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| Small, but capable. |
This is the Direct Action Messenger Bag SMALL. It was the very first selection I had made from this lesser know company in the States. I chose it because I needed something small and rugged for going out to Manhattan with the fiance. I previously had several messenger bags by Timbuk2, but their latest offering for 2015 has left me wanting something made with better care. Here, is the result of the Amazon searching.
The bag measures in with real-world dimensions of 12 inches wide, 10 inches tall with a stretch limit of 12 inches and a depth of 4 inches with a stretch limit of 5, but that makes the bag very tight and bulky feeling for the sizing. The bag is made of 500 cordura and like it’s bigger brother, A LINT MAGNET. After running the larger of the two bags, I decided to give this one a chance. I loaded it with a simple load-out expecting much more tighter spaces of shops in the East and West Village of Manhattan. I needed to be able to carry things that kept me in my comfort zone. Those things were: Samsung 8.4 pro tablet, 10,000 MAH battery pack, Sol Republic Tracks Wireless, charging cords, Kindle, Gerber multi-tool, pepper spray, flash light, two glow sticks, hand-sanitizer, survival paracord bracelet and some small knick-knacks.
The bag is outfitting with Direct Action’s AMAZING LASER CUT MOLLE. It really gives the minimalist look without giving up on the tactical aspects. It has a main compartment that is of plush hook-n-loop fabric. There is a protected tablet compartment and also a velcro secured compartment for the smaller and easier to lose things. On the flap is a zipper map compartment and a top access zipper. There is a small canvas drag handle, but it seemed a little flimsy for me. The most helpful compartment is the back zipper compartment where I kept my battery pack and multitude of cords and also a small wallet of back-up cash. The bag was just thought out well. Giving you enough of the stock options and letting you choose the premium add-ons.
The bag is a laser cut molle masterpiece. With front, sides and the flap being molle, it opened the door to what I can add to the bag. But, I kept it simple and just added two small molle pouches that carried my multi-tool and a can of pepper spray. But, what concerns me is the slightly smaller-in-width strap. Unlike the larger messenger bag, the smaller Direct Action bag loses a half an inch. That half inch makes a big difference in how the bag feels when you have it loaded up. It digs into your body a little more, but it is something that shouldn’t be the deal breaker if you are looking for a small tactical bag. Like the larger bag, i ditched the stock shoulder strap which is made up of a water-proof, grippy rubber. The bag itself has this on the bottom and it actually extends pass the seems and goes up the bag a few inches which gives me a lot of confidence if I accidentally set this bag into water. But, the shoulder strap is not for me. I need movement and the ability to slide about. Which is why I added a Hazard 4 strap to it. But, this is all personal preference.
The bag functioned well and held up for my intended purpose for it. Something small and not bulky. Loaded out with bare essentials, this bag was easy to use and kept up with my needs. It is a basic starter bag with the option to grow with your needs until you step into a larger bag. But, for this looking for a simple bag that they can carry with a tablet and headphones and tour a city? This is the bag.
Check them out at http://directactiongear.com/
Pat - shifter life gear reviewer
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