EDC Leatherman Surge

Leatherman with Bit Kit and Extension

I picked up the Leatherman Surge before my deployment to Kuwait in early 2013. I didn't know how I'd feel about it since it was so much bigger than The Gerber Multi-Tool I was issued almost a decade prior for my first all expense trip to an equally exotic locale.

I went to Kuwait this time thinking I was going to be the CSA for the Delaware and Texas Air Guard (I filled a slot for Delaware). Much like my last trip to the desert this one wasn't exactly as advertised... I ended up being a jack of all trades this trip. Was there a lot of computer work, yes, but I was also the building custodian, cell phone guy, bird predation Alpha team member with SMSgt B (best gig ever, BTW), Plaque Maker, and the First Shirt's Officially Designated plow horse. I had a blast this deployment. Part of it was the fact that no one was trying to kill me, and the other part of it was my attitude was ask me and I'll say yes! Weird what age and perspective will do for you.

At my going away dinner the Colonel described me as the Chewbacca of the Squadron, didn't say much but could fix anything. Computers, plumbing, raining death from above on pigeons,  metal work, scrounging semi-truck wheels for the Shirt to turn into a bitching barbecue pit. So what does any of this have to do with the Leatherman?

I used the heck out of that thing, the extension, and the bit drivers. Need your reading glasses tightened Chief, I'm your Huckleberry. Need to tear apart a computer so that you can prove to a Lt. Col. that there aren't scorpions in their computer stealing their reports? Check. Adjust water flow to a sink whose Hadji handle has broken off, Sure.

This piece of kit has been used every day. The bit kit gives you Torq bits, flat heads, Phillips,  Robertson, and Pozi bit heads. The extension gives you a screw driver without having to get the Leatherman clear of the case, and combined with the Leatherman slot allows you a ton of torque on whatever you're working on.

The Leatherman itself has been a workhorse. The finish has held up to a lot of hard use and  remains tight to this day. Can't recommend this piece of kit enough.

Everyday Carry - CamelBak Backpack

EDC Pack

I was issued this pack back in 2006. It sat, more or less, unused until I retired from coaching in 2010. I started riding my bike 8 miles each way to work and it became a fixture in my life. As my Go Bag, First Aid Kit, Suitcase, Get Home Bag, Lunch Box, Mobile Office, and Hydration Solution it did it all for me. 

I logged over 750 miles walking/hiking in Rhode Island according to my GPS App, all with at least 25 pounds in the bag. It has held it's shape, the stitching looks new on the entire pack, and nothing has failed on the pack, snaps, buckles, or zippers.

To give you an idea of the usable space inside I carry a large water proof Plano 1412 Shallow hard case inside it, with a change of clothes, mole skin, suture kit, aluminum splint, duct tape, Katakyn Filtration kit, and some fire starting materials. There are the Maxpedition Fatty and Pocket kit bags in there. Another Waterproof Hard Case from Outdoor Products that has my serious first aid supplies in it. A pair of Vibram 5 finger shoes. A hammock with bug net, 50 feet of 550 cord, and three carabiners. There are always a half dozen cliff bars in there as well. I do my best to cycle through those, but every once in a while I'll come across a really old one to gag down. 

Do I have too much redundancy in the pack? Absolutely, but here is my reasoning. I am used to carrying a heavy pack (minus water) if I ever have to rely on that bag to get me home it gives me three options. Cache things I deem unnecessary at the time (either in place or along the way, share with friends going a different direction, barter along the way. 

Pros and cons to the pack itself. Pros, bullet proof construction, MOLLE straps all over it that aren't noticeable until you're inside 10 feet. Great use of space. The hip belt does a great job of taking weight off your shoulders. Big plus, the Hydration Pouch is insulated well enough that if you fill the bladder with ice it keeps your water cold for a full 12-15 miles of walking on warm days.

Cons: The shoulder straps could be a lot more ergonomic. A few more interior pockets would make it easier to keep organized.  

I was recently issued an Urban Assault Pack from CamelBak that replaced the old MULE. I'll have a review up on it soon.

Thanks for reading. Feel free to ask questions or comment.

Everyday Carry - Backpack

For folks without a car (like myself) we have to carry our Go Bag (also referred to as a Bug Out Bag or Get Out Of Dodge Bag). I prefer to call it my Go Bag, just because it doesn't sound so ominous.

The nice thing about working in a city is there are so many people carrying backpacks that no one gives me a second look. I was issued this great pack back in 2004, prior to a visit to Iraq. It traveled with me while I was coaching and is a great carry on bag (empty the bladder before security!) when flying. It has really seen some miles since I moved to Rhode Island as my daily Go Bag.

It has an insulated area for the 100 ounce hydration pack. On hot days I fill it with ice cubes and water, for the next eight hours or so I have plenty of ice water.

The bag itself is extremely roomy. In addition to the compartment for the Camelbak Hydration unit, there are four more individual compartments. The biggest will hold a laptop and XBox 360 console with room to spare. There is a smaller mesh compartment built into the large area. Right now I have a 100' bundle of para-cord, a bottle of ibuprofen, and a Frontier Pro water filter in that mesh pocket for an idea of it's size.

The middle compartment is an organizational area. Great area for small items that you need to organize, pens, electronics, chargers, keys, etc.

The final pocket on the back is easy to access. You can leave the pack on your right shoulder, take it off your left and slide it around to open it. It's a decent size pocket that will hold a couple of small paper back books (think Louis L'Amour not phonebooks) and whatever else you want to keep close at hand.

The Cordura fabric has held up amazingly well for all the traveling and walking it's been through. It's not water proof per se, but it does a really decent job of letting most of the water trickle off.

It has MOLLE strips on the back, with a couple on each side to attach a few things. The chest and waist straps are handy. The waist strap is well padded and does take a fair amount of weight off your shoulders and support it on your hips.

If you're looking for a sturdy long term pack give this one a look. It's not cheap, but it does a lot of things really well.