My gear/pack layout from base layers to binos

[Q_Sertorius]

Im using the FOB harness (with those same binos), though I specifically wanted one in Orange which rules out the SG one that has seemed like a favorite among the S2H guys.

Yes, I do want it in orange. I’m only going to use it for rifle hunting.

 

[Speaks]

Yes, I do want it in orange. I’m only going to use it for rifle hunting.

That limits your options a bit then. I really like the FOB though. It fits the binos well, at first I thought it was too tight but it broke into them perfectly in short order. It opens forward with magnets like the marsupial (not like the old FHF ones). I like the harness. I added the wings, the range finder case, and the E3 pouch. The range finder case perfectly held two of the waters rifleman mags. The other pouch holds my licenses, a can of Zyn and a little V head with an arca bottom in case I want to shoot off my tripod. I used the expo in reach mini holder on the bottom and keep a few trauma quickclot bandages in the back of the bino holder.

Mine does not have extensive use but has held up well and also fits well under my exo pack. I also use orange on the harness for bow hunting, just a little orange adds some margin of safety with lots of folks doing other things in the woods at that time.

I cant say this is the best but I prefer it to the older FHF harness as well as the marsupial that I had before.

 

[Formidilosus]

@Formidilosus,

-As someone who likes fire... not like that... your reliance on natural fibers resonates.

-I have the same jetboil from the same era, with a horrifying amount of use on it. The o-ring that seals the canister/stove mating surface just gave up the ghost during use which resulted in a fireball. Jetboil went through different o-ring sizes with the different generations, and finding a parts kit for the Gen 1 is not a thing that I could reliably source. I ended up buying these: 3642N13 from M-Carr. They work, but are thinner than OEM. Durability to be determined. I recommend having one in your spares bag. There is another o-ring internal to the stove valve, I haven't dealt with that one yet.

-That anorak puffer looks good, please pass data when able.

Good info. Thank you.

And will do on the jacket.

 

[Formidilosus]

Is that puffy likely to be out by next fall?

Yep.

 

[Formidilosus]

The map case I was using as a makeshift binocular harness ultimately proved unsatisfactory after six weeks of field use this season. Is there a particular binocular harness you think is best, @Formidilosus? It needs to hold a pair of Leica Geovid R 10x42s. Thank you.

Edit - I started off looking at this one:

Standard Binocular Chest Pack

Marsupial Binocular Pouch allows quick one handed access to your optics. The front lid stays opens and closes by utilizing strong magnets.

www.marsupialgear.com

The Stone Glacier Sentinel is the best option on the market currently. Get the mag pouch and accessory pouch to put on it. However, I have it rigged to work with this harness-

Airframe Harness

We’ve built the Airframe Shoulder Harness using a skeletonized design which produces a lighter weight product while providing ultimate breathability for the user. This shoulder harness is made from laminated Squadron material and edged with premium air mesh for all day comfort. It also has a...

fhfgear.com

I am going ti try this one next-

Overwatch Harness

The Overwatch Shoulder Harness is a low-profile, webbing-based harness designed for seamless integration with any FHF Gear Bino Harness or Chest Rig. Built for comfort and versatility, this harness provides a secure, comfortable and minimalist fit. It comes standard with detachable bino hangers...

fhfgear.com

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Thanks, Form!

 

[WCT3]

Steve from Exo mentioned that they might be releasing a harness next year that would work with most bino packs. I'm pretty interested in trying that out once it's available

 

[atmat]

The Stone Glacier Sentinel is the best option on the market currently. Get the mag pouch and accessory pouch to put on it. However, I have it rigged to work with this harness-

Airframe Harness

We’ve built the Airframe Shoulder Harness using a skeletonized design which produces a lighter weight product while providing ultimate breathability for the user. This shoulder harness is made from laminated Squadron material and edged with premium air mesh for all day comfort. It also has a...

fhfgear.com

I am going ti try this one next-

Overwatch Harness

The Overwatch Shoulder Harness is a low-profile, webbing-based harness designed for seamless integration with any FHF Gear Bino Harness or Chest Rig. Built for comfort and versatility, this harness provides a secure, comfortable and minimalist fit. It comes standard with detachable bino hangers...

fhfgear.com

Ohhh those look cool. Let me know what you think. My sentinel still slides down a bit, though it cuts into my neck much less than the old SG model.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

The Stone Glacier Sentinel is the best option on the market currently. Get the mag pouch and accessory pouch to put on it. However, I have it rigged to work with this harness-

Airframe Harness

We’ve built the Airframe Shoulder Harness using a skeletonized design which produces a lighter weight product while providing ultimate breathability for the user. This shoulder harness is made from laminated Squadron material and edged with premium air mesh for all day comfort. It also has a...

fhfgear.com

I am going ti try this one next-

Overwatch Harness

The Overwatch Shoulder Harness is a low-profile, webbing-based harness designed for seamless integration with any FHF Gear Bino Harness or Chest Rig. Built for comfort and versatility, this harness provides a secure, comfortable and minimalist fit. It comes standard with detachable bino hangers...

fhfgear.com

What makes a “good” or “bad” binocular pouch?

 

[Formidilosus]

Ohhh those look cool. Let me know what you think. My sentinel still slides down a bit, though it cuts into my neck much less than the old SG model.

I used the Airframe on the Sentinel this year. Better than the SG harness- my issue with the SG is that it stretches. It’s a “chest” pouch, not a “stomach” pouch, and the SG in a bit of use stretches and sags to where it can’t be adjusted higher anymore.

The Airframe buckles and straps aren’t the same as the SG, but it’s workable.




The harness is much better, moves less and is more stable. The issue I have is the shoulder straps should have been adjusted a bit in the back so that they were wider when worn- the yoke should have been done differently. As it is, if you have a thick neck- they rub as below.








It is better than the SG harness even still, but I will try the Overwatch harness as the yoke seems to be both deeper and wider.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

I used the Airframe on the Sentinel this year. Better than the SG harness- my issue with the SG is that it stretches. It’s a “chest” pouch, not a “stomach” pouch, and the SG in a bit of use stretches and sags to where it can’t be adjusted higher anymore.

The Airframe buckles and straps aren’t the same as the SG, but it’s workable.

View attachment 986949


The harness is much better, moves less and is more stable. The issue I have is the shoulder straps should have been adjusted a bit in the back so that they were wider when worn- the yoke should have been done differently. As it is, if you have a thick neck- they rub as below.

View attachment 986948


View attachment 986951



It is better than the SG harness even still, but I will try the Overwatch harness as the yoke seems to be both deeper and wider.

I have this same issue with the harness at times (airframe) and that pinching thing the back does is hard to manage - I think because that laminate cordura is so stiff. The airframe is really comfortable with weight but I almost have to bias the adjustment to lower the harness yoke below the back of my neck to wear the bino chest pouch higher.

Dudes wearing harnesses on their stomach crack me up, always a silly look.

 

[Formidilosus]

What makes a “good” or “bad” binocular pouch?

The pouch or the harness?

 

[Speaks]

The pouch or the harness?

Out of curiosity what makes the SG pouch better than the FOB if already using the airframe harness?

Ive never tried the SG one so just curious. I like the FOB better than the original FHF and the marsupial ones I tried.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

The pouch or the harness?

Hmm… both? I’ve never used either. I wanted to see if I could get by without one before spending the money on it. On AD, I kept binoculars in the back pouch on my assault pack. For how I was employed (observing and calling for fire from an OP), that worked.

This past year, most of the time, I used a military surplus LBV with an old map pouch for my binoculars and various other pouches for ammo, kill kit, etc. It worked well for keeping everything I could possibly need attached to my body, but the Leica Geovid R 10x42 binoculars were too large (a very tight fit and hard to open and close) and too heavy for the map pouch (it sagged down, away from my body). They ended up hanging by the strap from my neck most of the time, which was cumbersome and left them exposed to the elements. The pouch that came with the Leicas doesn’t seem easy to attach or use on one’s chest.

The rest of the time, I wore my beloved old Filson tin cloth vest. The SWFA 12x32 binoculars were light enough and small enough to carry in a vest pocket (I really like them for the price) and I had a handheld rangefinder and spare ammo on the other side for balance. But I prefer the all-on-one Leicas.

There are advantages and disadvantages to each setup, but the bottom line is that each was inadequate enough to warrant trying a binocular pouch and harness setup.

I’d like a combination that is comfortable enough for summertime with 3-4 pounds of gear over a t-shirt and fatigue jacket (or other collared shirt) while walking 5-6 miles a day. And will still work for cold weather covering about the same distance (which means adding a fleece or sweater and maybe a poncho, I don’t usually wear more than that. I usually keep my warming layers in my pack.).

My typical loadout:
2.5# Leica range-finding binoculars
5-15 rounds spare ammo
Spartan lite bipod in Aspis carrier
Knife
Compass (old habits die hard)
Phone
Inreach
Lighter, etc.

I don’t plan to ever carry a pistol on my bino harness/pouch. If I can’t kill “it” with the rifle that is always in my arms, over my shoulder, or within arms reach, I don’t think a pistol will do me any good. I am hunting in rural CONUS, not Detroit or Helmand.

So, what I would like is advice on how to pick out a good pouch and a good harness system that will work for that. And, if that includes a specific brand recommendation, I’ll consider that strongly. But I really want to know what an informed consumer should look for… Thanks.

Edit - going down to the local store and trying one out isn’t an option where I live.

 

[Formidilosus]

Hmm… both? I’ve never used either. I wanted to see if I could get by without one before spending the money on it. On AD, I kept binoculars in the back pouch on my assault pack. For how I was employed (observing and calling for fire from an OP), that worked.

This past year, most of the time, I used a military surplus LBV with an old map pouch for my binoculars and various other pouches for ammo, kill kit, etc. It worked well for keeping everything I could possibly need attached to my body, but the Leica Geovid R 10x42 binoculars were too large (a very tight fit and hard to open and close) and too heavy for the map pouch (it sagged down, away from my body). They ended up hanging by the strap from my neck most of the time, which was cumbersome and left them exposed to the elements. The pouch that came with the Leicas doesn’t seem easy to attach or use on one’s chest.

The rest of the time, I wore my beloved old Filson tin cloth vest. The SWFA 12x32 binoculars were light enough and small enough to carry in a vest pocket (I really like them for the price) and I had a handheld rangefinder and spare ammo on the other side for balance. But I prefer the all-on-one Leicas.

There are advantages and disadvantages to each setup, but the bottom line is that each was inadequate enough to warrant trying a binocular pouch and harness setup.

I’d like a combination that is comfortable enough for summertime with 3-4 pounds of gear over a t-shirt and fatigue jacket (or other collared shirt) while walking 5-6 miles a day. And will still work for cold weather covering about the same distance (which means adding a fleece or sweater and maybe a poncho, I don’t usually wear more than that. I usually keep my warming layers in my pack.).

My typical loadout:
2.5# Leica range-finding binoculars
5-15 rounds spare ammo
Spartan lite bipod in Aspis carrier
Knife
Compass (old habits die hard)
Phone
Inreach
Lighter, etc.

I don’t plan to ever carry a pistol on my bino harness/pouch. If I can’t kill “it” with the rifle that is always in my arms, over my shoulder, or within arms reach, I don’t think a pistol will do me any good. I am hunting in rural CONUS, not Detroit or Helmand.

So, what I would like is advice on how to pick out a good pouch and a good harness system that will work for that. And, if that includes a specific brand recommendation, I’ll consider that strongly. But I really want to know what an informed consumer should look for… Thanks.

Edit - going down to the local store and trying one out isn’t an option where I live.

This is what I wrote in another thread when the SG Sentinel came out. Thread is Look here



This goes for any bino harness.

It’s about a “system” and how that system works in aiding the shot process. Using a sub par gear item because your “clothes” is not an optimum way to view this- “Gear fits around how you shoot, you do not shoot around your gear”.
The thought process here isn’t about a bino pouch, it’s about what someone needs for the best performance. This is what someone needs one their body, that doesn’t get left behind ever. Despite what every person who swears to me that they never drop their pack or leave it behind for “just a short stalk”, I have watched all of them- including myself- at some point have to walk back a ways to get their pack.



On body-

1. binos with quick access and protection.

2). Spare magazine or ammunition quickly accessible.

3). Headlamp or flashlight

4). Knife

5). GPS or InReach.

6). Lens cloth

7). Emergency kit in case of injury or getting lost- compass, small map, fire starter, TQ, emergency blanket, pen light, snickers, Etc.

8). Most would want chapstick, etc

9). Potentially a pistol



With that list and the fact that those things should be in something that never gets left behind, the bino pouch is the most functional place for it. If you grab your rifle, you grab your bino pouch. And you should never leave your rifle.

So, if that needs to be on our body, and the bino pouch is the best place for it, this is what the pouch should do-

1). Hold bino securely with quick access and good protection.

2). Hold spare magazine/ammo in the best spot for a quick reload (weak side of bino).

3). Have pouch for headlamp, emergency kit, etc., on strong side, front, or bottom.

4). Have place for mounting or holding GPS/inteach

5). Have small pockets for lens cloth, chapstick, etc.

6). Be functional as a rear bag for shooting.

7). Have a means for carrying a pistol if required.

7). The harness should hold all of that at chest to high chest level- not sag. It’s a chest pouch, not a stomach pouch. The harness should do that while being stable and not riding up on the back of your neck.


Designed correctly, breathability isn’t that effected, and it certainly doesn’t matter more than the massive pack on your back.

 

[Formidilosus]

@Q_Sertorius cont…

What the SG Sentinal does better than anything else right now, is that the bino “pouch” is really a platform that has wings attached, and therefor is more stable overall. It was designed around the optimum way to use a bino chest rig- as in the last post.

 

[Formidilosus]

My typical loadout:
2.5# Leica range-finding binoculars
5-15 rounds spare ammo
Spartan lite bipod in Aspis carrier
Knife
Compass (old habits die hard)
Phone
Inreach
Lighter, etc.

If you look at the picture that I posted, you’ll see everything there in your list, save the Spartan bipod- and that works with it no problem.

Everyone in this picture has theirs setup nearly the same way. (Notice how the far right one is sagging- that’s the difference in harnesses).

 

[Q_Sertorius]

This is what I wrote in another thread when the SG Sentinel came out. Thread is Look here



This goes for any bino harness.

It’s about a “system” and how that system works in aiding the shot process. Using a sub par gear item because your “clothes” is not an optimum way to view this- “Gear fits around how you shoot, you do not shoot around your gear”.
The thought process here isn’t about a bino pouch, it’s about what someone needs for the best performance. This is what someone needs one their body, that doesn’t get left behind ever. Despite what every person who swears to me that they never drop their pack or leave it behind for “just a short stalk”, I have watched all of them- including myself- at some point have to walk back a ways to get their pack.



On body-

1. binos with quick access and protection.

2). Spare magazine or ammunition quickly accessible.

3). Headlamp or flashlight

4). Knife

5). GPS or InReach.

6). Lens cloth

7). Emergency kit in case of injury or getting lost- compass, small map, fire starter, TQ, emergency blanket, pen light, snickers, Etc.

8). Most would want chapstick, etc

9). Potentially a pistol



With that list and the fact that those things should be in something that never gets left behind, the bino pouch is the most functional place for it. If you grab your rifle, you grab your bino pouch. And you should never leave your rifle.

So, if that needs to be on our body, and the bino pouch is the best place for it, this is what the pouch should do-

1). Hold bino securely with quick access and good protection.

2). Hold spare magazine/ammo in the best spot for a quick reload (weak side of bino).

3). Have pouch for headlamp, emergency kit, etc., on strong side, front, or bottom.

4). Have place for mounting or holding GPS/inteach

5). Have small pockets for lens cloth, chapstick, etc.

6). Be functional as a rear bag for shooting.

7). Have a means for carrying a pistol if required.

7). The harness should hold all of that at chest to high chest level- not sag. It’s a chest pouch, not a stomach pouch. The harness should do that while being stable and not riding up on the back of your neck.


Designed correctly, breathability isn’t that effected, and it certainly doesn’t matter more than the massive pack on your back.

Makes perfect sense. I have been using my LBV or hunting vest to carry all that stuff, but they totally fail in the “binocular-carried-in-an-easily-accessible-and-protected-location” department.

 

[Formidilosus]

Makes perfect sense. I have been using my LBV or hunting vest to carry all that stuff, but they totally fail in the “binocular-carried-in-an-easily-accessible-and-protected-location” department.

A good bino chest pouch is more like a proper small chest rig than a vest. Much better for hunting.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

A good bino chest pouch is more like a proper small chest rig than a vest. Much better for hunting.

I appreciate the detailed responses.