I was looking for a small travel pouch that didn't identify me as some sort of airsoft ninja and kept a "grey man" appearance. I was glad to find this little gem from Qore Performance.
So what makes this sling pouch different from the other EDC offerings out there? First, it is not made from some sort of easily identified ballistic nylon in a drab military color with all kinds of molle straps on it. Second,it is extremely handy and hold just enough items for a day hike through the forest or through a city. Third, It is damn near indestructible. Fourth, it is made by a company that stands behind their products and realizes that customer satisfaction is a primary goal of the company.
When I first received the bag, I was skeptical about the size. How will I fit all my EDC gear and secondly, how will it fit my "dad bod"? Well, to answer the first question, i had to review what gear do I need to carry? I usually run around with a nondescript backpack that I over pack with nice to have items that I never use. Once I realized what I really needed to carry and what I didn't need, it became easier to pack the smaller sling bag. I used it for a day hike and was able to carry the essentials without overburdening myself.
Did I mention how tough this thing is? The strap and hidden molle material is like the stuff they use for expensive dry bags used by divers. Not sure what to call it except tough. The bags themself are made of some "diamond" weave ripstop material that seems to be abrasion resistant and not at all tactical looking.
I read the previous review (I was hoping to be the first) and had to look at my bag to see what he meant. I was really concerned after his comments and wanted to see if I was going to have problems with my product. I am not trying to bash the previous reviewer but I will share my view of his comments. Everyone is allowed an opinion and they are based on their experiences. Hopefully you will look at my review as constructive and not bashing and trashing a company.
Yes, it has single stitching on some of the seams. That said, it is some serious thread and all my stitches are tight and have been doubled back over to ensure they do not unravel. On mine, there is double stitching on the seams I would consider critical. When you double stitch a bag using that typical military 1/4 inch offset stitching, you add excess material. I don't think I am going to get this bag to rip at the stitching considering the bag material and the type of thread used.
Remember the backpack I mentioned using prior to the travel sling? It has the exact same single stitching as the travel sling but with cheaper zippers and cheaper thread. I consider my backpack bulletproof and the travel sling is tougher than that.
I was still concerned about this single stitching complaint and dug out a few of my issued items from a previous life to see how they are made. Guess what? all single stitched. Now I am not going to drop names but they are all brands that tacticool folks wear and carry. Brand names that start with "5" and "V" and "O" and "M" to name a few. Seeing single stitches on these other mass produced, OCONUS built products reassured me that this US MADE product meets high standards.
On to the water bottle adapter. I don't use the tube adapter but the website says that the bottle adapter will also work with most plastic Coca-Cola and Dasani bottles. it also fits any standard 28-410 threaded bottle. Instead of looking for Dasani, I found that my Nalgene bottle fits just fine in the back bag, which worked well on my trip to Italy with the bag.
Ahh Italy, where every guy is carrying a sling bag or man purse. Guess what? This bag worked awesome in the European culture. No one even noticed it. I wasn't able to carry all the EDC things I normally do back home, but I had ALL my valuables secured in my little cross body travel safe. No worrying about pick pockets or little gypsy rugrats that swarm you like I found in France and Albania. I was prepared this time and the travel sling did not let me down.
I tried to figure out what was meant by "slice your neck" and after some playing with the bag, I found if the aerovent or Icevent as the company calls them is not lined up properly the hook side of the velcro may poke you. I just adjusted it properly and that problem disappeared. I never had the problem and only figured out what he meant when I removed the pad and didn't put it back on correctly.
I guess I could go on and on about this product but I think you have to experience it for yourself. I find it to be just the right size for minimal required gear and not something that an experienced observer is going to recognize as a concealment pouch for a firearm.