SORD (Special Operations Research & Development) is an equipment manufacturing company based in Australia with a branch, SORD USA, located in Kentucky. The company has been around about 8 years and is run by former Australian military personnel with the owner serving almost 20 years as an Australian SF Commando.
From my limited interaction with with Aussie military personnel (and what I've read) they have a good reputation for building rugged gear. SORD's latest piece of kit is the Hydration Helmet Carrier. It is scheduled for commercial sale on their website next week, initially in the MultiCam camouflage pattern.
The 'Hydro' is a slightly different approach to the sort of lightweight day packs and assault packs built by other companies. It can be used as a stand-alone go-bag or assault pack or mounted to a larger pack or carrier. It can also be configured with their shoulder strap kit behind a vehicle seat.
It is essentially an evolution of the SORD Hydration Extra Large pouch that features an adjustable beavertail loadbearing "bucket" with six adjustable tension straps to control the loadout, whether helmets (as the name implies), optics, 84 mike-mike rounds or other cargo.
Both sides of the pouch are built with MOLLE columns for modular pouches and individual configuration. Straps are padded and lined with air-mesh. It also features QD Fastex buckles and can be easily mounted/removed from the back of a ruck, armor panel or the rear of a chest rig.
All in all it, looks like a well thought out pack. We'll let you know if we get our hands on one to try out. I'd be interested to see how the mesh of that rear 'bucket' holds up to a helmet or other load, particularly if it is a helmet with an NVG mount or other accessories mounted. Stand by for further.
From the website:
Features:
- 6 adjustable sinch straps, four with fastex buckles for quick access.
- Shoulder strap kit INCLUDED in price.
- 6 column wide.
- 3 columns deep.
- 500 Denier Cordura construction.
- Drainage grommet in bottom.
- Internal hydration bladder seperation sleeve.
- Internal small mesh admin pouch with Velcro closure.
- Zip extended on one side for RTF500 control panel access.
- Main compartment twin zipper pull, large YKK zip.
- Twin comms ports with velcro lid covers.
- 4 plastic "D" loops for attachment of shoulder strap kit or lashing to gear.
- Velcro flag / IFF panel on front of beavertail 50mm.
- MOLLE panel behind beavertail.
- Double sided Multicam webbing.
- Tube tape carry handle.
- Fixed Velcro webbing tabs.
- Quick detach shoulder straps.
- Minimalistic approach for a streamline design.
