MONCh Gear Box Product Review

As you know, backpacks come in all sizes. Most people I know tend to pick bigger packs than they actually need, “just in case.“
In case of what?! Sometimes you just need the essentials. That’s the time for an essential backpack…like the Tasmanian Tiger Essential Pack MKII. (Was that a horrible pun? Maybe. Is this a great pack? Definitely!)

Here are the facts: The Essential Pack MKII is a small 9l (there‘s a 15l version available as well) daypack, that comes in different colours to choose from. The pack:

• is made out of 700D Cordura fabric, 
• weighs 500 grams,
• is almost completely covered in MOLLE,
• has an adjustable chest-belt,
• is compatible for a hydration system,
• is nicely covered in mesh in the back to prevent sweating, and
• has two compression straps at the front.

 

Some might ask what the need is for a 9l backpack. For one thing, sometimes I just need my Nalgene and a rainjacket and I neither like carrying them in my hands all the time nor am I a big fan of lumbar-packs or similar small packs. I‘m a backpack guy through and through. 

So I have been using the Tasmanian Tiger Essential Pack MKII for anything from dayhikes to shopping and urban adventures. If you pack it properly, you‘ll be amazed at how much actually fits into this nice pack; plus it will not wobble around like a bigger pack would.

All essentials fit, hence the appropriate name!

Another plus: the Tasmanian Tiger Essential Pack MKII‘s front is completely covered in MOLLE with some MOLLE on the sides as well, so that you can attach smaller/bigger pouches, easily doubling the volume.

The Tasmanian Tiger Essential Pack MKII is really versatile. If the terrain got a bit rough, you could even attach a waist belt to it, but I personally do not see the point in doing so with a backpack that small. On top of the pack is a small patch of velcro for morale patches.

The inside of the pack is, well, well structured. One large and one smaller compartment in the back for the hydration system (or whatever you want to put in it) and a velcro-ed loop to attach the tube of the hydration system to. On the top of the pack there‘s a nice rubberised lock to “flow” the tube through.

At the very bottom of the main compartment is a hole, so that fluids may exit.

As with all Tasmanian Tiger products, the workmanship is flawless and robust. The pack fits me perfectly! There are two D-shaped rings on each shoulder strap and two flexible loops for attaching things like sunglasses, compasses or a radio.

As mentioned above, it is made out of 700D Cordura fabric, which means as long as you don‘t destroy it on purpose, it will probably last forever.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with that pack. It‘s almost perfect. The one thing that bothers me is that the chest belt is not adjustable in the range I would like it to, due to a seam that inhibits moving it further down. I probably would not move it that far down anyway, but since I noticed it, now I can‘t even if I wanted to, it‘s in my head and I can‘t help it…picky me!!!

Other than that, the Tasmanian Tiger Essential Pack MKII is closer to getting a 10 out of 10, as any backpack I have used so far.

9,9/10

MONCh Gear Box Outdoor Team