I blame Craig Caudill. He’s a good friend of mine as well as a top survival and wilderness skills instructor. He’s been clamoring about chest rigs for a while now. I never really understood the appeal. However, he has been quite a reliable source for quality information in the past, so I finally gave it a shot. I ordered a Skyweight Utility Chest Pack from 5.11 Tactical, loaded it up, and took it on a few hikes.
Yeah, I get it now.
The 5.11 Tactical Skyweight Chest Pack
Why a Chest Pack?
When I go hiking for an afternoon, I don’t like to be loaded down. Further, I hate having a ton of crap in my pockets or on my belt. Heck, from spring through early fall, I’m usually in a pair of lightweight shorts and a T-shirt. At the same time, I do want to have some essentials with me.
I’ve used a Bum Bag slung crossbody quite often, and it’s great. The downside is that if I put a good amount of stuff into it, the bag tends to slide down until it’s resting near my armpit. Not a huge problem, but it can be annoying.
A chest pack solves those problems. It stays in place as I move around, plus it has enough space for a fair bit of gear.
It also keeps everything right in front of you, so you can find it easily. The only downside there for me is I’m becoming more and more farsighted as I get older, so sometimes I end up using the Braille method to grab what I need from the pack.
Yes, I’m aware bifocals are a thing. No, I’m not ready to concede to needing them just yet, thank you very much.
Skyweight Utility Chest Pack Specs
This is a 2L capacity pack. It measures 6 inches by 10 inches by 2.5 inches. The pack weighs right around a pound. It will comfortably fit chest sizes from 34 inches to 50 inches.
This chest pack features a gusseted main compartment that is absolutely loaded with organization pockets. That’s no surprise, given it’s from 5.11 Tactical. You can always count on them to provide a ton of pockets, sleeves, pouches, and such in their gear.
There are two stretch pockets on the front, one that’s open and one that’s zippered. Either of them is perfectly sized for a cell phone.
There is a rear concealed carry compartment as well. It has an internal loop panel for attaching your holster of choice, and there are elastic bands for extra magazines. Given the pack’s size, this is for compact pistols.
The chest harness is removable, so you can use the Skyweight Utility Chest Pack as a standalone bag in a larger pack. Or you can add a hip belt and turn it into a waist pack.
There are webbing loops at the bottom for gear storage. The back panel of the pack is breathable, which is great for hot weather.
Skyweight Utility Chest Pack Performance
As I’ve never worn a chest pack before, it took me a little time to get the straps sorted out and sized properly. The quick-release buckles worked great in this regard, as there was a lot of putting it on and taking it off until it was ready for prime time.
Once the pack fitting was locked in, it was time to load it up. Here’s what I carried in the chest pack:
- Cell phone
- Battery pack
- Exotac titanLIGHT
- A handful of fire plugs in a small pouch
- Tactile Knife Co. Redhawk
- Hank of paracord
- Two granola bars
- Car keys
- Streamlight Wedge
- Bandana
There was plenty of room for more gear, but I didn’t need much else with me. We weren’t going out for a multi-day trek. I probably should have tossed in a small first aid kit, though. Not because anything happened. It’s just a good idea.
I took the Skyweight Utility Chest Pack on a few hikes, and it was perfect for my needs. It fit very well. It didn’t swing around as I walked. Everything I needed was at my fingertips. I loved that I could slip my cell phone out for a few quick photos of the landscape or individual plants without digging in my pocket for it.
Consider me a chest pack convert!
Find the Skyweight Utility Chest Pack at 5.11 Tactical for $70. It’s available in Volcanic, Sage Green, or Woodland Camo.
