Austrian Bundesheer KAZ 03 Backpack, Surplus

2025-11-05T10:11:53+02:00

Type: Backpacks
Price: 59.99

The Austrian KAZ 03 backpack is a fantastic, tough modular carrying system with some features more commonly seen on rucksacks.

Volume: c. 25 L as-is, can be expanded with side pouches (not included) to 40–50 L

Measurements: Width 34 cm; height 37 cm; thickness 22 cm

Weight: 1 430 g

The Austrian grunt has five levels of combat gear and packing. Pieces are switched or repurposed in various configurations. The backpack is used at levels 3–5 and issued to mechanized infantry grenadiers.

The webbing on the Bundesheer KAZ 03 gear is interesting: soft and matte like a cotton strap, but actually made of proper durable polymer, most likely polyester. The looks and comfort of these are far better than the shiny and coarse webbing typically used on military and outdoor gear. Other manufacturers should take a look at these.

Carrying system

Day packs are not primarily intended for heavy loads, but the shoulder straps on this one have generous padding and there's a simple hip belt for sharing some of the load. At the bottom, the straps clip on D-rings instead of the more usual SR buckles.

The shoulder straps and hip belt can be tucked into hiding when integrated with a combat vest or belt.

The removable flap is the kind you see on rucks rather than backpacks. The flap itself is a pocket and accessible from the outside. On the inside, there's a large pouch for things you want to keep securely inside the pack but also easily accessible.

The main compartment is mostly just a big space. It has an unusually large collar with drawcord closure, and the top can be tightened with another cord. This and the flap straps allows for a stupid amount of overpacking in case the need arises. A sitting pad stows into a dedicated sleeve and doubles as a soft frame. Note that not all of these have the pad, so take it as a nice bonus.

At the bottom, there's yet another pocket with zipper closure and accessory straps e.g., for a sleeping pad.

Each side and the back has attachment points for Austrian pouches but the system is fairly simple and attaching other stuff shouldn't be a problem at all. The compression straps allow attaching other things than the pouch to the side. They are not only for tightening the pack.

Condition

Austrian military surplus. Pretty modern stuff, you can actually use this even today and it won't be an exercise of The Suck where you remember the hard old days. All materials, stitching, zippers, and buckles are durable. These have been used, but are perfectly serviceable.