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Ribz Front Pack

The Ribz vest can help hikers, kayakers, bikers, and backpackers distribute gear evenly along un-used portions of the body where you can reach it!
Photos and text by Joe Flowers.
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  • The Ribz Front Pack (a.k.a. a vest) comes in two sizes, ultralight (11 oz., top) and regular (13 oz., bottom).
  • It made easy access of maps, lighters, gps, cell phones, first aid kits, cameras and...flasks. You won't have to stop to fish items out of your pack, and I personally enjoyed having free pockets without items banging on the sides of my hips.
  • The small Ribz Vest did not detract from a normal backpack setup and did not get in the way of shoulder or even bulkier hip straps during a hike in Mt. Rogers State Park, VA.
  • With Almonds, GPS, a lighter, and a whistle, I felt more confident when I dropped the pack to explore a trail off shoot or a possible water source with the Ribz holding important items tight to my body.
  • These things can hold a lot of stuff! All of this gear fit on one side of the smaller Ribz vest (400+ cu. inches). It is no wonder why this pack is a hit among Search and Rescue operators and fishermen.
  • This is the small Ribz vest with all the gear pictured before, stored on one side. The pack didn't protrude, nor was it excessively bulky during a hike.
  • Both Ribz vests are fully adjustable, and I found myself making it loose during general hiking, but snugged it up when I was acting like a spider monkey jumping up crags.
  • The inner zippers are compartmentalized so you won't have a pile of stuff at the bottom of the pouch. On one side of each vest there is a smaller zippered pocket. Each vest is constructed of ripstop nylon and is lightweight and pliable.
  • <b>The Specs:</b><br> Ultralight<Br>$64.95<br> 11 oz. <br><Br> Regular<br> $64.95<br> 13 oz.<br>www.ribzwear.com
>
»
The small Ribz Vest did not detract from a normal backpack setup and did not get in the way of shoulder or even bulkier hip straps during a hike in Mt. Rogers State Park, VA.
Image 3 of 9

The small Ribz Vest did not detract from a normal backpack setup and did not get in the way of shoulder or even bulkier hip straps during a hike in Mt. Rogers State Park, VA.

READERS COMMENTS

Page 1

I used a Jansport waist-pack in addition to my older - now retired - Chouinard backpack for a multi-day trip. The two side mesh pockets and two zippered compartments were easily accessible and very handy. It was an excellent working solution. The only drawbacks were (1) an extra step for loading/unloading the packs, and (2) adjusting the waist-pack buckle so it's out of the way of the backpack's belt.
— A.K.


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