Abstract: A low profile backpack system is provided which includes a mechanism for allowing free movement of the shoulder straps as the wearer moves, bends, twists from side to side, etc. The inventive mechanism comprises a buckle having a pair of transverse elongated slots. The buckle is fixed to the top of the pack by means of a single vertically oriented strap which passes through the lower of the two slots. A second strap passes through the upper slot and has its ends fixed to an end of each of two shoulder straps adapted to fit over the shoulders of the wearer. A further inventive feature is the provision of a quick release fire shelter on the pack which may be deployed by one hand. The shelter is stored in a rectangularly shaped pouch depending from the bottom of the pack. An open end of the pouch is selectively closed by a flap secured by Velcro fasteners. Pulling a release strap depending from the pouch first disengages the fasteners.