Coverage brought to you by
Salomon – Designed for Freedom
Ribz Frontpack
July 2, 2009, 7:59 am / Categories: Hiking, Camping, Packs
In the world of backpacks, there is a niche category of products that positions compartments and pouches over the chest. Called “frontpacks,” these gear-carrying modules are made by small companies like Aarn Designs, Syncpack, and LuxuryLite.
You usually wear a frontpack in tandem with a backpack. The theory is that a load up front will move weight forward on the body to counterbalance a heavy haul on back.
Easy access to food, a GPS device, a camera or sunscreen is another advantage. (I have a review of five frontpack models here: gearjunkie.com/frontpacks)
A recent entrant into the frontpack realm, Ribz Sportswear of Coronado, Calif., offers a pack with up to 600 cubic inches of usable space. The company’s namesake Ribz pack has four large zippered pockets mounted in a vest configuration and sewn on a suspenders-type harness.
Loaded up, the pack can tote a half-day’s worth of gear or add significant capacity for a long trip. I put in energy bars, a map, a compass, a small camera, a hat, survival items, sunglasses, and a few other small essentials.
In my test, the Ribz pack (www.ribzwear.com) carried fine. It distributed a load on my shoulders and put weight comfortably up front.
Wide shoulder straps made of heavy-duty nylon are designed to distribute weight yet remain comfortable when worn under a backpack harness. To connect the two compartments, the RIBZ pack has a low-profile strap in the rear that fit under a backpack with little issue.
The Ribz pack, which costs $65, is beefy and well-made. The nylon fabric is durable. It weighs 10 ounces and wears light and comfortably alone or with a pack.
If you’re in the market for a frontpack, Ribz Sportswear is a solid new up-front option.
—Stephen Regenold writes about outdoors gear at www.gearjunkie.com.
I’ve thought of something like this for years so when I saw it I had to give it a try. I consider myself a minimalist but still always want to be sure I have all the equipment needed for a long trip. I just returned from a 3 week trek through the Sierras and couldn’t believe how comfortable and how beneficial this pack turned out to be. I love having a portion of my gear accessible from my chest and I definitely felt a huge differece in transferring a portion of my weight to my chest. My personal favorite feature is being able to drop my pack off at camp and still be fully equipped for running around. Definitely is going to be a part of all my trips going forward. Thx for the hot tip junkie!
I just talked with Ray Richardson over at Ribz and the new line of Ribz should be out in mid Feb 2011. We will also be selling the new Ribz at 7summitsgear So stop in and check out the new line.
I just wantedt o let everyone know that the new Ribz packs are now available. Check them out at 7summitsgear. One of the newest Ribz is the FALL CAMO. capacity: 800+ Cu In and made out of 600D Cordura which makes it super strong. Its weight: 18 oz.
Just wanted to let everyone know with are new site up we have a special on the ribzwear pack. 7Summitsear
I want a lightweight frontpack that DOESn’t require a backpack to keep my chest warm while cycling and provide easy access to gloves, scarves, cellphone, drinks etc.
Is there such a thing? I’ve been wearing a Camelbak backwards but the straps slip off unless I’m wearing a backpack
New 2012 Ribz front pack. Everything has been upgrade. 2 new sizes 700+ CU in and 550+ CU in. Check them out at Ribz & 7Summitsgear
Hey guys—I read all your posts before I bought a RIBZ and I am SUPER pleased with it—and with the service! I’m not a big hiker, but I needed a pack that I wouldn’t have to take off to sit comfortably or to remove stuff. Also, for anyone with a CHL ticket, it is perfect, as items in the inner compartment are shape shielded by the outer pockets. It distributes the weight comfortably, the fabric & construction are good, and I expect to enjoy this pack for a long time. I give it 5 stars!
Bought mine in April this year. Took it on a 2 week mountain hike. Had troubles with it from the beginning. Back and shoulder straps kept tangling up. When untangled, it sat great on my front and was convenient. But the continual struggles to untangle the straps has left me looking for something similar without strap entanglement.
- Weekly E-Newsletter
Sign up for our e-news for a weekly update on new gear, adventure travel, and prize giveaways.
- Latest Articles
- Shoelace of the Future? Tour of Boa Technology in Denver
- Hot or Cold? Thermos 'Travel Tumbler' Test
- Video: 'Gear Junkie Challenge" Urban Adventure Race
- Winners! 'Ragnar Trail' Sweepstakes with Salomon
- 'Pro-Level' Air Attack Helmet Put to Test
- Stomping Grounds: Photo Shoot and Shoe Test in 'Urban Outdoors'
- 'Golden Axe' award at GoPro Mountain Games
- Video: Three Weeks of Pristine Climbing in Greenland (in three minutes)
- Glacier Trek, Waterfalls, 'Blue Lagoon' highlights of Iceland Trip
- Seeking 'Mountain Bike Action' in photo contest with The North Face
- Popular Articles
- Hot or Cold? Thermos 'Travel Tumbler' Test
- Shoelace of the Future? Tour of Boa Tech in Denver
- Video: 'Gear Junkie Challenge" Urban Adventure Race
- Workout Wear
- 'Pro-Level' Air Attack Helmet Put to Test
- Survival Gear: 10 Items To Survive
- 'Fat Bike' Trend: Overrated or For Real?
- 50 Miles in Flip-Flops? Luna sells sandals to ultra-running market
- World's 10 Most Dangerous Mountains
- Camping Gear Reviews | Gear Reviews
- Fat Bike trend Dead? Walmart sells 'Beast' bike for $199
- Winners! 'Ragnar Trail' Sweepstakes with Salomon
- Climber makes couch out of old rope (and 9 other odd uses)
- SylvanSport GO Camper Trailer Review
- Stomping Grounds: Photo Shoot and Shoe Test in 'Urban Outdoors'
- Call from Anywhere. SPOT launches Satellite Phone for Outdoors
- Chimney Stove: Boil Water with Sticks and Grass
- Jumping dogs, battling kayakers, slackline stunts: Sports of 'GoPro Games'
- First Look: Suunto 'Ambit 2' for multisport market
- 10 Rules: Running with your Dog
- Friends of Gear Junkie
- Monopoint Media
- The Goat
- Alpinist
- Adventure Blog
- YogaSlackers
- Checkpoint Tracker
- Outdoorzy
- Get Outdoors
- Gear Flogger
- Feed The Habit
- Gear.com
- Adventure Journal
- SuperTopo
- Trailspace
- Outside Online
- iRunFar.com
- UpADowna
- About Adventure Travel
- Cold Splinters
- UpNorthica
- Sender Films
- Venture There
- Wend Magazine
- No Boundaries
- Breathe Magazine
- Elevation Outdoors
- Rock and Ice Magazine
- Trail Runner Magazine
- REI Blog
















The new version is a lot more fitted. Can be adjusted to fit loose or really tight… check the newer version. http://www.ribzwear.com/