Blackhawk SOF Ruck review

In the search for a great Ruck, I stumbled across the Blackhawk SOF ruck on craigslist. Although maybe not the perfect pack, Im sure it will last forever. The material is very HD but lends to its extra weight. There are a ton of strapping for whatever you need to carry. Most who come to this channel will be looking for a Bug Out Bag, but I think this ruck would be overkill and setup more for an INCH bag.
SOF RUCK -- PACK ONLY
Specifications:
• Dimensions (inner main comp.): 23"L x 10"W x 14"D
• Dimensions (top-front pocket): 9"L x 6.5"W x 3"D
• Dimensions (side pocket A): 16"L x 5.5"W x 5"D
• Dimensions (side pocket B): 8.75"L x 4.25"W x 2.75"D
• Cubes (main): 3220 cu. in. / 53 L
• Cubes (total): 6000 cu. in. / 95 L

[@BravingTheOutDoors]

I'm not from the US so although I hear about the US military bags a lot I don't really know them. However, I'm a huge backpack guy, I have many backpacks including some very expensive one and I have to say that from what I've seen here in this review this just seems like the best backpack I have seen so far! I wish I knew how to get a hold on it, seems like a good size and I love all the pockets on the outside.

[@boyankyosev5277]

This pack already has so many pockets and pouches, I don't think you would need to attach anything else to it. As for pulling things out of the pockets taking too much time - taking your pack off your back and putting it back on takes at least 30 sec, 3-4 sec more to pull an item out is nothing. If you are in a hurry you shouldn't be hauling a 100lb pack. Nice and detailed review. Enjoy the outdoors, brother!

[@FatDaddy4Fun]

Amazon has this and the Alice frame for $217 in desert tan. I may have to get my order in. I have a Kelty 3200 that just isn't big enough. I love all of the pockets and compartments with this ruck. Thanks for the vid. ~Wolf

[@USNERDOC]

Thanks Beast . . . excellent review with honest details . . . I always enjoy your approach to gear reviews.

[@crusader1492]

I've had this bag for years...it's has its pros and cons. Like you said, it is heavy. My other complaints are that it not mollie compatible (I think this model came out before mollie was really popular) and it does not fit in a truck toolbox. On the other hand, its large capacity is inherently useful and its multiple pockets are great when organizing your gear. I agree with your final assessment: this is more of an INCH bag. Btw, I had no idea those side compartments were detachable :)

[@wyattoneable]

Always quaility and informative videos, thanks for posting.

[@CampfireTalk]

I think I could squeeze in that pack : ) Great review as always beast! Always love to see removable pouches on packs, just gives you so many options.

[@AnchisesGamer]

i love this ruck, it always fit a shit ton of my stuff with room to spare

[@Omenmyster]

Thanks Beast I have been waiting on this review. Since then I have decided to go with the Eberlestock Terminator. Very nice pack, but very expensive. Thanks Again, Great Reviews Bro.

[@WestCoastPrepperRN]

That looks just like my old stompin' grounds...man I miss it over there...now I'm on the other side of the hill back in the rainy valley! Great review! That pack makes my little Molle look like a fanny pack!

[@Barbarossa4U]

Good review. I've had mine for about three years now and love it. It is my INCH and winter gear bag. My biggest complaint was that not all of the pockets have drain holes. I took mine on a slot canyon trip with a lot of water holes that had to be swum across. The pack must have weighed 150lbs with all the water that would not drain. I since added all the drain holes I need and no more problems.

[@Skills2survive]

Excellent Review ! I have been looking at one of these for a long time, however I have never seen one. I knew it was big, but wow....its huge !

[@irontale1834]

all those popup things for other videos were really helpful for me thanks Randy :D

[@greymajickjedi]

i SOOOO coveted those when they first came out.... LOVE the obsessive degree of outer pockets!

[@bushmaster11b79]

Just remember that this is a back designed around a military application, and made to carry military gear. If you're trying to fit civilian camping gear into the outer pockets just remember that they were meant for things like spare mags, pyro, even a Claymore mine pocket, and other military gear, not camping stoves and so on. I had one, I liked it....didn't love it, but it served a function. Would I use it if I had to pack out and go? Yeah, but there are civilian bags that balance the load better and draw a lot less attention.

[@jeannegiovannelli2916]

Farms675

[@drcsep]

Outstanding review. Gracias

[@Patriot36]

Outstanding bud! Really enjoyed this in depth look.

[@TheUrbanPrepper]

Great review! Looks like a sweet pack that you wouldn't need to add extra pouches to. Might be a little heavy for me, but quality/functionality wise it looks fantastic. Thanks!

[@fumasterchu12]

Looks like a great pack/ruck. I still have my XL Alice pack from my time in the Army and it is still going strong. I wish it had the side pockets that this ruck has though. Great stuff brother, God bless.

[@biblesnbarbells]

Good review. Thanks for posting.

[@RealityStar9]

Love it. Just what I'm looking for. I would take it on a 10-15 mile hike where I set-up base camp for a week so weight is not a big issue. The ability to bring a lot of gear and "toys" is what's needed. I like to be organized so a pack with many pouches is a must for me. Now I need 400 bucks lol. Thanks for the video.

[@LuckyShitZu]

Thank you for the video and info!

[@rainbowhiker]

You did weigh it! Thanks. But that's a huge amount of weight to carry. My heavy winter packs weigh right around 4 lbs, depending on the pack, and that's very heavy. My bug out bag is an old Kelty I picked up at a garage sale for $2 and weighs in at 3.7 lbs. As I said, I'm getting older so weight is a very real factor for me in bushcrafting/backpacking. I've learned through the years I have much more energy & sharper decision making to 'bug-out' if I have a lighter weight pack after days. Goodvid

[@MrVrucina]

great review...very precise review...had this pack for a while now....regards from UK

[@mrmonkeyman50]

Great you keep reminding people about balancing the weight of the load out. I'm also glad someone knows about the Mystery Ranch frame. :o)

[@Paul-eb3pg]

Love it and a great review. Just needs to be sprayed with water proof and a young back to carry. I would say you got a killer deal

[@mrmonkeyman50]

Under $200 at Amazon. Considering all the intrinsic pouches, that's an excellent price. (Compare the basic packs that you then have to add MOLLE pouches to.)

[@SINESTERSERPENTSIXXX]

this bag is clearly an INCH bag. perfect for what i am looking for. and keep in mind just because you have tons of room. it don't mean you have to fill it.

[@rainbowhiker]

Looks like a great pack for military-bushcrafting/hunting/backpacking. Can't see where it would benifit a person on a 'long trail', with the extra weight, but as you say, it'll probably last forever. Highly technical, I'm amazed at its capacity and all the pockets. Wow. That's convenient. I'd be interested in how much it weighs as I'm getting pretty old and weight is a real factor these days.Thanks for the review.

[@tonyquartermain8610]

Good review I like your style of record and you say only what you need to say not over talking.

[@rocktruggy03]

I just got one of these and I am pleased with it. It's no Kifaru but it's nice. The ruck doesn't bulge out like the old ALICE which is nice for keeping the load close to your body.

[@HeartlandMakesAndOutdoors]

Excellent video, thanks for sharing this with us. We enjoyed your video so much we subbed you as well. Keep up the fun videos, we will be back for more. Thanks again and have a blessed week.

[@WanderingBeast]

it wasnt too much different than the standard alice frame, but I utilized the alice straps kit you can get from Mystery ranch

[@KorumEmrys]

Looks like Central Oregon...Beautiful Area...I have this same pack in Desert color and Love Mine, bit heavy but for materials well worth it... Have lived out of mine...

[@WanderingBeast]

***** how have you been, still out ruck marching around sisters

[@weardiwo]

Great review!^^

[@BrodyToYou]

I like those pouches. I wish I could find some for my Snugpak. That pack sort of reminds me of the original Ethan Becker Patrol Pack, only with pouches.

[@ninja5672]

Hey man, I have that Carhart hat. Ive had it for around 10-12 years. It is still my go-to hat in the winter. Good choice.

[@siddthesupreme1076]

my biggest thing is comfort and assurance worth sacrificing mobility? how much ground can you cover? is the majority of your gear expendable? is it mutli-purpose? I like your preparedness but for most of these things could you not simply gathed/craft a realistic substitute on the fly? no one wants to have to bug out of a bug out. what I mean is, say your position is compromised, how much gear are you gonna have to sacrifice so you aren't killed? all of that aside, I like seeing all the useful gear. simply to see if its practical and applicable for myself.

[@nycbike73]

Lol never mind I just finished the vid and you mentioned how much. Serves me right for not waiting till the vid is done

[@ianrsigel]

Your wife just called, she said leave the dog outside but bring back her comforter. ;-) I recently acquired the Eberlestock V90 Battleship. 99 liters with tons of traps and molle points. I added external Maxpedition pouches and the length allows for internal storage of long guns or external with the attached butt buckets. It also has its own internal stored rain cover. Paid $389. Not for the minimalist...filled averages 85 Lbs. It is my 'INCH' Bag. I have a loaded Vulture2 two for basics.

[@WanderingBeast]

I agree

[@stuartsbushcraftblog]

Nice rucksack mate. Looks like you have some snow there mate.

[@RichardStansfield]

I have a pre-owned Snugpak Rocket Pack and have to say it is not cheaply made and it gets thrown around with no problems. The only critisism and the reason for its previous owner changing was the fact it has a short back to it which means that the base of the load is pressing into the small of your back and not lower down for better support. So it gets very awkward and uncomfortable the longer you are carrying it from the stress of pushing your back out to compensate. it has never let in water

[@CircleWilliams]

I'm seeing this and a tactical tailor alice (more worn out though). Which would you gravitate to if you had to start over? (I'm seeing REI bags triple the price right now though)

[@hinckleypoland]

Great review on your pack beast.... of course that goes without saying these days! Glad to see max is out and about. I have a 5 mo black lab and she is fun to play with. Of course.. here training goes out the window when i take her to the dog park..lol. Stay safe bud!

[@thesurvivalexpert101]

that look's like a really nice pack good review :)

[@ObviousArtists]

my favorite ruck. As cumbersome as the alice medium ruck so too is the large. but this SOF ruck is wired tite! the lack of webbing takes alot of 'whatever' out of this pack so you tend to square away a better sustainment pack because of you wont devlope which-pouch-to-attach-syndrome. laff--

[@markthompson484]

Mark.... Nice pack....yep haul a lot of stuff, including the kitchen sink and fold out hot tub My pack is CFP-90 made by DJ manufacturing. I was looking at elderstock blue widow but I will stay with the 90 and spend money saved on gear up grade. Good video....I bug out with you any time.

[@cthulhu6697]

+Mark Thompson How is the CFP-90? I've been seriously considering getting one but I've never actually handled one. They're ALICE compatible, right? Will MOLLE pouches work with them? All my stuff is MOLLE and sewn on stuff, those clips are a pain in the ass and I've never cared for ALICE, but the CFP-90 has always been a ruck I've had my eye on since they seem pretty big and durable, spacious, and I know of a surplus place that says they have some for about $75 in very good shape. I'd appreciate any feedback and info you can give me on quality, organization, capacity, size, etc....... Thanks

[@taeyedoc99]

Thank you for another great review Beast. Looks like Bushcraft no longer carries the rain cover. Any one knows where it is still on sale?

[@Moonman1823]

I am deciding between this and a ible gen 2 for an inch bag, which one would be better?

[@kenwatson4012]

Nice video

[@systemaddictshock]

0:26 your dog missed that chase LOL

[@wesleyakachino]

Oh man, this shows me i gotta really dedicate more time to trainin my pup, shes only 5months but if she was that close to a deer, she would be takin off after it!

[@JohnLaFosse]

good pack. I simply use a rain cover for my pack. The only reason I have a pack is my work experience at L.L.Bean. The advantages for the time I spent there was the use room. I could try out gear that I normally could not afford. Your pack depends on your use and the gear. This pack I'd definitely use as a 72 hour or maybe doing the 100mile wilderness in Maine. Lately, I'm into lightweight using hammock tents, Rocket stove built out of cans, or using tools to build a swedish torch. Less gear !!!

[@WanderingBeast]

I believe the kit has the alice frame and pads

[@greymajickjedi]

my kind of dude!!! Hard to beat the old A.L.I.C.E. system, modern inprovements notwithstanding.

[@taylorw3801]

For the side pocket where you kept your tent, what company makes that and will it fit on an alice pack since you do have them connected by alice clips?

[@michaelstjohn6086]

+Taylor Wilkins Good question, I thought he said yes but I need to look again.

[@dominicyare5630]

Cool rucksack

[@rocktruggy03]

I ust got one of these. It's a great ruck however it should be noted that it is more on par with a medium ALICE not the large. The SOF ruck has a much better centre of gravity than an ALICE. The main compartment isn't as wide and pot belly like as the ALICE which I find keeps the load closer t my back. All in all I like it.

[@hhhllkk88]

Hey Beast i was wondering if you have a list of the items you include in your bug out bag like the brands? Thanks

[@EatCarbs]

Great review... as always.. your vids rock. I can't say I like this pack.. I've never been fond of the Alice pack either. 12 lbs empty is to much IMO. I've got my eye on getting a Kelty External frame pack for backpacking trips next Spring. I also don't like the idea of having to fight my way into pockets. =\

[@zepplyledson9622]

Love the pack, but 12 lbs?! Have to agree with you on would like to see it made out of something lighter. If it was lighter, you could fill it with some extras or luxuries.

[@FatDaddy4Fun]

@beast12101 I know exactly what you mean about the pockets. It's almost a fight sometimes to load those, or unload them. I'm pretty much a car camper at this point, until I drop a few more pounds. A Full pack at very short distances wouldn't be too bad. I sure couldn't hump a full load very far or through anything very thick. lol. Great system though. I love that pack. Thanks again for the vid my friend. ~Wolf

[@Mgt13delta]

thats a good looking dog

[@WanderingBeast]

@FatDaddy4Fun I just wish the pocket were designed better. And if they made the bag out of 500d which is more water proof and lighter, only using the 1000d in abrasion and stress point, they'd have a much better bag , my .02 ;)

[@Mrbugoutbag]

Thanks

[@johnkato4138]

I have had this pack for about 10 months. I will use it as my bob. I will not fully load this bag up. I will put more bulky stuff than I would with a more normal bob. Stuff like a sleeping bag and a sleeping pad. Weeks worth of clothes. And the stuff I would use in my regular bob.

[@lokukinacherokee9594]

Its perfect for me, I need to find one.

[@Hellwolf501]

Can you remove the pack and keep the frame with lashing system to haul large game meat or something?

[@WanderingBeast]

how many Cu.In do you need, and what is the weight your packing?

[@LaRemnant]

I forgot to ask, where did you get the multicam rain pack cover? I think Bushcraft USA used to sell them but can't find them. They're selling a multicam tarp as well, but it's EXPENSIVE! :o/

[@WanderingBeast]

great pack

[@elevenbravodotnetonyoutube]

I only rock it with USGI rucks... but I like your dog so I subbed! HA HA!

[@WanderingBeast]

@megalizardfreak yes

[@ppspsd]

Now that's a beast of a pack ! Sorry brother had to go there !

[@guggiuggi3687]

This bag is for military personnel. For the happy camper/bushcraft aficionados out there IMHO you're always going to be better off with something that got only one big compartment, e.g. the Xtremer rucksacks from Ortlieb, and then couple that with a small hip bag or haversack. All these outside pockets will just give you greif in the long run. Another good, cheaper option would be to get a miltec ranger bag and cut the side pockets off yourself. And of course, shock cord is your friend.

[@qball11b]

do they still make this ruck? im running a Tasmanian tiger range pack but i want something like this for longer FTXs

[@MrRocque]

Allow me to fill in some blanks. The outer shell is 1000 Denier nylon (same as Maxpedition and you don't seem to complain about it in your many reviews of their stuff). The size specs are: inner main comp. 23”x10”x14”, top-front pocket 9”x6.5”x3”, side pockets 16”x5.5”x5” and 8.75”x4.25”x2.75”. Volume is: main: 3220 cu. in./53L, total: 6000 cu. in./95L. The pack ALONE is $280 NEW, $384 w/ frame/straps/belt.(quoted from Blackhawk's site) That's about avg. for >70L packs of the same material.

[@BrodyToYou]

Beast, how far do you think until we will have to be in a real " bug out" situation?

[@justmoseying]

Have a look at the Camelbak BFM. Plenty of room with good access.

[@LaRemnant]

How did you attach the NICE frame? :)

[@mrslowmo1569]

hey man great vid i am trying to get a great bug out bag first of all does this have any good back support you wouldn't want your back going out from a bag with no support especially with 50-60 pounds and a 6000 cubic inch bag. second if u want to make it easy on yourself there should be a couple of mulle straps that u can attach 1-2 canteen holder pouches(sorry don't know what they are called exactly) i mean it would be easier and i mean u need water to survive right(p.s great vid man amazing quality and don't know whats up with Maxwell your dog but glads he is OK)

[@jwgbmp40]

nice pack, reminds me of a usmc mtn. ruck.

[@WanderingBeast]

@bibleprophecy1st agreed, I am still looking for a better pack , probably the NICE 6500

[@WanderingBeast]

no list, I will have a new vid on my BOB this fall

[@thebeatles334]

where you bought that rucksack, I want to buy one

[@canesser1]

@Bornwithnofear Good eye man! That was definitely some venison on the hoof. Surprised the dog didn't go after it. Maybe didn't see it.

[@Mrbugoutbag]

Can you show how you attached the nice frame

[@USMCMARINECORPS45]

Is their a pouch i could fit the G.I. canteen on a utility belt?

[@Cameroon110]

cool

[@BayAreaHiker]

@BayAreaHiker $ My bad...how long of trips have you done..?

[@TheVeisonchen]

hey bud ! i was wondering if i can made this out of a back pack :D

[@snowwalker1959]

did you get the deer that was at 00:25 - 00:26, ran across your screen.

[@trooper2221]

Good vid, i have the ILBE RUCK, like yours though.

[@ethanmack5371]

I like the pack but would go with somthing smaller.

[@nathanlief]

What tent was that? could you put it in your description?

[@DL9619]

how much if you dont mind me asking!? keep on making the best bug out vids

[@nycbike73]

Nice pack. Mind if I ask what it cost you?

[@kennethspriggs3441]

OK I did were is this place what state is this

[@vwertigo]

Question is are you ok? The head drop thing? Really? GFY ,gurggler.