Don't buy the Qore Ice Flask without watching this video.

 

The Qore Performance Ice Flask is a niche piece of kit and a great addition to traditional canteens and hydro bladders. It's not for everyone but what it does it does very well.

Space is always at a premium when wearing body armour. The Ice Flask makes innovative use of the gaps and unused space on your plate carrier to carry water.

Rather than a complete replacement for a standard hydration bladder or canteen, the Ice Flask can be used in combination with both, to provide a compact source of water that can be integrated into kit you're already carrying.



The Ice Flask has an unusual shape designed to fit into commonly found 152 radio pouches. These can be a useful option for carrying the flask for users running plate carriers, compact micro rigs or minimalist setups.

The dedicated Qore Performance holster is another option, which comes in particularly handy if you're mounting the flask at the rear of a plate carrier or attaching it to a small pack, where accessibility isn't as straightforward. The holster allows the flask to be removed and reinstalled one handed.



One of the more unusual aspects of the flask's design is an option for thermal regulation. When frozen, the Ice Flask states that it can provide 23 watts of cooling power, as an option for staying cool in hot weather.




The flask is a useful piece of kit that allows users to make the most of their existing gear. Its size, pouch-friendly design and additional cooling power provide a valuable alternative to a traditional hydration systems.

 I have been using the Helikon-Tex Bail Out Bag for a few years now. It is pretty unique with all its different features and it has a surprising number of uses. It’s particularly well suited to working from vehicles or for anyone who likes to keep their gear organised, protected and readily accessible.

One of the things that makes it unique is the rigid, structured design that provides its contents with a high level of protection compared with most conventional packs. I don't know of any other  general use pack that does this.

While the 23-litre capacity is a touch small IMHO, it can be attached to a car seat for quick access to your gear or unfolded and used as a sleeping mat. The detachable beavertail pouch is another useful feature, working well as a grab bag when you need to carry essential gear separately.

The BOB is a bit of a niche product, so it won’t suit everyone. But it is very good at what it does and offers a capability not found in other packs. As usual Helikons build quality is great and gives good value for money.