23May
The Camelbak Linchpin Hydration Pack
Camelbak Hydration Pack
The function of the Camelbak Linchpin is as a hydration system in a military patrol pack that will carry additional ammunition and a radio. In addition to three litres of water it can carry six M16/M4 magazines, additional food and a radio, batteries and extra water. To allow you to carry this weight the Camelbak Linchpin is fitted with a Mystery Ranch designed Futura harness adjustable suspension system.
Camelbak Hydration
The Camelbak Linchpin Hydration Pack
The function of the Camelbak Linchpin is as a hydration system in a military patrol pack that will carry additional ammunition and a radio. In addition to three litres of water it can carry six M16/M4 magazines, additional food and a radio, batteries and extra water. Six loaded magazines weigh almost three kilograms. Add a radio, spare battery food, other personal equipment and three litres of water and you are approaching 12 kilograms of weight. To allow you to carry this weight the Camelbak Linchpin is fitted with a Mystery Ranch designed Futura harness adjustable suspension system.
The Linchpin is fitted with a Mystery Ranch designed Futura harness adjustable suspension system, which makes it comfortable to carry with a full load of kit and water.
The Futura harness creates a suspension system that lets you carry more weight with more control than a pack that just has shoulder straps with a stiffening panel. Another benefit of the Futura harness is the ability to adjust the pack’s fit to account for body armour as well as the height of the user. To facilitate carry a radio there are two lash points and antennae ports.
This pack has plenty of pockets to keep your gear organised. On the pack body the main cargo pouch is about 1,000 cubic centimeters. The two side pockets are sized to accept the hydration system this pocket will also hold a laptop computer. On the front there is a good sized pouch to hold personal affects.
I found that the three litre OMEGA Water Beast would keep the water cool in temperatures approaching 30°C and was still drinkable at the end of the day.
The bags fabric is made from 500 denier Cordura material and is available in coyote, digital ACU, foliage and multicam patterns. In between the front and rear sections is an open topped overflow pocket for anything else you want to get at quickly. At the IPSC World Shoot I located a pair of knee pads here for the stages that included having to shoot from the kneeling position. The Linchpin was used at the WS to carry a back up pistol, food, rain gear, which was not required during the six day competition, sun cream, insect repellant, cell phones and personal affects. Fully loaded it was comfortable to carry.
3 litre capacity
The three litre hydration system can be filled in situ or removed and filled. I removed the OMEGA Water Beast every evening and placed in the hotel room refrigerator and topped it up in the morning at 0.630 with more chilled water, before we left the hotel. The drinking tube has a sealable cap to cover the mouth piece and an on – off switch.The OMEGA Water Beast can be filled in situ or can be easily be removed to be filled or cleaned.
I was genuinely surprised, indeed impressed, how cool the water was kept, considering the temperatures approached 30°C every day in Rhodes. When we left the range at 19.00 each day the remaining water was still drinkable at that time. I left the Linchpin in the back of the car one afternoon, with the drinking tube exposed to see what effect the heat would have. The water in the drinking tube was warm, but once you started drawing on the water in the Water Beast, this was cool. In addition to the three litre hydration capacity the Camelbak Linchpin also has a 29.5 litre volume cargo capacity for additional equipment. Designed for military use the Linchpin will equally be of use to anyone who requires a hydration – back pack combination.
For Further Information
www.camelbak.com
In the UK
www.levelpeaks.com