Askare hip pack

”Askare” is Finnish for ”task” of ”chore”, simple as that. This pack was originally designed for sniper teams to carry various shooter/spotter related equipment but has during its development been found to be a great asset for all sorts of tasks both within and beyond its military origins. The large seven litre capacity plus numerous external attachment options make this a very versatile general purpose bag.

Internally the bag features a number of options for organizing your gear: elastic webbing loops of various size, flat compartments, tie-down loops and a loop surface for attaching hook-backed organizers.

The rear wall has two rows of 50 mm elastic webbing sewn onto it, forming loops of various size. The lower row is sewn into two large, ca. 17 cm wide, loops (designed for .50 cal Barrett magazines). The upper row is sewn into three smaller, ca. 12 cm wide, loops (designed for HK417 magazines). Each end of the bag has one elastic loop for smaller items.

The front wall has two flat compartments, with tie-down loops on top. A 35 x 10 cm loop surface on the inside of the front all allows you attachment of all sorts of hook-backed organizers etc.

A large, open-ended flat compartment on the back of the pack has a removable closed cell foam pad inside and allows you to stow the waist strap away if needed. This open-ended compartment can also be used as a huge belt loop if you want to carry the Askare on a belt or the hip belt of a backpack.

PALS webbing on the sides allows you to attach small pouches and accessories to the outside of the pack. The horizontal webbing on the front of the pack can be used to attach small pouches such as our Multitool pouch, Tourniquet pouch and Zipped GP pouch 2x2, or elastic cord loops. The numerous webbing loops around the sides of the pack can be used to attach elastic cord to carry all kinds of gear on the bottom and front of the bag, tourniquets, ponchos, tarps, whatever.

Carry options

Due to the large size the Askare carries best on your lower back, just twist it to your front for easy access. The belt is also long enough to carry the bag like a sling pack on your back. The belt is attached to large triangular wings for stability.

For longer movements with a backpack, you can quick-attach the Askare to your backpack side compression straps. To do this you will need to add four suitable buckles (2M WB SR PALS mount or split-bar female buckles) or use G-hooks. No quick-attachment buckles are included with the bag. You can also quick-attach the Askare to the side of your pack by simply looping the packs side compression straps through the large webbing loops on the front of the bag.

The belt can be stoved away inside the open-ended compartment on the body side of the bag when carried on your pack. Drop your pack, unclip the Askare, dig out the belt, don the ready packed bag and you’re ready for work.