Unc relates the tale of how he got his new gear bag:
My wife gave me a small netbook bag and, while lugging it around at the NRA Annual Meetings, it broke. Fortunately, it broke right next to the Maxpedition booth. I took that as a sign I needed a tactical man-purse, and told the guy at the booth I needed a bag. He recommended the Gearslinger. It has plenty of room for a netbook, cables, camera, pens and other doodads needed to cover the show for my blog.
Maxpedition makes good stuff. I've lived out of their
Fliegerduffel
for a week at least twice now. I've been impressed enough that I've been looking at their shoulder bags and trying to rationalize buying one to... uh... maybe replace my current 5.11 turse? You know, if maybe it wore out? ...when I realized that, dammit, just because they're black nylon doesn't mean a gal can't have as many purses as she wants.
I've always felt black nylons were very tactical.
ReplyDeleteAnd I was fortunate enough to be standing beside Unc when he bought that bag and he turned to me and said "I don't need this anymore, if you don't want it I'll throw it in the trash."
ReplyDeleteSo his old man-purse is now my overflow ammo bag for range trips!
I can say enough about how good Maxpedition gear is... I've been carrying and using a Jumbo VersiPak daily for three years now... and I've have a couple of additional products from them... good stuff...
ReplyDeleteDann in Ohio
"turse" == "tactical purse"?
ReplyDeleteperlhaqr,
ReplyDeleteMais oui! :)
I loves me my Maxpedition murse. And the roll up bag is perfect for brass duty at the range.
ReplyDeleteWish is wasn't made in China tho
Two is one and one is none.
ReplyDelete"Just because it's in Black Nylon...." True Story Time. I found a Chinese Knock Off of the Maxpedition Versa Pak that actually was well made. Bought it for my Murse. Got it home, the Wife took a look at it and said "MINE!" So I had to get another one for myself.
ReplyDeleteWhat I like about it is that I can easily carry a SPARE Mid Size Pistol in a nice Pocket Holster with a SPARE Mag Carrier in it all day long in the pocket that's next to the Body, just in case. And yes, it goes with me on my Body, or it stays home locked up. YMMV, of course.
Tam,
ReplyDeleteYour link's and comments to gear is what first prompted me to read your blog. The quip's were an added bonus.
I've got a MaxPedition Jumbo, and it's my EDC bag. Plenty of room for what I need, not a lot of room for useless crap. Comfortable at the shoulder, and touch as nails.
ReplyDeleteI bought one at the same time, it's a good bag, and holds up VERY well! MaxPedition is well worth the money spent, in my opinion...
ReplyDeleteBought the fliegerduffel on your recommendation. That and a wheeled carry on size hard sided pelican case are my 2 pieces of goto luggage. The suitcases they gave me when I went to college now live in the attic.
ReplyDeleteI do pack a smallish empty drawstring cloth duffle. It becomes a laundry bag, usually, but it's nice to have the extra capacity.
just because they're black nylon doesn't mean a gal can't have as many purses as she wants.
ReplyDeleteI surrendered on the "as many purses as she wants" front years ago. I try and tell myself She is looking for the platonic ideal of a purse, but I suspect that, even if she does find it, she'll keep looking, to test it or something...
I have to ask of any gear geeks here, is there any significant advantage to the Maxpedition vs 5.11, if they are of the same size?
ReplyDeleteis there anyone else who makes an equivalent item ?
ReplyDeletei had a very negative experience with a m********n purchase and prefer not to deal with them at all if it is avoidable...
tam? sb? anyone?
A friend of mine has a Voodoo bag. Don't recall whether it's the Stakeout or Tactical Ergo. He's very pleased with it. I've seen it, and upon casual inspection, it appeared well made to me.
ReplyDeleteI continue to contemplate getting something like a Versipack. The Maxpedition Remora also looks very cool. I would also like to hear about any alternatives.
"is there anyone else who makes an equivalent item ?"
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there is, but I try to only comment on what I've used.
Depends on what is meant by "equivalent." According to the spreadsheet I made thinking it would help me make a decision about everyday carry bags (ha!), the 5.11 PUSH is a tad under 370 cubic inches, the Maxpedition Fatboy is 261 for the Good to Go, 268 for the "standard." The Tactical Tailor XFire is 222. (These measurements are based on published dimensions pf pockets.) I've fondled them all, and they are all approximately the same height and width, varying in details, such as how much PALS webbing they have, where they are made, how well,and in what colors. (The Tactical Tailor is available in what might be called "non-tactical" colors...)
ReplyDeleteOf course, amassing all this data has only led me to be even more indecisive...
I've got a black Tactical Tailor Active Shooter bag that's the perfect size for my netbook and a few other items.
ReplyDeleteWhen I flew to Vegas and back for Defcon a few months ago, I was a little amused that no one complained when I took it through airport security.
I bought the 5.11 PUSH originally because the main compartment is the perfect size for a 9" netbook.
ReplyDeleteLove the Maxpedition stuff but also bought a turse substitute from Stoner Holsters at the last Indy show. It looks more handbaggy and less tursey but has held up well and has a lot of pockets and such for the multitool, flashlight, dedicated pistol holster, etc.
ReplyDeleteAll I took to the North Shore for a week was a small Eagle Creek duffel and my small Camelbak-pack big enough to hold the Asus and a mask and snorkel - of course all you need are boardshorts and a towel after that, not even the mask and snorkel since it's all waves and snorkeling sucks there.
ReplyDeleteMy $29 Midway Small Range Bag looks exactalacly like the Maxpedition $127 "Compact Range Bag" down to the little zipper end-flap pockets and strap...
ReplyDeleteI bought one of the Fliegerduffelen last year after you blogged about yours, and I haven't been disappointed.
ReplyDeleteYou and Unc just keep costing me money.
Midwest Chick,
ReplyDelete"It looks more handbaggy and less tursey but has held up well and has a lot of pockets and such..."
'Tursey' has just officially entered the language as an adjective. :)
On a related note, Gearhog currently has a Blackhawk! range bag for $32; MSRP $58.
ReplyDeleteGEARHOG | 50% - 70% off your favorite outdoors, hunting and fishing gear
I think there's a thing where I get points for pimping people out to go there, but I forget how it works.
I would feel a little better about the gear mentioned above if they used YKK flat zippers. I have had a couple of really bad experiences with coiled zippers and determined I would never depend on them again. I am glad your experiences were better. Still looking for somebody who makes affordable bags and uses the zippers I'm looking for.
ReplyDelete