Maxpedition Fatboy Versipack

The Fatboy is a pack to use for your everyday needs. It is bigger than a waistpack and smaller than most backpacks. It can be used either as a waistpack (not recommended) removing the shoulder strap or in badolier style with the padded shoulder pad.

The main compartment is accessed opening an adjustable buckle that also has a d-ring. Once the flap is opened you have access to the main compartment and to two smaller compartments in front of the big one, one of them closed with a zipper. The unzippered compartment is good for things that you want to access quickly while being protected or hidden under the main flap, the zippered compartment with a pocket inside is great for small loose items.

The main compartment is protected by a protective hoodie that can be depolyed in case of severe rain or just left opened otherwise, there are mesh pockets on both sides of the main compartment. Inside the main compartment you can fit things as big as some reflex cameras with their accesories this should give you a good idea of the size.

Behind the main compartment there is a strap that can be used to attach the Fatboy to your belt for extra security or as an additional support point if the pack is heavy. There is padding to make the pack confortable against your waist.

With the main flap closed you have access to a zippered pocket in the flap useful for small flat items and a big zippered compartment that is behind the main one, here you can put big flat objects maybe envelopes, a wallet, paper, etc.

On the sides of the main compartment there are two pouches. One of the pouches is a zippered pouch with straps for external attachment, inside this pouch you can fit multi-tools, flashlights and many other items. The other pouch is a velcro closure pouch that seems to be specially created for flashlights, most of them will fit here. On the sides of this pouch there are pen slots for pens with pocket clips.

The ends where the shoulder straps are attached have some surprises too, one of them has another pouch the smaller of the three with a buckle closure that is good for cell-phones or items you need to keep very accesible. An MP3 player, is a good idea since it is easy to reach your head with the headphones from the shoulder band pouch.

On the other side there is a carabiner in the same style of the maxpedition keyper that can be used to hang a keychain or other objects, below the clip you have more straps for attachment of extra pouches.

Constructed in excellent nylon with double stitching and lot of reinforcement points the Fatboy is an excellent day pack with many pockets, pouches and the verstaility to be expanded if needed. It is certainly a very recommendable pack for your daily stuff.

The Fatboy is available in black, tan, olive and camo versions. You can read more at Maxpedition's website and You can order from Lighthound for $59.

Civilian Lab Bottle Mini Holster

This bottle holder from Civilian Labs features a stainless steel bottle holder buckled to a clip. It can be used to carry water bottles hanging from a backpack, a belt, a waistpack or other options.

The metal snap adapts to the neck of common water or soda bottles and the clip attaches to your belt or pack to use it you unbuckle the plastic buckle so the clip stays clipped to the belt or backpack while the metal snap stays clipped to the bottle.

The advantage over other common rubber ring based holders is that the metal snap won't get brittle or break with use and that you don't need to remove and reinsert the bottle in the holster every time you need to drink. The plastic buckle is fast enough to get the bottle whenever you want.

Our field test showed that either hanging from a belt loop or a backpack a bottle of water is at no risk of falling and the buckle makes it very easy to get the bottle, sip some water and put it again in the holster.

The construction is very solid, the metal snap will resist a lot of use, the plastic clip is probably not the best clip for attachment but has not demonstrated any problems during my tests. The wire gate may get out if you try to clip it to some tight straps but it is easy to put it back on. Once clipped it stays well in place.

You can read more at Civilian Lab's website or order for $7 from TAD Gear.

Maxpedition Keyper

The Keyper is a solid keyring from maxpedition that can be used as a keyring or as an attachment point for several items in backpacks, bags and other items.

The keyper has double loop (3 straps) of cordura nylon with reinforced stitches that closes using strong velcro. The three straps allow your belt or attachment strap to remain isolated from the velcro and then the velcro closure has contact in 100% of its surface for a stronger result. Attached to the loop is a metallic spring clip, the clip has an "eye" that can be used to pass a splitring or some paracord if needed.

The belt/backpach attachment loop is extremely strong and resistant regardless of the weight the keyper will not dettach or fall. The metal clip is quite good but the spring might lose some tension with constant use but not enough to make splitrings fall.

Retailing for about $9 the keyper is a very solid keyring and attachment accesory for your backpacks. You can read more in Maxpedition website.

TOPS TP005 Waist Pouch

This is a Waist pouch by TOPS (tactical operation products), it features a main compartment with a handle, two removable side pouches and a zippered front compartment.

The main compartment has plenty of space for several items, the "U" shape zipper is a good idea to load and unload items on the go. Inside the compartment you can find a removable pocket for 6 CDs/DVDs, a net pocket for loose/small items and a flapped pocket that can be used to carry batteries or other small items. There is also a small cord with a clip for keys or small items.

The front compartment has internal pockets for flat items and a net pocket. The front pocket has MOLLE attachment points to add extra pouches if you want to attach carabiners or other objects. At the sides you will find two pen pockets for pens that have a clip.

The side pouches can be removed using the MOLLE system, you can move them to the front if you want for example, they have a small zippered external pocket. These pouches are good for radios, multitools, flashlights, phones, PDAs and other items that you want to access quickly.

On the back you will find yet more MOLLE attachment points in case you want to attach this waistpack to a backpack or something similar, the waistbands can be stored inside the back of the waistpouch if you want to carry it with the top handle or attached to a bigger pack.

The construction is excellent made of cordura nylon with reinforcement points and double stitching, the amount of things you can carry is surprising for the size of the bag and there are many possible configurations and reconfigurations for different needs. You are getting 3 pouches for the same price, the big one and the two small side pouches. The only small drawback I can find about this bag is that it is a tad big for EDC in a urban environment but is certainly great for any kind of small travel you do or as a complement to your backpack or large bag.

You can read some extra information from Tops website and buy it for $50 from LightHound.

Maxpedition M2 WaistPack

The M2 is the smallest waistpack from Maxpedition. This pouch is constructed in super strong cordura nylon, it has a main compartment with a double zipper and a smaller front compartment that closes with a buckle.

Inside the main compartment there are small flat pockets for cards, ids and other small items. The compartment itself can carry a PDA, notepad and other items, the pouch is small in size but has a very good volume so you will be surprised by the number of things you can carry.

The front compartment is good for a cellphone, multitool, flashlight or other items that you want to access quickly. There are two bottomless pen pockets in the sides for pens and pencils that have a pocket clip. The pouch can be attached to the belt using the loops in the back and it can also be attached to a backpack or bag using Malice clips. There are both horizontal and vertical attachment points in the back of the pouch.
The price for the M2 is $22 and you can find more information at Maxpedition official site.