Advice re: EDC bag and Maxpedition...

[Cutshaw]

I've been using a decent nylon fanny pack for several years now as my EDC from home->car->work->store->home and occasionally to do site surveys at stadiums or remote communications towers. The fanny pack was actually pretty large (Front: 8x6x1.5, Main: 11x7x4) with little little organizer sleeves and a nice 1.75" webbing band. It worked fine and was unobstrusive enough to actually be a true EDC.

The caveat to this is that I used it 95% of the time as a over-the-weak-shoulder carry; seldom did it see service as a waist belt. Eventually it got so stained and crappy looking that I had to stop using it for carry to the office.

I replaced it with a LLBean lumbar pack. (M: 12x10x4, 2nd 11x9x3, front: 8x8x2.) It is a heavy, waterproofed nylon. The bag has a rear sleeve to hide the waist belt so I attach the shoulder strap and carry it that way most of the time. It's also got the elastic-necked mesh bottle holders on each side that I use to hold credentials and other garbage. There is LOTS of extra room in this thing... My BK2 will comfortably fit in the back pocket with a KelTec P11... If one were so inclined.

The problem: It's too big and, as such, I don't carry it as much as the old one that is no longer available new. (I bought it at the now defunct Nature Company.)

So, I'm interested in the idea of the Maxpedition Versipacks and I've got a couple of questions since there is no local retailer to "touch" some of the product.

1- The Thermite: Is it appreciably smaller that the Fatboy? I mean, I see an inch here and an inch there, but is the real life difference significant? It looks like a good option for shoulder carry.

2- The Fatboy (s): How comfortable when vertically hung? I don't see myself ever carrying these bags across my body diagonally but rather hanging to the left rear of the body while suspended from the left shoulder. Do-able?

3- The Proteus: Is there a shoulder carry option?

I've seen posts that said everything from "the Thermite is TINY" to "the Thermite is roomy." Same for the Proteus and Fatboy.

My bag typically carries:

Becker Necker
Mesh drawstring bag with 3-4 USB pen drives and memory sticks.
Zippo
90 degree light refractor
2 pens
(2-aaa) Hubbelite
Sony NR70V/U PDA (the big one)
3x5 spiral notebook
post-it pad
contact lenses lube
floss
extra cell phone battery
4" adjustable wrench
business card holder
wallet
altoids tin with medicine/pills packets
Leatherman
fleece drawstring bag for sunglasses
full-size locking carabiner
20' paracord


After all of that it would be nice to have a little room to add something for occasional carry but not necessary.

I would prefer the Thermite but I have concerns about the size. The Fatboy looks good but I am concerned about how it carries when not slung diagonally. The Proteus can be shoulder carried??

If I need more room for tools, I use this Arc'Teryx .

Thanks in advance...

 

[parfive]

I have all three of the bags that you listed. From what you have described that you are going to carry, I believe that you will be able to fit it all in the Thermite. Once you have packed it all in you are probably not going to have much room left over.
The Fatboy is indeed quite larger and may be too large for what you are looking for.
It appears that the Thermite is the way for you to go. The worst, you can always send it back if you don't like it.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Duluth Trading has a real variety of bags in different shapes and sizes, including a heavy-duty waist pack and this camera bag.

 

[Cutshaw]

Parfive - Thanks for the advice. The one I am looking at is used, so if I don't like it, I'll just re-offer on the trade page. As long as s/h are in line, I think I'll get it.

Benyamin - Thanks for your feedback as well. I like the look of the Duluth bags and have considered them a good, strong, affordable contender!! Without seeing it in person, the description makes their stuff sound pretty durable.