WARRIOR REVIEW: Silangan Predator

THIS IS THE FIRST TRI-ZIP BAG made by a local manufacturer. Silangan Outdoor Equipment, makers of high-quality but very affordable locally-made tents like the Rev 20, the Rev 20 + II, the Eis 8 and the Amiel 5; released its beta batch of this type of bag in the middle of 2014. There is the Kimbara, made for the mainstream crowd, and there is the Predator, a bag that was designed for unconventional outdoorsmen.

 

Both designs has a capacity of 27 liters, incorporating a triple zipper system for easy packing and access. The Predator comes in earth-toned colors of black, mocha and forest green and is made of synthetic canvass material. What makes it different from the Kimbara is it has MOLLE webbing bar-tacked from the sides to the front, the bottom, and tight webbing loops on the top, which all gave you more options to carry bulkier gear outside.

(MOLLE is short for Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment.)

I happen to possess a Predator for testing, for extreme usage and to find ways to improving its function and look. Mine was bigger – at 32 liters – and I named it as the Predator Z, because it is the only one of its kind and it is for experimentation and abuse. For its size and built, it is very light, tipping the scale at around 650-700 grams. The Predator Z would be exposed to real environment that I am engaged in for years: bushcraft and explorations.

The Predator Z has an external pocket located at its top cover, an external sleeve to accommodate a water bladder, and another external pocket on the bottom to house a rain cover. Internal pockets are two small ones found behind the front; two long ones on each side; a big slip-on behind the back to accommodate an internal frame system or a plastic envelope; and a smaller slip-on, half of the former’s size, for charts and smaller items. 

The shoulder straps are padded, as well as the back of the Predator Z. What it lacked is a padded waist belt, although a one-inch webbing with a PVC skeleton lock took its place. This can be folded and kept inside two small side pockets. The MOLLE webbing crossing the bag surfaces are 0.75 inch wide each. There are five sets of these on the front, two webbing on the bottom and a set of four loops on the top. There are also webbing inside the bag.

Two zippers are enough to open the Predator Z but, accessing things found inside the bottom, you just zip open the third one. This third zipper is secured by two compression belts, which prevent its accidental opening. These three zippers are heavy-duty products made by YKK®. There is a laundry web loop found in between the shoulder straps and another one on the front bottom. In other words, my Predator Z is perfect. Almost.

For a dayhike, the Predator Z is just too big. It could be just about right if yours is 27 liters but mine is 32 liters. The big room tend to cause the top cover to collapse inward and downward since there is no bulk to support it, not a pleasant sight to look at. It may be different in a 27-liter bag since it is narrower and all spaces are filled up or mighty close to it. With a bigger bag with a wider space, tapering the upper part might just prevent this condition to occur.

I brought the Predator Z during my exploration of routes for the Cebu Highlands Trail Project. For one three-day exploration hike, the 32-liter capacity is inadequate but I was able to compensate its lack of space by using the design provided by the MOLLE webbing to attach, all at the same time, external cargo like an IFAK, a survival kit and a pair of sandals. The weight it carried that time were between 15 to 18 kilos.

On that particular extreme activity, the basic waist belt and one of the compression webs came loose from their seams. The shoulder straps worked according to function. The pace was torrid with the last day all downhill. Normally, you would begin to feel the pain on the third day when the shoulder straps would dig in to the tender flesh of your shoulders. I did not feel pain but, I suspect, it could go worse if extended to five days.

Might be because the shoulder pads are generously padded but, remember, I do not have the support of the waist belt when one end came unattached on the second day. Even when it was not damaged, the puny construction of the belt and the lock would not hold the weight of the bag. Generally, my shoulders were carrying the weight the whole time instead of distributing some of it to the waist like all backpacks do.

I was able to improve the Predator Z by replacing the waist belt with one that is two inches wide and, of course, it comes with a bigger lock. I was able to sort out the weight distribution this time as the wider belt tend to be more workable. I had the wide webbing sewn in uninterrupted through the part where it passes through to the other side. It was not cut into two parts but one continuous belt that could hold any weight.

I used this set-up on another two-day exploration hike carrying about 13 to 15 kilos of weight. A survival kit, an IFAK and a pair of sandals were attached externally. It was a better hike than the previous time when the Predator Z was a raw product. I preferred the Predator Z over another brand in overnight activities and on three-day bushcraft trainings which entail travel. What I cannot place inside, I just attached it outside like a Therm-a-Rest sleeping pad.

The Silangan Predator should have an adjustable two-inch wide waist belt that is not cut into two parts but one continuous length which are connected together by a better PVC lock. The ends holding the two compression webbing that are attached to the seams should be folded double before stitching it to the bag to prevent it from being forcefully detached. The folded ends act as anchors during the pressures of forced compressions.

By the better design of the Predator to carry more items, I recommend that accessory external pouches, external compression belts, elastic cords, rain cover, shoulder attachments for knife or radio and an internal frame system should be manufactured and sold separately. This is to build around it an improved Predator bag system, much like customizing it to the tastes of the customer. To improve its aesthetic value, attach more velcro tapes on the upper part of the Predator.

Presently, Silangan Outdoor Equipment is now focusing on the Kimbara. It is a much sought-after bag by hikers and campers. The Predator production is through personal requests and orders only. Members of the Camp Red Bushcraft and Survival Guild preferred this backpack over the other as it is very flexible to use and the colors are much to their liking.

Silangan Outdoor Equipment is an independent manufacturer built around 100 percent Filipino capital with office address at Green Meadows Subdivision, Tabunok, City of Talisay, Cebu, Philippines. Their products are all made in Cebu using local labor. You may call or send an SMS to Mr. Jay Serviano at 977-216-6606 for orders and inquiries. You may also contact them on their page in Facebook.

All their products are tested in different locations, environments and activities. They accept suggestions and improvements and also accepts product customization according to the needs of the customer. They are also into production of outdoor apparels, sleeping bags, hammocks, dry bags, purses, pouches, digital printing and corporate giveaways.

Document done in LibreOffice 5.3 Writer