CM Burns
04-02-04, 12:17 PM
First a little background.....
I have loads of backpacks, Camelbak hydration packs, bumbags etc but I have never found a convenient & comfortable way of carrying my 10 x 42 binoculars (I've experimented with compact bino's but even Leica's do not offer the same image quality as a decent full size pair...). So when I saw the Fatboy Versipack I thought it just might meet my needs.
Well I received the Fatboy in the post this morning and luckily I have a day off work so I can play.... (actually I have to wait for Cable Guy to come and repair out set-top box...).
The bag is extremely well made - the label says "hard use gear" - and I don't doubt that it is (though ODS reckons that Blackhawk kit is rumoured to be even better than this stuff!?)
The fully adjustable shoulder strap is about 2" wide webbing with an luxuriously comfortable pad (which velcro's on so can be easliy removed if required). I reckon that the bag would still be comfortable if you had 20lb in it - the strap is that comfortable!!! Immediately above the bag itself on the right side there is a "keykeeper" attached to the strap - basically a powerful mini carabiner.
The lid covering the main compartment has a small zipped pocket suitable for coins, keys etc
The main compartment is protected by a mini "bivi" nylon sleeve to make it weatherproof. There are 2 mesh document pockets inside - one each side of the main compartment which easily accomodates my binoculars with plenty of room for other stuff. However, I will probably just use it for the bino's and put a closed cell foam liner in there to add protection and full waterproofing. This compartment is easliy deep enough to accomodate a 3 cell Surefire type torch.
Immediately above the main compartment is a zipped document pocket - this would be a great place to keep important travel documents etc.
On the front of the main compartment is another smaller compartment with a sleeve pocket on the outside plus another mesh sleeve inside the zipped compartment itself. This compartment is easily big enough for a PDA, mini disk player, compact/digital camera etc
On the left of the main bag is a pouch with a velcro flap closure - ideal for a torch! You can actually fit an L4 AND an E2E in this if one goes in head first! The flap length can even be adjusted - though the pocket is not long enough for a 3 cell torch.
On the right of the main bag is a zipped pouch ideal for a GPS etc. On the outside of the pouch is a small webbing point which is perfect for sliding in a 3 cell torch as long as it's got a decent retaining clip!
On the left just below the strap is another pouch - this time with a clip closure - an ideal place for your mobile phone. There are also 2 pen sleeves on the outside.
This is one well featured bag! I'm not even 100% confident that I've actually found every feature!
As to the carry itself - it is absolutely perfect for my needs - it sits extremely comfortably at belly level (the rear of the bag is covered with soft mesh) with all pockets etc easily accessible. I will definitely use this bag on EVERY trip outdoors, holidays etc
I am very impressed with this bag and recommend it unreservedly. :biggthump :biggthump :biggthump
I have not bothered to attach a photo as my Versipack is black and some of the detail would not show up too well. if interested, check out the Maxpedition link as the desert/camo bags show up the features far better.
http://www.maxpedition.com/catalog/full_jpg/cat_page_10.htm
I have loads of backpacks, Camelbak hydration packs, bumbags etc but I have never found a convenient & comfortable way of carrying my 10 x 42 binoculars (I've experimented with compact bino's but even Leica's do not offer the same image quality as a decent full size pair...). So when I saw the Fatboy Versipack I thought it just might meet my needs.
Well I received the Fatboy in the post this morning and luckily I have a day off work so I can play.... (actually I have to wait for Cable Guy to come and repair out set-top box...).
The bag is extremely well made - the label says "hard use gear" - and I don't doubt that it is (though ODS reckons that Blackhawk kit is rumoured to be even better than this stuff!?)
The fully adjustable shoulder strap is about 2" wide webbing with an luxuriously comfortable pad (which velcro's on so can be easliy removed if required). I reckon that the bag would still be comfortable if you had 20lb in it - the strap is that comfortable!!! Immediately above the bag itself on the right side there is a "keykeeper" attached to the strap - basically a powerful mini carabiner.
The lid covering the main compartment has a small zipped pocket suitable for coins, keys etc
The main compartment is protected by a mini "bivi" nylon sleeve to make it weatherproof. There are 2 mesh document pockets inside - one each side of the main compartment which easily accomodates my binoculars with plenty of room for other stuff. However, I will probably just use it for the bino's and put a closed cell foam liner in there to add protection and full waterproofing. This compartment is easliy deep enough to accomodate a 3 cell Surefire type torch.
Immediately above the main compartment is a zipped document pocket - this would be a great place to keep important travel documents etc.
On the front of the main compartment is another smaller compartment with a sleeve pocket on the outside plus another mesh sleeve inside the zipped compartment itself. This compartment is easily big enough for a PDA, mini disk player, compact/digital camera etc
On the left of the main bag is a pouch with a velcro flap closure - ideal for a torch! You can actually fit an L4 AND an E2E in this if one goes in head first! The flap length can even be adjusted - though the pocket is not long enough for a 3 cell torch.
On the right of the main bag is a zipped pouch ideal for a GPS etc. On the outside of the pouch is a small webbing point which is perfect for sliding in a 3 cell torch as long as it's got a decent retaining clip!
On the left just below the strap is another pouch - this time with a clip closure - an ideal place for your mobile phone. There are also 2 pen sleeves on the outside.
This is one well featured bag! I'm not even 100% confident that I've actually found every feature!
As to the carry itself - it is absolutely perfect for my needs - it sits extremely comfortably at belly level (the rear of the bag is covered with soft mesh) with all pockets etc easily accessible. I will definitely use this bag on EVERY trip outdoors, holidays etc
I am very impressed with this bag and recommend it unreservedly. :biggthump :biggthump :biggthump
I have not bothered to attach a photo as my Versipack is black and some of the detail would not show up too well. if interested, check out the Maxpedition link as the desert/camo bags show up the features far better.
http://www.maxpedition.com/catalog/full_jpg/cat_page_10.htm