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Home > Gear Reviews > Maxpedition Monsoon GearSlinger Versipack / Cycling Pack 
; "Maxpedition Monsoon GearSlinger Versipack / Cycling Pack")
Maxpedition Monsoon GearSlinger Versipack / Cycling Pack Brand: Maxpedition Model: Monsoon GearSlinger Size: 1600 cu in + Price: $125.99 Purchased At: www.bayinghound.com Maxpedition Monsoon GearSlinger Versipack / Cycling Pack
posted by bayinghound in Adventure Travel, Concerts, Festivals and Events, Geocaching, Health & Fitness, Hiking, Hunting, Long Distance Trekking, Music Festivals, Photography  Email to a friend
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The Monsoon gearslinger is a cross between a backpack, messenger bag and versipack all in one. The gearslingers are designed to be carried slung across the body and laying at an angle across the back. They have all of the functionality and capacity of a traditional backpack while enjoying the versatility and easy on-off motion of a messenger bag or cycling bag. I recently had the opportunity to take a Monsoon pack on a business trip in Europe. I found it to be a very good item to have along as it was able to transport all of my business items as well as serving double duty as a pack for sight-seeing and souvenir hauling. Like all Maxpedition products, the pack is incredibly well crafted and intended for rugged use. For my business purposes, I loaded it up with a laptop computer, business files for two weeks of work and assorted electronics (cell phone, chargers, camera, etc…). The pack shouldered well and was professional enough in appearance that it did not stand out solely as a backpack. Files were easy to get in and out, and my laptop sleeve functioned quite well in the main compartment of the pack. I carry a small laptop and thus had no trouble carrying it in the Monsoon. It should be noted that laptops over 15” may be very difficult to fit if not impossible due to the tapered contour of the pack. On my weekend off, I unloaded everything except a camera, water bottle, cell phone and rain jacket and headed into Paris. The pack was at home everywhere I went. For crowded areas I especially liked the secured waist-belt compartments for my wallet and passport. I had no concerns about pickpockets with a zipper and snap closure in their way. A jacket folds up and stows very well beneath the compression panel, and is easily retrievable. Souvenirs were easy to fit into the bag, and It didn’t feel overloaded even with a couple of bottles of wine, bread, cheese and fruit. While loaded, I appreciated the wear panel on the bottom outside of the pack. It really served to cushion and protect items inside the pack. One of the nicer features on this pack is the quick-release buckle on the front of the shoulder strap. This buckle was very easy to undo and allowed for the bag to be quickly doffed upon entering a plane, car or train. While it took a few times, It became very intuitive as to how to sling the bag over my shoulder and then secure the shoulder strap clasp. There are only a few downsides to this pack. The shoulder strap could do with slightly more padding. This is simply a personal preference, but I feel a touch more padding could add to the comfort of the bag. Secondly, I found the back panel fairly flat despite Maxpedition’s efforts to add contour and breathability to the bag. I perspired under the bag somewhat, but generally only after long periods of walking or other exertion. Finally some people may find the look too military for their purposes. In this instance, the pack is available in black which will prove to be the most neutral of the available colors. Overall, this is an excellent and ruggedly designed bag. The workmanship is top notch, and the usability is excellent. I used it for two weeks and found it to stand up to the rigors of travel while fulfilling all of my business and tourist needs. I also carried the bag cycling and it serves well as a cross-carry cycling bag. Specs and more info here. |
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