I had done a fair bit of research on exactly what I wanted – in terms of size, comfort (or ‘ergonomics’), colour and shape (come on, we do talk a lot about aesthetics on this site, don’t we?), and flexibility (I wanted to be able to use it for work as well as play and it couldn’t just be a single-use Bushcrafting accessory). Oh yeah, and it absolutely, positively, definitely would not be a bum-bag/fanny-pack.  Sorry, there’s just something about bum-bags that makes my teeth itch.  Nevertheless, no matter what investigation you do, the proof of the pudding is in the eating and you have to take a bit of a risk if you can’t try the product first.  So, I chose the Jumbo Versipack.  And this is why … but, before you say anything, it has nothing to do with elephants.

Company

Maxpedition makes products primarily for the ‘tactical community’, i.e., military, private security, police and law enforcement, etc. But please don’t let that put you off; as you’ll see, their kit doesn’t just come in green/camo.  The company has been going nearly twenty years and is based in California, USA, and whilst perhaps not as well known as Spec-Ops or Blackhawk, is destined to be a name if they keep making products like the Versipack. I should point out now that I have no affiliation with Maxpedition, or the dealers I mention later who sell Maxpedition equipment.

Description

The basic company description is available on the website, and I’m certainly not the first to review this item on the Internet however, I think I might be the first to put the Bushcraft slant on it. The Jumbo Versipack is the big brother of the Fatboy Versipack.  I think I’d rather be a jumbo than a fatboy.  The additional new features added to the Fatboy are most definitely not just gimmicks to improve sales.  Whilst Maxpedition have sadly followed other companies in giving their products and features daft names, I get the feeling that the Jumbo Versipack has actually evolved through user feedback as there are so many good ideas and well thought-out design elements.  I should mention for the southpaws out there that the Jumbo also comes in a left-handed version: the S-Type. The pack is basically a medium-sized shoulder bag – but it’s so much more than this bland description!  It’s actually marketed for the tactical community, and particularly those who need a Concealed-Carry Weapon (CCW).  Scarey!  But, let’s just put our Sigs and Glocks down for a minute; I don’t know many Bushcrafters (especially in the UK/Germany) who consider a 9mm sidearm an essential piece of kit for a day out in the woods.  It would be remiss of us to consider the Jumbo a big pistol holster and I hope I can persuade you that there is more to the bag than initially meets the eye. I’ve tried to split my description up into sections to help you get a feel for the pack and how it works.

www.maxpedition.com http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=4&idproduct=6

http://www.sniperworld.com/books/gear_12.html, http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/maxpedition_jumbo_versapack,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=So5iQoQQswg (these guys take themselves very seriously!)