connjdc’s post about the Eagle LE Courier bag got me to thinking I should post my bag also. I’ve been thinking for a while about what should go into an EDC bag and I guess I’m the only one looking to blend everyday usefulness with a modicum of tactical (ugh) usefulness.
I’ve looked at a few of the ready-made tactical themed bags out there, and most of them aren’t for me. They’re either too big, too small, or too obviously military. The bag pictured below measures roughly 14"x14"x4", about ideal as far as I’m concerned. Big enough to stash a couple of binders, books, small enough that it won’t hold a laptop (more on that later).
The outside with flap closed. Totally generic, right down to the reflective piping. The flap can be buckled closed, but I usually leave it unbuckled. No velcro on the flap closure. I can go either way on using velcro to hold down the flap. A flap is a must, IMHO. Hides everything that’s going on inside.
Flap open. There are 3 pouches on the front of the bag for goodies. I like this arrangement as it keeps the stuff I get at most from collecting in the bottom of the bag.
Left pocket is unpadded and usually holds an ipod and cigs.
Right pocket is padded and was originally intended to hold CDs (yeah, it’s an old bag). It holds my wallet and phone nicely.
Big pocket on the bottom is good for pens and such.
Pocket on the leading edge (I wear this bag left handed) is flapped and barely fits a 5.11 velcro backed double mag pouch. In this case, it holds two G19 magazines. I think G17 would fit also. The thing I like best about this pocket is that it disappears from view on the side of the bag and even if someone did notice it, no one would think there’s 30 rds of 9mm inside.
The original D rings ripped out after a while, so I had them repaired locally.
The open pocket on the other side holds a Pentagon X2 with lanyard. This will probably get replaced as I carry a Surefire E1B on me at all times now.
Minor quibble: the interior of the bag is black. Good for stealth, bad for finding stuff.
Originally a thin nylon “privacy divider” sectioned off the interior of the bag. That was modified to be a rollaway divider when I had velcro sewn inside the bag. The velcro can easily hold a G19 in a 5.11 velcro backed holster. The divider can roll up over the gun to hide it completely. The back of the bag is padded which serves to break up the outline of the gun should anybody get a look at the outside.
Size comparison with an M&P 9mm
Shoulder strap. No quibbles.
Another bag I looked at was the Moderate Embarassment from Crumpler, as I’d been told they make a good high quality piece. Plus, they came in sizes that I thought were more ideal than the typical laptop carrying case. I don’t like laptop cases as a rule as I think they’re too big and attract too much attention. I found it to be well made, but the design was lacking for what I wanted to use it for.
With M&P 9mm
Open. Velcro and buckle to secure the flap. No outside pockets were a big -1 for this bag.
Interior. Obviously this is a laptop case. Not much more than a laptop case, it turns out. The interior of the bag is very tight.
A zippered outer pocket makes you think there is plenty of room, but again, it’s very tight.
I was impressed with the construction of the Crumpler bag, but I found the layout lacking. The only reason I’m keeping it is that I may buy a laptop someday, and this’d be a good thing to haul it with.
In the end the bag I carry everyday isn’t a go-to-war piece of kit, it’s just a well made piece that carries a couple of extra items that the normal Jansport or Timbuktu bag designers wouldn’t think to carry. It’s a nice standalone piece when I can’t carry on me for some reason, or to have sitting in the car just in case.
I have looked at a number of similar items from manufacturers across the spectrum and the only thing I see replacing my current setup is an LBC from POK. I recently got to finger one and found myself impressed with it’s construction and layout. I got in touch with the maker immediately and let him know I want one. When it shows up, I’ll update this thread.
