MaxpeditionSitka Gearslinger

After much research, I decided to go with Maxpedition due to the many positive reviews on here and on the forums, and I chose the Sitka model because of its size and the fact that it looks more like a backpack than a murse.I've owned many types of backpacks and bags and I immediately can tell there was much thoughtfulness in the design and sturdy construction. I immediately packed in my every day carry items (switched out from a Swissgear backpack), and other than ditching the binder I was using for documents, everything fit just fine, which surprised me because when the old backpack was sitting next to the Sitka it looked HUGE. The Sitka is compact and streamlined in comparison. With all the Sitka's compartments and pockets, somehow everything fit.UPDATE: After 1 month of useI am very pleased with this purchase. I've used the bag almost every weekday to and from the office. Although it isn't great at holding documents unfolded, my job doesn't dictate that I carry around papers and binders, and the few that I do need fit in a document holder I use in the main compartment.What I like: The zip pockets/sleeves in the main compartment, easy accessibility of all contents due to the zippers that open the compartments wide, excellent fit/finish, comfort level of the pack, elastic loops in top front pocket for tools, lighters, flashlights, etc., and the hydration compartment or ccw area---I use it to hold a medium-sized zip pouch so I can access often-used items very quickly.What I dislike: The bag doesn't sit upright very easily, so I have to lay it down on the strap or carefully prop it up in a corner or against something when I'm not wearing it. A minor inconvenience, but I do prefer those backpacks that sit up themselves while you access the contents.I still recommend this pack and am currently looking for a larger Maxpedition backpack to use for overnighters and weekend trips!

Sitka Gearslinger by Maxpedition..I will give a quick review of this bag..I am not going to go into specifics because they can be found on the numerous posts both here and on YouTube and on Maxpeditions website.That said let me explain a little about my needs when it comes to an EDC bag. I live in a suburb bordering an urban center. I basically travel from my house to my car and from there into a building, for work and other business. On rare occasions I will travel by mass transport. On a whim I might stop at a park or go shopping. This being my daily schedule I was searching for a durable bag that was not to big which can carry my basic needs and have a little flexibility for specific items. Now I have viewed a lot of reviews that break down their EDC load out. Because of my situation I do not need half of the stuff I see people carrying. I have a basic bag in the car that I carry my "get home" equipment since I am usually no more than 3 blocks from it on any given day. This allows me to pack my EDC light.So far the sitka has fit my needs very well. It is a sling bag so I decided to go for the sitka as opposed to the kodiak. I wanted the biggest bag possible that would still be comfortable as a sling. The Sitka is very comfortable even though I haven't stuffed it yet. I am a good sized guy about 6 feet 230 pounds..pretty solid:) At this size I find the Sitka to be a good size. It does not look like a child's bag as someone wrote, but it is also small enough that it doesn't look out of place anywhere.As for the concealed carry compartment. I live in NJ so if your not LEO it is almost impossible to get a permit. So I use that pocket for flat items like a towel a cap and 550 cord. It is nice to know that it can be used for a quick transport if necessary :) It also works well for me when I am walking and want to listen to my IPad2, I can put it back there and feed the headphones through the bladder straw hole then feed them through the molle webbing on the strap to a point where they can fit in my ears comfortably. I just thought I would mention this since I haven't seen anybody do this in a review. I don't have a smart phone so I'm sure this won't be used this way once I upgrade to a multimedia phone. Then I can just use a phone holster and use the molle webbing for cable managment.In conclusion I find this to be a comfortable versatile bag..It will not replace a back pack for long hikes and the such but that's not what I bought it for. If you like sling bags this is a perfect EDC in my humble opinion.

I bought this bag for school. I needed something durable because in the last three years of school I've gone through at least six different bags. It is fairly small, but I like it. It fits everything I need. The build quality is amazing!!! The zippers feel really good and strong and it has lots of pockets. I use the MOLLE webbing mostly to clip pens and mechanical pencils to the outside of the bag and make them easy to access. The bag goes on and off easily and feels very secure and comfortable. The material and stitching are top notch, and it's all extremely strong. Overall, a great bag. Its a lot to spend, but it will last me for many many years. Hope this was helpful.UPDATEWell, I've now had this bag for several months. I use it every single day, and I'm not exactly very nice to it. It has seen a lot of abuse and such, but it has stood up to it all incredibly well. I don't use it to carry all my textbooks, it isn't big enough for that, but I use it to carry a lot of my school stuff: iPad, computer, pencils, folders, calc book... Honestly, I haven't washed it once, and I've used it every day and it still looks brand new. Every stitch is still in perfect condition, the zippers are incredibly heavy duty, and the MOLLE webbing is very sturdy and helpful. I know there are some complaints that the single strap messes with your shoulders or something like that, but I carry it around all day every day with about 15-25 pounds and it hasn't had any effect. I guess if you put fifty pounds in it then it would be an issue, but you would have to load it with weights to do that anyway, and most bags will hurt after a while with fifty pounds. I find the single strap very comfortable and convenient. When I'm walking around campus, I can slide it around to the front of my body and pull anything out of it. Overall, still INCREDIBLY pleased with this product. Definitely worth the money.