Front Pouch

[HikingFool]

Not sure if that is the correct term but what does everybody use to keep their snacks in.

I ended up getting a cheap fanny pack from Wal-Mart and removing the belt. I added a small loop on each side so I could biner it to my hip belt on my pack. I was just wondering what everyone else does?

HikingFool

[chief]

i usually keep all my edibles in my "bear" bag. i don't much like things hanging outside the pack. i don't snack unless i've stopped for a rest, so it's no problem opening the pack to get at my snacks (food bag on top). also, when i turn in for the night, there's only one food bag to hang (those few times i hang it at all).

[Sgathak]

GoLite has a cool pouch that goes on the front of any ruck with a shoulder strap... I think its kinda nifty but havent used one so dont know of its ultimate value.

I just keep things in my pockets.

[chief]

speaking of pockets, i always keep half a dozen pieces of bubblegum in my pocket. i chew in rythem with my stride. keeps my mouth wet and closed, not to mention the sugar-rush to help me up the hills.

[cldphoto]

I was just looking for something like this the other day. Cargo pockets normally work, but NutriGrain bars tend to squish and chocolate gets too hot. I was looking for a little front pouch the other day. I want something a little bigger and more flexible than a magazine pouch, but smaller than a military butt pack or Wal-Mart fanny pack. Maybe one of the bigger digital camera/phone/whatever pouches. Ideally it'd be something that could use an ALICE clip or similar attachment to go on a waist belt or shoulder strap.

If someone has a good solution, please share!

[HikingFool]

I don't like having stuff in my pockets so that is why I modified the fanny pack to fit on my hip belt. I also have a small mountainsmith pouch that I have my GPS in. It attaches with a velcro strap around my sternum strap. I got the pouch from campmor but I just checked and they don't have them anymore :( I can take some pics of my setup if you would like to see any of it.

I also have gotten a camera pouch to use instead of my fanny pack when I want to bring along my SLR digital and have it ready to use and not stuffed in my pack. I haven't used it yet but plan on hiking a loop of the pinhoti trail in a couple of weeks and will try it out then.

HikingFool

[jack daniels]

I found a general purpose pouch at REI that attaches to a belt or strap with a 2" wide vertical velcro strap on the back of the pouch. I used it for 16 days on the AT last month to carry my (rather large) Olympus C-700 digital camera. There is a handy 3" high mesh pocket that wraps around the front and sides that has an elastic band at the top. I kept my trail guide pages folded in half in the pocket as well as an extra Smartmedia card in a tiny ziplock bag I got out of one of my Enertia meal packets.

The pouch is about 6.5"HX4"WX3"D, is highly water resistant, and has a zipper top with a secondary velcro closure on the front of the top in case you want quick access without zipping it shut.

I put it on my sternum strap with the velcro, and, while it wasn't the most comfortable thing to have in that spot I found the convenience of the location perfect for snapping those pictures I would have foregone if it had been less accessible and my trail guide and Thru-Hikers Handbook pages were easily reached any time my wife insisted on knowing what was ahead or where the heck we were.

You could also use it to stash several energy bars or snack bags.

I just used my cargo pockets for all snacks but I agree that the bars do get pretty beat up and gooey in the pockets.

[kwiki]

Jack,

We must be very similar in our hiking styles. Not only do I have the REI Half Dome tent (repied to your other post) but I have the exact same pouch you described and use it in a very similar manner. It works very well for me and I've been using the pouch for about 4 years and have never had a problem. In the mesh around the outside I keep water purification tablets, my knife, my lip balm, and a whistle. In the pouch itself I keep my camera.

[jack daniels]

I found the pouch to be very useful and even more protective than I'd expected it would be of the contents (camera, in this case) from both padding and moisture aspects.

It's a good piece of gear with multiple use possibilities. Amazing how the small things make a lot of difference.

[pobbie]

Military magazine pouch. Has ALICE clip,designed to hold 3 30 round mags, but holds 6+ power bars. Just cut separating ribbons out so you can reach in easier. If you're really hungry, use the M249 SAW pouch, it holds 6 30rd mags. I put the food I don't need easy access to in my assault pack (aka butt pack) bear bag whole thing

[cldphoto]

Originally posted by pobbie
Military magazine pouch. Has ALICE clip,designed to hold 3 30 round mags, but holds 6+ power bars. Just cut separating ribbons out so you can reach in easier. If you're really hungry, use the M249 SAW pouch, it holds 6 30rd mags. I put the food I don't need easy access to in my assault pack (aka butt pack) bear bag whole thing

Maybe if there was a civilian version, but I don't like the plastic lining inside. I tried it before for this exact purpose and gave up on it. The plastic makes the pouch too rigid, and stuff rattles around inside.

[Sgathak]

I have a SAW pouch without a liner... works wonderfully.

try www.blackhawkindustries.com and check out the stuff under their S.T.R.I.K.E gear.

[pobbie]

Rip the plastic out (all you probally need is a seam ripper.) The SAW pouch does seem like it would work well. BTW thanks for the link. I've seen these but never used them. Gotta get me one.

[doc]

I rode in a bike ride for charity this past weekend and having never done it before, I was not sure where to put stuff.
I only wanted to carry my CamelPack.
I bought some mini M&M's to put in my GORP and found that the small plastic reuseable tubes they came in were great for restuffing with the GORP then I breadbag tied them to my packstraps and just pulled them off when I wanted them. I called them GORP Shooters as the tubes are about the size of a shotgun shell.:D

[cldphoto]

This SAW magazine pouch?

http://www.blackhawkindustries.com/product_detail.asp?product_id=2814&d=

Looks pretty good. Can you get dimensions for it (HxWxD)?

[Sgathak]

I dont have my SAW pouch handy... but the dementions are standard SAW size.

Approx 2.5dx6wx7h

www.tacticaltailor.com also has some VERY interesting looking pouches for their modular equipment.