5.11 vs. HPG Chest Packs

I compare the 5.11 Sky Weight Chest Pack vs the Hill People Gear Kit bag in medium. Both are a very similar size but the 5.11 has a lot more in terms of organization while the HPG is a more robust build.

[@jeffgee6319]

Just got the 5.11 Utility(same model in video) pack this week. It’s awesome. A little smaller than I expected. But, works fine. Accommodates an H&K P30. Worn it on 2 brief, 3 mile hikes. It’s been a welcomed gear addition. No more overloaded trouser pockets.

[@mtnboy123]

Nice. I also found out that 5.11 guarantees for the life of the product. Hope you enjoy it. Cheers

[@mtnboy123]

Cool, I like getting weight off of my belt line. There is too Much already in my pockets and I’m always adjusting my belt. One reason I like chest rigs.

[@RelentlessRevolver7]

I did a lot of research between the 5.11 sky-weight utility and the hill-people gear. It basically came down to 2 factors, color and price. I finally decided on the sky-weight because 5.11 had a sale so I picked it up for $45.99 and the color I wanted FDE/Black. HPG always has the good colors sold out and for practically double the price. I carry a Hellcat Pro and have no problems drawing from the pull tabs quickly. Hope this helps future buyers. PS it was a tough decision to make with HPG being American made but for the sale price I couldn't pass on it.

[@mtnboy123]

Yeah, just remember that not all HPG is us made. My runners kit is made in Taiwan. You can dial a HPG to be a very similar size and function to the 5.11 but I would say the is a bit nicer in terms of materials and extras. The one thing that does give me pause on the 5.11 is the zippers. I train with mine at least once a month ripping it open to present my CCW. I think the 5.11 will last a lifetime but I’m not so sure about the zipppers if you routinely train with it. I wish HPG would adopt some of the materials and features of the viktos and 5.11. I wish 5.11would beef up their construction.

[@Obi-Wan970]

You are mistaken, Hpg kit bags have always been made in the USA.

[@mtnboy123]

@@Obi-Wan970 Your right, The holster insert has a "made in taiwan" tag that I mistook for the kit bag.

[@NatureReliance]

Hill People Gear, all day every day.

[@mtnboy123]

Thank you

[@BornAgainHard1775]

I’m using 511 for fishing and everything else. Works great so far!!

[@mtnboy123]

Nice. Good value compared to the FHF or the pataguci equivalents.

[@readyme]

5.11 tried to add way too much organization I think. I would cut out most of the elastic and pockets. Love my HPG stuff.

[@mtnboy123]

Depends upon your use. As a chest rig for a fly fisherman with waiters, it would be fantastic. I would remove some of the elastic and make the central divider in the main compartment removable. The more I use the 5.11 the more I like it. I ended up replacing my admin pouch that I carry in my pack with it. The level of robustness, especially the zippers, does worry me but should be adequate for basic hiking. I which HPG would keep evolving. There are starting to be more and more well thought out products coming out in this space.

[@TWO_GENDERS]

Wish the hill country had the quick open like the 5.11 I’d order one if it did.

[@mtnboy123]

Yes, that is exactly what I thought the first time I used it. I would use a different color material so it stands out from the rest of the pack. After looking at the 5.11 and Viktos, the HPG feels a bit dated.

[@Bricks5]

Appreciate the review. When you put the belt strap on the 5.11 how did you remove the harness? The top straps are sewn in.

[@mtnboy123]

You have to un thread the top and the side buckets are on low profile buckels

[@Sparkfly88]

I like the size of the 5.11 as well as the 3d mesh. Need that easier ability to breath in my case. Been debating on both of these. Almost nobody talks about what's actually against your chest.

[@mtnboy123]

Given the 5.11 price point and the return policy, I would try the skylight first. What I have found is that the larger the bag the more need for a good breathable backer fabric. This is both for sweat and chaffing. I have been testing a 5.11 hip pouch as a small chest and admin pouch. It has been my go to for the past couple of weeks. Check it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5yxZGqwgMmVpsk

[@scottjohnson7899]

Great video and comparison. You think the 5.11 would hold anything bigger than a Glock 17 in the back compartment?

[@mtnboy123]

No, it will just fit that. I tested with a P226 and it slows the draw. Perfect with a sub compact like a 365, G42 or m&p shield.

[@scottjohnson7899]

@@mtnboy123 thank you sir

[@RelentlessRevolver7]

What clip do you use on your kydex knife sheath?

[@mtnboy123]

I think your referring to the Gerber Principal. It has a kind of cool multi function sheath that can adapt to fire molle. I go back and forth on my appreciation for the knife. I find that I keep carrying it even though other knives do the job much better. Part of it is the sheath and the other is the size and form factor. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWHXqKl4qrl7j5o

[@jeybrid]

well.. me too... I am going to buy both...

[@mtnboy123]

I would wait for 5.11 to have a sale. They usually have pretty good ones where HPG doesn’t really discount.

[@santiagomindel4107]

Hello, I look at you from the other side of the world and I don't understand English well, do you like the hill people gear in this review? Do the closures run well or do they get stuck? The huge price difference between 5.11 (I have several products) and HPG is the labor, 511 in Vietnam and HPG in the US, thank you very much!! 

[@mtnboy123]

Hello, I really like the large zippers of the HPG. If 5.11 just put a little better zipper, I would recommend. You might want to check out FHF or helikon-Tex chest rigs. Both are nice, we’ll made and more modern features and materials than the HPG. I think the HPG construction quality is not as good as in the past. My older “runners kit bag” is perfect where as my newer HPG has some quality control issues. Cheers

[@santiagomindel4107]

@@mtnboy123 thankyou very much again, 👍🤗💯👏👏👏

[@johncaban4310]

Where did you buy the attachment to hold the gun in place?

[@mtnboy123]

Magpul insert

[@brandonlarsen3815]

What size binos do you have in the hill people gear?

[@mtnboy123]

Nikon pro staff 8x30

[@d0kut0]

Do they fit the same way in the 5.11?

[@nogood310]

Is that coyote brown for the HPG?

[@mtnboy123]

Yup, nice earth tone.

[@GiovaSanta12]

Anyone can confirm both 5.11 skyweight and hill people gear can be used as a fanny bag without addon?

[@mtnboy123]

5.11 is built to be a Fanny pack with either the padded belt from a pack or a 2 inch strap. I don’t think HPG are meant to be Fanny packs.

[@kaelharwood4804]

Do they make a smaller 5.11 version?

[@mtnboy123]

They have 2 versions of the chest pack. The one I reviewed and another smaller/simpler one I did not look at. If you’re not looking for a CCW, their pouch can be adapted for a small clip on pouch. See 5.11 Skyweight "On-the-Go" Pouch: First Look! kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5yxZGqwgMmVpsk

[@irfanahmed9112]

Can snd to Pakistan?

[@mtnboy123]

The 5.11 or hill people gear? Not really sure. I assume 5.11 has overseas sales.

[@colemankamryn]

Where is the 5.11 made?

[@mtnboy123]

Vietnam, I think. You know, the good communist turn capitalists. Cheers

[@irfanahmed9112]

Gray z better😊❤