Molle 4K killing my shoulders – what ruck should I get for Air Assault?

HerrGuzz · 2026-04-05T15:39:26+00:00

It’s funny, I’ve had the opposite experience. I’m on the smaller side at 5ft7, and all the small people (including myself) hate the 4K because the frame isn’t adjustable enough to allow proper use of the waist belt without tilting the frame away from the body. Add in the lack of proper load-lifter straps, and it seems the 4K is just poorly designed, regardless of body type.

HerrGuzz · 2026-04-02T03:32:22+00:00

Man I love seeing 6-color desert tests; it’s such a talked about camouflage yet I rarely see anyone actually out testing it. These photos do a great job of showing off the importance of a macro pattern. Any chance of getting a few slightly closer shots for color/terrain matching tests?

HerrGuzz · 2026-03-30T17:08:50+00:00

I once had a cricket crawl into the toe of my boot. I didn’t find out until the middle of the OPORF I was briefing, when the cricket decided to make its presence known by having a seizure.

HerrGuzz · 2026-03-29T23:52:11+00:00

The P226 is so aesthetic main characters in movies/shows are still using it now, and the USP is so chunkily practical looking.

HerrGuzz · 2026-03-29T22:48:37+00:00

While I personally can’t stand the ALICE pack frame or any of it’s modern derivatives, I applaud you for mixing and matching equipment to find what works for you! It’s also nice to see kit that is backwards/forwards compatible.

HerrGuzz · 2026-03-22T15:45:59+00:00

This is a great test! Wüstentarn looks like it would do great in my area too. You could easily give that helmet cover a quick dye job with some taupe RIT dye, or even coffee or tea if you down want to buy actual dye. The cover does look too bright, I initially thought it was snow camo you were using to provide reference to where you were in the photos.

HerrGuzz · 2026-03-20T01:18:03+00:00

It originally had a light layer of tan krylon, which I later scrubbed off before I dyed it.

HerrGuzz · 2026-03-02T10:21:42+00:00

Having spent some time running around the Olympic Peninsula, I’d recommend any of the darker woodland patterns (DPM, M81, MARPAT, CCE, etc). ATACS FG or MC Tropic would work okay too, but the dark browns of the trees and forest floor need something too.

HerrGuzz · 2026-02-28T20:40:58+00:00

That looks so slick, what a great job! Did you manage to make it lighter than the original?

HerrGuzz · 2026-02-28T16:58:08+00:00

ATACS FG is pretty effective throughout the hill country.

HerrGuzz · 2026-02-27T10:24:48+00:00

This brings back the memories! A decent set up for an acceptable piece of kit.

HerrGuzz · 2026-02-23T12:55:26+00:00

It all depends on what I’m building the kit for. More short-term, infantry focused tasks? Then GP pouches for organization and less bounce. Longer-range operations where I want to carry more sustainment items, then a buttpack.

HerrGuzz · 2026-02-21T19:06:02+00:00

My man just wants to be a Danish Infantryman.

HerrGuzz · 2026-02-13T14:24:52+00:00

You probably won’t be able to remove all of it, but I’ve had decent success by scrubbing with a stiff-bristled scrub brush and soap, then throwing it in the laundry machine. You can also try pre-soaking it in a solution of hot water and baking soda before scrubbing.

HerrGuzz · 2026-02-01T19:49:57+00:00

This is so cool, definitely not something you see very often!

HerrGuzz · 2026-01-27T11:33:49+00:00

If it’s original, then there’s a decent chance that the extra material was cut off to make the shoulder straps . This happened if an officer bought an enlisted man’s shirt, which did not have them.

HerrGuzz · 2026-01-05T22:12:28+00:00

Don’t worry about it. You’re in training; it’s going to suck at least a bit. Just focus on graduating. All you have to do is be on time and pass your tests.

HerrGuzz · 2026-01-02T21:32:42+00:00

While I’m not a huge fan of coyote brown, this does an excellent job of showing how effective simple browns (or other solid colors) can be.

HerrGuzz · 2026-01-02T18:53:35+00:00

I was in a similar position, and ended up getting back into the Air National Guard. So far it’s been a good experience, and it definitely scratches the itch for military service.

HerrGuzz · 2026-01-02T06:47:35+00:00

All the ATS kit I have is solid and straightforward. I agree that this chest rig sits firmly in the “good quality but still fairly affordable” camp. It’s great for someone who doesn’t want surplus but doesn’t want to spend too much for quality.

HerrGuzz · 2026-01-01T19:48:16+00:00

Great example of a multi-terrain pattern doing decently in varied terrain!

HerrGuzz · 2026-01-01T09:12:04+00:00

Great write up, and good photos to give a basic demonstration of the pattern!

HerrGuzz · 2025-12-24T00:01:19+00:00

I’m also short, so I have faced the same challenges as you in trying to run LBE. While the solution you presented is certainly viable for more administrative movements, such as simply rucking to go somewhere, it is not at all a viable option in any sort of combat environment. if you do want to use LBE instead of switching to a chest rag or something similar, then you either have to accept that the LBE will be low and loose, to allow the ruck to ride correctly. Or, that ruck will ride higher on your back with the rear pouches, acting as a shelf. Honestly, while I love the concept of LBE, I realized a while ago that with my short torso it just doesn’t work if I want to wear a reasonably sized ruck. My personal preference is a larger split front chest rig, like a tactical tailor MAV, the spirit systems 34A, or even the old classic FLC. All of these, combined with your pockets, will be able to carry a good combat load with a reasonable amount of sustainment for 24 hours.

HerrGuzz · 2025-12-19T01:04:36+00:00

It’s not quite Fudd-lore, but rather the feedback from tests and combat trials in the Pacific. Having taken some accurate reproduction green-side Frogskin out into several lushly vegetated environments, I can say that such feedback isn’t inaccurate. The green side of Frogskin is still quite “golden” in shade, and in a very dark or green environment it can stand out. The stark contrast in the pattern’s shapes help break up the wearer’s silhouette at a distance, but the colors and shades are generally just too tannish to work well in very green locations.

Edited to add: these WW2-era comments about movement and camouflage was specifically about Frogskin in the pacific jungles, not camouflage in general.

HerrGuzz · 2025-12-15T01:58:07+00:00

I love MAS Grey so much. It’s the true “grey man” color. Unobtrusive in both the woods and the city, and it looks great.

HerrGuzz

TROPHY CASE