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The Aarn Fishing Balance Pockets are a purpose-built front-mounted storage system designed for carrying and organizing fishing gear while maintaining balanced load distribution. Worn on the front of compatible Aarn packs, they provide immediate access to essential equipment while improving posture and reducing fatigue.

Designed specifically for anglers, these pockets combine structured storage with ventilation and flexibility, allowing natural movement while keeping gear secure and accessible on the water or trail.

"A prudent person foresees danger ahead and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. - Proverbs 27:12"

— CHARLES, SRO FOUNDER & FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Front-Mounted Load Distribution

Balances rear pack weight to reduce strain and improve posture.

Dedicated Fly Box Storage

Holds multiple fly boxes in organized, protected compartments.

Drop-Down Work Shelf

Front pocket flap opens horizontally for quick gear access and setup.

Ventilated Back Panel

Air-mesh design improves airflow and reduces heat buildup.

Flexible Pivot Design

Lower section stabilized while upper section flexes for natural movement.

Quick-Access Organization

External mesh pockets and loops keep small items within reach.

Fits: (2) fly boxes – 19.5 × 11 × 4 cm (2) fly boxes – 16 × 10 × 4 cm

(2) fly boxes – 19.5 × 11 × 4 cm

(2) fly boxes – 16 × 10 × 4 cm

210D ripstop nylon

100D × 70D ripstop nylon

40D ripstop nylon

Pivoting attachment system

Horizontal shelf-opening front pocket

Two external mesh pockets

Two front elastic loops

Air-mesh back panel

Reinforced lower back section with flexible upper structure

Grey

The numbers, flat and honest.

Capacity 12L total (pair)
Weight 1.2 lb (450 g)
Dimensions (Each) 30 cm (H) × 12 cm (W) × 11 cm (D)
Material 210D, 100D × 70D & 40D ripstop nylon
Design Pivoting front-mounted balance pockets
Compatibility Fits most Aarn packs (excluding Minilite models)
Dimensions (Each Pocket) 30 cm (H) × 12 cm (W) × 11 cm (D)
⸻ The SRO Standard

WHY YOU’RE BUYING FROM STAY READY.

We aren’t the Amazon of survival. We’re a small, opinionated shop that carries gear we’d stake our own lives on — and we back every piece with real support.

01

Curated

Every brand we carry has been vetted in the field by our team. If it doesn’t pass our 30-day use test, we don’t stock it.

02

Authenticated

Factory-direct from authorized dealers. No grey-market, no refurb, no knockoffs. Your warranty is real.

03

Supported

Real humans on phone, text, and email — seven days a week. We carry this gear ourselves and we stand behind it.

04

American

HQ in California. Orders ship from our US warehouse. US-based customer care.

BALANCE PACKS & ULTRALIGHT GEAR

Explore more. Carry less. Ergonomic balance packs from Whidbey Island.

Light Hiking Gear is run by Rich and Genie Murphy out of Whidbey Island, Washington — devoted users of lightweight, comfortable packs who built a business around the gear they'd want on their own trails. They carry Aarn balance packs, Couloir ski and alpine packs, and Conifer trekking packs, all built around scientific load distribution and unisex sizing by body measurement rather than gender. The North American operation started in late 2016 (originally as Aarn-USA) and rebranded to Light Hiking Gear in late 2022.

  • Run by Rich and Genie Murphy on Whidbey Island, Washington
  • North American operations since late 2016
  • Aarn balance packs, Couloir ski packs, Conifer trekking packs
  • Scientifically-balanced load distribution design
  • Unisex sizing based on individual body measurements

Answers, straight up.

Product-specific questions on the left. Shopping with SRO on the right. Both open-ended — hit us if we missed one.

About this product
Are these compatible with all Aarn backpacks?

They fit most Aarn models, but are not compatible with Minilite packs.

Can these be used without an Aarn pack?

They are designed specifically for Aarn pack systems and may not function properly with non-compatible packs.

What is the advantage of front-mounted pockets for fishing?

They provide immediate access to gear while improving balance and reducing strain during long periods of movement.

Shopping with SRO
How long does shipping take?

Most orders process within 1–3 business days from our warehouse. From there: 5–7 business days economy, 2–3 business days expedited, or overnight if you need it fast. Free economy shipping on orders over $150 (contiguous US). Alaska, Hawaii, and Pro Eagle / freight items are quoted at checkout. You’ll get a tracking number and link the moment your order ships.

What’s your return policy?

30 days from the day your order arrives. Gear has to come back unused, with all original tags, stickers, and packaging intact. For standard items we’ll send a prepaid return label and deduct return shipping from your refund. Oversized or freight returns are on you, unless the item showed up damaged, defective, or wrong — in which case we cover it.

Refunds hit your original payment method within 10 business days of approval.

What can’t I return?

Final-sale items, gift cards, food and drink products, personal-care items, anything customized or engraved, briefs (hygiene), and hazardous materials. If you’re not sure whether something qualifies, email us before you order — we’ll tell you straight.

Do you ship outside the contiguous US?

Yes. Alaska, Hawaii, and US territories ship on freight-quoted rates calculated after checkout. International orders are available worldwide at variable rates; duties and import fees are the customer’s responsibility. EU customers get a 14-day cancellation window per EU consumer law, on top of our standard return policy.

My package arrived damaged — what now?

Email info@stayreadyoutdoors.com within 7 days of delivery with your order number and clear photos of the damage (product + packaging). We’ll replace, refund, or ship a return label on us — no back-and-forth. Damaged, defective, or wrong-item claims never cost you shipping.

Can I talk to a human before buying?

Yes. Email info@stayreadyoutdoors.com — we answer every message ourselves, usually within a few hours during business days. We carry this gear, we use this gear, and we’d rather talk you out of a kit that doesn’t fit your mission than sell you the wrong one.

Do you offer a military/first-responder discount?

Yes. Active-duty and veteran military, police, fire, EMS, and medical first responders get 10% off every order. Verify through GovX at checkout — one-time, secure, and reusable across thousands of brands. Discount applies automatically once you’re verified.