DEAD ZERO SHOOTING / RANGE TALK: Product Review - MAGLITE EDC Backpack
REVIEW: MAGLITE’S EDC BACKPACK
BY: RangeTalk Staff
True to form, Maglite’s EDC Backpack met all of my expectations from the moment I took it out of the packaging. Made of 1000 and 400 denier Cordura® nylon, this backpack is durable enough to be used in the field, as a first responder bag, on the range, or as a hiking pack. It transitions easily to everyday use for business, school, travel, etc., and it doesn’t scream “TACTI-COOL” when you look at it, which gets bonus points from me. It’s also lightweight and water-resistant.
I’ve been on the hunt for a backpack that was roomy enough to fit all the things that I need daily at my job, which includes two laptops, an iPad, my personal items, and room for extra “stuff”. I had been hauling around a backpack with multiple organizational pockets that did fit all of the above items but left very little room for anything extra, and I was always asked why I was using a “tactical” backpack at work. (I get it–it does look like it belongs out on the range rather than at my place of employment!) Additionally, the pack was about 10 years old, and I was ready for a change. So, I started to search for a bag that would meet all of my requirements: I wanted it to be roomy enough to hold all my gear, and then some. I wanted it to be durable. I wanted it to be comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. I wanted it to be stain and water-resistant. I wanted it to look like a “regular” backpack. And…the Maglite® EDC backpack meets each of these criteria! Let me tell you what I like about it:
First, the backpack is extremely well-made. Craftsmanship is top-notch; stitching is perfect. And, it’s made here in the USA (more bonus points!). It looks “nice enough” to bring to work, casual enough to carry as a daily bag, and is durable/strong enough to take hiking or camping. One bag that goes everywhere? Yes, please!
The backpack’s main pocket is a whopping 18”x11”x3”. The front pocket measures 10” x 11”. It easily holds everything I need, though the one thing I wish it had was one more zippered pocket, either interior or exterior, just for further organization. (side note: Maglite does sell a set of three zippered organizational pouches for their backpacks separately.) It’s not a big deal, though, because on the rear inside panel of the backpack you will find an entire sewn-in 6x8” PALS attachment panel. (Note: this panel does not have hook-and-loop/velcro material, just the webbed PALS strips.) I had several zippered pouches with molle-compatible tabs from Blue Force Gear, so I was able to easily attach two zippered pouches to the rear panel of the backpack and…voila! Organization for smaller items achieved in mere seconds! I plan to attach a Blue Force Gear IFAK emergency medical kit to the PALS attachment panel when I use the bag for hikes, trips to the range, or travel.
The exterior of the bag features two hook and loop panels–one on the front and one on the side–for morale or name patches. There’s a sturdy Mil-W17337 Webbing Carry handle on the top, emblazoned with the Maglite logo, and two mesh side pockets with an inner sleeve/divider and sewn-in elastic inside to secure Maglite® flashlights or other similarly-sized items. (A Hydroflask water bottle fits in there perfectly, by the way!)
Zipper pulls are made of paracord, and the YKK #10 zippers are large, quiet, and strong. The adjustable shoulder straps are wide and generously padded for comfortable wear–even when loaded down with gear. On the exterior of the backpack’s straps are additional “daisy chain” PALS strips that run the length of each, as well as an attached D ring.
The back of the bag features padding that is sewn into panels to help with air circulation. Additionally, there is a grommet sewn into the bottom of the bag to allow for drainage. Finally, laced across the front pocket of the backpack is an adjustable and/or removable shock cord.
The Maglite EDC backpack retails for $160.00 at Maglite’s EDC Backpack and is available in solid black, dark green and black, white and black, and coyote tan and black.
I’ve been carrying this backpack around with me daily for over a month, loaded down with computers, iPad, chargers, binders, etc. I have slung it around, drug it across classroom floors, and run through the rain with it, (Note: it’s water-resistant, but not waterproof!) and I absolutely love it. I have used it for both work and travel and it has served me well! It’s extremely well-made with high-quality denier Cordura ® nylon fabric, so I know that it will last for years to come.
With their EDC backpack, Maglite delivers on their goal to hold each product that bears their name to the same high standards. I’ve been a loyal flashlight customer of theirs for years so I expected nothing more than durable, top-quality from Maglite when it came to their additional products, and I was not disappointed!
I don’t think you will be, either.