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Hazard4 Kato Mini-Messenger
Saturday, 09 March 2013 00:00

As usual I'm catching up on reviews so the Hazard4 Kato isn't new to the market, but as a result I've given it a solid 1 year beating and the design is still certainly relevant as a modern gear bag. Based on the smaller Tonto, the Kato is a slightly larger size meant to be a great mini messenger bag to hold EDC type gear along with ipads, similar tablets, netbooks, and small laptops.

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Warrior Assault Systems Predator Pack
Thursday, 08 November 2012 01:46


Keeping the pack party going with Warrior Assault Systems is the Predator pack. It may seem familiar as it was the original big boy pack that inspired the smaller Pegasus. Being almost double in size, it holds approx 2500 cu-in / 42 liters which is a slim 3-day pack size class. I sneak "slim" in there as 2800 cu-in appears to be the common 3-day size so the Predator dropped a little mass with the balance of offering more modularity. Since made to hold substantial weight, fortunately a nicely padded hip belt is included by default which is a must for heavy long hauls. There is quite a bit of Pegasus functionality sharing so I'm going to rock some copy/paste action, however you will also see the larger size of the Predator offers new features as well.

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Warrior Assault Systems Pegasus Pack
Thursday, 08 November 2012 01:43


Starting with a wave of goods from Warrior Assault Systems is this nice assault sized pack, the Pegasus. Coming in at around 1400 cu-in / 23 liters carrying capacity, it is a good medium size, likely considered a 1.5-day pack by most. When really stuffed it can get a bit cube-like in shape, however overall a good size to not get in the way of core body movement. Design wise there isn't really anything revolutionary or new about the Pegasus, but all the chosen worthwhile features and build quality makes it shine as a whole.

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511 Tactical All Hazards Prime Backpack
Sunday, 26 August 2012 20:46


This year 5.11 has definitely picked up their game on their tactical gear line with this "All Hazards Prime" pack being a great example. Prime is about one word longer than I'd say, but perhaps it is their way of saying Rush 24 super turbo champion edition. Joking aside, everything I saw from 5.11 at shotshow displayed considerable design refinements which is a great sign that 5.11 is making a true modern gear effort and not a half assed one. The All Hazards pack is certainly feature rich so get ready for a long ride on my attempt to break it all down.

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Maxpedition Fatboy G.T.G.
Saturday, 25 February 2012 00:00


Using the same concepts from the Jumbo KISS, it was pretty much a no brainer to apply them to the Fatboy, the result being this GTG (Good To Go) variant. I would have just stuck with the KISS name variant, but I suppose it helps makes a distinction between the Jumbo and Fatboy. Anyway, the main idea appears to be get costs down while still keeping the core functionality of the bag intact, which I think it does well. Generally small details are taken off such extra webbing and dividers to achieve this while keeping the same overall size and layout. These changes along with using 800D as the core material achieved approximately a 25% weight reduction. The 800D is slightly more flexible compared  to the usual 1000D Maxpedition uses, however is still plenty strong to achieve long term durability.

For some of the other changes, the shoulder strap is now 1.5" rather than 2" and the HK snap is a simple plastic D-ring. Ladies will probably like the more slim strap, but those who weighted down their Fatboy may miss the wider 2" strap for long wear comfort; Don't worry the shoulder pad is still included. The phone pouch and extra webbing have been dropped for simple webbing zones with loop to allow patches or Maxpedition sheath pouch attachment. Due to requests in the past a drag handle has been actually added. Rather than a belt snap, the back uses a velcro flap as seen on the Jumbo series. The result will likely be more comfortable for most as the velcro flap lays more flat against one's body. The same back mesh padding is used which is comfortable, however definitely the durability weak point on the bag having the least abrasion resistance and gets thrashed by hook velcro. As a more substantial change, the secondary compartments are totally different. The GTG now has a water bottle pocket and a GP pocket where the original fatboy had the GP pouch on the other side and a flashlight / sheath pocket. It will depend on the user, however I think most will welcome the addition of the water bottle pocket. Personally I'd rather have the water pocket on the other side so easier to access when worn on the right-hand side, the balance I suppose is the GP pouch would be a pain to access (requiring bag shifting for most) if that was done. On that note, to swap the layout there is the option one could get the S-type (lefty) version and just wear it on the right, just keeping consideration the CCW zipper will open the opposite direction. Sadly there is no grommet on the bottom of the water bottle pocket, or anywhere on the bag for that matter, but not a deal breaker.

Another big change is the removal of the draw-string closure on the main compartment. Some will miss it as it help keep smaller items secure, while some will be happy to see it gone to have more snag free access. The CCW zippered compartment appears overall the same keeping a good size loop field in there; Great for compact or smaller pistols. On the frontal pocket the core is the same with the interior having divided elastic webbing rather than a sleeve divider.

That about sums it up on differences. It is nice that rather than being just a dumbed down version, the GTG changes offer some options that some people may prefer. Overall a great variant to get the price down while keeping the core functionality and size class of the bag intact. 
http://www.maxpedition.com/

 
MAXPEDITION - Typhoon Backpack
Saturday, 14 May 2011 20:53


Based on the old Typhoon Gearslinger, which was based on a single strap design, it appears the design has been resurrected in backpack (2 strap) form. Since this size class is fairly taken care of by the Sitka and Noatak I can understand the concept to make it more like a traditional backpack to offer more small backpack options to Maxpedition's line. I suppose the Pygmy Falcon-II is the only other design that comes close currently.

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5.11 RUSH MOAB 10
Monday, 09 May 2011 16:52


If looking for something a little bigger than MOAB 6, mister MOAB 10 is the larger size of the 5.11 MOAB (Mobile Operation Attachment Bag) series. The overall layout is kinda like a backpack and a tactical log bag like the S.O. TECH Go Bag blended together. For those familiar with the Kodiak, the MOAB 10 size is overall similar, but with less depth offering a holding size between the Sitka and Kodiak. Being a single strap design, emphasis is put on ease for grab and go capability and being able to access while still worn. Attention to detail has been placed on the several parts of the pack including the main strap and inner front compartment dividers to offer enhanced ambidextrous usage.

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MAXPEDITION - Compact Range Bag
Friday, 06 May 2011 22:30


Maxpedition went a more specialized route on this pack design where hence the name the intent is to be a pistol range bag. The foundation is a shoulder bag setup with a cube-ish shape. A removable shoulder strap is included as seen on many Max packs, with their usual modular pad as well. Carry handles are up top as you might have expected which will get plenty of use. Since this type of bag has the possibility to get very heavy with ammo, it would have been nice to have the handle webbing go all the way around under the pack for added durability.

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5.11 RUSH MOAB 6
Thursday, 05 May 2011 22:02


Earlier this year 5.11 expanded their tactical pack line with the MOAB (Mobile Operation Attachment Bag) series, with the #6 here being the lil guy of the bunch. Since worn on the back, my first impression was the cube-ish shape was a little odd. I soon got over that by considering it like a shoulder bag that just happens to be best worn on one's back. The size certainly lends itself better as a GO-Bag as it can be stored easier in places such as under vehicle seats. Being an imported product, it won't have the same feel as US goods, but I think a good balance is made between quality and price. Most importantly it is made up to par to be used dependably in a tactical environment.

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Maxpedition Jumbo KISS
Tuesday, 01 March 2011 01:23

Maxpedition has had great success with the Jumbo series and thus continued to offer new variants to cater to more specific users. This semi new (heh my fault for being slow) KISS variant is specifically made to meet a lower price point by stripping down some features, yet while still keeping all the main capabilities that makes the Jumbo great. Don't worry the same great materials are used so there is no loss of structural quality.

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Hazard4 Plan-B modular sling pack
Tuesday, 28 September 2010 00:00

Originally seeing this bag back at shotshow, I finally got around to getting one for myself to beat up on. The general shape certainly brings memories of the S.O. TECH Go Bag, yet there are substantial changes that make the Plan-B unique and not just some half-assed copy. Before I go off into comparisons, let's go over pack concept. The main idea of having a pack in this tall and slim shape is to optimize it for stowing in vehicles. Rather than two straps, a single thick strap is used to enhance the grab and go capability. Although the Plan-B can hold a diverse array of items, it is still a specialty pack and won't be able to hold things like laptops or other wide items that many people may take for granted fitting in most backpacks.

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Maxpedition Noatak Gearslinger
Monday, 09 August 2010 20:27

Based on the Sitka, Maxpedition came out with this lil' guy to compliment the latest Gearslinger design format. The Noatak is the smallest so far and had me curious at first since the Sitka wasn't exactly huge. Don't worry I'll still go over the details, but the summary is the Noatak is pretty much a smaller Sitka without the upper front pocket. So you might be like me thinking, well what is the point?...Who needs a smaller Sitka? I can always find crap to fit in about any bag, but I found my answers in older Maxpedition designs.

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Maxpedition MPB XXL
Saturday, 15 May 2010 21:14

Overall DIMS: Approx 22" L x 12" W x 13" H

Maxpedition keeps the options coming with this new big boy MPB variant, the XXL. As you may have guessed from the name, it is a fairly large pack, similar to what some may expect out of a patrol bag. The layout is similar to the orignal MPB with an overall upsize to allow larger items such as 17" laptops to fit.

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