Need new dad bag

[Wheeler]

We just got back from a trip to Africa. I was warned by several folks that my Maxpedition Malaga that I use for my EDC bag would cause issues when going through the various security checkpoints, not to mention drawing unwanted attention while in London for a day. I now wish I had stuck to my guns and used the Malaga, because it's a great bag for my current usage and would have served well for my travel requirements.

Instead I used a Vertx EDC Essentials I had horse traded for. The bag stored everything I needed while traveling and while on game drives. The zippers worked fine, it protected all my doodads but I didn't really care for it.

The shoulder pad was never where I needed it to be. The strap would twist and bind, and the adjustment system was poorly designed IMO. The vertical pocket supposedly for a water bottle didn't work with a 1L battle very well. The MOLLE panel didn't work with the clips on my DPx HEST sheath, which works on every other piece of MOLLE gear I have tried it with. In short, the bag was OK, it served the purpose but I wasn't happy with it as I ended up constantly readjusting it to get it to remain comfortable.


Travel configuration.


Game drive configuration

[Wheeler]

I don't know why it included that third image at the bottom. I thought I had only uploaded two pictures. Apologies.

[rob_s]

I'm glad you posted that...

Something else I've been considering is a sling bag, perhaps as an alternative to the backpacks, particularly when it's hot out since I often find the backpack half or even a quarter full but I bring it just to have the small essentials.

It looks like they range from the small (perhaps slightly girly) to the full tac-tard to the mini-messenger. I saw a lot of fanny packs at the Folk Fest but most were carried like a sling and didn't look terribly comfortable or well designed to I think that saves me from that embarrassment.

[rob_s]

Some current contenders in the backpack realm...

Tom Bihn Synapse 19 - $200 - 27oz

Tom Bihn Synapse 25 - $210 - 32oz

Arc'Teryx Mantis 26 - $149 - 14.5oz

TAD Axiom 18 - $245 - 35.2oz (seems heavy given volume)

TAD Axiom 24 - $325 - 37.6oz (seems heavy given volume)

[peterb]

Sling bags always feel unbalanced to me compared to a small backpack. I hate walking with stuffed pockets, so for less-than-small-backpack stuff a fanny/lumbar pack works well for me. I’ve got one with two bottle pockets that’s great for long dog walks: a bottle for each of us, small bowl, bags, snacks, first aid, etc.
It probably helps to be living where being dressed for a hike doesn’t get a second glance.

[MGW]

I’ve become a big fan of the Vertx bags. They have everything I need and can be customized inside using their Velcro accessories. Lots of 25% off discount codes out there too.

[Grey]

The axiom looks nice but I dont know if the TAD price is worth it and I have a lot of TAD shit...

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[Wheeler]

I'm glad you posted that...

Something else I've been considering is a sling bag, perhaps as an alternative to the backpacks, particularly when it's hot out since I often find the backpack half or even a quarter full but I bring it just to have the small essentials.

It looks like they range from the small (perhaps slightly girly) to the full tac-tard to the mini-messenger. I saw a lot of fanny packs at the Folk Fest but most were carried like a sling and didn't look terribly comfortable or well designed to I think that saves me from that embarrassment.

My Malaga is a full blown tactard bag. I still wish I had taken it.

On the flip side I used a 5.11 Covert Roll Top bag on the return trip home and it performed quite well for getting through the various airports and security checkpoints.

[rob_s]

I’ve become a big fan of the Vertx bags. They have everything I need and can be customized inside using their Velcro accessories. Lots of 25% off discount codes out there too.

yeah if you read back through the thread I tried one of their bags and didn't like it. I have a love/hate with Vertx in general. They are a 90% company in my opinion, meaning their products hit 90% of the keys that I want but the remaining 10% are massive fails that either make the whole thing no good or massively annoying to deal with (like their goddamn shorts/pants sizing where I wear a 34/32 in almost every other brand but apparently need a 36/30 troll pant from Vertx).

threadjack, but I think they are a great example of what happens when enthusiasts start companies without the history of product development that a Jansport, REI, etc. come into the game with.

[MGW]

yeah if you read back through the thread I tried one of their bags and didn't like it. I have a love/hate with Vertx in general. They are a 90% company in my opinion, meaning their products hit 90% of the keys that I want but the remaining 10% are massive fails that either make the whole thing no good or massively annoying to deal with (like their goddamn shorts/pants sizing where I wear a 34/32 in almost every other brand but apparently need a 36/30 troll pant from Vertx).

threadjack, but I think they are a great example of what happens when enthusiasts start companies without the history of product development that a Jansport, REI, etc. come into the game with.

I'm with you on the pants. I had forgotten that you tried one of their bags.