We've got our hands on the last batch ever of CrossFire's DPCU pattern DG-16s. Still factory fresh, they're a strange transitory glitch. Australia now uses their own multicam derivative, but these bags were produced right before the switch was official.
So you have a top-tier modern bag, in a 1970s era camouflage. Neat huh?
It's a long range patrol ruck that’s more load bearing system than just backpack. The amount of time, blood, sweat, tears and super-computer simulation runtime devoted to the design of these packs is mind-boggling.
It's designed with military end users in mind, configurable in countless different ways for any expedition and sports cutting edge ergonomics. If you’re looking for a “buy it for life” bag, this is it.
To do it proper justice, It needs to be broken down into it's components.
These frames interface with a luxuriously padded, fully adjustable “H-Harness” shoulder strap system. The shoulder straps meet a large upper back pad instead of attaching separately. This helps avoid the pressure on the nerves, blood vessels, and muscles in the shoulders for a much more comfortable fit under load.
You can adjust the shoulders closer or farther from the neck, move the harness up or down on the frame to fit with your height, and adjust the sternum strap to manage tension and accommodate a well-endowed chest. The cushy hip pads are also removeable and adjustable with a simple pull-forward design.
(For more info on the adjustment, see Crossfire's manual for this frame system)
The finite element analysis that went into the frame's design and aerospace grade resin construction is what makes it more than just a light weight polymer grid frame. It's specifically designed to store and release energy with every stride so you get an extra boost with every step.
With more tactical applications in mind, this pack's frame is designed to be compatible with plate carriers and other armor. It has a deep cavity in the middle of the frame that swallows up a plate carrier or allows for unfettered airflow for those going sans armor. For emergencies, the shoulder straps can be doffed in under a second by pulling on the quick detach buckles on the straps.
It can be compressed down to the size of a standard ALICE pack, slicked down with no frills or extra straps, or expandable up to a hulking monster with an extra assault pack. It's versatility in this regard is basically unmatched.
The bottom 1/3rd of the pack is divided internally from the main pocket, and can be accessed through a slicked zipper to get to your sleep system or other equipment without removing everything else in the pack. It has an internal cinch system to keep it compact, and a “butterfly” compression clip system on the outside to keep it even slicker.
On the inside removable mesh dividers help organize your gear and keep it visible and quickly accessible without digging into the cavernous main pocket. Straps and Velcro allow you to move the pouches around to any desired configuration. A large hydration pouch is tucked behind a MOLLE panel that allows you to add even more pouches or MOLLE compatible accessories.
This bag has MOLLE all around the exterior, with slightly elongated distances between the webbing to make mounting extra pouches and equipment much easier. The bottom of the pack has multiple MOLLE rows as well to accommodate soft ammo pouches or running extra webbing to support a bedroll.
The outside has two water bottle pockets, both oversized and capable of accepting Australian or USGI 2-liter canteens. On the front of the pack, there's a reinforced E-tool pocket and webbing to cinch down other equipment. Heavy duty velcro-flap protected side zips traverse the full length of the pack on both sides allowing quick access to gear without undoing the top of the pack. Additionally, there is removeable webbing on the front of the pack to secure a helmet (great for high cut helmets). The shoulder straps feature several MOLLE slots all the way down, allowing for smaller items like Grimlocs, clippable radios, or small lights to be affixed.
The top-lid is removable and the pack comes with an extra “patrol lid” that doubles as a 24-hour assault pack. Tucked away in the top, there's a waterproof cover that folds out and down to keep the interior of the pack protected even with the optional lids removed. If you’re stashing the pack and using the 24 hour assault pack this keeps the pack and its contents safe from the environment.
Its rare that we get access to cutting edge kit like this, and it's even rarer that it was made in perfect time to still be sporting a camo designed in the 70s. We use them ourselves during our 15+ milers at 7000+ feet, and we’re in good company as these are becoming the favored bags of the SAS, Australian Commandos, Finnish/Swedish Jaegers and our own illustrious 10th Special Forces group.
Would you like to know more? Check out Bush Lore Survival's 25+ minute long-term review of the pack and its features.
Specs
Got into contact with Crossfire, the load-lifter slipping issue is solved by wrapping them with duct tape for anyone else having that issue.
Well worth the wait. There are so many pockets on this thing you will never truly run out of space if you pack correctly.
Care must be taken with fiddling with straps as it’s easy to forget what goes where and some adjustments can be required if you’re of a smaller stature. (lol manlet)
Colour was darker than photos published on site though I imagine this was due to lighting or stock variables.
All in all, very happy.
This is a very good bag with several adjustment points. I tested this pack on a recent mountaineering trip.
The pack seems suited to someone over six feet tall with a large waist. I'm 5'9" and had to use the shortest adjustment points on the pack, and still felt as if it could be a little tighter. I wear a 32 waist size and I'm almost maxing out the tightness of the hip belt. Compared to my US Army large ruck, the weight feels further away from my back and has more of a tendency to swing around. As others have stated, the system securing the load lifters tends to come undone. Time will tell if this is an issue that goes away or not.
On a positive note, the zippers and clips are incredibly strong and the comfort of the pack is top notch. The hip belt is the best I've ever used. The modularity of the pack is also appreciated. I got a lot of use out of the helmet mount webbing on the back of the pack.
Overall, I wouldn't recommend this pack to anyone other than a collector due to it's price/performance ratio. It's a very cool pack that I'll continue to use, probably for the rest of my life, but I could just as easily keep my US Army UCP large ruck for much cheaper.
Bag is well made. Heavy and rugged yet very comfortable. Fits quite well to your figure if you have it cinched up right. While not cumbersome it is quite big, especially with the modular packs attached, and I don't recommend taking it on trips where you'll need to bend or move through tight spaces. But it is a great outdoor bag and I've taken it on two short hikes that the season allowed for to condition myself to its weight. will be taking it on longer trips later in the year.
Didn’t think I’d find one in future, so I snagged one. Hope to use it this summer.
