Why this bag?
So I had a hard time deciding, but I wanted to change my bag.
My old one being the classic Eastpak bag, the well-known “The One”. I kept it since my high school years, almost 15 years ago…
Well, I admit, the main reason for this need to change is that, because of my job, I find myself with glasses on the nose, and the rigid case takes up a bit of space… And transporting it in a pocket of softshell, very little for me!
A little idea of what I was looking for
I wanted something solid, original for ordinary mortals, but which remained “go-anywhere” while being as functional as possible.
And of course, I wanted to try my best to keep this “price / longevity” ratio.
My new bag had to be as small as possible but still allowing me to carry my EDC.
It had to be functional, in order to be able to optimize the storage space, and thus have quick and easy access to my current affairs: wallet, checkbook, etc. I will come back to this a little later.
And I wanted it to have this “tacticool” look with MOLLE loops, without going overboard either.
In short, I wanted something impossible to find… or almost!
I came across the 2 Banger satchel after a good 2 days of searching. I had put it aside and, after seeing it, all the others seemed “good but I’ve seen better”.
How is the 2 Banger bag presented?
The 2 Banger bag is sold with two rubber bands and two clips for the rubber bands.
All this is provided to allow you to choose the mode of retention of the M4/AR magazines. So for us, it’s not something necessary. It could be useful, however, for airsofters.
A belly strap with quick releases (I call them clips) is also provided, to allow you to “secure” the bag when you have to run, in order to prevent it from slipping.
For my part, I do not need it, being conveyed.
I would highly recommend using this strap for people using public transport. Having to run after a bus, or run to jump into the metro when the doors are about to close… (yes, that’s a real experience!) And then it’s also to secure the bag against pickpockets!
The reinforced part of the main strap is padded with foam, and this part is movable with respect to the strap.
A second fixed part ends the strap on one side, with a MOLLE “grid” on top in the “Laser Cut Molle” version. It is made of a very thin female velcro, which will avoid “fluff” and will allow you to scratch a crest (from NoPanic for example?), or a name strip.
“Standard” MOLLE loops are arranged on either side of the bag, on the edges more precisely. They thus make it possible to add a pocket for a water bottle or a pocket for other M4/AR magazines, etc.
The zipper of the main compartment is “two-way”.
Basically, you have to make the gesture of closing the zip to open it, and that of opening the zip to close it. It’s a little confusing at first, but I got used to it super quickly. And it is true that it is really well thought out!
You can access this compartment without having to open it entirely.
The back of the bag is made of a kind of padded and very breathable “mesh”. This mesh is neither more nor less than the “hidden” pocket (the famous Concealed Pouch).
The strap is completely adjustable according to your desire, and your way of carrying the bag. She is therefore totally ambidextrous if we can say like that.
Finally, for the strap to be adjustable, retaining clips, like safety pins, are present on either side of the strap.
Zoom on compartments and storage
This is how I organized my EDC.
There could be better, but there is worse. After all, everyone conceives it according to their lifestyle, right?
First, the main compartment. And I’m removing the glasses case so you can see a little better.
Now, the rear pocket (where it is planned to wedge the M4/AR magazines) and the front pocket, really typed “admin pouch”.
Technical characteristics of the bag 2 Banger
- Volume: 3.27L
- Height: 17.78cm
- Width: 22.86cm
- Thickness: 7.62cm
- A large main compartment with elastic loops
- A dedicated front compartment “admin pouch”
- An open rear compartment provided (basic) for carrying two M4/AR type magazines
- “Hidden” back pocket for pistol (concealed carry)
- Adjustable non-slip strap, with padded foam reinforcement
- Front velcro slot
- 500D Cordura Nylon fabric
- Tension area reinforced with 1050D Nylon
- Waterproof treated fabric
- 2-way YKK zipper – Duraflex material
- Weight (empty): 400 grams
Carrying capacity
Despite its smallness, the Banger 2 allows a hell of a lot!
As a reminder, the bag, empty and with the main strap alone, weighs approximately 400 grams.
I added all my EDC “paraphernalia”, and the matron weighs 2.1 kilos! To wear every day, some will say that it is too heavy, I would answer them this:
“With the strap and the padded reinforcement, slung over the back, it is very quickly forgotten! And I remain master key despite its thickness. »
In addition, and speaking of “shoulder strap”, the reinforcement has on its inner side a very pronounced non-slip surface.
It’s really well thought out, because it “freezes” the reinforcement on your shoulder, while leaving you the freedom to switch the bag from front to back, or from back to front, by sliding the strap.
It’s something I was already doing with my old bag, but the exercise was more difficult.
So here’s what I “carry around” :
A small “bobos” box with:
- Swiss knife
- Doliprane
- 5 small bandages
- 1 single-dose vial of saline solution
- 1 lighter
And then :
- Leather pouch for gray card
- Passport
- Notebook
- Wallet
- Checkbook pocket (with the checkbook!)
- Ticket restaurant
- Backup battery + USB cable
- Pocket of tissues
- My house key set
- garage remote control
- A locksmith set
- Nitro Tube Lamp (thanks NoPanic for the Retex)
- My glasses case…
- A “Herbertz” folding knife
- A 1.5A USB charger + a second USB cord
- My toll badge
- Two plastic bags
- A ResQme
- A Touline apple in paracord (homemade)
My opinion
If I have a conclusion?
She might be a bit biased because I’ve never managed to be completely impartial.
In short, to put it simply, I love it!
The 2 Banger satchel is classy, original but not flashy. And the carrying capacity is relatively giant for its size!
Finally, I would say that it is really designed for combat (the magazine pocket) as well as the hidden pocket. And that these two points will not be useful to me for a “French” EDC.
Despite everything, it comes to hand when I pull it from my back when I arrive at the checkout at the supermarket, and I open it halfway with one hand and the wallet falls under my hand directly without the need to search. 15 minutes. In short, it’s a great bag!
If I had a second fault to give it, it would be perhaps the lack of elastic loops inside. I would have liked them to put some on either side of the main compartment as well as the magazine pocket.
A score to assign? A score out of 10? I would give it 8.5 then !
Advantages
- Small
- Robust
- Well designed
- Relatively low price
- Good compartmentalization
- The strap with the reinforcement
- The modularity of the strap
- Carrying capacity
Disadvantages
- Charger pocket a bit badly done
- A few more elastic loops would have been welcome
You can find this amazing bug-out all-pourpose bag on Amazon right here.
