Särmä TST Backpack Use as Day Pack Lids

Särmä TST day/combat packs are designed to enable attachment onto the Särmä TST RP80 recon pack for use as daypack lids. In this tutorial we present two ways to manufacture the necessary adapter straps, using a Särmä TST DP10 Roll-Top daypack as example. The same basic idea and adapters will also function with numerous other daypacks and rucksacks, feel free to experiment!

Materials needed

• A. 4 pcs ITW Nexus QASM female buckle
• B. 4 pcs ITW Nexus SR male buckle*
• C. 4 pcs ITW Nexus Tri-Glide bucklei, 25 mm (1")
• D. 3 m (~10') webbing, 25 mm (1")

*Attention! The SR male buckles must be "US military style" to properly function with the QASM female buckle. The Classic SR male buckles are not compatible with the QASM buckles.

Preparation and manufacture

Upper strap made without sewing, the bottom one made using a sewing machine.

Without sewing

1. Cut two 60 cm (~24") and two 90 cm (~35") lengths of webbing
2. Burn the cut ends of the webbing pieces
3. Thread a SR male buckle onto one end of each strap
4. Thread a Tri Glide buckle onto the other end of each strap
5. Straps are now ready to be installed and used

Using a sewing machine

1. Cut two 60 cm (~24") and two 90 cm (~35") lengths of webbing
2. Burn the cut ends of the webbing pieces
3. Thread a SR male buckle onto one end of each strap and sew a folded "stopper" on the end of the webbing
4. Attach a Tri Glide buckle onto the opposite end of each strap by sewing a loop
5. Straps are now ready to be installed and used

Installation and use

1. Attach the 60 cm (~24") straps onto the frame of the pack
2. Attach the 90 cm (~35") straps onto the PALS webbing of the pack
3. Attach the QASM buckles onto the PALS webbing of your daypack

The actual use of the adapter straps is very self explanatory: clip the buckles from the straps onto those on the daypack and adjust for a proper, tight fit and you´re done!

Optionally you can add two SR female buckles (one on each of either the front or back straps) which allow for the adapter straps to clip together. This will enable you to secure any gear carried under the daypack lid to the main rucksack even after the pack is removed.

How you attach the QASM buckles to the daypack is up to you. If you attach them on the the rear side of the daypack you will achieve a compression effect when the adapter straps are tightened.