Paladin
Elk Masher Wannabe
The subject came up under a different thread about bino harness comfort and bulk so I thought I would post up what I came up with, be it ever so humble.
I tried alot of the systems out there but, being a smaller dude, the scale of some of the rigs was just more than I wanted or needed. Anytime something is a "one size fit's all" it's usually got alot of excess for me that I dont want to wear or carry. I don't mind tinkering to get a more custom fit and if I'm the only one looking at it I'm not to concerned with the asthetics (as is quite evident in the pics). The one in the pics is for my 12's. I made one for my 10's also.
I liked the layout of the Marsupial pouch and, since they offered a pouch only option, it was perfect for a DIY harness. I think I used some material from an old golf pullover for the back "web" junction and had some 1" and 3/4" webbing laying around for the straps. For the shoulder straps I wanted them as smooth as possible under my pack straps so I tested some different lengths and found out I really didn't need any adjustment there and could get away with no buckles. I just sewed them straight into the top of the pouch. I found some super low profile center release buckles for the lower straps and sewed them in at the bottom corners. They are not Kifaru strong by any means but they have lasted 6 years for me now with no problem. I used a 3/4" elastic webbing section in the lower straps to allow some room for heavy breathing. The back panel I just kinda eyballed to get the radius' right and then sewed in the straps. As you can see, I try not to let Perfect get in the way of Good Enough.
I should back up and say that I like the Marsupial pouch but I prefer a back folding lid (crazy I know, maybe its a muscle memory thing). So, I cut the lid off and before I restiched it to the back I cut some of the height out of the pouch so it fits perfect to my binos with no play.
Apologies to the guys on here that really do know how to sew. I wish I had the skills those dudes have. Please don't even compare this hack job to the nice stuff they are turning out.
Thanks guys!
Paladin
I tried alot of the systems out there but, being a smaller dude, the scale of some of the rigs was just more than I wanted or needed. Anytime something is a "one size fit's all" it's usually got alot of excess for me that I dont want to wear or carry. I don't mind tinkering to get a more custom fit and if I'm the only one looking at it I'm not to concerned with the asthetics (as is quite evident in the pics). The one in the pics is for my 12's. I made one for my 10's also.
I liked the layout of the Marsupial pouch and, since they offered a pouch only option, it was perfect for a DIY harness. I think I used some material from an old golf pullover for the back "web" junction and had some 1" and 3/4" webbing laying around for the straps. For the shoulder straps I wanted them as smooth as possible under my pack straps so I tested some different lengths and found out I really didn't need any adjustment there and could get away with no buckles. I just sewed them straight into the top of the pouch. I found some super low profile center release buckles for the lower straps and sewed them in at the bottom corners. They are not Kifaru strong by any means but they have lasted 6 years for me now with no problem. I used a 3/4" elastic webbing section in the lower straps to allow some room for heavy breathing. The back panel I just kinda eyballed to get the radius' right and then sewed in the straps. As you can see, I try not to let Perfect get in the way of Good Enough.
I should back up and say that I like the Marsupial pouch but I prefer a back folding lid (crazy I know, maybe its a muscle memory thing). So, I cut the lid off and before I restiched it to the back I cut some of the height out of the pouch so it fits perfect to my binos with no play.
Apologies to the guys on here that really do know how to sew. I wish I had the skills those dudes have. Please don't even compare this hack job to the nice stuff they are turning out.
Thanks guys!
Paladin