TACTICAL GEAR: Bag Whores – Part 2: Bag boys, bag boys, watcha gon, watcha gon, watcha gonna carry today?

Tactical Assault backpack – Nepalese style

TACTICAL GEAR: Bag Whores – Part 1

This is a small selection of bags I consider interesting.  And if you’re wondering, why is model ABC from company XYZ missing?  “Because I never owned one,” would be the easiest answer. There are simply too many bags and companies out there to mention every model ever produced. So please, forgive me if I do not mention your trusted LoadMaster 5000 from Beta Industries…

In addition I cover everything price-wise but I already hear people asking: what about this alternative from Rip-Off Industries for USD 30 – it’s the same design but cheaper? Not my cup of tea my friends unless you want to store you valuable gear in a cheap bag. I know how much works goes into R&D and I value innovation.

I also recommend you to check out technical details on their website as I wanted to avoid copy-and-pasting of technical data. You’ll also find pricing and color options on those sites.

Arc’teryx Blade 30

The Blade is not really part of the LEAF (Law Enforcement and Armed Forces) series, which I am a big fan of. It’s clearly a civilian bag with some nice features offered to all Arc’teryx customers. It is also available as the smaller Blade 24. A MULTICAM version was available to LEAF customers only. On the plus side it’s not on the same price level as other LEAF products. For that price tag those bags are not made in the USA of course.

Consider the Blade 30 to be the perfect carry-on or office bag which your coworkers will inquire about. If you happen to schlep one from your home to the car to the office, you’ll love it. In my experience it’s not comfortable to carry with only one shoulder-strap used – due to the stupid location of the two shoulder-straps. The location of the shoulder-straps is the only big disadvantage – else this bag would be über-perfect.

Its clever internal pockets and zippered dividers allow you store a notebook computer, several magazines, a document organizer, clothing and several smaller items, which is a big advantage when using that thing in airports. A quick access pockets allows you to store pens, a flashlight, etc.

Well there’s also a “hidden” pocket advertised everywhere, which is for travel documents like a passport. Good news: it fits other things as well like a single-, pssst, -stack, psst, 1911…

My recommendation: if you happen to wear black, discrete LEAF clothing on a “business” trip, you should get one – but after trying one out first. It’s perfect as a discrete carry-on and unless I can flip it I’ll keep it for just that. Arc’teryx has some LEAF-only bags, which I could not try out so far. Friends tell me those packs rock unless you happen to pay for them…

http://leaf.arcteryx.com/ – About 200$

Diamondback Tactical (also known as “BattleLab”) Assault SOF Pack Jumpable

Disclaimer: I love those guys. Been to the factory several times, met the founder, the CEO, etc. Diamondback Tactical was started by Jason Beck (now running his own gym/MMA-studio) and is a combination of a specialized distributor like ADS and a manufacturer like EAGLE Industries.

Today all in-house gear is made in Arizona. So far everything is bomb-proof and top-notch, though nothing is indestructible as James already noted in one post. The backpacks and bags are awesome and I can really recommend them, especially when you look for top-notch MULTICAM gear with a good price. Of course all products are also available in black, ranger-green, and other colors/camo-patterns.

This backpack was developed for a military client who wanted his people to parachute with a HARRIS SATCOM. I think this bag will even survive a jump without a parachute – though the end user might not carry the same benefit.  It’s huge and heavy. Seriously, I had several people (not kidding here!) who couldn’t lift the bag after I filled it up. Still, even with all the weight this backpack is very comfortable to carry.

So, if you look for a workhorse of backpack: this is the bag for you. Several outside-pockets, no MOLLE webbing (it’s for parachuting, remember?), integrated rain-cover on the bottom of the pack, outlets for the SATCOM’s antenna/cable, two large antenna-pockets on the side, pockets for storing the jump-straps, and sturdy enough for anything… It also has some nice features like two internal pouches that are attached with loops and Velcro, so nothing can wobble around. Another plus is the internal frame that keeps the bag in shape, even if it is empty.

Some intel-squirrels requested an optional camera-insert and there is also an optional notebook/organizer-insert available.

So far I brought several airline employees to tears when I told them that this was my carry-on and I would not give it up. I am not lying when I tell you that I crammed this thing into every overhead storage area so far. Never mind some douche slamming the bin-door against your bag…

There are two more alternatives available: one being with MOLLE and the other a 3-day pack. All the bags are pricy but worth every cent.

http://www.battlelab.com/product/Diamondback-Tacticalreg-SOF-Assault-Pack-Jumpable,92,30.htm – About 400$

Diamondback Tactical Large Kit Bag

When was the last time you needed to bring a set of clothing and a short assault rifle or PDW? Well, Diamondback Tactical has got you covered as well. This bag is awesome if it’s filled up. It’s not so comfortable if it’s empty, because it’s too soft to hold its shape empty. It will fit clothing for at least two days plus several other items like a Noveske Diplomat. But, carrying a heavy messenger-bag on one side only is not everybody’s favorite.

My recommendation is to use this bag as a go-bag with clothing and something bigger than a handgun. Internal organization is not really available unless you count the internal mesh-pocket and two front pockets, but this is why EAGLE’s gadget-bags were created on the eighth day. (More on those later!) So, unless you fill it up with crumpled paper, you might look for other alternatives as well…
If you look for a soft shoulder-bag for a good price-tag, you’ll be very happy with this one.

http://www.battlelab.com/product/Diamondback-Tacticalreg-Large-Kit-Bag,85,24.htm – About 57$

Kifaru XRay

Long story short: great company, great products, and even greater customer service. So far the only company stitching custom name-tags on your bag. The price is the result of made in the USA with the best available materials and workmen-ship. I recommend you to check out the website and the reviews on MiliaryMorons.com.

The XRay is my only Kifaru bag so far and I maxed it out with additional pouches and add-ons. The concept of the XRay is very interesting as it is a top- and front-loader at the same time, which is awesome: open the top for quickly accessing smaller items, open the front for taking out larger items like clothing.

Internal aluminum rods make the backpack stable on its own and it has four pockets: outside top pocket, inside top mesh pocket, CamelBak bladder pouch, and one inside zipper-pocket on the front side. You can add up to three internal pouches and attach a smaller outside-bag/pouch like the Kifaru Claymore-pouch.

The XRay is a relatively small backpack though, which is the reason I love it so much. It’s perfect for a day-trip including a water/Tequila-bladder, some food, a jacket, and your gear. I never had the need to use a waist-belt with this one, as the bag is very, very comfortable to carry. Highly recommended and worth saving your money for.

https://kifaru.net/xray.html

Maxpedition OCTA Versipack

This is the company that brought us MOLLE into the civilian world. I’ve been using the products since TAD Gear in San Francisco started as their first distributor I think. I am not a big fan of the brand but I use so many items on a daily basis that I have to admit that I really, really like them. It’s American engineered but Asian-made. To defend the pricing: the gear is over-stitched. I have not managed to destroy one single bag/pouch yet and so have many of my friends failed to do as well. Maxpedition is your #1 source for all kind of pouches and man-purses.

The OCTA is a hip/waist-bag and it is so perfect, that I got me two of the same model. (I am even displayed with one in the Maxpedition catalog though the caption is totally wrong.) There are several alternatives and sizes, also from other companies, but the OCTA is simply perfect in weight and size. If you get one in black, it does not look too tactical – especially when you’re not using the MOLLE for additional pouches.

The OCTA will hold a small hand-gun or something less-lethal like a TASER X26 plus several other things. I use mine for jogging carrying my house-keys, my iPod, and several other items with me.

http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/OCTA-VERSIPACK-4p433.htm -About 68$

Maxpedition Gleneagle Messenger Bag

I wanted a big, impressive messenger-style bag and I got one. Not really looking civilian but it blends in when in black. It has two long outside pockets for a flashlight or baton and has some really neat features like a carry-handle (genius!) or a flap with a zipper on top, so you can access the main compartment without opening the flap first.

The main compartment is huge; fitting clothes, possibly a 17” notebook computer, and is a four-sided loop field for attaching Velcro pouches – sold extra of course. On the front it has two large pockets closed with flaps. These two pockets are so big that they even fit my Netbook!  If you are concerned that your Chiropractor really needs that new yacht: not really a good choice… Nevertheless, a small model is available as well.

Right now I have filled mine with: a TAD OP-1 organizer, a Netbook, flashlight in outside pouch, a soft-shell in the main pocket plus a document organizer. It’s heavy but comfortable enough to carry around.

Unfortunately Maxpedition kept the price down by not including a shoulder pad for the shoulder strap. Stupid… (Another big plus for the DBT version.)

http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/GLENEAGLE-MESSENGER-BAG-Large-13p1233.htm – About 135$

EAGLE Industries Escape and Evade Pack

Presenting you the grand-daddy of everything tactical. The company that brought us the CIRAS-M vest, the three-day “AIII” backpack, various holsters and sheaths, and the list goes on. My favorites are from a huge list of highly recommend products:

Also available in two sizes, the bigger one is perfect for pilots of helicopters or as a go-bag in your car – or both. I know some people still using those even after leaving the Air Force. It’s very limited in storage but due to its five internal mash-pockets very well organized. An outside pocket can hold a standard water-bladder.

If you fill it up with small items like a GPS, batteries, medical items, etc. you can barely fit a jacket in there. My recommendation is to fit a thin, folded soft-shell jacket like the Arc’teryx ATOM LT Jacket in one of the bigger mesh-pockets.

The really interesting point is that you can store the shoulder straps in an outside pocket and use the bag with the integrated handle only. Which on the other side explains why this bag is not really comfortable when carried over some time: the shoulder straps are a temporary solution but you are more concerned about leaving in a hurry anyway.

http://www.eagleindustries.com/product.php?productid=488&cat=60&page=1 – About 160$

EAGLE Industries Courier Bag LE

This is the perfect messenger-type bag if you need to carry a notebook computer, documents/magazines, a gun, and accessories. If you choose one in grey, it’s just another shoulder-bag. It has one internal pocket and another “hidden” one – covered with a large loop-field, which allows you to place a Velcro holster and some magazine pouches.

It’s right between similar models from BattleLab and Maxpedition – also size-wise.

http://www.eagleindustries.com/product.php?productid=716&cat=62&page=1 – About 180$

EAGLE Industries Gadget Bags

I love these and have one in small and one in large. The small one is perfect for storing all your cables, power-adapters, battery-containers, and whatever you’ll need on a mission/road-trip, while the larger one can be your impromptu shopping/gun/notebook bag. This bag is basically one, large zippered pocket with two handles. Perfect as an organizer for all those bigger bags you probably have now after my article. My recommendation is to order at least the small and large one. And, for that price you can’t go wrong.

http://www.eagleindustries.com/product.php?productid=192&cat=62&page=1 – About 20$

TACTICAL GEAR: Bag Whores – Part 3

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~Lorenz “Lo” Szabo
Contributing Correspondent

Lorenz “Lo” Szabo is an Austrian citizen and tactical gear-head, helping US companies locate customers in Europe and parts of Middle East. His areas of expertise are body-armor, less-lethal, and low-light. He also consults end-users on special equipment and training. He loves coffee, cigars, and all kind of bling made from Titanium. He has a dislike for people using political correctness as a defense for their own stupidity. As he has written this all himself, it might not be true at all…