I sewed up a couple of shoulder strap pouches (for my Best $20 Backpack) from some 2 oz/yd2 ripstop nylon. I guess these are about 3/4 of a litre each, maybe a litre. They can contain an interesting assortment of items you might want to access quickly as you walk along. Spare ammunition, chewing gum etc.
I attached them with an ingenious method I ‘stole’ from Joe Valesko (Zpacks) though I have no idea whether he still uses them. They came on my first old pack from him – a long since discontinued model, worse luck. Simpler is frequently better – and certainly cheaper. Anyway it is a simple ‘button and loop’ design with a length of cord which works to stop them slipping down.
It is just a short length of cord with a micro cord lock which you can pass though the two (sewn) loops of gross grain ribbon (one on the pack strap one on the pouch) then pass the cord lock back through its own loop (like a button hole).
It stops the pouch slipping further down the strap. Obviously it is held on the strap by the sleeve which is first sewn to the pouch before you sew up the side seams. They are not attached at the moment.
A simple draw string closure is all you need. These pouches weigh 8.5 grams each and measure approx 5.5 x 8.5″ (14 x 21 cm).
Instructions on how to make such stuff sacks/pouches can be found here: DIY Stuff Sacks
See Also: 100+ DIY Hiker Projects
