Everything You Never Wanted To Know: The Becker Patrol Packs

OK guys I'll try to keep this short, but it's a lot.

If you didn't know, Ethan Becker designed a pack called The Becker Patrol Pack. Eagle originally made it (Eagle is the same people who made the nylon sheaths for Ethan back in the Cincinnati/Blackjack days) and later Blackhawk.

These packs are no longer made and have become quite rare and costly.

I have been lucky enough to have acquired four different models of this pack. Because these are all quite rare, I thought I would take some comparison photos and clear up some misinformation I've heard about them.

The first is the Blackhawk version of this pack.

Next is the Eagle version.

The MOLLE version.

The large Becker Patrol Pack. This exact one happens to be a "Ranger" /  RTO (Radio Telephone Operator) version. It's basically just the Large version of this pack but with special features to accommodate a radio. There was also a regular sized RTO version.

Now let's start with the Blackhawk version.

Everything I've heard or seen about this pack online says it's an exact copy of the Eagle version. That's not entirely true.

Side-bar for a minute.

There are all sorts of legality questions surrounding this pack, seeing how it's a copy. Some people won't buy it because they said it's stealing money from Ethan. Well it's my understanding that he has never made any money off of this pack design. I believe he traded any short of royalties he might have received from Eagle in order to make sure this pack design was made.

It is also my understanding that the parent company who owns Eagle also owns Blackhawk so it's probably "legal" somehow.

Now back to the Blackhawk pack. The difference between this and the Eagle version is the six buckle pouches on the outside. On the Blackhawk version they are smaller. You could fit a standard Nalgene bottle in only the side pouches and it's a tight fit. The Eagle version can fit an extra long bottle in the side pouches and a standard in the lower front two.

Side pouch on the Blackhawk.

Lower front pouch.

Here is the side pocket on the Eagle with an extra tall bottle.

And here is the lower front pouch with a standard bottle.

The next big difference is that the chest strap is vertically adjustable. On the Eagle versions it's not.

The Blackhawk version is lighter. It's definitely made out of a nylon with a less denier. I still think it is excellent quality, but Eagle really is top notch and would be hard to beat in terms of quality.

There are two different versions of the BPPs from Eagle. The original had a draw string close on the main bag and a pull open velcro map pocket on the lid flap (photos of the different map pockets further down).

The newer ones have a roll down and buckle seal and a zippered lid flap map pocket.

My RTO and Blackhawk have the pull string. My standard Eagle BPP and MOLLE versions have the fold over and buckle system. I have no clue when these were made but you can kind of date the pack by these features.

The Molle version of this pack is not of Ethan's doing. It's something that Eagle did on their own. It's the same bag, just without the six outside pouches.

Now the RTO is made for a radio so it has special straps in the inside main pocket to hold it in place as well as two antenna holes on the top. The six pouches on the outside are even larger than the standard. It does have an internal frame sheet with aluminum bars. This pack is really big: I don't even have it stuffed to capacity in these photos.

The shoulder straps are extra wide and have a lot more padding. I don't think these are the original straps. I think someone else added these nicer more cushy straps.

All the BPPs have open slots on the sides that are absolutely amazing for holding large knives, tent polls, axes, or hiking polls. The RTO pack has two slots (or at least my RTO does, maybe not on the standard size RTO).

I have no idea at all what the removable panel on the bottom it for. If you know please comment and tell. All I've head about it, is it's for "jump capabilities." It's been speculated that this was also a mod. That may be the case, but the nylon is the exact same. Which makes me think it was done at the Eagle factory.

Here is a group photo.

The newer Eagle versions also have slots behind every pouch not just the side ones.

If you have a sheath with MOLLE you can attach it to the ALICE webbing and tuck it into the side slot behind the slide pouch.

All the shoulder straps connect right to the pack except on the large models.

The large model has two adjustable nylon straps.

Here is the velcro map pocket vs the zipper map pocket.

There are so many little differences that I'm missing and I need to take better photos of a lot of things. I'll probably add more photos and info later.

If you guys have any questions about them or the differences let me know and I'll try to answer. If you want a photo of anything in particular let me know.



Here are some videos to watch on these packs:

This one has the man himself Ethan Becker talking about why he designed it, beans and bullets!

Here you can see a guy put his radio into his RTO pack.

Here is one on the MOLLE version.

Here are some reviews of the standard Eagle version.

If you want to see another bag Ethan designed check this out:

Becker Field & Travel Bag


Here are some other links you may find interesting:

Original Thread

Murph's Review.

Dex's Review