US Army CFP-90 Review

"I used this pack back in the early 90's in the airborne. I got more use out of the large ALICE pack, but this one is nice. Fifteen years later, I will be using this pack at Philmont Scout Ranch as a scout adult leader. My son will either use my old Large ALICE or my MOLLE pack. I iwll turn in the results after this summer adventure. I do like this pack though."

"The CFP-90 or Combat Field Pack, is an internal frame, top-loading pack issued to some US Armed Forces in the 1990's. The pack used existing technology to make up for the deficiencies of the ALICE pack, including flexible aluminum stays and adjustable yoke. It was considered for issue to all troops, but could not carry the very bulky Arctic gear required for the worldwide deployability requirement of one pack for everybody.

The CFP-90 is well thought out with a main compartment for personal gear; an internal pocket for a radio or flexible hydration system; holes for antennae or water tubes; a zippered lower compartment for sleeping gear; three outer pockets with tunnels for carrying a machete; web bars to attached specialty equimpent; and a combat or day pack which can be attached to the top of the CFP. This smaller pack was designed to carry part of a Soldiers fighting load.

I have carried a CFP-90 for about 10 years, including six months in Afghanistan. It must be a pretty good pack because other Soldiers keep trying to steal it from me. It carried more than I could so I had to be careful not to overload it. It carried 60 to 70 pounds of gear somewhat comfortably, comfort being relative because I had 30 pounds of other stuff like a rifle, body armor and helmet. The important stuff, trauma kit and ammo, went outside where anyone could get to it.

The pack held up pretty well. The 1000 denier nylon is scuffed and I had to re-sew a coule of seams after taking hard falls on the pack. The quick release on the shoulder strap broke and I used duct tape to fix that until I could get new straps made. One of the straps pulled out of the bottom of the pack. I had to tie that back on with parachute cord. I had a raw spot on my hip by the time I got home.

All in all, I have been satisfied with the pack for camping and combat. I am rather small framed and the pack does not overwhelm me like the MOLLE.

Beware of cheap imitations of this pack. It is widely available on the Internet and some of the copies are very shoddy."

"I love this pack. I was in the military, Ranger Bn, then straight leg infantry and carried many different styles of pack. This was the best military pack I used."