BromBones
04-11-2013, 07:34 PM
A few guys I know who use the OX pack have seen me use this add-on, liked it and copied the idea. Figured I'd post it up if anyone is interested. If you have an OX pack and have tried squeezing 12 days of food/gear into it, you know it's tight. I started doing this about a year ago and I think it works pretty good.
I bought a badlands 'Ambush' waist pack that's around 900 cu.in., and strap it to the Ox bag. Gets you up around 56-5700 cu.in total. The ambush pack costs around $80.
Looks like this -
http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad344/ursusarctos/oxpack2.jpg (http://s950.photobucket.com/user/ursusarctos/media/oxpack2.jpg.html)
Above is the Ambush pack before attaching it. The Ox bag slims down near the bottom and is a good place to strap the smaller bag on.
http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad344/ursusarctos/oxpack.jpg (http://s950.photobucket.com/user/ursusarctos/media/oxpack.jpg.html)
Strapped in it looks like so. I buckle it around the main bag as well as a few more attachment points in the center. Once you strap it all in, it's very solid and stays flush with the main bag. Obviously you dont want to stuff 10 lbs of gear in it though, it'll make the pack pull down and away from your back. Load it with lighter items and you're fine.
One thing I never liked about the Ox is that when you set it down, it falls over on it's face everytime. With this setup, it stands upright on its own. Handy when you stop to dig something out, or standing it upright inside a tent vestibule. Also gives you the option of water bottle holders (a little far back but the option is there). Another advantage is once you've got your spike camp setup, you can grab the smaller pack if you're going on a short hike to do some glassing or scouting. It's big enough to fit your raingear/siltarp, water and grub for the day, dry socks, gloves, etc. and tie your spotter on.
Downside is it adds 1 lb to the bag, if that sort of thing bothers you.
Plus side is you can now fit 14-15 days of food without any trouble.
I bought a badlands 'Ambush' waist pack that's around 900 cu.in., and strap it to the Ox bag. Gets you up around 56-5700 cu.in total. The ambush pack costs around $80.
Looks like this -
http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad344/ursusarctos/oxpack2.jpg (http://s950.photobucket.com/user/ursusarctos/media/oxpack2.jpg.html)
Above is the Ambush pack before attaching it. The Ox bag slims down near the bottom and is a good place to strap the smaller bag on.
http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad344/ursusarctos/oxpack.jpg (http://s950.photobucket.com/user/ursusarctos/media/oxpack.jpg.html)
Strapped in it looks like so. I buckle it around the main bag as well as a few more attachment points in the center. Once you strap it all in, it's very solid and stays flush with the main bag. Obviously you dont want to stuff 10 lbs of gear in it though, it'll make the pack pull down and away from your back. Load it with lighter items and you're fine.
One thing I never liked about the Ox is that when you set it down, it falls over on it's face everytime. With this setup, it stands upright on its own. Handy when you stop to dig something out, or standing it upright inside a tent vestibule. Also gives you the option of water bottle holders (a little far back but the option is there). Another advantage is once you've got your spike camp setup, you can grab the smaller pack if you're going on a short hike to do some glassing or scouting. It's big enough to fit your raingear/siltarp, water and grub for the day, dry socks, gloves, etc. and tie your spotter on.
Downside is it adds 1 lb to the bag, if that sort of thing bothers you.
Plus side is you can now fit 14-15 days of food without any trouble.