Military Surplus Patrol VS Assault Pack
Kevin Felts 08.07.17
Two of the better military surplus packs on Ebay, as of when this article was wrote, are the patrol pack and three day assault pack. Both are available in by various sellers through auction or buy it now. The packs are available in various conditions from acceptable to excellent.
The three day assault packs are mostly available in ACU camouflage, while the patrol pack is available in woodland camo. There are some assault packs available in woodland camo, but they are rare and demand a higher price than the ACU version.
Prices as of August 7, 2017:
Assault packs are selling for around $29 and up, depending on condition. I paid $41.97 + US $10.95 shipping for one in good condition.
Patrol packs are selling for around $29 and up. I paid $29.95 with free shipping for one in excellent condition.
Capacity
Assault pack – 2,350 cubic inches, includes all external pockets. Main compartment is an estimated 1,525 cubic inches.
Patrol pack – About 1,500 cubic inches. Has one large compartment and one small outer pouch, for a total of two compartments.
Now for the video.
One of the main differences between the patrol pack and the thee day assault pack, besides size, the assault pack has a zipper on the outer pouch and the patrol pack has a drawstring,
The assault pack has openings at the top of the pack for a water bladder tube, while the patrol pack does not.
Shoulder straps
One of the main differences between the two packs are the shoulder straps.
Patrol pack does not have webbing on the shoulder strap, while the assault pack does. This means no pouches can be attached to the straps of the patrol pack.
Patrol pack, the top section of the shoulder straps are attached to a metal ring and can be replaced. The bottom portion of the strap is sewn into the pack.
Assault pack, the top section of the shoulder straps are sewn into the pack and can not be replaced, while the bottom portion of the strap can be replaced.
Assault pack shoulder straps measure three inches wide.
Patrol pack shoulder straps measure two and a quarter inches wide.
While the patrol pack straps are 3/4 inches less wide than the assault pack, the patrol pack has more padding. The assault pack shoulder straps measure about 3/16 inches thick, the patrol pack straps measure around 1/2 inch thick.
Webbing
Both packs have webbing on the bottom of the pack.
Both have webbing just above the outer pouch.
The assault pack has built in straps at the top of the pack, the patrol pack does not.
Both packs have an equal amount of webbing on the sides.
The assault pack has side compression straps; the patrol pack does not have compression straps..
Final Thoughts
If I were going on a short hiking trip that lasted a couple of hours, it would be the patrol pack.
If I were going on an all day hiking trip, or even a warm weather overnight camping trip, it would be the three day assault pack.
I wish the assault pack was more popular in woodland camo.
Overall, I look forward to using both packs equally.
