What’s the Best Wildland Fire Pack For Your Job?

For wildland firefighters, an essential gear next to wearing proper PPE is carrying the best wildland fire pack for your job. Wildland firefighters generally work around 12-hour days and, most times, up to 14 days, so having a dependable pack is vital. First, determine the size that would be most suitable for your typical workday. Wildland fire packs can hold various items, from fire shelters and fusees to water bottles, extra clothing, and toiletries, depending on how long you would be working on a fire.

If you're just starting out this fire season or looking to upgrade last season's pack, here's our collection of True North Gear wildland packs to help you find the best one for your job.

Web Gear Packs and Engine Packs

Engine crews typically use these packs since this style is more a compact variation of a traditional wildland pack, and they're designed to hold the essentials.

Spyder Gear Pack (Best Seller)

Features

• Hip Belt and Harness offer superior ergonomic comfort
• True MOLLE system waistbelt
• Compatible with all MOLLE accessories and fire shelter
• Removable New Generation shelter case that can be rear mounted
• Removable gear bag with 250 cu in capacity (8"x8"x3")
• Removable accessory pocket holds a 1L water bottle
• Optional 3L Hydration System
• Optional Go! Pack: 1,500 cu in
• Technology: SCS™- Super Compression Suspension
• Interchangeable SAR Case Available

Fastback™ Pack

Features

• Custom-Molded "Y" Harness
• Permanent fire shelter case with both right and left-handed Velcro access points
• 4-5 Fusee Carrying Capacity
• Built-In 3L Hydration Reservoir with attachable drinking hose
• Zippered accessory pocket large enough to hold a 1 Qt. water bottle
• Custom-Molded Hip Belt
• Compact Design Perfect for Engine Crews
• Main internal compartment for storing gear and hydration, along with an external zipper pouch and a MOLLE system for attachable accessory pockets and other MOLLE-compatible items
• Designed for heat stress reduction and lower center of gravity
• Can be easily worn with a hose pack

Line Packs and Crew Packs

These packs have a larger internal capacity to hold more storage for longer days on the fire line and more modularity for customization using our collection of pack accessories.

Phantom™ Pack

Features

• Custom-Molded "Y" strap
• Custom-Molded Hip Belt
• Ventilated Channels for Improved Airflow
• Large Interior with 2 External Front Pockets
• Dual Mesh Interior Pockets for Organization
• Compression Straps to Secure Equipment
• 8-12 Fusee Carrying Capacity
• Hypalon MOLLE Panel for Attaching Fire Shelter Case and Other Accessories
• Incredibly Lightweight

Spitfire™ Pack (Best Seller)

Features

• Hip belt and harness offering superior ergonomic comfort
• True MOLLE system waistbelt
• Compatible with all MOLLE accessories and fire shelter
• SCS™ patented load-trapping suspension
• 100oz (3L) Hydration pocket (reservoir not included)
• Removable new generation fire shelter case (fits standard & large shelter)
• Zippered side pockets each hold two 1L Bottles
• 12 Fusee carrying capacity
• Interior mesh organizer pockets
• No swing fire shelter case
• Interchangeable SAR Case Available

Fireball™ Pack

Features

• Hip Belt and Harness offer superior ergonomic comfort
• Waist belt upgraded to the true MOLLE system
• Compatible with all MOLLE accessories and fire shelter
• 100oz (3L) Hydration pocket (reservoir not included)
• Removable New Generation Fire Shelter case (attach to pack or belt)
• Side pockets each hold one 1L bottle
• 12 fusee carrying capacity
• No-swing fire shelter case with flaps covering all zippers
• 3/4" dual-density foam padding in the hip belt & harness
• SCS™ Technology-Super Compression Suspension

Firefly™ Pack

Features

• Hip Belt and Harness offer superior ergonomic comfort
• Waist belt upgraded to true MOLLE system
• Compatible with all MOLLE accessories and fire shelter
• SCS™ patented load-trapping suspension
• Quick-Zip Removable gear bag
• 100oz (3L) Hydration pocket (reservoir not included)
• Removable New Generation Fire Shelter case (fits Standard & Large shelter)
• Side Pockets hold two 1L Bottles
• 18 Fusee carrying capacity
• Dimensions: 16" x 10" x 6.5"
• Interchangeable SAR Case Available

Firefly™ Medic Pack

Features

• Hip Belt and Harness offer superior ergonomic comfort
• Waist belt upgraded to the true MOLLE system
• Compatible with all MOLLE accessories and fire shelter
• SCS™ patented shoulder strap design
• Drop front opening for full, quick access
• Removable color-coded organizer pouches Velcro in/out
• Two separate pockets for personal gear
• Color-coded organizer pockets
• Zippered clear vinyl pockets for small meds and bandages
• 100oz (3L) Hydration pocket (reservoir not included)
• Interchangeable SAR Case Available

Bushwhacker™ Pack

Features

• H-style harness
• (6) Internal mesh organizer pockets
• 100oz (3L) Hydration pocket (reservoir not included)
• Removable New Generation Fire Shelter Case (fits the Standard & Large shelter)
• Side Pockets each hold two 1L Bottles
• Covered 12 Fusee carrying capacity
• Interchangeable SAR Case Available

Pack for Sawyers 

The Chainsaw Pack is designed for sawyers to hold the saw next to their center of gravity to keep it from bouncing when hiking through rough terrain.

Chainsaw Pack

Features

• Patented SCS™Suspension System
• 3 drawstring pockets for fuel, water, and other essentials
• Fire shelter case attaches to the belt with ALICE clips
• Axe scabbard
• Options day pack (see Go! Pack)

Wildland Pack Harness Technology

Super Compression Suspension (SCS™)

Our legacy packs, the Spitfire, Fireball, Firefly, and Spyder Gear, are constructed with the Super Compression Suspension harness or SCS™. This harness design helps to reduce the risk of back pain or injury, so you stay comfortable on the fire line. The attachment point for the shoulder straps is mounted to the outside of the top of the pack, allowing the appropriate load to be carried against the spine. Pack rotation is controlled by the anti-rotation strap on the waistband, and the shoulder straps can be worn loosely and remain effective.

H-Style Harness

The H-Style harness is designed for our Bushwhacker™ Pack. It has two points of attachment to optimize stability and create load control. Use the mico-adjustable "ladder" attachment system to fit the pack to your torso perfectly.

Y-Style Harness

The Y-Style harness is our most advanced suspension system that is currently exclusive to our Phantom™ and Fastback™ Packs. The combination of thermo-foam padding with fast-dry wicking materials provides all-day comfort on the fire line. In addition, with the micro-adjustable attachment system, this harness allows you to customize the pack to fit your torso size.

How To Fit Your True North Gear Wildland Packs

Here's our 7-step process on how to fit your pack.

For additional information on features for each pack, watch our product demo playlist.