Hot 3

Initially developed with the Los Padres Hot Shots in Southern California, the Hot 3 is designed specifically for wildland fire crews. The Hot 3 is built to ride low on the back and distribute its weight through the wearer’s hips and core to maintain mobility, balance, and athleticism during the widely varied operations encountered in the fire environment.

Our M4 Lumbar Wrap locks the pack to your lower back and comfortably supports loads up to 50 pounds. The Hotshot Yoke is our slimmest yoke, developed specifically to maximize ventilation and support, and features telescoping adjustment to custom fit each pack to its user. The lumbar and yoke systems work together to create stability and facilitate speed while digging line in the Northwest’s big timber, operating powersaws in California’s chapparal, or burning off dozer lines in the Southwest.

This yoke is built with a frame panel, compression straps, and an adjustable haul loop that allow you to attach a load directly to it—a perfect spot for a Pulaski or med kit. The zipper panel opens the body of the pack wide to easily access your gear, while the Lid Pocket is removable and can also strap a load on top. The waist belt is ready for FS standard Alice clip accessories, and the open wing pockets feature external daisy chains to hang a radio, swede hook, or any other item. The fire shelter can be worn either on the hip or under the pack, where reinforced Alice attach points and our Auto-Lock buckles work in tandem to secure the fire shelter without sway, minimizing chafe on the butt and thighs.

The Hot 3 allows the wildland firefighter to perform more effectively in the fire environment, improves safety, and reduces the physical wear and tear injuries that accrue over a long season on the fireline.