Why?  I’ve long obsessed over the 1DAP but it’s lack of availability here in the states coupled with specs that aren’t “big dude” friendly convinced me not to acquire one. With the Front, Mystery Ranch created a pack similar to the ASAP/1DAP, but made it larger.  If the published dimensions are to be believed, the new pack is 22″H x 12.5″W x 9″D and 1,159 cu in/19L in volume.  I’m skeptical because the ASAP/1DAP was 16″H x 10W x 6″D and 900 cu in/15L in volume.  If the new pack is 6″ taller, 2.5″ wider, and 3″ deeper… well… sorry, but that adds up to more than a 259 cubic inch difference in volume.

A friend of mine up in Wisconsin who recently acquired the Front graciously offered to give me a first hand look.  I took my old school Sweetpea along to do some comparison pics.  The Front wasn’t packed full but it didn’t seem to be 6″ taller than the Sweetpea, which according to Mystery Ranch is 18″.  It’s taller but not that much taller.

Here are the straps.  My Sweetpea has a large Futura harness installed.  The harness on the Front looks to be the Futura Lite, which was used on the 1DAP and is slightly narrower and not as bulky as the Futura (used on the ASAP and 3DAP).  I like that because it’s easier to sling the pack over one shoulder and the Futura on a pack the size of the Front is overkill anyway.

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Photos courtesy of Loaded Pocketz