modular vest + day pack daydream HELP BRAINSTORM!

[Liamy77]

As my left knee and lower back are kinda crummy these days, I have been rethinking how i carry my load around my body...
Now i believe that the more evenly arranged around my center-of-gravity i can load myself the easier i find it to carry. - based on that i have been playin and considering combining a modular type vest to attach kits of stuff to as a counter balance on the front, paired up with my water-proof day pack (30-35L) for the larger bits. I know this can be harder to waterproof, but i think that i can fit my hardshell over the whole lot if i place it carefully- kinda packing my SELF rather than just packing a backpack... This is still just planning and experimenting ATM with belt bags and bits so far and i have a tight budget so expensive (and i find often overly heavy) army stuff is less useful than it could be. I have found that the sides (hips up to armpit area) needs to be kept clear for comfortable arm movement and pushin through scrub.
one thing is the more bags (if solid) can add up in weight if not careful.... open to your thoughts and brainstorming here???
Liam (currently lying on the couch dreamin and plotting )

Also is there anyone around Southern Tas handy with a heavy sewin machine who can be bribed with beer or do cheap work for webbing and or velcro or clips for fiddling with attachments?

[sailfish]

I was finding that wearing a vest (fly fishing) was becoming a real pain in the back despite not having it loaded with very much gear. What I do now is I put all the heavy (like water) or immediate use items on a belt and take a light 20 litre daypack (no hip belt) for clothing, food, emergency kit etc. Can even get away with S2S sil daypack which I have used but generally don’t go that light. I use the same setup just straight bush walking now too. It works well for me but my knees are OK still.

Ken

[slparker]

Guys in the army use this system already... It's called variously chest webbing or rig. Quite comfortable and you can get all sorts of modular pouches and bags to hang off it. Another advantage is you can get Kevlar plates which should render you impervious to shrapnel... And scoparia! Try www.kitbag.com.au or platatac ... It comes in fetching shades of tan and camouflage.

[Liamy77]

yeah I have used some of the army MOLLE system as a base but their bags are $ and a bit heavy for what i want ATM....
same principle though... just tryin to fine tune it for me.... dont think i'll bother with the armour unless the possums start packin heat!!

[tele-whippet]

Then there is this,
http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc- ... -vest.html

[Liamy77]

Apart from being almost as much as a secondhand OP daypack..... I am trying to get more of a custom built budget version.... with some more rigidity into it for comfort.... kinda sewing a vest front onto the front strapsof a daypack seems to be the way to go ATM for me... belt pouches started me off.... might be a longer project but stalled with the sewing for now.... i may have to try hand sewin and find someone to reinforce it later on... Hmmm

[missingdna]

Look up Molly Macpack. Modular design and can integrate a chest panel to even the weight distribution front to back.