Hill People Gear Kit Bag Review and Loadout

Chest packs have become a hot topic of discussion in the bushcraft community. Most notably the Hill People Gear Kitbag. I have carried this Kitbag on trips to the woods and/or fishing at least once a week for the last 6 months. In that time my gear loadout has evolved to a point that for day trips to the woods the Kitbag has replaced the need for larger packs. I do keep it pretty full, however it has remained comfortable and unobtrusive. I usually wear a USGI pistol belt with a couple canteens to hold water and if I want to bring an axe or other large chopper I find I can hang it from the belt and not really notice it. 

Here is my review and current loadout that meets all of my needs.
This is the HPG Original Kitbag. 
Weight: 1.00 lb
Length: 2.00 in
Width: 11.50 in
Height: 7.50 in
Dimensional Volume: 172.50 in3

I shot a video when in the woods this past weekend and it didn't turn out very good so I re-shot it in my shop so you can hear me better. I was hesitant to do a video at all, I am not good at talking to a camera but sometimes a video is better than pictures.

 

The original kitbag has 3 zipper pockets. I will go through the contents of each and how my gear selection has evolved to fit all my needs in this one bag. The only modification I have made to the bag (not much of a mod really) was the addition of a handle. The bag doesn’t have a good way of just picking it up. You can grab it by the straps but that just felt awkward to me. I made a simple handle by braiding the outer sheath of some paracord and attaching it to the GrimLoks. This makes a convenient carry handle.


I keep the front compartment pretty empty because I often will put my wallet and car keys in there when I head out. All I have in there at the moment is an emergency whistle, a lighter, a NiteIze clip light a pencil and one of Mr. Blacks Tacboards (made from a piece of venetian blind). 

The middle pocket is where all the good stuff is. Here is a picture of the pack just as it opens and then with the gear spread out, followed by a list of the kit components.


Kit Components
Shelter: I used to carry a Bushcraft Outfitters Multi-Cam G2 MEST as my primary shelter option. That tarp is really too bulky to go in this kit so I had to find an alternative. I was going to get a UL MEST but they were not in stock. J-Loden pointed me towards the Go-Lite Poncho Tarp. It doubles as rain gear and shelter. This is another great piece of kit that I plan to review soon. In addition to the poncho tarp I also have two mylar emergency blankets. 
Water: Lifestraw filter, an aqua-pouch and some purification tablets. 
Cordage: A hank of bank line and a couple large hanks of Nano-cord.
Fire: Large ferro-rod, Trioxine fuel tablet and a tin of petroleum jelly/cotton balls.
Misc: Small first-aid kit, Small field repair kit, DC-4 sharpener, Lucky 1-2 map case, rite in rain journal, Silky Saw and a heavily oiled scrap of leather for fire prep and other misc purposes.

The pocket closest to my body is where my sidearm rides. I carry a Glock 26 in a MIC Holster connected to the internal loop. I also keep a spare magazine in this pocket.


All in all this has been a great piece of kit. It has become one of my favorite bushcraft purchases.

Thanks for looking,
Lerch