CampingGearReview » British DPM Camp Rucksack

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This little sucker was purchased ‘for the fun of it’ online at SportsmansGuide.com for $18 including shipping. I was searching for a good BOB pack at that time, and this seemed like it would fit the bill. Indeed, it could. Cheap, no nonsense construction, perfect to throw in your trunk or closet for an emergency. This pack is said to be made of waterproof nylon. Looks like the fabric is vulcanized on the inside. It is well worn, and some of the pattern is faded away.

I have never used this pack, and having it on my back for a few minutes is not a good field test. The straps are 2.5″ wide, and padded with about 1/2″ of foam. They may have been a little thicker at one point, but after heavy use they are not as thick. They are attached to the back of the backpack, and also via adjustable straps to the top. This allows for a few inches of up and down play to accommodate different body lengths and/or position on your back. Each shoulder strap is reinforced with a webbing strap on the outside, and that’s sewn in on the bottom, near the hip belt. The hip belt is padded on the sides, where it would actually ride on your hips. There is a 1.5″ wide ‘belt’ all the way around, and it buckles in the front. All of the stitching is top notch, and this very used pack has held up great. There are several soldier’s names written all over, so I assume it has been passed down more than once. One interesting feature is the rain flap. It is attached to the top of the pack, in the back. When not in use, it is rolled up to expose the shoulder straps and hip belt. When it is down, there is Velcro all the way around the edge, to cover and protect the suspension and back panel. For a pack this old, it features an ingenious internal mainstay suspension system. There are two aluminum bars inside thin pockets designed to hold them in place. This is inside the main compartment, against the back panel. On the very top, there is a horizontal bar to keep the mainstays spread apart. Originally this was held together with pop rivets, but one of them came apart, and I replaced both with a short bolt, locking washer and a nut. It is all hidden by a small flap, attached with Velcro. For military rucksack of this age, this system is way better than the US ALICE Pack design. Check out the pictures to see what I mean.

There is only one compartment, with a map pouch on the inside. This compartment measures 20″ x 14″ x 8″. On each side there are zippers to attach additional pouches. I believe this system is very similar to Snugpak Rocket Pack design. On top of the main compartment there are two thin cinch straps that could accommodate a wide bedroll, sleeping pad, tent or whatever. There are numerous ‘male ends’ of small buckles to attach other pouches on top, sides and bottom. I am not familiar with the British packs, so there is nothing to be said for these pouches. The dual zippers go about 1/2 way around the main compartment. My zipper has seen better days, and one of the zippers actually broke off during testing. If I ever use this pack, the main zipper will have to be replaced with something newer and heavier duty. There is a dual flap to keep rain from leaking through the zipper. There are also two nice wide carrying handles on the back and on the front of this pack. I think if there is a very heavy load, two men can carry it side by side.