run out.

In line with Soviet doctrine, the pack was designed for speed and simplicity. About the size of a bookbag, it contains the essentials for a day or two in the field along with lashing down points for a shelter half or bedroll. In addition to the rain pattern pack, the East German soldier would carry a magazine pouch, knife, canteen, and an e-tool attached to his belt.

This no-frills approach allowed your average East German solider to sprint while hip firing — in line with a Soviet fighting philosophy that called for launching waves of dismounted, mechanized, and motorized units running alongside armor and their personnel carriers.

These particular packs are part of the "Gen 2 Fighting Complex." Because of this they incorporate a full rubber liner, similar to a dry bag. This "sock" allows the bag to remain fully weatherproof despite its outer-facing cotton/poly construction. It's not rated for submersion, but for everything else the thick rubber liner does the job. Note: This Rubber Liner is only available on the Weatherproof Variant of the Combat Pack.

Want to round out the kit with an East German load-bearing belt? Just choose your belt size along with what type of pack you'd like to bundle them together. 

Specs

• Pack measures approximately 12" x 12" x 5"
• Strichmuster camo cotton-blend shell
• Clamp buckle secured lid with an unassuming carrying handle
• Waterproof PVC sock and rubberized lid keeps contents dry and weatherproofed
• Ideally sized for storing and carrying ammunition — will hold roughly ~3,000 loose rounds of 5.56 or the contents of two regular 50 cal cans
• NVA 2nd Gen Y-strap webbing allows the pack to be worn like a backpack
  • Webbing has additional interfacing for anchoring to any combat belt
• Four D-rings and three adjustable bedroll-style belt loops for external lashing
• Name tag slot, always overlooked and unused

Condition

Unissued packs are like new. Some may have light storage damage, but only minor stains are present. 

Issued packs have seen varying degrees of use, such as staining or broken in material. Name tag or writing are present on some, and there may be items left behind from the original user. Issued packs may or may not come with bedroll tabs.