Thanks Thomas

@@CottonBud 👍

Thanks Chris and Sam - still not quite right but getting there slowly! Hope all is good. 👍

Cheers Des - and thanks for the sound advice! Your stove is still getting plenty of use too sir 👍

​@@CottonBudsuperb sir 👍 glad it's getting the use and you're on the mend Thank you

Thanks Jonathan - may well return there for an overnighter! 👍

@@CottonBud I can just imagine the sunset from that location, a great photo opp. I read your blog and the bike incident. That must have been quite a shock, really horrible. Glad you got away with nothing worse. The frustration with the slow healing is something I can relate to. It’s hard to accept it when the body doesn’t just get on with it already. Anyway sending you healing vibes and a good weekend!

Appreciate you taking the time to read the blog sir, and appreciate all the best wishes I can get 😅. I’ll be back out camping with a wheelbarrow if necessary. But things are infinitely better now than a few weeks back. Don’t think I’ll be trying any push ups for a while though 😬. Happy Easter to you and the fam too matey!

Cheers Dave - you too 👍

Thank you! 👍

Thank you! I'm still very happy with it, I'm glad you are too. Cheers from The UK! 👍

Thanks Mark. Not so much challenging perhaps as just irritating! I had so many plans. But they just have to wait a bit eh? Cheers for dropping by. Rich 👍

Feels like I’m on the mend slowly but surely thanks Tim. Cheers for watching matey 👍 Rich

Thanks Gaz - a bit out of the loop with both making and watching outdoors vids recently but looking forward to catching up with yours. My little health setback is nothing compared to yours last year mate - fair play to you getting back out there. All the best. 👍 Rich

Cheers Mark - yeah I can see how it gives so much more freedom of movement in a tactical situation, plusit's nice not to get a sweaty back! And yep, even when I'm recovered I still think this will be a nice extra string to the bow on day hikes/camps etc. Thanks for watching Mr J, I hope spring is working some of its magic on you! Rich 👍

@@CottonBud A pleasure Rich. Yeah, good point about breathability and additional bow. You've got me thinking. Spring is going well - I'm overcoming my long injury and things are hopeful.

Thank you sir! I hope so too. I like those SERE pouches so much I'm tempted to get another 3 😅 - two more in the same olive to keep on the Foxtrot and then another like you say to have as a great little essentials pouch when swanning about in Speedos and flip flops in summer! A vaguely manly man bag. They aren't cheap though eh? So it may be a while... appreciate the time to watch and comment! Cheers. Rich 👍

Not if I see you first! Thanks Smokes. 👍

@@CottonBud True 😃

Much appreciated - I'll try! 👍

I must admit I find these particular bottles fit easily and perfectly - I never use more than a litre of water on a day camp myself.

​@@CottonBud i was thinking less chance of losing them and if it was like the condor style you can fit more then just a water bottle just think it would be a better.more room inside and extra pocket pocket. Or even the helikon style bottle pouch if i buy one im going to sew them on either one.

Yes this is true - they are a bit useless for much else! Be good if they made a Mk3 which was a bit more ‘modular’ perhaps?

The Foxtrot can certainly be used without the harness if you are careful not to overload. I don't find it practical round the front though, especially when going uphill or over a fence etc - your thighs bash into it. As for pairing it with the H-T Bergen, some folks seem to do this very successfully (www.youtube.com/@descattysBushcraftbydescattys for instance) but when I tried it didn't really work for me - which is a shame! But then in that case, I'd probably just use a bigger pack. Cheers for the watch and comment! 👍

Haha well deduced - no egg was wasted! I was actually using the DD Action Pack myself before I took the plunge with this, it’s a nice sturdy pack that sort of plugs the gap between a standard small bum bag and a full in belt rig like this. Thanks for watching! 👍

@@CottonBud 👍

Thank you Mr Eff! I’ve noticed that a lot of my favourite channels have gone quiet too. I wonder if KZfaq really does punish the folk who just do what they do without aspirations of world domination by not suggesting their vids, and they end up getting despondent at increasingly lower views, which is a shame but understandable. Mountain bike spill sounds nasty - I think I got off quite lightly by comparison. And on a selfish note, thanks for the patch purchase - I just nipped it into the post in the village and rain forced me to take shelter over a pint. I owe you one! 😅👍

@@CottonBud ah! you caught the patch purchase. i thought my cleverly disguised monikers would let me sneak that by. recently purchased and have fallen dramatically for a new anorak from Varusteleka. it has a great honking patch patch on the left arm that i'd either have to risk removing or say sod it and make use of the damn thing. so a few patches from my fav 'tubers seemed the way to go. yours is the first. 👍 happy healing, i hope it all turns out well. mine didn't but it's functional (for the most part) so one rocks on doesn't one? looking forward to your next outing. ✌🖖

just received the patch Rich, ty. 👍

@@teeeff5179 excellent - not too bad considering the Easter break I suppose! Thanks again sir 👍

Oh no - that’s good to know, thanks. But sorry for the damage to some of your lovely kit! I’ve literally just bought a G1000 Fjallraven shirt too, not worn it yet… I try and make it so that I’m not bearing much weight at all on the straps, for the reasons of my injury, and just pull the hip adjusters nice and tight. Straps are just there as backup, and I’ll probably ditch them once I’m not so reliant on this pack for everything and it can carry more sensible loads. Especially now after hearing of your experience! 😬

Bandanko, after your comment about the damaging straps I'm paranoid to wear this now 😅. Would you mind telling me at what point on your body the straps wore the cloth away? Was it right on the apex of your shoulders? I'm wondering whether to try and rig up a bit of padding... I've just bought a couple of expensive Fjallraven shirts for the woods and I'll be gutted if I ruin them!

Bio-Ethanol and Speedster

That's very kind of you but I'm afraid I only review things I've bought myself and used for a while. 👍