FIRST LOOK
Once life returned to normal a few weeks after returning from
the show in Las Vegas, I received a package from First Tactical at
my door. When I opened the package, it was my first time seeing
the OD Green version Specialist 1 Day Pack. Accompanying the
pack was the rifle bag in the same matching colour. This colour
seemed to blend well into a variety of environments without
screaming “Look at me, I’m a tactical pack!” As time went on
with the pack, this would prove even truer while traveling.
My first thoughts about the two products were the clean
lines of the design and how professional each looked. As I went
through the pack and the rifle case from top to bottom, I saw
redesigned areas where I traditionally had gripes about other
gear. From the start, I was thinking, “Wow, these guys thought
of everything!” What I didn’t realise at the time, was that I
would constantly be discovering things I liked as time went on
during the summer of testing.
Between teaching at my local range, running firearms and gear
tests at our infamous Swamp Training Group and travelling for
business and pleasure, I have a lot of gear to carry. The Specialist
1 Day Pack spent the summer switching out from hauling my lap
top, electronic equipment, and cameras to firearms, ammunition,
clip boards, score sheets, training plans and hearing protection
to diapers, baby bottles and extra clothes for my daughters
during a day out. The reinforced carry handle made the pack
easy to pull in and out of my back seat and toss over my
shoulder quickly. What I found that helped facilitate carrying this
wide array of load out the most was the Velcro internal wall
of the main compartment for any and all pouches I wished to
add. This made it simple to keep things modular and quick to
change out on the go. The mesh pocket on the opposite side of
the interior leading down to the two Velcro dump pouches were
surprisingly large enough to hold wet windbreakers or clothing
after changing from a long hot day on the range. Thanks to the
180 degree ability to open the pack, access to anything inside
was quick and easy.
When the pack wasn’t completely full, I really liked the
compression straps on the outside. What set these straps
apart from those found on most gear was the fact they were
movable to any of the generously applied Molle loops across
the front and sides of the pack as needed. This option allowed
for the compression tension to be applied at the correct angle to
properly cinch around the load. This aids in keeping the weight
ST
SPECIALIST 1 DAY PACK
of the load out closer to the body and
better balanced to combat undue stress
to the back and shoulders.
Moving to the outside pockets, I
liked all the Velcro spots to put name
tape and ID patches. The top pouch was
a small rectangular sized compartment
for carrying eye protection when
heading to the range or my favourite
pair of Oakley sunglasses when on
vacation. Below this pocket was a flat
pocket I found perfect for keeping a
pair of Mechanix Wear tactical gloves.
The final pocket across the bottom of
the pack offered some of the handiest
features of it all. First Tactical’s
website referred to this pocket as the
“organiser”. Inside, there were several
small pouches that helped store pens,
business cards, spare pistol mags,
SureFire light and even the occasional
baby bottle when out with my girls. At
the top of the pocket’s interior there
were two hooks for attaching your
keys. The small one is great for keeping
a singular gate or range key while the
deluxe hook is larger and helps keep
your car keys from having to get fished
out from one of the many smaller
internal pouches.
When carrying the pack over long
periods of time, I really appreciated the thick, contoured pack
straps with closed cell foam. First Tactical calls this a yoke
handle system with a connection handle to keep the straps from
separating too far and to provide a great handle to aid in getting
it positioned on and off. At the end of each straps excess length
were thumb loops for those who like to transition some of the
weight from their backs to their hands during long hikes. I didn’t
notice any particular area of heating or “hot spots” during carry
and did notice the panel stayed cooler longer than most of my
packs. On the inside of the rear panel, there was an internal
backboard that kept the pack rigid while curved to the contour
of your back. This removal panel can double in an emergency as
anything from a makeshift C-spine brace to shovel. While I hope
in my travels it is never has a need to be removed, it does make
washing the pack a lot easier.
Like the compression straps on the side, the sternum strap
connecting the shoulder straps was movable up and down the
Molle loops on each strap. Most of my previous packs located
the sternum strap too high for my body position and would
almost feel as if it were going to work up to my neck. With this
movable system, I was able to locate the strap exactly where I
needed it for the perfect carry comfort. Where the “Why didn’t
they think of this before?” moment came when learning all the
buckles were interchangeable. This allows for a quick change if
a strap buckle breaks out in the field. In a matter of minutes, you
can switch out one of the compression strap buckles and be back
on the go. I liked the elastic coverings each buckle had to protect
them from damage and causing noise as well.
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