USMC marpat ILBE main pack

Has any one used one? I just picked one up for 50 bucks off Craigs list its a generation 2. seems pretty sturdy

Hugh:

Yeah, they are sturdy. But they are heavy, and stiff and uncomfortable. Do yourself a favor and get a good modern pack like an Osprey "Aether" or something similar.

KC

I think they are an incredible pack for the money. I have three of them I keep around and train in one regularly. A little heavy, sure, but built like a tank and carries weight well.

Heavy, stiff and uncomfortable. Let's examine that a bit.

Heavy: made from heavy cordura throughout. Very durable.

Stiff: capable of carrying a terrific load without deforming into a large damp tortilla.

Uncomfortable: available with adequately padded hipbelts and shoulder harnesses of various sizes, and a stay that can be bent to fit your back. So, if you desire uncomfort, flatten the stay, adjust the harness to where it doesn't fit you, and use a too-small belt.

For up to $100 it is about the best deal going for a pack that works. Take a hiking trip and mark every strap and feature that you don't use. Then when you get home, cut those items off.

Originally Posted by Vek

For up to $100 it is about the best deal going for a pack that works.

Vek:

Agreed. For under $100, they are a good pack. You get what you pay for. There are a bunch of better packs on the commercial market but the best will cost from $250 to $400. There's the trueism that says "the cheaper your gear is, the tougher you have to be". I'm no longer in the tough category.

KC

Originally Posted by Vek

Heavy, stiff and uncomfortable. Let's examine that a bit.

Heavy: made from heavy cordura throughout. Very durable.

Stiff: capable of carrying a terrific load without deforming into a large damp tortilla.

Uncomfortable: available with adequately padded hipbelts and shoulder harnesses of various sizes, and a stay that can be bent to fit your back. So, if you desire uncomfort, flatten the stay, adjust the harness to where it doesn't fit you, and use a too-small belt.

For up to $100 it is about the best deal going for a pack that works. Take a hiking trip and mark every strap and feature that you don't use. Then when you get home, cut those items off.

What he said. I'm not a Marine, but I have over 50 miles through the Cascades (read up up up down, up up up down) with one weighted down to 65 lbs, and it was comfortable.

Love my ILBE and it served me well on two backpack hunts out west. I do have an upper class pack now but I went back and forth several times before I decided it was better than the ILBE. It came down to fit and weight. I'm 6'3" and the ILBE is made for the average Marine who apparently is not 6'3". I got better load lifter function from the upper class pack which I could fit better to my long frame. The ILBE is a good solid pack especially for those of average build

I love mine as well. It was designed by ArcTeryx for the USMC. If I have to carry over 50 lbs, or put a 5-gallon bucket in my pack and have room to pare, lots of room, I reach for the ILBE. A great buy.

thanks everyone for your comments I couldn't pass on it for the price .

Another vote for the propper ilbe pack. I use mine for training or camping under 50 pounds. I use my Barney's for 50 plus and hunting. I love the ilbe cause there are so many tie downs I can put a wet tent here, a coat there, a packraft on top my gun on the side, etc. and I use mine without the top and could cut a lot of the straps shorter or off to save weight. Enjoy!

Another place the ILBE shines is for optics hunting. Tripod on the left, rifle on the right and 15s in that radio pouch thing. And still compression straps left to use. Yes, it is a heavy pack ... and it does the work of one. You're gonna have to spend a lot more to get a pack that handles heavy loads as well yet weighs a couple pounds less.