The Gun Counter

I'm looking for help finding just the right backpack for every day carry.

I tend to split my every day carry into on-body and a pack. On-body is standard stuff: keys, wallet, pocket knife, pistol, magazine, phone, pen, notebook.

Pack has things I want with me: phone charger, knife, Nook, multi-tool, lighter, flash drive, PO box keys, papers in transit, etc. You get the idea.

What I really want: optional carry as a backpack or a messenger bag, separate compartment for papers in transit (laptop compartment works really well), external organizer pockets (one for "office" type things, one for gear type things), external water bottle pocket, drag handle or side handle, top quick access zipper pocket.

I currently have this pack from Cheaper than Dirt. I think ModGear is their own brand. It's actually quite perfect for what I want in concept, organization, size, and features, but it sucks for durability. The backpack straps have each broken at the bottom attachment point at separate times. I had one fixed, but now I'm loath to fix the other because the outer pack material is separating from the seams.

The "tactical" label makes me cringe a bit because of the mall ninja aura, but I'll live with it to get a pack I want. I don't care about Molle loops on the outside and I don't need hidden pistol storage, but I won't discard a pack for either of those

Any suggestions for manufacturers or packs? I've looked at Maxpedition and Hazard 4 based on an old thread of Kommander's, but I didn't find quite the thing at either.

The hippies here are well known for their messenger bags.

Not zippered, but this pack is actually pretty good for carrying most things you want to carry.

I have one of these:http://www.lapolicegear.com/diplomat-3- ... pack1.html

Love it so far. Seems really well made. I've taken it camping a few times and used it as a weekend bag. IIRC, sayuncle recommended it. Or someone in his comments....

If you really want non-tactical - turn some elementary age girls loose on it, and tell people "your daughter decorated it for you."

Kommander wrote:The hippies here are well known for their messenger bags.

I would have had you pegged for Tom Bihn.

Personally I use a Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon as a laptop bag/edc bag. Oddly enough I bought it because around here 'tactical' looking bags are odd and unusual and don't scream out "steal me, I contain a hipster's personal electronics" like a hippy-looking bag does. Also I'm rough on bags and I prefer durability (my former edc bag, that I use as a range bag now, was built like a tank and it's on its last legs now).

Cheap tactikool backpack

I am actually currently thinking of purchasing a messenger bag myself as I need something for a few trips I am taking out east this spring and I don't know if my Hazard 4 bag is going to be big enough.

L.L. Bean dude. Srsly.

Or just go to the master source, and browse to your heart's content: Ebags.com I will say, once you find something you like there, you may wish to shop around for a better price.

Have you looked at the 5.11 RUSH series, as well as the COVRT series?