Taking the concept of its Range Bag, and extending it into a “Go-Bag” for the discriminating professional, the Transport Bag by Grey Ghost Gear allows the end-user to pack a variety of field equipment, firearms, and other accessories.
Introduced in 2019, the Transport Bag expands on previous GGG designs to bring together some common and unique features that shooters often find the most needed in their gear. Made from 500D Cordura nylon, the bag has an overall dimension of 17” (H) x 26” (L) x 8” (D) and consists of a main storage compartment, a front envelope pocket, and two side accessory pockets that yield approximately 1210 in2 of storage space.
Exterior
On the front, the Transport Bag is a 17” hook-and-loop secured envelope pocket that runs nearly the length of the bag and opens to reveal six elastic nylon cuffs for rifle magazine storage.
On each side (for two total) is a 6” (H) x 4” (L) accessory pocket that is both hook-and-loop secured, with the added security and reinforcement of a sliding release buckle. On the bottom of both pockets is a pass-through notch in the material to allow for passage of communication cables if a radio is secured to either side.
Both the rear and bottom of the Transport Bag are sleek and otherwise unremarkable.
The top of the Transport Bag has dual nylon handles stitched into the sides that allow for hand carry, while plastic D-rings on both ends enable for anchoring of the removable padded shoulder strap. Access into the main storage compartment is via dual YKK zippers with paracord pull tabs along a single zipper line down the length of the bag.
Interior
The main storage compartment of the Transport Bag measures 11” (H) x 22” (L) x 5” (D) is accessible from the top, and runs the entire length of the bag. The interior has a 8” (L) x 3” (H) hook-and-loop (female) panel on one side, with six elastic nylon cuffs for pistol magazine storage.
Oppositely, two mesh pockets run the length of the interior and are secured by YKK zippers with paracord pull tabs.
The Transport Bag is available in Wolf Grey (featured), Black, Ranger Green and Coyote Brown.
Product Evaluation Scores:
- Cost – Excellent (5/5): With an MSRP of $83.99, the cost of the Transport Bag is attributed to its overall size, as it relates to volume of overall quality Cordura nylon needed to ensure the bag’s durability. The YKK zippers and other hardware add minimal cost, but are an improvement over other manufacturers. Other comparisons to the Transport Bag are the ASO Bag ($275.99) by RE Factor, the Range Ready Bag ($110) by 5.11, and the Elite Range Bag ($118) by Shadow/The Requirements Group. Other smaller range bags, such as the Range Bag ($170) by GGG or the Pistol Bag ($129) by Lynx Defense support mostly pistol training, their smaller sizes often allot for more inexpensive options. While these competitors all have variance in design, volume, and materials, they still retain the same approximate function and demonstrate the Transport Bag is an excellent cost for what it offers to the consumer as a range or “Go Bag” and amid the current market of options.
- Comfort – Good (4/5): From a comfort aspect, the Transport is a frameless bag that expands on the intent of a typical range bag and is more suited as a hand/shoulder-carried “Go Bag” or Vehicle Carry Bag. As such, the use of 500D Cordura added to the overall abrasion resistance of the bag itself without any loss of flexibility in the fabric, even when under a full load of rifle, handgun, ammo and other items. The YKK zipper moved smoothly and did not bind or catch. As it was, when fully loaded with disassembled AR, pistol, and loaded magazines, the removable shoulder strap helped defray some of the heft in transporting the bag. However, the dual handle straps were a single band of unfolded/supported nylon, and the edges of which were somewhat uncomfortable/cutting into the hand when the bag was fully loaded and carried for longer distances. Moreover, there was no means to join the dual handle straps (such as with a hook-and-loop cuff) so sometimes one strap would slide in the hand making transport off-balance until corrected. These would be areas of recommended improved for GGG with minimal effect on cost to the consumer.
- Durability – Good (4/5): The principle material in the Transport was 500D Cordura, which is common use for bags and packs of similar type. It allowed the Transport to be both flexible (because of its frameless design) and resist abrasion from contact against hard edged items or equipment. As with all GGG products, extensive bartack and double-line stitching was noted throughout all key stress points and zipper line that ensured no fraying or stitching was compromised, despite the fully loaded weight. As often the case, more inexpensive range bags are intended to only carry a single pistol and limited ammunition. Anything more risks compromising the stitching. But with the Transport, we were able to test its load-bearing capacity by using multiple loaded magazines for both rifle and pistol (with range accessories) that far exceeded other competitor’s ability to carry in a typical range bag. The only minimal point of improvement from a durability aspect would be for GGG to swap out the plastic hardware with metal for improved strength/durability.
- Functionality – Average (3/5): Functionally, the Transport did a good job of performing as its namesake entails, transporting a AR (broken down into two receivers) with room for accompanying sidearm, magazines, and various accessories. The elastic bands themselves (for both rifle and pistol) did an appropriate (or average) job of magazine retention during transport, although the front envelope pocket for rifle magazines had a bit of excess slack in the hook-and-loop support bands when the pocket was empty. One solution for GGG would be to include a band or central hook-and-loop segment in the middle of the envelope pocket to keep the material flush to the side of the bag when not in use. Otherwise, the internal mesh pockets did a good job for sidearm and accessory storage and the side pockets were of excellent size for shot timer or electronic hearing protection. Perhaps the most significant issue with the Transport was its frameless/shapeless design (which was by intent so the bag could be easily stowed flat or rolled up). With fully loaded contents, the Transport itself would roll-over itself, and slide around when looking around inside for items. This made it somewhat difficult and necessitated the Transport either to be supported against something, or held open with one hand to resolve. Several recommendations for GGG to solve this issue would be to (1) include a removable high-density polyethylene or a perhaps a high-visibility padded foam panel on the bottom of the bag to give it support and structure, or (2) to modify the base to a hardened polymer that would allow the Transport to be placed on wet surfaces without risk of saturation. Of course both of these would negate the collapsible/stowable aspect of the current Transport design.
- Weight – Excellent (5/5): With its overall weight of 25 ounces (empty), the Transport was an excellent lightweight range or utility bag, which easily folded or rolled up to be stowed away when not needed. Likewise, there was sufficient reinforcement throughout the bag to ensure longevity, but not an excessive amount so as to make the overall bag bulky or heavy. In contrast the ASO Bag (86.4 ounces), the Range Ready Bag (99.2 ounces), or the Elite Range Bag (75.2 ounces) may have added features (such as internal frame or hardened base material) but those also added to the overall weight of the products. In contrast to market alternatives, the Transport illustrated how GGG kept the functionality of the bag to a minimum, while retaining the most amount of functionality as possible.
Overall Rating – Good (21/25)
Product Link: https://greyghostgear.com/collections/bags/products/rrs-transport-bag
I am reviewing this product as a courtesy to the manufacturer and via STL Shooting Enthusiasts, 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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