Bushwalk Australia

by **22F** » Mon 31 May, 2010 8:08 pm

Note: Cross posted on Fire Support Base, Lightfighter and The Australian Australian Military Community. Hence the review has been written specifically for a military audience and their twisted sense of humour back in 2007-2008. The DG-6 is now out of production, replaced by the DG-3.
Enjoy.

Product: DG-6 Pack
Manufacturer: Crossfire Pty Ltd

OK, my first Studboard review. About time I contributed something to the board other than smart-arsed comments.

This item is the Australian company Crossfire's entry into the non-modular long range or general purpose tactical backpack market. Capacity is listed at 85L (um, 5187 cubic inches).

DESCRIPTION:
An external frame, large pack with external pockets and a veritable tonne of features.

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Frame: The DG-6 uses the third generation DMI molle frame. Apparently the composition of the plastic in the frame has been improved upon from previous generations first used by American forces in Afghanistan. Now, I know some fellow members of this board can personally attest to the shortcomings of the frame composition to actual hard use. Apparently, DMI has answered these complaints with a much more stable frame polymer better able to handle constant flexing and exposure to hot and cold conditions.

Personally, I have taken this pack into cold conditions when I walked the The Overland Track in Tasmania, it snowed on me. I froze. No complaints there. Since I live in sunny Queensland, my pack has seen some temperature extremes. No problems yet.
There is a gap between frame and harness like that found on the old ALICE pack. Very handy for shoving my poof mat into. There are plans afoot from Crossfire to utilise this space for stowing a water bladder of some description. At the moment, I use it to carry my poof mat.

Harness: Proprietary harness as designed by Crossfire. The shoulder straps are some of the most comfortable I have ever seen. Straps are comprised of a 3-D design, with an efficient sweat wicking mesh, and two layers of different density foam. External surfaces of the shoulder strap are lined with a rubbery non-slip layer to stabilise a rifle butt when firing. Think skateboard tape, but not quite as aggressive in its abrasiveness. Quick release buckles are fitted.
The standard sternum strap and hip belt are fitted. The hip belt can be folded away out of sight and avoids snagging for transport or if not compatible with webbing (load bearing equipment, ie. fighting load of water and ammunition). The harness is also adjustable for back height and top tension.

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Rucksack: The design of the rucksack itself is very reminiscent of the Wilderness Equipment SAS pack. This incidentally, apparently borrows heavily from the British bergan. Not overly surprising, since Ian Maley, who designed the original SAS pack (owner of Wilderness Equipment) is also the designer of the DG-6. Whilst it's parentage is plainly obvious, there are a number of improvements evident with the DG-6. Unlike it's older brother the SAS pack, the DG-6 has a series of loadbearing strips of webbing running across it. These are all under the external fittings (like pockets) and essentially force the load to the frame to allow it to be "sprung". Crossfire describes this as a "live load".

Radio access is vastly improved. There are 2 water-proof zips to access any stowed radio. One zip is located on the top of the lid for PRC-77 type (ie. Top mounted control panels) and another zip on the side located near the frame for any side mounted control panels (such as the Australian Wagtail series. No idea what these radios are known as to the rest of the world, sorry folks). These waterproof zips are covered by fabric flaps to prevent any snagging and damage.

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The lid has a claymore pouch mounted on it, and is able to be quickly detached for use as an E&E bag. Emergency shoulder straps are fitted for this purpose. Under the lid is a zip-access pocket for small sundry items. Since I no longer have a need to carry claymores anymore, this pocket is great for carrying my goretex raincoat.

In the main rucksack compartment is a sleeping bag tunnel, accessed via fastex clips from the bottom right hand (external) side of the pack. A really convenient feature is the internal mesh pockets to better organise kit and corruption. In mine, I stow my girly bag (toiletries), baby wipes, sewing kit and 90-mile-an-hour tape. These mesh pockets would also work very well for radio ancillary equipment.

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On the outside of the rucksack are 4 external pockets. Each pocket is secured by fastex clip, barrel-locked cordage and velcro. Very secure methods of closure, and can be customised to suit the load or paranoia level. It takes a load off one's to mind to realise that the only items to be lost are due to your own negligence and lack of attention to detail when not securing kit properly, rather than equipment failure.

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Grommets are located on all bottom surfaces to drain any excess water you may have accumulated. The pack has a myriad of small features that gladdens the heart of this broken digger. Construction is top notch, stitching is absolutely bomb-proof. The cordura used is of high quality, hasn't faded on me yet. I have had my DG-6 for near 3 years now, and I'm only just starting to see wear and tear. I use my pack twice a week for training walks, have taken on multi-day walks and weekend wanderings, so it's not exactly a cupboard queen, nor do I baby my kit.

Other small details include a small patch of reflective tape (with a cover for when it's not needed) to allow the poor *&%$#! behind you to follow behind at night and other low viz movement occasions. Small things, but in our industry, it is the small details that count and make life easier.

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Personal Assessment:

Cons: Unfortunately, non-modular design. One can't customise the pack layout to suit individual needs. I personally don't find this much of a problem.
The pack is made in Vietnam. I really would prefer a pack that is both designed and built here in Australia, but such is life and the realities of the global economy we live in nowadays.

Pros: After having carried the Australian issued internal frame combat pack (absolute unmitigated *&%$#!), a custom large frame ALICE, and civilian standard internal hiking packs for many years, I have found this pack one of the most comfortable I have ever carried. The entire rucksack/harness/frame combination is a sprung load, offering so much comfort. The whole load actually flexes with the body, reducing fatigue and lessening the impact upon the body. I have personally found whilst carrying fairly decent loads (about 25kgs/55 lbs for a walk in cold weather environments) that I could feel old injuries, but no new ones had developed. So, in essence, struggling up heart-breaking yarma's still blow's goats, but it's definitely less of a chore than with other designs.

I bought this pack because I like an external frame backpack with external pockets because I'm lazy and set in my ways. I like such essential items as water, first aid kits and what have you easily accessible. I'm not a big fan of the internal frame civvy walking pack. The colours are too bright, and I can't stand the features. This means I often get into some [heated] discussion with yoghurt sprout eating motherf#ckers (oops, sorry: long-haired civvy bushwalking crowd) about the gear I "should" be carrying and what "actually" works. Of course, many of these people have never slept in a cold wet ditch like a mongrel dog. So much for tolerance and respecting others from those squeezers. Perhaps they should respect my diversity some time?? But I digress, and will now step off my soapbox.

Maneuevering this pack through dense vegetation and terrain is a lot easier compared with many competitors due to the ergonomic design. The pack sits well within the width of the shoulders, not detracting too much from ducking and weaving through thick scrub. Situational awareness is improved with the head being free to swivel and scan high without impediment. Small things, but very good attention to detail from the designers.

I've gone through a few packs (and *&%$#! tins of cash) over the years to find the "ultimate pack" suitable for my needs. I can quite honestly say that while the DG-6 isn't perfect, it comes damn close. I still find the sensation of strapping this thing a novelty. With a properly packed DG-6, one can feel the weight of the load, but the usual discomfort from a fully loaded pack is lacking. This has been observed by all my mates who tried the pack on. This is surprising, since the pack is currently set up for my lanky frame, whilst some of my mates are short and squat.

So, final recommendation?? I highly rate the DG-6. It definitely gets two thumbs up. Matter of fact, since I keep getting people ask me about it when I'm off stomping around on my training walks, I've a good mind to start charging Crossfire for an agent's commission, since I keep singing the praises of their gear.

OK, any questions kiddies??