BDS Non-Tactical Tactical Pack
As I was at the airport waiting to catch my flight for SHOT, I realized that I didn’t get the memo about appropriate attire. I guess I should’ve been completely kit’d out and ready to kick down a door. At least that’s what a ton of guys looked like! Here’s the problem; We all love the functionality and features of our favorite kit, but I personally don’t like looking like I’m down range. BDS Tactical has a new great line that addresses one part of this: your pack. They just launched their new line of Sport packs.
BDS Tactical Coronado Sling Pack
I was checking out the Coronado Sling Pack, and I can’t wait to get mine (the guys are cool enough to hook a brother up). It’s got all of the features I like … MOLLE webbing, strong top carry handle, criss-cross bungee on the front and the durability of a tactical pack. But, they’re running them in non-operator colors. Such a simple concept, but I dig it. And, like all of their products, they’re made in the USA, always a plus in my book. My current non-tactical pack is a normal backpack I picked up at a sporting goods store. I’ve only had it about 5 years, and it’s falling apart. So, to have a new option with the durability we’re all used to will be a welcome change.
I’ve used some other BDS products and I have to say they are engineered to last, so I’m not at all worried about durability with their new line. There are 7 packs in the new line varying in size, and a bunch of MOLLE compatible pouches for the outside. The pouches are also run in the same colors and don’t have the usual Velcro and MOLLE on the outside. The guys at BDS Tactical are solid, but what do you expect from some former Marines!
Check out this new line, so you don’t look like the guys I saw at the airport – www.bdstacticalgear.com
Kit Up! contributor Bill Janson is a former Recon Marine and is the founder of Eleven 10, a tactical gear manufacturer.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
I can see it now: Tacticool gear daddies strutting their stuff, showing off their earth-tone bling. Nothing stands out like Coyote Brown in a crowded urban setting.
5.11 has some Rush packs that ‘covert’, too.
This is one of the reasons that I often get my tactical gear from police suppliers (Notably my local police supply store). They tend to have tactical equipment that doesn’t look like it’s designed for combat, but still has much of the functionality. Pants, Shirts, Belts, shoes, socks, bags, etc etc all made for rugged use but in colors like blue, green, white, tan, and black. Last thing you want to do is stand out as the one guy prepared in the survival situation.
I made that mistake a while back when I got a pair tactical pants in OD, which is fine for hiking and camping but I feel really self-concious when wearing for every day wear so I don’t. My next pair of tactical pants are definitely are going be in khaki, while still kind of tactical looking, it’s a little more “natural” than OD.
We call obvious tactical gear and clothing “Shoot Me First!” gear, because any bad guy with half a brain is going to register the guy in the Glock t-shirt and 5.11 pants as the first person they need to shoot if they are thinking of doing something other people might want to stop.
Thing is, laptop computers are so common these days that nobody looks twice at an all-black messenger bag, daypack, or sling bag. So a “tactical” bag looks the most discreet when it’s 1980′s style jet black, not blue or grey. Plus, a black bag makes black MOLLE webbing disappear, and it does that better than khaki webbing on a khaki pack.
These “don’t see me as tactical” packs are actually a poorer solution than just going with black.
It took me 3 years after I got out, but I finally gave up the MOLLE nylons for civilian packs, and have been very satisfied. Arc’teryx packs (and specifically the Silo series) have a very similar set up to 3-day tactical bags, but look like any other hiking backpack. A buddy of mine actually uses an Arc’teryx Silo 18 instead of a “tactical pack” for low-profile missions.
I bet you anything the main buyers of BDS’s new tacticool packs will be paintballers and airsofters. It is a niche, though – veterans who get out of the service and can’t find civilian packs that look and feel right.
@Uncle Willie “Shoot me first!” That’s brilliant- and true.
My 5.11 Rush packs are absolutely outstanding in the bush for 2 to 3 weeks of hunting, fishing, and camping. But, when in the city, I want something that doesn’t announce to everyone around me that I have a CCW, and I would merit a second look.
I have a buddy at my local range that uses an old diaper bag as his range bag. A little further than I’d go personally, but to his credit, it never draws attention when it goes in and out of the trunk.
Same reason I don’t care to put my NRA, hunting, or pro-firearm stickers on my ride. No reason to give anyone the thought that I may have something worth their while hiding inside. Just another Johnny Q. Nobody as far as they’re concerned.
The lower profile is one reason I switched to Duluth Trading Fire Hose work pants instead of 5.11s. Always better to look like an off-duty carpenter instead of an off-duty SWAT team member. They hold as much or more, and are pretty sturdy.
I have a Mystery Ranch Outsider messenger bag. Got it at the same time as I got my 3 Day Assault Pack from them. I wanted the 3DAP for heavy, long hiking, backpacking and mountaineering trips. But the Outsider was perfect for everyday to school, work and meetings, when I am carrying large, bulky items and not just papers and books.; while affording me the same Mystery Ranch build quality, plus that awesome costumer service. And they come in more than the usual “tactical” colors. I got mine in coyote brown, because I like how that color blends well when cover in dirt. And one thing I’ve find out is, that when you have a bag that has NO MOLLE at all, in a urban setting, it is pretty much just another bag. It doesn’t stand out, and from afar it looks similar to a leather bag. If you were to get it in black, foliage green, or that super bright orange, I am sure you won’t stand out either. It is very comfy, it rides really close to the body and is very stable while running.
And best of all, the pack is not that expensive compared to similar bags made by “tactical” manufacturers, or other high end brands, while still been made in the USA.
The bigger problem is if the user has a crew cut or is bald shaven, wears a handle bar mustache, has tribal bicep tattoos, is obviously a five mile a day runner, and is constantly scanning the crowd.
I don’t care if you are using your daughters Barbie pink school pack covered with lace, you’re going to stand out. What are you thinking wearing an Underarmor T to show off a 48″ chest with ripped abs? Look around, the average American isn’t a body builder these days, and if I see two or more crewcuts together, I start looking for CCW, ear pieces, or a Uzi under the top coat, airport or not.
Frankly, tac gear belongs downrange only, sporting it in public is exactly what it is, look at me ego stroking that’s completely out of place and inappropriate. If it’s got MOLLE on it, it’s tacticool and the user is suspect right there. If it’s one particular “expedition” grade product with large patches on it, it’s poser, pure and simple.
If you really want to blend in, don’t let testosterone do your thinking. Looking like another bull in the herd flexing his muscle is exactly how to get spotted.
Dude, you ever heard the term “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it?” Who care’s if people use mil gear in civy life, if it works what’s it matter, that means they want something that will last…….”Tacticool” C’mon get off the high horse and chill!
True that Erik ,
This country has been at war for the better part of most young peoples lives , and it shows , to the older folks , it looks in bad taste , but to most young people …….they dont think about it one way or another . And again ……when you are young , you are an ******* , and yes you do want to be noticed and ego is all important . Hopefully if your developing properly ….you grow out of it . Erik hit the nail on the head about military gear …….its made to last , and for the money , cant beat the value .
Greetings ~
I thought long and hard before placing this posting, so please bear with me, concerning my long statement.
I have stated before that I am retired and I guess I should also add that I am wheelchair bound as well, and this is where my statements concerning – “tacticool/lowprofile” – comes in…
I have read the comment before placing this one and I agree that in some cases it does scream (as Uncle Willie stated) – “Shoot me first!”
So I should point out that I was never a type to say – “HEY! look at me – I’m high-speed/low-drag” – but I am – “in need” – of constant durability in the items I do use on a daily basis, in which many of the civilian prototypes can’t offer me, because of my situation, and the military grade types have never failed me (even when) I put them through the ringer.
I have had my old small OD green ALICE Pack (with patches <— yes, there's a reason for that, but that's another story) – strapped to my chair, as I used it for my needed EDC-all items, and has been a great friend for many years. – But due to it being constantly caught (either/or) by its straps getting caught in the wheels, spokes, wrapped up in the axle and by my hands when pushing the chair, it started to fray (to put it mildly) and has been hand-repaired many times over.
So, I opted to change it to a (updated) MOLLE small type pack, which sits perfectly on the back of the chair and is now more easily removable when needed. – however, I have toned down the colour to a basic black w/no patches.
It made a great difference ~ "trust me" ~ as I am the type to always be very rough on my chair daily.
As for clothing, there are many things that are not suited for me to wear, because of various reasons and this is where .511 has been a life saver, as the clothing is designed to be comfortable and has less stress/pressure points that I don't need to worry about (or even) give a second thought about. – plus the design has access points which are beneficial for me personally.
All in all, I had to balance everything out, while giving up allot in order to maintain comfort, stability, durability, and easy handling. – it fell to the old adage.."adapt, overcome, improvise"
~ and yes, I still keep my hair in a H&T, every 2 months, because if I didn't, I would look like a wild animal in a chair and who really wants to see that? – and because I am in one I guess I am already low-profile enough as it is.
just my 000.02 cents worth.
Good post , what people forget is this ………. if a situation is THAT out of control and society has degraded to THAT degree ………….its not going to make one iota of difference , one way or the other what you wear at that point . Bad and out of control is just that , and the old rules no longer apply . just sayin
Take this as a +1 vote for coverage of gray man kit. That’s my primary interest and use case anyways.
For packs, I have been using this “Swiss Army” pack for quite a while, no molle, black and red highlights. Very obviously _not_ a PMC or out-of-uniform-guy pack. Can’t say anything specifically good about it but also can’t say anything bad. It’s worked for years and accompanied me on working trips to europe, asia, africa and south america without, it seems raising any eyebrows.
I know I’m a little late to this particular thread.
My civilian back pack just started to come apart at the seam from less then a year of 20+ lbs of stuff in it on a near daily basis. So forgive me for wanting a bag that I know is built to the standard I need. Also some of us that want a black tactical bag is because we are in Reserve status and need to meet AR 670-1. Personally, I don’t want to have to move all of my school stuff to a different bag for a weekend. At SRP/C we sit and wait our turn to get the box chacked at the next station. The last thing I need is to be told I need to carry my bacpack by the top strap because it has a logo or isn’t 100% black or cammo.
+10 ,
I practically live out of my 3 day pack . Like you I went through the regular brands and all fell apart in just over a year . After this last one took a dump , I made up my mind that the next one had to fit certain criteria , nothing but the military packs fit the bill for what I need . Just try to find a civie pack with compression straps so it doesn’t mush out like a big pimple . I wanted molle , molle = options and flexibility . I use that pack for travel as a carry on , for work , and for play . This one I know wont fall apart on me when Im hard on it . Tacticool ? no! PRACTICOOL .
LOL on the tactical pants ……….I dont care what people think . It also depends on where you live if its really all that out of place . If your going to a fru fu restaurant with your girl ……I would say bad idea . My favorite is the German Flecktarn , ………no Im not talking about the flimsy paintball rip stop rip offs , I’m talking about the real deal , made in Germany in EU sizes . The most comfortable pant I have ever worn , Tough as nails also . As far as packs go , I wish one of the quality pack companies WOULD make a heavy pack that is Molle compatible .The only one that does is Eberlestock , but thats no surprise as they also make packs for the military as well as their hunting line . So Until they do make a serious attempt ( other than Eberlestock ) , I’ll stick with the military packs such as the Marine ILBE . Sorry about the bad attitude but I think digital camo sucks *** , especially ACU . I did buy 3 day pack made in Germany ……again , good quality and flecktarn ;) One thing that is kind of funny is that when I go on backpacking trips and run into people that kind of look down on the military gear , is that after I show them how the Molle system works ……….they think its the coolest thing going lol . Have to admit , if you want options , Molle cant be beat .