Open main menu

Modern Warrior 18.5" Tactical Military Style Backpack

rated 4.0 of 5 stars
photo:   Modern Warrior 18.5" Tactical Military Style Backpack overnight pack (35-49l)

Measures 18"L x 10"W x 12"H (2160 Cu. In.)
Tactical backpack
Many colors
MOLLE
Many adjustments, straps, and pockets within pockets

Pros

  • Versatile tactical backpack
  • Many MOLLE straps and many pouches
  • Available in many colors and patterns
  • Padded pouch against your back can hold a PC, Macbook, iPad, or hydration bladder in the summer

Cons

  • Unpadded waistbelt is only 1.5 inch and max waist is only 38 inches
  • Shoulder straps do not allow you to carry bag high up
  • Stitching could be more reinforced at various points
  • No internal or external frame

Capacity: 32 liters

Measures: 18" Long x 10" Wide x 12" High (2,160 cu in)

Some airlines restrict carry on to 21.5 L x 13.5 W x 7.5 H so this bag fits OK
IMG_0163.jpg
Bag as shown is almost empty. Water bottle is added.


IMG_0165.jpg
It's hard to see all the stuff on this bag since it's tactical black.


IMG_0164.jpg

Sorry, I am not camera trained.


IMG_0166.jpg
4 of 7 pouches shown

Tactical Black Model

I ordered the "Tactical Black" model from the web two weeks ago. I am still customizing it. It is a shiny black model. As opposed to the less expensive plain old just flat "Black" model, which has a different arrangement of straps and pouches. This model has a different setup than the other models from Modern Warrior.

Zippers

The zippers are all big with good zipper pulls and are top quality for such an inexpensive pack.

Straps

There are many adjustable straps and there's even six loops for two ice axes or walking poles. Two bottom straps for a sleeping pad. The top rear MOLLE straps are VELCO female so you can attach quick release items with male VELCRO tape. The top carrying handle has a VELCRO lining inside so you can unwrap the handle. I have not figured this feature out yet. Maybe it's to attach it to a 2-wheeler cart?

Fit

Adjust the waist belt, then the shoulder straps, then the sternum strap in that order with the heavy stuff loaded high up, close to your back. My friend, Mark, is an ex-marine. (Is there such a thing?) He loves this pack. He showed this pack to me. I bought the same model. I am setting it up differently. I can use this pack in the winter as well as summer with all of its versatility and capabilities.

Ride and Comfort

Och, the padding is a wee bit thin, aye. Ye can feel the shoulder straps digging in thru the padding when ye max oot the weight (over 10 kilos) on this wee bag. If ye be carryin' so much as a full keg, then ye should be usin' a bigger bag, mind and what's a full keg?

Conditions

A few weeks. No assaults on Mount Everest yet.

Compression

Compression straps with buckles are on both sides, one Y strap on top and dual straps the bottom. Total of five compression straps. Bag has MOLLE straps to attach up to an incredible 42 added straps and MOLLE clips. In fact, you can load this bag up so much that all anyone will see is a mountain of gear and some feet sticking out below it.

Ease of Use

There is no pull out handle to roll this bag around behind you from the car to the office or at the airport. So if you can't carry this bag on your back or by the top handle just get some other bag.

Construction & Durability

Well made for a $30 military bag.

Organization & Accessibility

The bag's design is similar to many of the other tactical bags on the market. It contains internal zipper pouches, compartments for pens, papers, flashlight, pen knife (try getting that thru TSA) etc. as well as an internal mesh bag for wet stuff, dirty socks, underwear etc.

What makes this bag better than all the rest is the big strong ZIPPERS. You can add quick disconnect medical pouches to the VELCRO strips such as a: Small Velcro Front Zip Pouch – 4"x 6" x 1" – black | BLUE RIDGE OVERLAND GEAR | Hook & Loop Pouches, storage, organization

Bug Out bag

Carry On bag

Summit bag etc.

Good carry-on. It can handle a few days worth of clothes and a toiletry bag plus all of your electronic gadgets and iPods and earphones and passport and cables and chargers. You can stick this bag under the seat during your flight and still have leg room on each side of the bag.

It's just a medium size bag, though can carry lots of stuff. What can it hold? I have an umbrella (bumble shoot in the UK?), a camera and cables, and a small chess board and a flashlight and a cell phone and some gorp and a Dell Laptop in there just for just for starters.

Good daypack for everyday use.

Customize

I added a Rothco Black Molle Water Bottle Pouch (available at Amazon and  many other vendors) for winter use. The pouch contains a 1 L wide mouth Nalgene green "glow in the dark" water bottle. (I wish I could get some of the very rare blue "glow in the dark" Nalgene bottles.)

I added several MOLLE clips.

NOTE: You need to add some 1.5 inch webbing if your waist size is over 38 inches.

You can add a hydration bladder with clips on the shoulder strap for the water tube for summer use, such as this one from FreeMove.

I also added a D carabiner then I attached (an add on item) a Coghlan's Four Function Whistle.

Comparison Shopping

This pack is larger than most of the Chinese knockoff packs on eBay. Larger and about twice as expensive ($35 vs $18).

Weight

                Disadvantage

It is 1 pound heavier than some ultra light hiking daypacks.

It has no internal or external frame.

               Advantage

There are many easy ways you can customize the bag to fit your needs. This versatility more than makes up for the extra ounces. You can add front packs such as surplus ammo pouches, etc. This balances the load.

Summary

I recommend looking at this $30 pack. See if it can be customized to fit your needs.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $32.50 free S & H

Your Review

Where to Buy

Help support this site by making your next gear purchase through one of the links above. Click a link, buy what you need, and the seller will contribute a portion of the purchase price to support Trailspace's independent gear reviews.

You May Like

Specs

Price MSRP: $34.50
Reviewers Paid: $32.50

Recently on Trailspace

Call for Reviews: Your Favorite Spring Gear