FILBE Ruck Tricks and Tips

Tactical Gear Tactical Gear
1

Greetings All!

As part of my continuing process to purge all of my MultiCam gear, I switched over from a Army Medium MOLLE ruck to a USMC FILBE ruck. Overall, it seems like an improvement on the Army’s large MOLLE, but still leaves much to be desired in a few ways, especially when worn with armor. Anyone have any tips or suggestions on the best way to wear the FILBE? I’ve got a pretty short torso, so I’m going with the “standard” length, but it seems like the pack likes to rid pretty low on my back. The load-lifter straps seems pretty worthless in comparison to the Medium MOLLE, but that could be a result of how I’m wearing it or have the ruck packed.

I had my wife snap a picture after I finished this morning’s hike, and even fully tightened, the pack seems like it is riding very low, all things considered. It doesn’t look like it’s sagging away from my back, just low for some reason.

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My current working theory is that the square pad behind the waist belt is catching on the back plate bag of my plate carrier, and keeps the ruck from getting pulled up correctly. The Large MOLLE ruck waist belt I used on my Medium MOLLE occasionally had the same issue, different symptoms. (it pushed the rear plate into my lower back) I’m looking to get a Mystery Ranch Mystery Cinch to see if that helps in part, but if anyone has any ideas, it would be appreciated.

2

I’ve never used that one, but if the kidney pad is catching your plate, it’d definitely do what you’re describing. The other thing I was thinking is the location of shit in the pack. Heavy shit should go close to your shoulderblades to make the pack balance right.

I’ve been fighting a STOMP lately, so I feel your suffering.

3

I like the FILBE but the frame isn’t the best-smartest design. I still haven’t figured it out. It’s now on a Crossfire frame.

My son is trying an aluminum Fortitude frame after destroying three or four plastic MOLLE frames in Ranger school.

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Rigging the shoulder strap yoke lower on the frame will lift the pack higher on your back.

4

Made a few changes, and rucked again this morning. Moderate improvment. The Mystery Cinch strap helped quite a bit, as did unfastening one of the straps holding the center of the waist belt to the frame. Those helped keep the shoulder straps tight from sliding back, and helped get my rear plate bag to play nice with the kidney pads, respectively. I’m still going to try to play around with the load lifter straps, and see if I can rig them in such a way that they actually feel like they’re doing something.