My earliest childhood memories include methodically organizing all my possessions into a modified Marine field pack and a Navy seabag. I guess that doesn’t sound very “mainstream,” but my family’s life wasn’t very mainstream, moving all ’round the Western Pacific and Asia on skoshie-short notice. And one of the first rules I learned was that all my stuff had to fit into those two containers — or something stayed behind.
I was just a pup when Dad cut the shoulder straps of that Marine pack, broke out his lock-stitching awl and re-positioned ’em to fit me — also teaching me the use of that awl. My first project was stitching a canvas tube pouch to that pack to hold the track sections of my little toy train firmly and securely; as Dad would say, “ship-shape & squared away.”

Everything had its place; easy to stow, go, or lay hands on quick. In that regard, there wasn’t much transition to becoming a Marine: shrug into my harness, sling my rifle, hoist my seabag, and I was ready to lock, load & rock. It felt good — and those essential disciplines of organization, portability and security continued through service as a SWAT cop, then as “a contracted representative of U.S. and Western interests.” That means “living out of a bag.”

You don’t have to live out of a bag to use and appreciate the same dynamics, and you’ve got so many more great choices than I had for many years! Whether your need is for a NottaHolster, an Urban Bug-Out Bag, a Traveling Trauma Kit, a “Briefcase With Bite” or just a fine field pack, the right one’s out there waiting for you!

So who needs a bag? That response never fails to amaze and amuse me. I know, I know; you and I came from different dimensions, different galaxies, but still… I’ve had some interesting conversations with people on the subject, frequently, when I’ve been in the process of loaning them a range bag, backpack or utility duffle. Even if you live in a big city; don’t hunt, fish, hike, go camping or anything like that, there’s always a need for a well-made, often purpose-built bag, beyond occasional raids on neighbors to borrow their travel luggage. I honestly don’t know how people could get along without “mobile organizers,” or why they would choose to do so. The simple ability to stuff critical items into a weight-balanced, comfortably portable container and move it from Point A to Point B discreetly is, I think, a necessity of adult life. Here are a couple of easy examples:

Three-quarters of you live in areas subject to the destructive forces of earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tornados, forest or wildland fires and/or blizzards. If you had to leave your home, your sanctuary into an unknown inky night or a gray and threatening “day after,” what would you want to bring with you, available in an instant? If stranded on a lonely highway horizon, what would you want neatly organized in your vehicle? Weapons, cell phone, illumination tools, fire-starting supplies, painkillers, antibiotics, bandages, fresh water or a water purifier, mylar emergency blankets — your child’s asthma puffer? Cash, a couple of energy bars, copies of your insurance policies in a waterproof bag? What would you choose to wear, for Pete’s sake? Now, imagine yourself running around your darkened place trying, as the waters rise or the flames converge, to gather up all this stuff?

A single man or woman could simply pull on a large backpack and step out. A couple, properly equipped, could sortie out in pretty good shape. A family takes organizing and discipline. In any case, the right pack, sack, bag or ruck can make a tremendous — maybe a life-or-death difference. I’ve seen too many people who fled from emergencies with things like a handful of plastic clothes hangers and a paper bag of underwear. I remember finding one poor guy who died of exposure holding a family heirloom — a gilt-framed mirror — and an AC-only radio. They didn’t get far, and their stories often ended badly. Make your decisions before “stress overload.”

This is an article, not a volume. I just wanted to get you thinkin’. Now, for just a coupla points on selecting the right kinda bag.

When you’ve got big, heavy loads and handling multiple bags is problematic, you’ve got a wide array of monster-size duffels and carryalls to choose from. The problem is, most of `em are crap, apparently made from woven hammered goat dung and recycled disposable diapers. If I sound like a guy who’s had bad experiences with large bags, you’re right. Very bad experiences. Just think about the kinda long, heavy items a guy like me might try to transport in big bags through less-than-friendly facilities and you might form a mental image. Do NOT scrimp on small change in this category. Get the best features and quality construction, pay for `em, and then don’t worry about `em. The peace of mind is worth it. Spend $9.99 on a bargain bag at Sad Sack’s Surplus and you’ll rue the day, my friend… If you think a dozen eggs and a jug of OJ tearing through a plastic shopping bag is bad, try…uh… Never mind. More on that another time.

The Liberty Bag from ProTech Tactical offers a big lockable main compartment, separate front and end pouches, internal laminated organization pockets and triple compression straps to reduce mass and movement of cargo. Packed light, it carries like a duffle; packed heavy, shoulder straps allow it to be carried as a backpack. At 31"x17"x11”, this is about as large as you should go without a frame and wheels.

Three Day Assault Pack from Diamondback Tactical.

If you want a “do-almost-everything” bag and the ability to come and go virtually unnoticed, the type commonly referred to as a “Three-Day Pack” is for you. Just be alert to backpacks and notice how many people are wearing or carrying this type of bag all the time, almost anyplace you go. They’re ubiquitous – and therefore, almost invisible in this society. Gym gear, books and papers, kilos of cocaine, matched sets of Renaissance-engraved Hi-Powers, severed heads and bundles of drug money pass unnoticed in dime-store electric-blue bags and “technical” bags costing more than your first car. And just as the contents differ, this genre of gear-haulers differs in purpose and features.

The Falcon II from Maxpedition, for example, is designed so that as you use stored consumables, your load compresses and moves your center of gravity lower and closer in to your spine – a fantastic feature if you’re moving over and through rugged terrain, especially at speed. Camelbak’s Demon was purpose-built to look innocently civilian – concealing quick access to hidden weapons. The Stingray, above left, by BLACKHAWK! was designed with input from troops in Iraq executing frequent vehicle-borne and helo-borne ops, in and out of cramped quarters all the time. They wanted a light, suitably-sized hydration pack with smooth, snag-free surfaces. Diamondback Tactical’s Three-Day Assault Pack takes a more generalist approach, concentrating on weight balance, toughness and ease of access, including a low contoured zipper which lets you access the bottom of the pack for small heavy items – like spare ammo – without diggin’ down for `em.

There’s lots more ground to cover, but my fingers are tired and the editor’s ticked `cause I’m `way beyond drop-dead-deadline. Have you ever heard the phrase “That guy’s got his s##t in one bag”? It means he’s smart, equipped and organized: not a bad thing to be known for – even if you need a variety of “one bag’s.” Connor OUT.

Less than three minutes after picking up the Escape & Evasion Bag from Diamondback Tactical, I knew it was (a) heavy duty without being heavy, (b) extremely well made in every detail, and (c) packed with too many functional features to cover here. I also adopted it for immediate, daily use. Go to the Web site for info on features and dimensions, but what it doesn’t say is how comfortably it carries, how smooth and supple the material and construction are, and the “clincher” for me: a very low noise signature. This is a terrific all-around bag at a surprisingly low price. www.diamondbacktactical.com

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