Maxpedition Remora Gearslinger improvements and customizing

About 4 years ago I purchased the Remora Gearslinger as a small back pack for afternoon forest walks and cycling to work. 
Despite wanting a small pack, I found very quickly its limitation as to what you could carry in it. The overall look and construction were perfect for me and I decided to customize it to fit my needs. 

An Anemone pouch and a hook and loop 3x5" zipper pockets were added for small stuff  
as well as two RollyPolly dump pouch, one mini to hold a water bottle and a mega one to hold rain gear. 
The RollyPolly where a great addition as once folded they did not add to much bulk to this small pack, but once deployed, they would add another 600 cu.inch  carry capacity to it. 

It was discovered that having tow dump pouch loaded on the side of the bag only secured at the top by a couple of  Tac Tie (or similar) 
did create some movement and imbalance during riding or walking. 
It was necessary to secure both loads. Firstly, I used some paracord which was secured on the PALS webbing but a strap on each side would be a more effective way of securing both load ! 
Milspecmonkey brought me the solution with their 1" QASM (Quick Attach Surface Mount Buckle). 
I purchased some foliage green 1" webbing and made some straps, 
the clip from the RollyPoly were use to secure the fixed side of the strap to the D ring webbing (see photo).. 

My second main alteration was the transferal of the 2" quick release buckle from the back to the front.  I never felt happy to have a release buckle on my back out of my sight. Surplus 2" webbing was used from the belt with the attachment clip. The extra length of belt attached to the Remora do not prevent the folding of it under its flap for a conversion to a grab bag. 
Velcro/hook and loop was added to cover the stitching and to add places to attach a small patch.

After the purchase of a Maxpedition Noatak, I realized how useful that sternum strap was; useful not only for stabilizing once on your back but also for mounting your pack, no more getting your head through a loop, all you need to do is leave the sternum strap connected, throw your pack on your shoulder and let the inertia rotate it for you to grab the 2" strap. See the small Video 

Some will say that the money used on the different pouches could have been used towards the purchase of a bigger pack, 
but for me this new "expendable Remora with the sternum strap" fits my needs a lot better.

More photos to show the alterations

Copyrights 27/01/2013
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