Tactical Tailor

Tactical Tailor Intermediate Treatment Bag: Best medical bag I have used

I’ve never used any Tactical Tailor products, so I was very eager to try out their new intermediate threat bag. I have had buddies tell me that they have trusted Tactical Tailor products during multiple tours overseas, however, I had never had experience with any of their products until now. The Intermediate Treatment Bag is the perfect size for carrying vital medical supplies into a hazardous area.

The Intermediate Treatment Bag features a large center compartment which is great for large items such as SAM splints, small suction devices, or other similarly sized equipment. The lid of the main pouch has two smaller zipper pouches on both the outside and inside of the lid. Each side of the bag has two smaller pouches that run the length of the bag. Each pouch has elastic loops to help secure smaller items such as medical tape.

Additionally, the bag comes with two smaller removable pouches that fit inside the main compartment. Each of the smaller pouches features elastic loops to secure equipment inside of them. They also open all the way so they can be laid out on a flat surface for easy access to contents. I actually used one of the smaller pouches as its own first aid kit on a trip out of town, and it worked great.

One of the first thing I noticed about the bag was the high quality that YKK zippers used. The zipper pulls are metal and very large for easy use while wearing gloves. However, it would have been nice for the zipper pulls to have a rubber coating on them to help get a secure grip in the event you have blood or other liquids on your hands.

The bag includes a fixed carrying handle at the top and has both a fully removable shoulder strap and waist belt. The lid for the main compartment has a field of velcro for attaching patches. I personally would have liked to see a system of shock cord for external mounting of tourniquets instead of velcro, but that’s just me. Overall the Intermediate Treatment Bag is an excellent choice for anyone needing to carry medical supplies, whether down range or around the house.

Author – Cameron Paidousis is a former Police Officer and is a current member in the Air National Guard where he serves in Security Forces. For his civilian job he works as security contractor for the U.S. Government. When not working he enjoys spending time with his family along with kayaking, hiking, and traveling.

Tactical Tailor Active Shooter Bag

The Tactical Tailor Active shooter bag and I have been having quite a bit of fun. I’m lucky enough to own a bit of property and have my own personal range. That means I really got to take it out and use it as necessary. Before we get to the shooting review let’s take a quick look at the bag itself. My first look went a little into this so check that out here.

The Tactical Tailor Active Shooter Bag is very well-built, I said that in my first look, but after a few weeks of use it’s still strong and dependable. I stored 8 loaded 30 rounds magazines in it for a short period of time and found the strap used to hold the gear was well made and extremely comfortable. A nice thick pad keeps the strap from digging in, and it genuinely reminds me of my M240 sling from Afghanistan. I said before I don’t think I need 8 magazines and I stand by that, but I wanted to test the strap for comfort and the bag itself for weight resistance. The bag held up perfectly fine, it didn’t even stress it.

The Dad Car

The Dad car also didn’t harm it, where one day or another the bag was hit with chips, juice, soda, it’s been kicked, stepped on, dropped, tossed between seats and god knows what else has happened to the poor thing. Even so, nothing has frayed or torn even slightly. The plastic buckles are still perfectly fine, as are the zippers.

The Tactical Tailor Active Shooter Bag Review

Inside the elastic bands are extremely strong and haven’t lost any elasticity after heavy use. Both AR and AK magazines fit the loops. The AK 30 rounders are a bit long, and while the bag will still zip up there is a noticeable difference and some bulkiness. AR magazines are a perfect fit as expected.

The massive amount of MOLLE on the outside allows lots of customization options, but I never found adding anything necessary. The bag itself was big enough for the necessities. Anything more and I’d probably go with a backpack over a messenger bag anyway.

One of my complaints is that I wish the mouth of the bag opened a little wider. If the zipper went down an additional inch on each side the bag would be easier to use. As it stands it’s perfectly usable. The main problem I ran into was drawing pistol magazines. The magazine pouches are located on the far sides of the pouch, and were difficult to draw in a rush.

On the Range

Going hot with this thing was a literal blast. Eventually, I found the perfect method to arrange magazines in the bag. I staggered 4 magazines, and in between, I placed a tourniquet. The pictures show it better than I can explain it.

The main flap has two pouches and in those I placed a couple of packs of combat gauze, a headlamp, and a simple, but effective knife. I’d imagine the Gerber StrongArm will fit perfectly with its MOLLE attachment system.

With 8 magazines in the bag, it felt kind of clumsy, and my fat fingers had issues grabbing one magazine quickly and surely. Once I staggered the magazines I found it a lot faster and easier to rapidly draw the magazines and reload. When staggered with tourniquets I had zero issues gripping either magazines or the tourniquets.

The flap can be secured in the open position via buckles and kept out-of-the-way. The strap is pretty big and you get lots of room for adjustment, and proper adjustment is key. Once you get it adjusted properly it feels more natural when reaching for an extra mag without taking your eyes off the target.

AR magazines are easy overall to draw because they are smoother. AK magazines are longer and find the hands easier, but the lug on the back tends to catch the elastic band. A little jiggle frees it.

Keep Shooting

Overall the bag is extremely well made and very easy to use. I’m a big fan of being covert and carrying certain pieces of gear covertly and this bag is certainly a welcome companion to my trunk AR, which is a rifle I made from the cheapest 80 lower I could find. I don’t feel it’s limited to civilian applications either. A police officer and his duty rifle would be well suited for this bag. If he or she was responding and needed the rifle they’d have a complete kit immediately at hand. Lastly, when I served in the Marines we carried one ‘boom’ bag per squad. The boom bag contained extra batteries, ammo, grenades, a water purifier, zip cuffs, a kit to detect explosive residue, and other mission-specific gear. This could certainly fill the role of boom bag. The Tactical Tailor Active Shooter bag is an excellent addition to any Loadout. It might not be perfect but it’s an excellent idea.

Tactical Tailor Jetboil Pouch

Tactical Tailor was started by Logan Coffey in 1998 after serving two enlistments in the US Army. During Logans time in the Infantry, he noticed that his Vietnam era issued gear was a little lackluster and needed modifications to be made more effective. After purchasing a used commercial sewing machine, Logan began modifying gear, designing bags, pouches and various accessories from his barracks room. After the Army, he settled in Lakewood, Washington and opened a manufacturing and retail shop. Hiring mainly military spouses and veterans, Tactical Tailor is now recognized nationwide for their high-quality soft goods. Tragically, Logan Coffey was killed in a car accident in 2008 but the employees of Tactical Tailor and Logans brother continue his mission. I recently had the pleasure of testing the Jetboil Pouch from Tactical Tailor.

Having lived in the greater Tacoma area through high school and again while assigned to the 2nd Ranger Battalion, I’m very familiar with Tactical Tailor. I’d often stop by the retail location in Lakewood on my way home from Ft. Lewis. And it was nice to witness the growth of this company. Especially knowing it was owned and operated by an Infantry veteran. Not only do they produce well designed and built products, but they’d be willing to fix existing gear too. And from any manufacturer. I always knew I could pop in and have a broken strap fixed or modified. Most of the time while I waited. Logan would say, “do what’s right, because it’s right”. And that’s what they did.

The Jetboil pouch is one of many well thought out pouches from Tactical Tailor. I didn’t even know I needed a pouch for my Jetboil until I was introduced to this product. Typically, I try to pack my stove and first meal just under the flap of my backpack. To allow quick access once I have the urge to cook something quick or need coffee. The Jetboil pouch has a pair of Fight Light Malice clips located on the back. Allowing attachment to the exterior of your backpack which in turn, frees up valuable space for additional gear on the inside. The roll down top design not only keeps dirt and debris out, but allows additional room for meal storage. Finally, two heavy-duty clips secure the top to the sides.

Tactical Tailor Jetboil Pouch details courtesy of tacticaltailor.com

Dimensions 16.5″ Tall x 15.25″ Circumfrence
Colors: Black, Coyote, Multicam, Wolf Grey
Attachment: 2 Fight Light Malice clips
Fits: Jetboil, Primus, MSR Windburner
Made in the USA
MSRP: $20.75

Tactical Tailor Bantam: Little Pack, Big World

More space is better was my general approach when I was carrying a pack in the Marines. I wanted the ability to carry more when necessary and didn’t mind toting a half-empty pack. I stubbornly kept that idea as I became a civilian and always went big. This creates some interesting excursions when you move from loading a 7 ton to loading a commercial plane. As I became a writer and started traveling more I discovered the joy of minimalism. That’s where we come to the Tactical Tailor Bantam pack. It draws an interesting line between minimalist and too small.

Smaller Is Better

One big lesson I learned on Day 1 of Shot Show is that smaller is better. I was that guy rocking too big of a backpack while trying to navigate the crowded halls of the Sands resort. On day 1 I downgraded to a cheap messenger bag a vendor was giving out as swag. It wasn’t near as functional but was easier to navigate with. This, and my flight to Vegas was my first lesson is that smaller is better in. Since moving towards smaller packs I’ve found them to be more convenient, easier to manage, and easier to store. I went from a full-sized Tac Pac for EDC to a simple Vertx Commuter.

For the last few weeks its been the Tactical Tailor Bantam pack. The question is as a backpack is it too small? It offers slightly more space than a sling bag and the support of a backpack. Before you order should grab a tape measure and map it out. It’s 15 inches long and 10 inches wide. It’s approximately the same size as my 6-year old’s backpack so it’s small. In Tactical Tailor’s Description, they even mention it’s a great tough pack for kids.

For simple everyday work carry it’s actually nice and handy. I can fit my computer, charger, cell phone charger, water bottle, my lunch, and strap my jacket or sweater to the front bungee straps. That being said I can do the same with my Vertx Commuter. What I can’t do with the Commuter is make it an overnight bag. The Tactical Tailor Bantam can carry a day’s change of clothes, and my computer, tablet, toiletries, and of course real coffee because hotel coffee sucks.

Is the Tactical Tailor Bantam Too Small?

Is it too small for an extended trip? Yes, of course, it is. Is it too small for a day bag? Not at all. For hiking, exploring, and hunting it’s actually pretty damn handy. It’s not for camping or anything where more than a day’s worth of goods is needed. It can tote all the necessities for a hike like water, a snack, a medical kit, an extra pair of sock, camera, all that good stuff. It beats a sling bag in this regard due to the dual straps that better support the pack, and keeps it more stable go over harsher terrain.

A backpack is always a bit more comfortable than a sling bag and I see the advantages of it for long-term use. Its small size can be a strength when it comes to maneuverability. This makes it easier to use in tight environments, especially tactical environments. When I carried a big bag in buildings on a deployment or when training it wasn’t uncommon for it to get caught and stuck in close quarters.

Going through windows, or climbing ladders often meant removing the bag and tossing it through. A smaller bag like the Tactical Tailor Bantam eliminates this problem. It’s much easier to work up and down ladders, through windows, and just moving in a building in general.

Organizational Ability

One of the big selling points for the modern tactical bag is the ability to organize even and every piece of gear to an obsessive point. The Tactical Tailor Bantam is no different. The four pockets allow you to easily sort and organize gear to keep the bag from getting crowded.

You get tons of hook and loop space, a mesh organizer, and a hidden rear pocket for more discrete organization. The rear pocket is great for a handgun, or a small armor plate. It’s good to separate somethings from most gear since you don’t want it spotted if you are just trying to grab your laptop. The hook and loop is perfect for used with gear like Blue Force Gear’s Dapper pouches. I’ve been carrying my Premier Body Armor Soft Armor 10×12 panel in the back and it fits perfectly.

The outside of the bag also offers two side pockets for gear you want to be quick at hand. Mine is used for carrying a water bottle and sometimes my hearing protection. The external bungee cords are great for strapping an outside layer on when its no longer needed.

Durability, Comfort, and Design

Like all Tactical Tailor‘s gear, it’s well made and designed to last. Its design is simply a backpack that’s been shrunk. It’s not revolutionary, but it’s well constructed and well thought out. The straps are padded and it has a sternum strap to keep the pack in place when moving dynamically. The rear of the pack has nice mesh pads that keep whats in the pack from prodding you. This is especially handy when a gun is in the bag and you don’t want it jabbing into you.

The Tactical Tailor Bantam pack is a compromise. It falls in between a backpack and a sling bag and offers some advantages over both. If you are looking to move and groove for a long period of time with a light load then this is perfect. If you want the comfort of a backpack with the low profile nature of a sling bag then it’s for you.

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Tactical Tailor MAV reviewed by an active duty Special Operations member

Halfway through the SFQC (Special Forces Qualification Course), I realized I had effectively utilized the ubiquitous Army issued FLC (Fighting Load Carrier) to its utmost potential and was left wanting. I could not efficiently carry my loadout as well as all my necessary comms equipment comfortably. The search was begun to uncover a more capable, effective, and moderately affordable replacement. I landed on the Tactical Tailor One-Piece MAV with BIB adapter.

The Tactical Tailor MAV is not a new technology, but simple sells. I’ve seen several of these rigs on the back end of multiple deployments and they’re still ticking. This system boasts ample MOLLE real estate (18×3 columns on the main body, the BIB adds another 9×3 column). Using a bit of Google Fu, I was able to find the TT MAV and the BIB adapter for around $115 for both pieces of equipment.

The rig performed very admirably. The TT MAV has outlasted two to three pouches that were attached to it. It is a fairly rudimentary design that does what it is designed to do: hold a decent amount of kit. The MAV is constructed of 1000D Cordura and features 1.5-inch wide harness webbing. The BIB extension was easy to attach and, for me personally, it was a needed addition if the user wanted to run an admin pouch or any other ancillary equipment at a higher chest level. The BIB, in essence, turns the TT MAV into a pseudo Rhodesian rig with a bit more MOLLE space.

A useful modification that I implemented was to attach an EOG 5 chemlight panel within the small map pocket of the MAV BIB.

The only two real deficiencies with I have found with my MAV are :

The amount of MOLLE often can lend to the trend of overloading with too much weight
The 1.5 crossed Harness often bunches up in its guide and can be slightly uncomfortable

Author – Ross R. is currently serving in the US Military Special Operations community.

Tactical Tailor First Responder Bag: Like it or not, Fanny Packs are in

The concept of the fanny pack or waist pack is nothing new. There has remained a steady trend in the utilization of these types of packs within the SOPs of varying SOF units. Waist packs used as quickly removable IFAKS, assaulter load outs, and housing for extraneous breaching equipment have all found their niche within the context of these waist bags. I use a Spiritus System SACK on my Crye AVS to hold my extra Commo equipment. The central body placement, the ability to access the pouch ambidextrously, and the zero-sum loss of MOLLE space on your kit make waist based packs alluring for load carrying potential.

Enter the Tactical Tailor First Responder Bag. The bag itself, like all Tactical Tailor products, is built to last. Heavy 1000D Cordura meshed with YKK zipper will ensure that this bag need not be pampered. The Bag, in essence, bridges a gap between being a typically -sized IFAK and a smaller stand-alone med bag.

Measurements: 12″ wide x 6.5″ tall x 5.25″ deep
NSN: 6530015480940 (Black, Coyote Brown, OD.)
MADE IN THE USA

The Exterior of the bag boasts a trauma shear pouch, a smaller zippered pouch, and generous MOLLE webbing for attaching extra ancillary equipment. Within the bag itself, there are four different panels of elastic webbing, ranging in girth, in order to stow and organize the medical gear of varying sizes. There is also a small pliable divider within the front portion of the bag. Like many other TT products, a hi-viz orange panel is sewn into the bottom of the bag to aid in visual acuity of the bag’s bottom. The bag pictured is currently loaded with the following (there is so much more room for other equipment):

1 Trauma Shears
1 SOF-T W Tourniquet
1 SWAT-T Tourniquet
2 IZZY Dressings
1 Z-PACK GAUZE
1 OLAES Bandage
2 H/H Gauze
6 HALO dressings
2 Needle Ds
1 Nasopharyngeal tube
2 Nitrile Gloves
1 HEMCON dressing
1 CELOX powder

The bag also has buckled carrying straps with a wide range of size adjustment. If rocking the fanny pack is not your jam, one can wear the bag slung across the shoulders or over their armor. For me personally, I currently have the bag affixed to a rear seat of my vehicle. I am seriously debating obtaining a second bag in order to organize and stow my SERE car loadout. The bag would fit that SERE gear setup nicely and look for a follow-up article depicting this bag’s many pragmatic uses.

Author – Ross R. is currently serving in the US Military Special Operations community.