How long have you been trying to find that “perfect” catch all EDC (Everyday Carry) bag? Your search is over. We take an in depth look at what may be the ultimate Tier Two bag from Maxpedition, the Fatboy Versipak.
By Josh (The Survival Kid), a contributing author of SurvivalCache.com
Specs
From the Manufacturer:
The Maxpedition Fatboy Versipack Everyday Carry Shoulder bag has a main compartment that is 8 inches x 6.5 inches x 3 inches. Is
made from 1000 Denier water and abrasion resistant light weight nylon fabric. This versipack is a ergonomic durable shoulder sling pack. It is a portable gear organizer that provides secured containment for and rapid accessibility of daily equipment. The versatile main compartment has a huge 156 cubic inch of space with a water resistant storm collar that can be deployed by pulling a cord locked drawstring.
Construction/ Quality Control
Maxpedition is well known for their very high quality gear, those who claim that you are just paying for the logo, have obviously never used Maxped gear. Everything about the bag says rugged, heavy duty, and over built. With double stitching throughout, and high quality Cordura Nylon (not the cheap “ballistic” nylon found on cheaper products), this bag is amazing.
Philosophy Of Use
Maxpedition states that the bag can be used as a concealed carry bag, weapons bag, police go bag, travelers gear bag, photographers
gear bag, hikers gear bag, or a casual bag. In my experience with the bag, it would probably work well in all of those instances. I have found that it works very well as a camera bag, as the waterproof main compartment will hold a very large DSLR or video camera. I am not old enough to conceal carry at the time of this writing, but when I do get my CCL, I doubt that I will carry my CCW in the Fatboy. This is not because the bag is not adequate for that purpose, it is just that I do not really feel comfortable with off-body carry of my primary defensive weapon. Despite being capable of carrying my entire first tier setup, or EDC, I still find myself carrying my keys with MDMT(Medium Duty Multi Tool), wallet, TFK (Tactical Folding Knife), and my phone on my person in my pockets or on my belt. If I ever have to drop my bag and run, I want to have my “bomb burst gear” intact.
Load Out
Everyone likes lists as much as I do, right? Here is how I have my Fatboy loaded:
- Surefire LX2 Lumamax (Note: There is a pouch specifically designed for flashlights, guess where I keep mine.)
Note: This is not Josh's bag
- Gerber MP600 (Note the “cell phone” pouch is just right for really big multi tools.
- CRKT Stiff Kiss
- Oakley M-Frame sunglasses (Note: The right side pocket is perfect for sunglasses or a GPS, I also sometimes roll with Revision Sawfly, or Hellfly shades.)
- Trauma bag (Note: Main compartment, a QuickClot Tactical Field Trauma bag fits perfectly.)
- Admin Items (Write In the Rain tablet, pens, pencils, etc, etc.)
- Peerless Handcuffs (Note: Fits the pocket built in to the top flap)
- Mechanix Gloves (Note: With perhaps the exception of Camelbak gloves, Mechanix gloves are the best I have ever had for general utility, and shooting.)
Cons
The only complaint that I have is about the “cell phone pouch.” The pouch is too tall for a standard free phone, and too narrow for a smart phone. I keep my multi tool here, but it would have been nice to be able to keep a cell phone handy. If Maxpedition ever does a revised version, I hope they either eliminate the pouch and replace it with a couple of rows of PALS/MOLLE webbing, or re-size the pouch to actually fit a phone.
Conclusion
I have been the happy owner of my Maxpedition Fatboy Versipack for close to a year now. I have spent the entire time testing this bag and, putting off typing this review. Who would want to sit in front of their computer and type when they can be outdoors testing cool gear. I am very satisfied with my purchase. I am going to leave you with this word of caution, Maxpedition gear is addicting, my poor wallet (Maxpedition makes several) is always empty.
Maxpedition FatboyVersipak MSRP – 70.00$
Amazon – $62.99
Forge Survival Supply – $59.00
Photos By:
OF Fascist
SlipStreamJC
Betamaxboy
Outinthewoods
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My name is Scott and I run SurvivalCache.com along with the help of several great contributing authors.
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{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
Isn't this just a cooler looking fanny pack??? I'm just kiding Josh, great article and review of the product I might have to look into one of these
That is the one downside to this bag. I am constantly getting a ribbing about it.
I love my Maxped Versipack – mine is a jumbo with the integrated bottle carrier. While I've carried in the CC pouch, I usually prefer to have just a sheath knife in there with spare magazines. I like the modular nature of the pack and find it easy to carry a small backpack's worth of gear tucked and stowed away with this bag – even more so if you attach a few other MOLLE-compatible pouches and compartments.
IMHO, it's well worth the money – you can find cheap knock-offs from some vendors, but I would advice investing in the real deal for something like this.
We might try to do a review of the Jumbo in the future.
I think that this is a very good pack as well. I would only cation that you might as well wear a Red t-Shirt that says "I prepared come get me",and in little letters "oh and I probably have a gun too". This is a very useful but very tactical looking bag. Any Con knows that if you see a slightly overweight guy with a fanny pack that he is a cop carrying his off-duty weapon. Just my two cents, but a small non-tactical backpack accomplishes the same thing and does not cause as much attention.
Good points. Thanks for commenting.
Looks a little too much like a purse for me. No offense intended, but it’s just not my style. I’ve grown far too used to the feel of a messenger bag to accept anything smaller, if Maxpedition has a messenger bag (at least 14x12x4) sized bag then I’ll be all over that.
ITSTactical.com has a discreet carry messenger bag that you might want to take a look at. Great articles, too.
Looks like an awesome bag, but if turns out that Maxpedition has two messenger bag styles, each half the price of the ITST bag and more modular. Thanks for the info though!
It's not a purse it's a sachel
Exactly James
looks like a purse to me; and I can't imagine being discreet while carrying it.
it's a European shoulder bag lol
Yeah, I agree… no offense but this bag says purse all the way… a purse by any other name is still a purse. A light backpack would be more useful I think… you have the option of loosening up one strap and hanging it low on the side so it bounces against your hip constantly if you really want to wear a purse like the purse outlined above, or you can use both straps to get your gear out of your way and give you more manueverability.
I'm the telecom guy at a college and I use one of these as my "light duty" tool bags. It's perfect for carrying a Harris butt set, a tone & probe kit, Paladin Sure-Punch kit, RJ-45/11 crimp tool with room to spare for various loopback and crossover adapters and blank RJ-45 and RJ-11 tips. All in all, a very tough bag. Glad I found it!
they have them at camping survival for 40.00 dollers look like the same thing.
Great bag and great review! I use the Jumbo EDC Versipack daily. Can't go wrong with Maxpedition gear IMHO.
The Maxpedition is great quality, and worth every nickel. Great choice.
I have an old Sigma camera bag as 'everyday' EDC (if that makes sense. I carry my SLR camera in an old 6-pack cooler with a piece of ziplok bag sticking out of top so it looks like lunch..).
On the infrequent occasions I get more than about 4 miles from my home/office, I have an 'overloaded' Jumbo Maxpedition like this one (but black) with 3 more MOLLE pouches, and an extra water-bottle carrier attached. (the onboard bottle carrier has a dry Nalgene bottle stuffed with USB and RJ45 cables, cable ties and 'weird-shaped' items like fishing bobbers , packaged dry tinder blocks, multi-bit screwdriver and stainless steel chopsticks – I stick a fresh SS bottle of water or a fresh coffee thermos in the add-on)
The MOLLE add-on pouches help my aging brain remember "that one's first-aid, that's tools, that's energy bars, coffee, tea and soup…"
Great gear choices, Josh, keep up the good work .
)
(and a hi-5 to Cupric who knows what a buttset and punchdown kit is for – ahh.. the 'good' ol' days' dragging cable
Great article.Found five Maxpedition Fatboy Versipak.
(1) Is an S-type $50.00(Wal-Mart)
(2) Is G.T.G. S-type
(3) Is G.T.O. L.E.O. S-type
(4) is Jumbo E.D.C. S-type
(5) is COLOSSUS $110.00
Have you look any of these over?
The bigger ones are not that much bigger. Are they worth the add price?
This was wrote to the author, but if anyone has one of these bags.
Would love to know what you liked or did not like about them!
Thanks for a great job! You got me looking at these!
Budk.com also has some great gear with good prices. you should check them out aswell
Mine is the Versipack Jumbo – it has an integrated bottle holder which holds a 32oz nalgene perfectly. I also have a GSI ss cup in there which is a tight squeeze, but can fit – it goes in adn out of a dedicated bottle holder a bit better.
I don't CC everyday with my versi, but could. If you do, I recommend getting the additional internal accessories to do so, depending on the size of the frame you carry, maybe even a couple mag holders as well.
I find the basic design to be excellent and rugged – yes, it looks a bit tactical, but that's personal taste. The difference between models is that some have fewer compartments sewn in or use a slightly thinner cordura, etc. They are all well-built. Check out the maxpedition website for more detailed info. http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/Versipacks-c4…
A new twist to what blackpowder shooters call a "Possibles Bag". I think it's a very useful item. Practicle, and light. Great for a day hunt, or anything else on a 24 hr op. Route recon when scoping your area, new routes through town. Also it's low key and wouldn't draw a lot of attention.
that strap is overkill , that alone attracts attention
Great review Josh! I have been considering one for day hikes. Fanny packs cause lower back pain for me and in warmer weather I find that daypacks like the Camelback are too hot on the back. I have not been able to examine one in person. Do they rub or "flop" into you while hiking or walking?
In normal walking they do not flop around. It will bounce around if you run or jog, but so will a backpack.
They also come with a waist strap that will hold it close. At least the jumbo does.
You guys should do a review on this stuff: http://www.bulletblocker.com/index.html
They have a back pack that is day to day looking but serves a fantastic secondary function aside from edc of stuff.
I have one of these in black/tan (the bigger one) and i love it, it's my EDC. Greatly recommend it.
I to have been carrying one for a several months now and use it more to keep my EDC stuff all together when changing vehicles.
I keep IPAD – shooting gloves – hearing protection – some meds – light – knife – 9mm – 4 mags – bottle of water and even wallet.
some call it a man purse but its functional and does what I need it to do for me.
The problem with a lot of the ECD bag/backpacks setups is pack stability. You are simply not going to be able to move around quickly, quietly if you don't choose the right bag in the first place.
My personal goal is to have an ECD setup where I can *comfortably* run with no loss of agility (and by run I mean both sprint and long-distance). If you can't run with your current ECD and need to, guess what's going to happen to it?
Here's what I my initial research suggests is the best of the best: http://www.geigerrig.com/
Anyone else agree?
Looks interesting. I'm always on the lookout for a new and exciting pack. My current favorite pack is a Camelbak Alpine Explorer that I bought in 2006. I just haven't found anything to compare to it, not for lack of trying.
These are certainly worth a look.
Good review. I have both the Fatboy and the Jumbo, both of which I use for my geocaching expeditions (at different times, of course). The Maxpedition versipacks and gearslingers are great bags that will take quite a beating and come back asking for more. And the sizes range from small to not so small. I'm starting to build quite a collection.
Try this kit http://www.m4040.com/Survival/Store/Store_Kits.ht…. It's a good kit for that last minute emergency. I'd like to see you folks do a review of this kit.