Designed as a 72-hour, short mission bag, the 3-Day Hydration Backpack by T3 Gear provides extensive storage space, durable 500D Cordura, and features specifically to accommodate a hydration bladder for essential water.
Introduced in 2015, the 3-Day has an overall dimension of 20” (H) x 13” (W) x 8” (D), is slightly tapered at the top, and made with an outer layer of solution-dyed 500D Cordura nylon, while using minimal binding tape (to seal raw edges) where applicable. All genuine YKK zippers utilize nylon cordage for pull-tabs throughout the backpack.
Exterior
At the front, the 3-Day has a wide 15” (H) x 11” (W) accessory storage pocket that is zipper-secured, and has over-molding fabric over the zipper to prevent moisture penetration along the enclosure. On the exterior of the accessory storage pocket are seven nylon bands (five at the top and two at the bottom) that are MOLLE compatible for attaching additional pouches or accessories.
Behind the accessory storage pocket is a zipper-secured, admin pocket with the same dimensions, but is an additional three inches deep for storage of bulkier items. Included in the admin pocket are; two envelope pockets, two zipper-secured pockets, a flap enclosure pocket using hook-and-loop, and five pen sleeves.
At the top of the pack is a nylon-folded carrying handle that is 1” wide, under which is a hook-and-loop flap over the pass-through port into the main storage compartment (to use for running comms cables or a hydration tube).
Both sides of the 3-Day include five nylon bands that are MOLLE compatible for attaching additional pouches or accessories. Additionally, two compression straps on each side utilize slide-release buckles to ensure the contents remain secure.
The backpanel to the 3-Day includes closed-cell foam padding across the entire side. Both shoulder straps are 3” wide, padded, contoured, and anchored at the top and bottom of the backpanel with extensive bartack stitching. The shoulder straps have an adjustable sternum strap with multiple nylon webbing loops and polymer D-rings to hang accessories. Additionally, a removable, padded waist strap (secured by a 2 ¼” slide release buckle) provides optional support if desired.
The bottom of the 3-Day includes two nylon bands that are MOLLE compatible for attaching additional pouches or accessories, as well as three drainage grommets.
Interior
The interior of the 3-Day has a three-sided, oversized, continual YKK zipper line that allows the front of the pack to fold open and grant the greatest level of access to the interior.
The interior includes an 11” wide nylon mesh accessory pocket (zipper secured) on the inside of the front interior. A 8” wide hydration pouch is located on the interior of the rear backpanel and includes three hook-and-loop retention bands for securing any sized hydration bladder.
The 3-Day Hydration Backpack is available in Ranger Green (featured), Multicam, and Black.
Product Evaluation Scores:
- Cost – Average (3/5): With its list price of $248.99, the 3-Day Hydration Backpack is a significantly sized, medium backpack made from genuine Cordura nylon and genuine YKK zippers. The backpack includes extensive MOLLE fields for attaching additional pouches or accessories to extend the storage capacity for the end-user. Market alternatives to the 3-Day include the X2 Pack ($289) by Eberlestock, the Three Day Plus Assault Pack ($285) from Tactical Tailor, and the Large Comm Pack ($258.08) by First Spear. Thus in comparison, the 3-Day Hydration Backpack is appropriately (or of average price) amid the market and its competitors.
- Comfort – Good (4/5): From a comfort aspect, the unstructured (meaning no internal/external frame) 3-Day was very comfortable on the rear torso, and the design took a great deal of effort to incorporate features intended to defray the weight of the contents carried. The complete backpanel itself is thickly padded with closed-cell foam, and stitched into segments to maximize articulation and pad items in the interior. Likewise, the 3” wide shoulder straps were fully contoured and had sufficient surface area to defray the load against the shoulder and upper torso, as well as provide maximum comfort. The removable waist strap did help to further alleviate the 3-Day’s load on the back by transferring some of it to the hips, however the padding was only on the sides and not under the buckles/hardware at the front that caused minor pinching against other belts or accessories. The genuine YKK zippers and other hardware functioned smoothly and without binding or cross-threading when taking the corner turns.
- Durability – Excellent (5/5): Throughout the 3-Day Backpack, there was extensive use of bartack/reverse stitching throughout, as well as double and X-pattern reinforcement at all key stress points. That included added durability to the shoulder straps, the pack’s pockets, and all MOLLE/PALS webbing. The 3-Day was designed for field use and the durability of its 500D Cordura and stitching helped ensure it handled a variety of items with varying dimensions, weight, hard corners, ammo, hydration bladder, and other gear easily.
- Functionality – Good (4/5): Functionally, the 3-Day did a very good job in doing as it was designed for and provided solid a 72-hour backpack for any survival, range, or professional situation. The large interior storage space allowed the end-user to fit a variety of bulky or odd-shaped items, while extensive MOLLE fields on the bag’s exterior allowed for individuals to attach additional storage pouches (sold separately) and expand on the overall function of the 3-Day Backpack. All YKK zippers have over-molded fabric that covered the zipper line, and prevented direct moisture saturation. The added ability to remove the waist strap allowed the 3-Day to convert into an easy hiking backpack or something more suitable for EDC. Perhaps one suggestion for improvement would be for T3 to consider making the bottom material thicker or more rigid (perhaps a polymer coating) and enable the backpack to sit evenly and without risk of saturation. As is, when fully loaded the 3-Day tended to roll over with the weight in the outward accessory pockets continually pulling it over.
- Weight – Average (3/5): Lastly, the 3-Day weighed in at 3.10 pounds (empty) and this was directly related to the volume of overall Cordura nylon involved in the design of the backpack, as well as the foam padding in the backpanel and shoulder straps, and hardware. This was in contrast to the X2 Pack (5 pounds) by Eberlestock, the Three Day Plus Assault Pack (3.10 pounds) from Tactical Tailor, and the Large Comm Pack (2.29 pounds) by First Spear. Thus the 3-Day Hydration Backpack is appropriately (or of average weight) placed within the market and current competitors for the materials involved.
Overall Rating – Above Average (19/25)
Product Link: https://www.t3gear.com/t3-3-day-hydration-backpack/
I am reviewing this product as a courtesy to the manufacturer and via High Ground Media, LLC, 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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