Tactical question of the day, Round 2: Duffle Bags

[Phantom Warrior]

In my search for some decent cargo pants I ended up on sites like 5.11 Tactical and Wilderness. Both of which sell their own custom tactical duffle bags. Blah blah blah.

That did remind me that I need a good duffle bag. I've been using a $20 McDonalds duffle that I got for free several years ago (Employee of the Month, sweet!). It's finally about to meet it's end. This time I'd like to get something along the same lines, except a little more durable, a little more...dare I say it...tactical?

I was unimpressed by both the 5.11 and Wilderness offerings. 5.11 has more like a day bag and Wilderness doesn't put enough pockets on theirs. Here are my thoughts.

1. Size
Big, but not too big. At least two feet long by one foot square on the ends. At the same time I don't need something the size of a car trunk. Big enough to have room, but small enough to carry around comfortably.

2. Pockets
A must. And many. My McDonalds duffle bag had a zippered pocket on each end that was the size of the entire bag (1 foot square) and another zippered pocket on one side. I would say that's a comfortable minimum. More is better, esp some small internal ones. I like having one side without a pocket to carry against your hip.

3. Straps
A single shoulder strap is a must. I really don't like the back pack straps like on the Army canvas duffles. I saw that on some "Israeli Mossad Tactical Bag" and wasn't impressed.

4. Durability
My last bag was light plastic/nylon or something. Something along the lines of heavy nylon would be good. Solid zippers and a strap that won't rip off (that happened with my old bag).



I guess that's it. Thanks for playing...

 

[Exmasonite]

are you familiar with maxpedition products? i'm not sure of the true nature of the bag you want/need... these aren't "duffle bags" per se but lotsa nice options. VERY heavy duty material and they stand by their products very nicely.

http://www.maxpedition.com/product/catalog_bagcase.htm

these are there attache/carry bags. the MPB makes an awesome range bag. holds laptops very well, too.

here's the general product catalog... the backpacks, gearslingers, and versipacks are very nice, too.

ebay probably has the best deals on these.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Mmmm...the Maxpedition concept is the right idea, but they are too small for what I have in mind. I need a no joke duffle bag. Maxpedition is all backpacks and other smaller bags and packs.

 

[NMshooter]

www.kifaru.net

If nothing else you can drool over some rather impressive gear.

The prices are equally impressive, but still competitive with other high end manufacturers.

Especially if you only want to buy once.

I no longer get sticker shock looking at gear, but I sure do not buy stuff like I used to...

 

[Skofnung]

Perhaps not "Tactical" enough, but I have a similar bag (a discontinued "Duck Wear" brand tool bag) that is as tough as nails.

http://www.all-spec.com/1/viewitem/06049/ALLSPEC/prodinfo/

 

[Exmasonite]

sierra trading post is having a blow out on bags/packs/luggage. here's the link to the "duffles". some are pretty low end, sheeple travel bags but a few seem ok... not sure if they're tough enough for what you're looking for:

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/d/4372_Duffel-Bags.html

 

[Fred Fuller]

Ever consider using a dry bag? I started using a cheapo TexSport rolltop drybag as an extra piece of luggage years ago, and it's still going strong. It's been unphased by airport baggage handlers on several trips (TSA _always_ opens it, I use a tiewrap to lock the buckles together and it always comes out with a different tie on it and an inspection form inside). No problem lashing it down on the luggage rack if we run out of room inside the station wagon on trips, no worry about it getting wet anywhere any time. Roomy, cheap, durable, and you can write your name/address on it with a laundry marker. Works for me...

http://www.greatoutdoorprovision.com/paddle/how_to/bag.html

lpl/nc

 

[Brian Williams]

Get a BucketBoss Long boy
around $38
24" long, lots of pocketttssss
I got mine for about $8 becasue I signed up for an Amazon.com credit card. got $30 for signing up....
http://www.amazon.com/Bucket-Boss-B...ref=pd_bbs_5/002-3424248-6025655?ie=UTF8&s=hi




I have had 8 or 9 handguns and a Marlin 39M takedown in it with lots of ammo for each. About broke my shoulder carrying it but it got my stuff to the range.

 

[hso]

I have Blackhawk bags that I've had for nearly 12 years that I've dragged all over the country through airports and in cars and trucks. If I bothered to wash them they'd probably look like the day I got them (assuming I could get the grease from the airlines out).

 

[scout26]

PW,

I might just have what you'e looking for. I used to work for a company that imported/distributed BUM equipment. Every couple of months we would sell off the returns and overstocks to the employees for $1 a bag.

What I have is an olive drab (old school tactical ) bag- main compartment is roughly 2 feet by 1 foot with handles and a shoulder strap. On each end are zippered pockets roughly 1 foot square. In the front middle (under the logo) is small pocket, big enough for say a wallet, car keys and some change.

I use one for a range bag. I keep glasses and foam ear protection in one end (my kids and I like to bring friends to the range, plus I like being able to offer them to anyone who needs/may have forget them), About a dozen or so bags of ballons from dollar stores are in the other end pocket (great .22 reactive targets for new shooters). Paper targets, ear muffs, trap/shooting vests, shell holders, staplers, staples, club membership cards, bug spray, small tools, etc. go in the main compartment.

I'll see if I can get a picture this weekend and send it to you.

If you like what you see, send me your address and I'll get one out to you.

 

[scout26]

PW,

Here's the (rather crappy) pics:

 

[eng23ine]

Take a look at gall's.com http://www.galls.com/category2.html?assort=general_catalog&cat=2651

 

[scout26]

PW,

Did you find a suitable replacment and if so, what did you replace it with ???


Inquiring minds want to know...........

 

[jthuang]

I have the Eagle Industries medium cargo bag for short 1-3 day overnight trips. I despise those "rollers" (even though I have one, for longer-term business travel) so I got the Eagle bag. It probably does not have enough pockets for you (there are only two besides the main compartment) and there is no padding. It holds like 2,500 cubic inches of gear.

It's solid enough though, and made in the USA. The d-rings used to attach the main shoulder strap are metal (not plastic) and the main handles are sewn around the bag (meaning if you can lift the bag, the handles will generally stay on). $66 direct from Eagle.

I also have a large Blackhawk! padded cargo bag. I got this one on sale when Blackhawk closed them out so I only paid $40 for an $80 bag. It's huge. I think it holds something like 5000 cubic inches. The padding is nice but most of it is on the bottom of the bag, where it's not exactly the most helpful. The shoulder strap is nicer than the Eagle bag because it has that non-slip material (Hawktex or whatever they call it) which makes it a lot more stable on your shoulder. It's not made in the USA though.

That said, PM me if you want a free S&W logo gym bag. I got one free with my P7M8 and have no use for it. I think it has 3 pockets and a shoulder strap (with plastic d-rings).

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Thank you, everyone, for your advice and offers. Since I'm deployed right now I'm planning to hold off on making any purchases. And the slow Iraqi-net is keeping me from doing too much graphics heavy browsing.

I haven't really found something that grabs me yet. Which is part of the reason I'm waiting. Bags are either too simple or don't have enough carrying capacity. I guess that probably means I'm too picky...