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
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