Transporting all your range gear can often necessitate a case or bag big and tough enough for all the essentials. The Gen 3 Kit Bag from T3 Gear allows a voluminous, enclosed space for the end-user to store and transport all their mission essentials.
Made from robust 500D Cordura nylon, the Kit Bag is designed as a large, rectangular storage bag measuring 23” (L) x 18” (H) x 11” (W) that can easily fit full tactical kit, a dedicated helmet bag similar to T3’s Padded Helmet Case, and night vision case or other accessories.
Exterior
The exterior of the Kit Bag is a minimalist unstructured bag rectangular in design, with a flip-top lid secured by a dual-shuttle oversized zipper.
At the front, the Kit Bag is sleek and free of features to avoid accidentally snagging the Kit Bag on other items, equipment, or vehicles. The rear of the Kit Bag is likewise sleek and unremarkable, but has reinforced hardware (polymer D rings and slide adjustors) at the top and bottom for attaching shoulder straps (sold separately) if necessary.
The thick, 2” wide, nylon webbing handles run continually from the front, support the bottom of the bag, and up the rear to provide maximum support while being transported. A padded cuff (secured by hook-and-loop) helps secure the handles together while providing comfort while hand carried.
Both sides of the Kit Bag have 10” wide sleeve pockets for stowing any documents or small accessories as needed. In addition, both sides have reinforced hardware (polymer D-rings) for attaching the removable shoulder strap (via slide release buckle).
At the top, the Kit Bag is designed to be stored vertically and the flip-top itself has a 23” diagonal, quick-access zipper that grants the end-user immediate access into the main storage compartment.
Interior
The interior of the Kit Bag is accessed via oversized zipper (with dual paracord pull-tab shuttles) and that runs along three sides to allow for the flip-top to open completely.
Around three sides of the Kit Bag’s interior are three bands of 3” wide hook-and-loop (female) material for attaching patches, pouches, or other items using similar attachment methods.
The Gen 3 Kit Bag is available in Multicam (featured), Black Coyote, Ranger Green, and Multicam Black.
Product Evaluation Scores:
- Cost – Average (3/5): With its MSRP of $159.99, the Gen 3 Kit Bag is a large soft case for storing and transporting all of your mission essentials and/or other gear as needed. With its 500D Cardura nylon, reinforcement webbing, and oversized zippers, the Kit Bag has the storage capacity and strength of many civilian hard cases without all the excess bulk. In contrast, similar market “kit” bags would include the Enhanced Kit Bag ($204.99) from RE Factor Tactical, the Rush LBD Lima Bag ($125) from 5.11, and the Huron Armor Carry Bag ($109.95) from TYR Tactical. After that the market gets into structured rolling duffle/storage bags, such as the Rolling Locker Bag ($560) from SOTech Tactical, at considerably higher price points due to their integrated frame and materials. Considering size, design, and materials used, the Kit Bag is appropriately (or of average) price for the market and its competitors.
- Comfort – Average (3/5): From a comfort aspect, the Kit Bag (empty) had the appropriate measures necessary to ensure full storage of mission essentials, while still being appropriately (or of average) comfort in transporting the overall bag. The Kit Bag did include a removable shoulder strap but it was unpadded, so using this method of transport was really intended only for short-term carriage—and under full load became fatiguing after short distance/time. It would have been preferred had T3 also included shoulder carrying straps (since the Kit Bag comes with associated hardware for attaching them) should they prove necessary for the end-user. Elsewhere, the padded nylon cuff attached to the carrying handle not only helped join both sides, but aided in making the handle-carry method more comfortable with its wider surface area for the hand. The zipper, while not outwardly a YKK-branded one, still functioned smoothly and did not bend nor cross-feed. The zipper enclosure line opened along three sides of the lid, thus it allowed for full access to the contents and full reach of the interior.
- Durability – Excellent (5/5): The durability of the Kit Bag lent itself to T3 Gear’s choice of using 500D Cordura nylon as the principle material throughout the entire bag. This material choice is common amid the tactical market, and gave the Kit Bag itself an appropriate (or average) level of abrasion resistance against gear or other hard-edge items that were otherwise thrown into the storage container with it. The paracord pull-tabs ensured a smooth pull on the oversized dual shuttles and that the zipper line itself wasn’t over-strained. There was extensive bartack, X-pattern, and double-line stitching noted throughout the bag at all stress points along the zipper, anchoring the carrying handles, and securing the internal pockets/hook-and-loop.
- Functionality – Good (4/5): Functionally, the Kit Bag did a good job of doing as intended, meaning it was an unstructured, oversized bag for securing mission essential gear and kit. This gave it the intentional benefit that (when not in use) the Kit Bag could also be folded up easily and stored in a reasonably small space. There was no means of organizing or securing items to the interior (such as removable dividers), so it was an all-or-nothing storage bag. The hook-and-loop bands on the interior were good for adding attachment pouches, placards, or other associated items (not included) using corresponding attachment material, but that was the extent of internal organization. But the extensive reinforcement throughout the bag meant that it was more than capable of storing some of the heaviest pieces of gear and kit possible.
- Weight – Good (4/5): Weighing in at 2.7 pounds, the Kit Bag had no internal frame or other materials other than its corresponding 500D Cordura and supportive nylon webbing. There is little in terms of support for carrying the Kit bag aside from the removable shoulder strap and carrying handles, so much of the weight to any contents in the Kit Bag will be handled accordingly. Consumers should not that for the volume, the Kit Bag can become just as heavy or heavier than a fully loaded Pelican case. But for the overall size of the product and reinforcement, the weight of the Kit Bag was good for what was included. In contrast the Enhanced Kit Bag (5.5 pounds) from RE Factor Tactical, the Rush LBD Lima Bag (3.0 pounds) from 5.11, and the Huron Armor Carry Bag (1.7 pounds) from TYR Tactical all support the position that for its design and materials, the T3 Gear Gen 3 Kit Bag is of a good overall weight amid the market.
Overall Rating – Above Average (19/25)
Product Link: https://www.t3gear.com/t3-kit-bag-gen-3/
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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