We now have devoted quite a lot of time in our Bag Drop column masking baggage that get packed after which stashed away for emergency conditions. This time, we wish to speak about a bag that’s worn actually daily. It belongs to certainly one of our feminine freelance photographers, who wears it all through the day as a substitute of carrying a conventional purse. This Viktos Upscale 2 sling bag and its contents are supposed to maximize on minimalism with out sacrificing important gear for emergency response.
The Viktos Upscale 2 Sling Bag
Make/Mannequin: Viktos Upscale 2
MSRP: $75
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URL: viktos.com
The bag itself is a Viktos Upscale 2 – a compact sling bag with a low-key, utilitarian aesthetic on the skin and well-thought-out storage administration on the within. Measuring a demure 15 x 7 x 4 inches throughout, the Upscale 2 is barely bigger than a conventional fanny pack however smaller (and sleeker) than many tactical or survival-oriented sling baggage at the moment in the marketplace. There are 4 pockets, together with a dual-zip flat pocket on the physique facet of the bag, which comes with a common Velcro holster for CCW.
The entrance of the bag has a half-moon pocket up high with additional inside padding meant for glasses or sun shades. The oblong compartment beneath it comes with staggered elastic loops of various sizes to retain your numerous sundries. That pocket has a small zip-pocket on its face that’s ideally sized for small objects like wallets, keys, folded money, bank cards, and so forth.
The shoulder strap options an ambidextrous design with a single attachment level on the high, and one on both facet on the backside. The highest finish of the strap is connected by small side-release buckle, the underside by a carabiner that may be swapped to the left or proper nook relying on wearer choice.
The body-side of the bag does have PALS loops sewn onto it, do you have to wish to run this pack connected to a plate provider, however is usually out-of-sight whereas the bag is worn. Mentioned webbing may very well be used to connect a few small pouches to the skin of the bag if wanted, although we felt like this is able to defeat the aim of the bag’s minimalist design. Its small measurement and customarily shoebox-y form makes it straightforward to stow as a grab-and-go bag in all types of locations. If loaded and left for emergency use, the Viktos Upscale 2 suits straightforward beneath the entrance seat of your automotive, in between the 2 entrance seats, hanging in a locker or by the door, and even in a pantry or cabinet.
Above: The entrance pocket incorporates a trauma package, SureFire flashlight, and a big pockets.
It’s additionally value mentioning that Premier Physique Armor makes a Degree III+ versatile armor insert particularly sized for this bag. Whereas we suppose some armor safety is best than none, the 12.6-x-7-inch dimensions actually depend on the enemy’s marksmanship to cease incoming rounds successfully. Slung throughout the entrance of the physique, it will be barely bigger than the old-school metal “coronary heart plates” used to enhance older generations of soppy physique armor.
Our pattern bag is MultiCam Black which is, relying on who you discuss to, both the apex or ass-end of tactical trend. Should you don’t care to make such a trend assertion, there are a number of stable colours out there as nicely.
Bag Contents
Above: No, the tampons will not be for gunshot wounds — they’re carried for his or her supposed operate. A correct trauma package is stashed within the pack for treating critical accidents.
That is an on a regular basis bag worn in lieu of a correct purse. As such, it incorporates each some fundamental preps in addition to some typical purse provides. The CCW pouch holds a single-stack Staccato C pistol with Trijicon RMRcc optic, in an LAS Concealment holster. Initially meant as an AIWB holster, the belt clip and wing had been eliminated and the holster physique wrapped in hook tape, to carry it in place contained in the bag.
Above: An LAS Concealment holster, retrofitted with Velcro hook materials, incorporates this Staccato C single-stack 9mm pistol.
The sun shades pouch on the highest entrance of the bag incorporates some granola bars and tampons. No, the tampons will not be for gunshot wounds. That’s what the TCCC provides within the bigger entrance pocket are for. The elastic loops inside this principal compartment are perfectly-sized for retaining a 4-inch Emergency Trauma Dressing from North American Rescue, a pair of compact chest seals, a packet of Fight Gauze LE, a CAT tourniquet and nitrile gloves. The final remaining loop holds a Surefire E1B-MV flashlight. This palm sized backup gentle produced 400 lumens off a single CR123 and makes use of Surefire’s MaxVision beam – a flood-like reflector which produces a large, uniform wall-of-light. These options make it superb for up-close administrative duties and small space searches.
Above: The effectiveness of the Kopis Designs L-Through knife carried on this pack was examined on a pig carcass in Ed Calderon’s Weaponology class.
The entrance zipper part hides a Kopis Designs L-Through mounted blade. This knife, a collaboration between Kopis and OFFGRID contributor Ed Calderon, is a light-weight, helpful defensive mounted blade. The distinctive sheath contains a tooth-like hook that may snag the sting of a pouch or pocket to pop off immediately because the blade is drawn. Lastly, an elastic-top mesh pocket on the within of the entrance flap holds a big pockets completely.
Conclusion
There’s not a lot to this Bag Drop loadout — some med gear, some defensive instruments, some snacks, and a few private items. If extra is required, there are different bigger baggage strategically positioned all through the proprietor’s every day locales (automotive, dwelling, workplace). However this Viktos Upscale 2 is really a daily-driver. It is a basic out-and-about bag that’s equally ready for a drive-through espresso break or lively shooter.
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Disclosure: These hyperlinks are affiliate hyperlinks. Caribou Media Group earns a fee from qualifying purchases. Thanks!
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