So I decided to see what I could reasonably pack into the green and black rucksack that is a copy of the WW2/1950s+ US Army Mountain Rucksack; for a relatively cold weather.. The only information on it is a white embroidered tag saying “Professionally fabricated by Judy”. So it is now called a Judy rucksack by me, although I have never seen another one.
Basic loaded up, missing a folding fire stove that would go into the 6×9 center pocket along with fire start kit.
view of the back panel and painted frame
The contents of the outside pockets, the blue 3/8″ Closed cell foam pad, and the cook pot carrier. Left to right;
My pyramid A-Tacs shelter with cordage and stakes from A-Tacs shelter tent, cook pot set, army canteen
The lid flap with a zippered pocket, the zipper is a YKK metal zipper. Contents of the lid pocket, missing are antibacterial wipes, 1/2 a toilet paper roll, granola bars and other snacks, likely would be carried on my person
The contents of the main pocket which is a similar size to the USGI Large ALICE ruck. The stuffsacks and the Catoma Improved Bug Net System pop up bug tent are on top of a 1990s USGI Extreme Cold Weather Parka. Camo stuff sack has my 1970s Hirsch-Weiss (White Stag) goose down mummy sleeping bag, Stansports stuff sack has my BDU pants, and the Double Black Diamond stuff sack has the rest of my clothing.
I might acquire a stuff sack that is in between the two small sizes and the large sleeping bag size to consolidate my clothing.
Left, my 2 BDU pants out of the Stansports stuff sack. On the right, the rest of my clothing, poly-wool blend long johns, polyester underwear, normal socks, cotton t shirt, polyester long sleeve base layer shirt, wool socks.
It is not a complete load-out yet, I am thinking I want to make a few add-on pockets; one for the army tent poles coming in the mail, and a pair of either minimalist water bottle carriers/canteen carriers (elastic and straps like the cook pot carrier), or regular ol’ fabric carriers… I might add a couple D rings to the bottom of the main lid straps so I can securely lash the sleep pad on the bottom instead of the top. Water bottle carriers would be strapped to the frame horns on the rucksack frame, so that the heavy weight is closer to my back, and it would free up one of the pockets for carriage of other things. First aid kit is always on my person. The entire thing is not ultralight, or even lightweight, the USGI Large ALICE rucksack is far lighter with the aluminum frame and 420D pack cloth fabric.
Cascade Tactical 