When we tested the Camelbak Mil Tac HAWG last fall, I gave it a very positive review. In fact, the HAWG won our Molle Daypack Death Match versus the popular 5.11 RUSH 12 due to its straight-forward design, superior fit, and increased carry capacity.
I’ve continued to use the Mil Tac HAWG in a daypack role since then and many of the features that I liked last November have held up over extended use. In my opinion, the size and weight of this pack is perfect for a small EDC bag. Not too big where you can’t sling it over one shoulder but still large enough to carry an extra layer or items you collect along the way. On days when I don’t stuff the HAWG to capacity, having upper and lower compression straps on a pack this size is great. Overall, it’s a simple but very versatile design.
With that said, I stopped using the HAWG early this year and nearly sold it. Why? At the end of my review last November, I mentioned that the pack’s tendency to fold in on itself when empty. Well, what I thought was a minor design quirk at that time ended up driving me absolutely nuts over the long-term. I guess I didn’t wear the pack enough with a light load-out prior to writing the review because it really did not carry well when I opted to leave the Antidote Reservoir at home and only partially loaded the main compartment. It also would not stand upright when set on the ground, which is a major pet peeve of mine. Essentially the HAWG had a chronic case of Scoliosis. Not good.
You don’t see pictures like this on Camelbak’s website
The front view which shows how the channel, which is meant to provide ventilation, actually provides a large crease which causes the pack to fold in half when not filled to capacity…
Given it’s other appealing features, I wasn’t willing to just give up on the HAWG so I started looking for a third-party frame sheet that I could add to the mix that would give the pack some structure. The problem was manufacturers generally don’t include frame sheets with smaller packs and therefore finding one as an accessory available for purchase was a tall order. I was resigned that I would have to make my own when I stumbled upon the PIG gRUNT large frame sheet sold by SKD Tactical.
Camelbak Mil TAC HAWG and PIG gRUNT Large Frame Sheet
The PIG gRUNT is sold in two sizes and the large model ended up being the perfect size for most of the small daypacks in my collection including the Mil TAC HAWG. It fits perfectly in the HAWG’s hydration compartment behind the back panel.
As frame sheets go, the PIG gRUNT is pretty flexible, so I was concerned that it wasn’t going to be stiff enough to do the job. However, it ended up providing just enough rigidity to straighten out the HAWG’s bent spine.
The Mil TAC HAWG with the PIG gRUNT inserted
The pack also sits more upright when laid on the ground.
With the addition of the PIG gRUNT, I’m loving the Mil TAC HAWG again. It carries better now. I wish Camelbak had recognized the flaw in their new design and included a frame sheet with the pack or at least offered it as an accessory. Hopefully they will change the back panel design or add more structure in the next version.
The PIG gRUNT is available here and retails for $20 plus shipping. It also fits in other smaller packs I’ve reviewed that lack frame sheets like the Grey Ghost Gear Stealth Operator and MSM Adapt Pack. It also fits in the GoRuck Bullet Ruck 10L. Like I said, I wish it were a bit more rigid and there are open slots at the bottom of the frame sheet sleeve so I might experiment around with adding metal or carbon fiber rods to the mix. If I do, I will share that in a future post. Stay tuned.
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Note from the Editor: Our Gear Revisited series is something I’d like to think sets us apart from many other review sites. If we like a piece of gear, we don’t write a review and move on. After the first write-up, we’ll continue to use it to see whether our first impressions are lasting ones. Like you, sometimes we fall victim to “shiny new thing” syndrome. After the novelty wears off, do we keep coming back to a piece of kit or does it end up in a drawer or in the back of a closet? Does it hold up over extended use? Are certain features useful or do they end up being “nice to haves”? Or in the case of the HAWG, do minor flaws turn into major problems over time. These are the types of questions we hope to answer with Gear Revisited.
Blaine Ballard
Founder/Chief Editor
Loadedpocketz.com
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