REVIEW: Centauron First Responder

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A backpack that works within the system to provide military first responders with flexible equipment, that was the goal in the development of the Zentauron First Responder (ZFR). Together with the Hammelburg troop school, a backpack system has been created that can be adapted to a variety of situations. We have broken it down for you into its individual parts. (Click on images to enlarge).

Here is the First Responder System on the table: the backpack (right), the Smartbelt (left) and the intervention bag together form the ZFR, where you could also take two bags; there would be space on the belt for that.

The First Responder backpack on the man: it is not small with 25 liters. Nevertheless, it fits well to the contour of the wearer. With a depth of 14 centimeters, it is very flat and not angular, because the corners are rounded so that the wearer does not get caught on anything during use. If you want more: the entire outside is equipped with MOLLE, so you can add on. At the top of the backpack is a carrying handle, on the front side, there is another handle attached to the practical Velcro area with which you can open the lid when the backpack is on the ground.

Here it is and it is open, and at first glance, you can see: the interior is as big as Russia. And it's also nicely fluffy. This is pleasant, but it's not meant to be pleasant for its own sake, because the fluff is only there to be able to create the interior in a modular way. How this looks with dividers and pockets, we have already shown you in the Review of the Zentauron Atlas backpack.

What we particularly like about the ZFR is the design on the carrying side: a nice back view (left) and very good shoulder straps (top right) make it a pleasant guest on the man. The straps can also be closed in front of the chest (bottom right).

The ZFR intervention bag is a small room miracle and is designed for tactical first responders. It is designed so that the user can follow a packing order, with gloves in the outside pocket and bandaging material in the inside compartment, all in the correct order for quick access. Flexible loops ensure that nothing flies around.

The Smartbelt here (left) is not broken, it comes in two parts. There are large Velcro areas on the inner ends. The purpose of this is that the belt can be velcroed into the backpack, for example. It is prepared for insertion: just lift the flap (top right), insert the belt, and close the flap (bottom right). This is the lazy variant. For perfectionists, there is an additional Velcro flap so that the belt is held in position doubly. What we see here with the backpack works the same with the intervention bag.

Both applied: on the left, the Smartbelt with the intervention bag as a Velcro bridge between the two parts. All together results in a well-padded battle belt. On the right, you can see the Smartbelt integrated into the backpack. The intervention bag was attached to the Smartbelt on the left side, where it holds very well thanks to a small strip of Velcro on the inside.

CONCLUSION: A solid backpack that is not limited to the role of the first responder. We find it particularly practical that you can break down the kit to the smallest, easiest-to-carry solution, namely the Smartbelt with the intervention bag. On the other hand, a lot can also be taken with you if you opt for the maximal approach. What we aesthetically like, is the German approach from Zentauron to combine Multicam with Olive. From Americans, you usually see it combined with Khaki. The German combo gives Multicam a darker camouflage effect.

The First Responder System by Zentauron consists of the Rescue Backpack ZFR (199 Euro), the Intervention Bag ZFR (85 Euro), and the Padded Smartbelt ZFR (49.99 Euro). The belt is also available in an unpadded version (39.99 Euro). If you want to customize the interior of your Zentauron First Responder, you will find the various Velcro modules here.