Intended to provide a waterproof storage solution, the Takeout by Magpul is one of the various DAKA line of products offered for those living life on the range or in the field. The Takeout is sized as a general utility bag, and ensures moisture protection for those items to be readily available.
Constructed in a rough rectangular shape, the Takeout comes in a 3.5-liter (featured) and an 8.8, and is an unstructured bag made from water-resistant polymer-infused textile to offer the greatest degree of puncture resistance possible.
The sides include a slide release buckle for adjusting both the sizing, and create an impromptu carrying handle or attachment point. The nylon strapping, and all seams are connected into the overall textile using Radio Frequency (RF) welding.
The Takeout includes a near-full length YKK AquaGuard® zipper with a paracord pull-tab rolled in a rubberize heat-shrink tubing.
The Takeout is available in Black (featured), and Flat Dark Earth.
Product Evaluation Scores:
- Cost – Average (3/5): The Takeout has a list price of $29.95 for the 3.5-liter bag, or $44.95 for the larger 8.8-liter. Regardless, the cost of the bag reflected the cost of manufacturing the polymer-infused textiles as well as the work to RF weld all seams to create a water-resistant enclosure. The closest market comparable product would be similar roll-top dry-bags often associated with hiking or the outdoors; such as the 3-liter Big River Dry Bag ($20.96) by Sea-to-Summit, the 5-liter Discovery View Dry Bag ($34.95) or standard 5-liter Discovery Bag ($28.95) by Seal Line, or the 5-liter Tuff Sack ($24.95) by NRS. As such, for the manufacturing and materials, the Takeout has an appropriate (or average) cost given what it offers in contrast to similar products.
- Comfort – Good (4/5): From a comfort aspect, the Takeout had a very tactile feel to the exterior-facing surface of the polymer-infused material. This ensured it didn’t slip out of the hand or otherwise become slippery when not completely filled. The YKK zipper moved smoothly and freely, and during review did not cross-feed or bind in any instance. The impromptu handles on the sides that were formed from connecting the slide release buckles together were a nice feature that allowed for easy side carry or hanging storage, but if items needed to remain upright, then were not necessary. The unstructured design and soft corners of the Takeout also left it prone to easily rolling over, which at times during transport or use was less than ideal.
- Durability – Excellent (5/5): The durability of the Takeout proved to be an excellent approach without any puncture or tear of the materials while being used, despite filled with several metallic objects with hard corners. The limitation to this was the included item’s size could not exceed the capacity of the storage space, as there was zero flexibility in it. So forcibly stuffing the Takeout would almost certainly lead to damage over time. The RF sealed seams also never separated and maintained their water resistance throughout.
- Functionality – Good (4/5): Functionally the Takeout replaced the same storage capacity and usage as a standard ammo can, and could hold any odd-shaped object provided it could pass through the zippered opening and fit within the space. In terms of full-sized AR-15 rifle magazines, the 3.5-liter Takeout could hold seven magazines comfortably with a little room left over for several pistol magazines. The larger 8.8 version would obviously hold over twice the amount and would be more suitable for gear or other items. Perhaps the biggest notable for the Takeout was that it was not a completely air-tight waterproof drybag. While air and moisture did still pass though the zipper line and not any of the RF sealed seams, the point of the Takeout is to be water resistant and not fully submerged. End-users need to bear this in mind when placing high-dollar items or electronics in it. As noted previously, the unstructured design did cause the Takeout to roll unnecessarily, and may be something Magpul may want to consider addressing in later revisions with small pads or cleats on the bottom.
- Weight – Average (3/5): Weight wise, the evaluated 3.5-liter Takeout came in at 160g (or 5.64 ounces) while empty. The direct reason for that weight is the thickness of the overall material needed to provide the storage space. However, even though both “handles” are on the sides, the empty weight of the Takeout was not off-balancing unless the items inside pulled it to one side or the other. In contrast, the 3-liter Big River Dry Bag (4.8 ounces) by Sea-to-Summit, the 5-liter Discovery View Dry Bag (4.8 ounces) or standard 5-liter Discovery Bag (6.0 ounces) by Seal Line, or the 5-liter Tuff Sack (6.4 ounces) by NRS all demonstrate that the 3.5-liter Takeout bag is appropriate (or average) in terms of weight and amid the current market. In far contrast, the standard 30-caliber ammo can weighed in at 3.9 pounds (or 62.4 ounces). Thus for the minimal differences in weight, the Takeout still offers a good added function for being just a few ounces more.
Overall Rating – Above Average (19/25)
Product Link: https://magpul.com/daka-takeout.html
I am reviewing this product as a courtesy to the manufacturer and via High Ground Media, so that I can evaluate it and provide my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give positive reviews. All views are my own, and based off my personal experience with the product.
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