Bought this bag several days ago wish i had seen it before i had bought the HSGI bag i reviewed a few days ago.
Right off the bat: The first thing i noticed was the striking similarity if not identical design and hardware. It is like a BlackHawk shoulder bag. I found out its made in the SAME Vietnam factory that Blackhawk bags are made. That explains the VERY HIGH quality sewing , zipper mounting and complete lack of sloppy stitching. The finish / construction and attention to detail is incredible. The bag is half the size of the HSGI bag, no cover flap either. About 18" x 14" x 5" . One main compartment, with a snug yet roomy slot fo a laptop. Foam padded, but not excessive. There is access to the smaller outer Admin pocket form the main pocket, via zipper. The Admin pocket is simple, 3 pen holders and room for documents. The two outer pockets have a web slot for valuables, and room for day to day EDC stuff. I put in a multitool, rescue knife, spare Surefire 8AX Commander battery stick in the web slot of one pocket, still have tons of room. FAK in the other pocket. The zippers on the two outside pockets are unique in they have a hypalon rubber 'garage" so to speak, for the zipper to securely stow in. On the back of the bag is a simple slot for a paper or what have you, secured by a magnet tab. The shoulder strap has bomber tough metal clips, securing to bomber tough metal triangle rings on the bag. The shoulder strap pad, is shaped, like, well, uh, a large feminine pad. But its very comfortable when the bag is loaded. Underneath the bag is a zipper to allow the bag to expand slightly when stuffed. The bag is less than a 1LB of weight, ACU camo, and built with extreme attention to detail. I paid $53 bucks after taxes. I give it a solid 10/10, and this score is for the ATTENTION TO DETAIL in the stitching and finish - very important things for me. Well done MEC (for those who dont know, MEC is the Canadian version of REI etc etc but they are more extremist in their environazi views, as well as being anti hunter/logger/vehicle etc etc) still, they have good gear once in awhile and this is it.
PICS:
Front of bag:
back of bag:
open slot on back of bag, with magnet closure:
top of bag, showing main compartment, Admin panel access zipper, and tiny LED zipper pull i added for finding stuff in the bag at night.
close up of one of the two main front small pockets. showing the web slot:
the zipper garage on the two front small pockets:
front Admin pocket:
uber tough metal ring and clip for strap:
the uh, "unique" shaped shoulder strap pad:
the secret, super soft, fuzzy suede lined iPod pocket, hidden near the back of the bag: (that aint no iPod.....its pointy and SHARP!)
Right off the bat: The first thing i noticed was the striking similarity if not identical design and hardware. It is like a BlackHawk shoulder bag. I found out its made in the SAME Vietnam factory that Blackhawk bags are made. That explains the VERY HIGH quality sewing , zipper mounting and complete lack of sloppy stitching. The finish / construction and attention to detail is incredible. The bag is half the size of the HSGI bag, no cover flap either. About 18" x 14" x 5" . One main compartment, with a snug yet roomy slot fo a laptop. Foam padded, but not excessive. There is access to the smaller outer Admin pocket form the main pocket, via zipper. The Admin pocket is simple, 3 pen holders and room for documents. The two outer pockets have a web slot for valuables, and room for day to day EDC stuff. I put in a multitool, rescue knife, spare Surefire 8AX Commander battery stick in the web slot of one pocket, still have tons of room. FAK in the other pocket. The zippers on the two outside pockets are unique in they have a hypalon rubber 'garage" so to speak, for the zipper to securely stow in. On the back of the bag is a simple slot for a paper or what have you, secured by a magnet tab. The shoulder strap has bomber tough metal clips, securing to bomber tough metal triangle rings on the bag. The shoulder strap pad, is shaped, like, well, uh, a large feminine pad. But its very comfortable when the bag is loaded. Underneath the bag is a zipper to allow the bag to expand slightly when stuffed. The bag is less than a 1LB of weight, ACU camo, and built with extreme attention to detail. I paid $53 bucks after taxes. I give it a solid 10/10, and this score is for the ATTENTION TO DETAIL in the stitching and finish - very important things for me. Well done MEC (for those who dont know, MEC is the Canadian version of REI etc etc but they are more extremist in their environazi views, as well as being anti hunter/logger/vehicle etc etc) still, they have good gear once in awhile and this is it.
PICS:
Front of bag:
back of bag:
open slot on back of bag, with magnet closure:
top of bag, showing main compartment, Admin panel access zipper, and tiny LED zipper pull i added for finding stuff in the bag at night.
close up of one of the two main front small pockets. showing the web slot:
the zipper garage on the two front small pockets:
front Admin pocket:
uber tough metal ring and clip for strap:
the uh, "unique" shaped shoulder strap pad:
the secret, super soft, fuzzy suede lined iPod pocket, hidden near the back of the bag: (that aint no iPod.....its pointy and SHARP!)
