Scramble "Machine" 4L Belt Bag (Pouch)

Scramble's 4L Machine Belt Bag (MBB): Not for Light Machine Guns

The old Templar Assault Systems MOLLE LMG pouch was designed to carry light machine gun rounds, but its creators accidentally came up with a near perfect belt bag for long distance trekking. So when TAS stopped producing them, Scramble decided to step in and created a partial-clone; keeping all the major elements that made the original so good, but re-working some of the redundant artifacts that betrayed its military heritage.

Scramble named their version, the "Machine", both as a hat-tip to its predecessor's lineage and because one of the attributes both models share is they just work, like any good machine, efficiently and without fuss.

Some Changes Made

The original model had a mini side-pocket designed to house lubricating oil for a light machine gun. This has been removed and the extra real estate has gone into the main body of the bag. Scramble noticed, that particularly in winter when accessories are bulkier, a little more room was warranted, so by removing the side pocket, the main body is now 2cm wider. In addition they've added 1cm to its depth, giving the bag a comfortable 4L capacity. There's still a pocket, but it's now inside.

The biggest change has been to the belt attachment method. Scramble believe that the benefits of a belt system don't need to be the reserve of the military. Shifting loads from the shoulders to the hips and having one place for all the things you want to hand while on the go makes just as much sense for civilian trekkers as it does for those in the services. For this reason, they've replaced the MOLLE attachment system with a simple, durable and very accommodating belt loop. The loop has a default opening of 9cm (~3.5") and can be extended to 14cm (~5.5") for very large padded belts.

Three Colours - Two Versions (Pull-Tab Colour Coding)

The Machine Belt Bag is made from rot-proof nylon Cordura. The yellow pull tab versions (currently both Blue) are 500D and weigh (185g) and have a lighter PU inner coating. The red pull tab (currently Grey) version is 1000D and has a slightly heavier PU inner coating and weighs (220g). In terms of overall strength, once you get into the 400D+ fabric weight there's very little incremental load-strength benefit (500D is more than capable of carrying well over 10kg loads, far more than you could stuff into a Machine Belt Bag).

Simply put, both versions are tough as nails and very weather resistant, though if used in the recommended manner (in concert with light dry bags as pictured above) this is somewhat moot. The real purpose is to handle the load and the jolting forces put upon it as the user ascends and descends and to provide robust protection for all the gear carried within. This the MBB does with aplomb, just as the TAS version did before it.

What Scramble said about the TAS LMG pouch, applies equally to the Machine Belt Bag:

"In terms of functionality, it's near perfect [...] This is one of those items that does its job so well you never really notice it. In conclusion, a stalwart; and once used, an absolutely indispensable item" - Scramble Kit UK

For more images and Scramble's full review click here.

Specification

• Dimensions (H x W x D): 25 x 20 x 9cm
• Capacity (main compartment): 4 L
• Material: 500D or 1000D Cordura Nylon with inner PU coating
• Material Attributes: mid-heavy duty, extremely strong, high to extreme abrasion resistance and good weather resistance
• Weights: 500D Blue = 185g; 1000D Grey = 220g
• Internal back pocket (able to hold a light wind top, H x W): 13 x 17cm
• Large, extra strong and secure hook & loop closure
• Spacious belt loop with Velcro volume reducer (min loop = 9cm, max loop = 14 cm)
• Durable internal webbing reinforcement at the top of the loop
• Drainage hole at the base
• Thread: Heavy duty bonded rot-proof nylon
• Designed: UK (England)
• Manufactured: UK (Scottish West Highlands)
  
  
• Will also take over 200 rounds of 5.56mm link -- if you're into that kind of thing

Ideal Uses & Recommended Accessories

Uses:  Long Distance Trekking, Scrambling, Waging War

Accessories:  If you don't already have a padded belt, Scramble recommend CK Magma's Compact Padded Belt (should be < £12) and for an absolutely fail-safe system, pairing it with AustriAlpin's excellent but not cheap Cobra Buckle (~£20).