Helikon Foxtrot

[SuffolkStag]

Hi all,

I’m thinking of getting a Helikon Foxtrot mk2 (belt with shoulder straps) for hill stalking to carry the essentials.
I need the rifle on a separate sling as stalking immediately from the vehicles so no need for something like a Vorn backpack for carrying the rifle.

I wondered if anyone had any thoughts on this product? Does a rifle sit on a shoulder ok still?

Cheers

 

[Andy seatrout]

I’ve got one as I was sick of my Ridgeline waistbag trying to pull my trousers down as soon as I put a water bottle and a couple of bits in it….

I find it excellent for woodland stalking floor an hour or two ( drink, snack, life’s, bonesaw, gloves, drag, wind puffer, spare mag) I added a molle water bottle holder…. Initially I made the mistake of adding this to the right side- but the bottle kept knocking the rifle butt and off my shoulder…

I have a Vorn Lynx if I’m out all day ( which is rare).

As for the rifle sitting on the shoulder OK- jury is out, I had a sling break on me ( exchanged no quibble by Rural Sports ) and it’s a new butler creek one ( as before) perhaps it’s a bit new, but there was a bit more slippage…. I think it depends on your sling.

 

[Oxon Stuart]

I’ve had one for a couple of years now (not sure if mine is a mark 1 or 2) and I like it. It’s big enough to carry the essentials (gralloch kit, first aid kit, deer calls, etc.) and I can carry a rolled up jacket in the straps underneath the main compartment. Its low profile doesn’t interfere with carrying the rifle over your shoulder.

I’ve found my normal rifle sling doesn’t grip the webbing strap of the harness as well as it would grip my jacket, so I’ve swapped it for a 3 HGR Light Harness.

Like Andy Seatrout I used to use a waistbag but found it uncomfortable and the belt would loosen to easily.

One thing to bear in mind is that the majority of the storage will be behind you, so you would need to become adept at opening it & extracting what you want by feel alone.

 

[SuffolkStag]

I’ve had one for a couple of years now (not sure if mine is a mark 1 or 2) and I like it. It’s big enough to carry the essentials (gralloch kit, first aid kit, deer calls, etc.) and I can carry a rolled up jacket in the straps underneath the main compartment. Its low profile doesn’t interfere with carrying the rifle over your shoulder.

I’ve found my normal rifle sling doesn’t grip the webbing strap of the harness as well as it would grip my jacket, so I’ve swapped it for a 3 HGR Light Harness.

Like Andy Seatrout I used to use a waistbag but found it uncomfortable and the belt would loosen to easily.

One thing to bear in mind is that the majority of the storage will be behind you, so you would need to become adept at opening it & extracting what you want by feel alone.

I’ve been looking around and they only seem to have the Foxtrot available in a dark brown or a sandy/khaki colour. I think I’d prefer an olive green.
I’m nearly tempted to buy a separate Molle belt and harness/shoulder straps and then attach Molle bags to suit my exact needs. Helikon do a pull out first aid kit that opens up and looks rather good. Saves rummaging about in a zip lock bag with a bleeding finger or something.

 

[Oxon Stuart]

I’ve been looking around and they only seem to have the Foxtrot available in a dark brown or a sandy/khaki colour. I think I’d prefer an olive green.
I’m nearly tempted to buy a separate Molle belt and harness/shoulder straps and then attach Molle bags to suit my exact needs. Helikon do a pull out first aid kit that opens up and looks rather good. Saves rummaging about in a zip lock bag with a bleeding finger or something.

I like the idea of building my own rig, I’ll get around to it one day As you say, you can taylor it to your own requirements, and you can pick up various size pouches cheaply from any decent army surplus place. In particular I’d like to be able to attach my binos to the shoulder straps in the style of the Red Kettle or Decathlon binocular harness.

One of my favourite suppliers is Varusteleka from Finland. The kit I’ve had from them is very well designed & made. Here’s their take on the quick release first aid kit Särmä TST Rip-Off IFAK Pouch w. Mount

If you do put together your own rig I’d be interested to see what you go for.

 

[SuffolkStag]

I like the idea of building my own rig, I’ll get around to it one day As you say, you can taylor it to your own requirements, and you can pick up various size pouches cheaply from any decent army surplus place. In particular I’d like to be able to attach my binos to the shoulder straps in the style of the Red Kettle or Decathlon binocular harness.

One of my favourite suppliers is Varusteleka from Finland. The kit I’ve had from them is very well designed & made. Here’s their take on the quick release first aid kit Särmä TST Rip-Off IFAK Pouch w. Mount

If you do put together your own rig I’d be interested to see what you go for.

I’ve just been trawling eBay for belts etc. I like the idea of being able to add or remove pouches when not needed. I usually do woodland stalking so wouldn’t need a lot of kit but then sometimes hill stalk so would like to take a bit more.
I also like the idea of being able to load the belt on one side so that the rifle doesn’t knock against pouches etc.

 

[dawnbreaker]

I use helikon bushcraft satchel excellent bit of kit for what you're after cant fault mine and had it for years, I'm also looking at the 5.11 bailout bag which seems a bit more versatile