Sometimes carrying your gear to the range can be problematic given everything you bring. For others, the tactical outward appearance of most range bags can also be less than ideal in a public space. Enter the Counteract Duffle from Viktos that provides the appearance of an every-day gym bag, but the storage and compartmentalization for something to support a day’s worth of range activities.
Made predominantly from a weather and stain resistant 500D ripstop polyester, the Counteract Duffle has an overall dimension of 22” (H) x 14” (W) x 8” (D) when placed on its base and stood in the backpack configuration.
Exterior
When placed on the bag’s structured base, at its front is a 7” folded nylon handle, and a 10.5” (L) x 2” (W) hook-and-loop panel with “VIKTOS” written in polymer material and bonded to the fabric. Two compression straps are also present.
The left side features two zippered pouches divided by a mesh fabric. The smaller pouch is 11” wide and includes two hook-and-loop (male) panels for attaching associated pouches or accessory. The larger 13” wide pouch opens on three sides and allows for an expansion of the interior storage space.
Oppositely, the right-side features two zipper-secured compartments that open along three sides. The first compartment includes extensive hook-and-loop fabric for mounting the included Hookie Holster, and has two (zipper secured) accessory pouches with mesh pockets.
The second compartment zipper opens to reveal as 12.5” wide envelope pocket (with suede fabric for added padding) for storage of flat items like laptops or other electronics. The zipper can be completely undone to disconnect the first compartment (with Hookie Holster) from the Counteract Duffle. A 7” padded nylon carrying handle is on the top of the second compartment.
The back of the Counteract Duffle is like the front apart from an 8” wide sleeve for passing most luggage handles through should it be necessary. As with the front, two compression straps are also present.
The bottom is unremarkable except in that it includes a 9.5” (W) x 19.5” (H) padded insert stitched into the material.
The top features a 7” padded nylon carrying handle on the left side (opposite the handle on the right side attached to the detachable compartment. In addition, four nylon loops (two on each side) are used for attaching the optional shoulder straps for carrying the Counteract Duffle. The interior can be accessed via the 17” wide fold-over flap on the top that is secured using a YKK zipper.
Interior
The interior storage space is undivided, with mesh nylon pockets on the underside of the access flap (and secured via zipper). The front/back of the interior include two 9” envelope pouches, and a single 8” envelope pouch on the other.
The Counteract Duffle is only available in black and is a basic One Size Fits All.
Product Evaluation Scores:
- Cost – Average (3/5): With an MSRP of $200, the Counteract Duffle is made dominantly from water and stain-resistant 500D nylon, using a ripstop pattern. This makes it more ideal that standard packs or bags in resisting rain, snow, or other oil/moisture mix. Given the duffle’s 44L storage capacity, some close comparators would be the Advanced Special Operations Bag ($339) with 56L of storage by RE Factor, the Rush LBD Mike Duffel Bag ($110) with 40L of storage by 5.11 Tactical, and the Bang Bag ($229) with 38L of storage by Eberlestock. Each of these bags are unique in design and materials and there are others far more inexpensive using lesser quality materials. But in comparison, the Counteract is appropriately (or averaged) priced within the market given its storage capacity and other features it offers.
- Comfort – Good (4/5): With its treated material, the outer shell of the Counteract was very comfortable and soft to the touch in comparison to the traditional Cordura nylon of other tactical range bags. The wide shoulder straps and its padding did help defray the weight of the Counteract when fully loaded. The YKK zippers moved smoothly and easily, and did not bind up at some of the tighter 90-degree turns. The folded nylon carrying handles on the sides were notably uncomfortable in the hands while transporting the Counteract fully loaded, and it would be a recommendation to Viktos to perhaps add a rubberized tube or padding into the handles to make them more comfortable in the hands when held. The contoured aspect of the shoulder straps aided while carrying it as a backpack, but that was lost when converted to a single cross-shoulder carry.
- Durability – Good (4/5): While the outer treated 500D nylon did give the tactile sense of rubberized fabric and not being very durable, some surface scuffing from abrasion and use was noted during the 30-day period of review. Extensive bartac and X-pattern reinforcement stitching was noted throughout the bag at key stress points, zippers, and other areas. Perhaps the most notable issue during use was dust/dirt was more readily affixed to the bag’s exterior as the non-porous fabric ensured the debris remained on the surface. This was easily remedied by wiping the bag down with a moist cloth, though the dust/dirt did get stuck inside the exterior hook-and-loop fabric. The interior fabric to the pockets while thin, did do a serviceable job of keeping the items secure and did not suffer any type of tear or failure in threading. One recommendation for Viktos in future designs of this size range/gear bag would be to consider adding a rubberized base to the bottom of the Counteract Duffle to improve the durability and longevity of the bag’s base against rock or concrete.
- Functionality – Good (4/5): Functionally, the Counteract Duffle did a very good job serving as a gear bag. It’s large single-space storage area allowed for enough clothing, gear, targets, and firearms as needed (though it wasn’t suitable for carrying a fully loaded plate carrier). It was noted there was no internal dividers (removable or fixed) to compartmentalize the space and prevent movement/shifting of the contents, but otherwise the various items were packed accordingly. The internal extension gusset did allow the bag to accommodate larger full-length items, but the lack of closure to the side compartment associated to the extension didn’t really speak to carrying a fully assembled rifle inside it. The ability to separate the pistol compartment was very ideal when wanting to keep the firearm close, yet put the duffel in storage (such as in the back of a vehicle). The downside was by separating the pistol compartment, the laptop pocket became exposed. The ability to carry the Counteract Duffle either as a traditional backpack or cross-shoulder was ideal considering the weight, but it would have also been ideal if there had been the ability to have adjoining handles (front and back) to carry it as the typical duffle bag. Converting the two shoulder straps for backpack carry, or into a single strap (for cross-shoulder carry) was easy, but as cross-shoulder carry it placed a majority of the strap’s padding in front of the shoulder and little over the top shoulder. Here it was recommended that Viktos simply carry the padding of the shoulder straps further. One recommended functional element for consideration would be the inclusion of interior stuff sacks for compartmentalizing a helmet or dirty boots apart from clothing or gear. Changing the color of the interior to a high-visibility would also help identify items in some of the deeper recesses of the bag.
- Weight – Good (4/5): Completely empty, the Counteract Duffle weighed in at approximately 3lb. considering the moisture-resistant fabrics, suede, and padding. Considering the storage equivalent of the duffle is the same as many other common hard cases used for carrying complete gear setups, the Counteract Duffle is at a good (light) weight given these details and the current market. Alternatively, RE Factor’s the Advanced Special Operations Bag (4lb.), 5.11 Tactical’s Rush LBD Mike Duffel Bag (2.4lb.), Eberlestock’s Bang Bag (4lb.) and illustrate that in some instances the use of heavier and more durable 1000D nylon, more extensive padding and compartmentalization may contribute to the heavier weight of some bags.
Overall Rating – Above Average (18/25)
Product Link: https://viktos.com/bags/duffels/counteract-duffel/
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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