Designed by the folks over at VIKTOS, the Counteract CCW Messenger Bag is intended to blend the utility of Every Day Carry (EDC) for the armed citizen, with the low-profile exterior and function of a civilian messenger bag.
Introduced in mid-2024, the Counteract is a moderate-sized, satchel-style bag with an exterior made from a water-resistant, rip-stop 500D polyester, with a multi-compartmented interior that is comprised of padded dividers and hook-and-loop (female) fabric. Its overall dimensions are 16.0” (H) x 12.0” (W) x 6.0” (D), and the bag’s 1.5” removable shoulder strap is made from nylon webbing (with a padded segment) and allows it to be configured for across body or over the shoulder carry. All YKK exterior zippers are over-molded with paracord pull tabs, and weatherized to prevent against moisture saturation along the zipper line.
Exterior
The front of the Counteract has a fold-over protective flap that connects from the top of the bag and is secured to the outward-facing exterior via two magnetic-release buckles. On the flap is a single, 13” wide zipper-secured pocket includes a mesh pocket for storage of immediate-need items like sunglasses, keys or smartphone. Above the protective flap is a rolled nylon hand-carry strap used for when the shoulder strap is not utilized.
Under the protective flap, along the front exterior are two 7.5” wide envelope-style accessory pocket for storing flat electronics or other items. These two pockets also include a retention lanyard, and an exterior of laser-cut spacing for attaching any MOLLE-capable pouch or other item.
The left side of the Counteract feature a 10” tall zipper-secured collapsible pocket for a water bottle or other item.
On the rear of the Counteract is a padded piggyback sleeve for attaching the Counteract to luggage carry handles, vehicle belts, or other contact points.
The bottom of the Counteract is unremarkable with no added features to aid the bag’s ability to sit flat when placed down. Several nylon loops are provided for attaching other items, carabiners, or other items.
Internal
The interior of the Counteract is divided into two primary storage compartments that separate the functional space. The first storage compartment is under the protective flap and has two 16” wide envelope-style sleeves (one padded and lined with hook-and-loop (female) fabric for laptops up to 17” in width, another unpadded for notebooks).
The second storage compartment is a CCW space and is zipper-secured along three sides, has a full-length zipper pocket for Level IIIA ballistic soft armor (sold separately), and positioned closest to the body side of the Counteract. It includes a completely removable, semi-rigid panel on which Viktos “Hookie” firearm accessories (nylon holster band and two magazine retention bands) are attached. The panel also includes two rows of laser cut slotting, and a 1.5” wide nylon band, which can be used for attaching MOLLE-capable pouches or other items.
The Counteract is available in Coyote (featured) and Black.
Product Evaluation Scores:
- Cost – Excellent (5/5): At $180.00 for a moderate-sized, over-the-shoulder satchel bag, the Counteract had a balanced blend of genuine 500d polyester ripstop chassis, smooth interior fabrics, and minimal hardware to maintain a low-profile appearance that worked to balance abrasion resistance and comfort. In comparison, market alternatives to the Counteract would be the Dead Letter Sling Bag ($212.99) from Vertx, the Parallax Messenger Bag ($225) from Triple Aught Design, the Huron Rifle Bag – Short Barrel ($299.00) from TYR Tactical, or the Gofer 15 Messenger Bag ($209) From Vanquest Gear. The important thing to remember is that while many other tactical or messenger bags are more inexpensive – they look like tactical bags and obviously don’t attempt to conceal that the end-user is likely armed. Amid the market of alternatives that fit the same low-visibility role as the Counteract, the bag from VIKTOS is at an excellent price point for its materials, function, and design.
- Comfort – Good (4/5): From a comfort aspect, the exterior polyester rip-stop materials of the Counteract were both flexible and comfortable, and was still soft and discrete enough to serve as an EDC bag or daily messenger bag. The YKK zippers moved smoothly and did not bind or cross-feed. The shoulder strap had texturized padding on the inward side and mitigated accidental slippage, but the nylon webbing material of the strap was soft and flexible enough to not significantly chafe when worn around the neck for extended periods (1hr+). The nylon carry handle tube was ideal for short carrying, but if used for excessive time the small diameter of the carrying handle became uncomfortable in the hand as the bags entire weight is concentrated to that small band of material. VIKTOS could improve on that by widening the carrying handle to something flat that fits in the hand appropriately. The interior’s smooth nylon material was pliable and soft enough to remain functional and did not burn nor cut the knuckles while rummaging around for the desired item. It was somewhat dark in the further recesses of the interior and VIKTOS may want to consider lining the bottom portion of the Counteract’s interior with some high visibility material to help make it easier to see inside the storage compartments.
- Durability – Excellent (5/5): The blended polyester rip-stop fabric exterior and smooth nylon interior offered the Counteract a good amount of abrasion resistance and durability despite daily carry to the office or on the range. Additionally, the polyester material exterior was similar in texture to a military poncho, and was good for repelling water and resisting stains. It also allowed potential moisture to bead off quickly. There was extensive bartack/reverse stitching noted throughout the bag, as well as X-stitching at key stress points for added reinforcement. The supporting material for the shoulder strap was incorporated into QD-release hooks on the sides of the bag, and gave it an overall good degree of reinforcement against pulling/tearing from the weight of items placed inside the bag. The only notable aspect from durability was the occasional odd creaking noise while walking with a fully laden bag from the shoulder strap’s polymer hardware and pivot point that was due to the surfaces contacting each other. At no point was there any cracking or breakage, it just took about two weeks for the surfaces to wear in sufficiently for the frequency of the noise to diminish.
- Functionality – Good (4/5): Functionally, the Counteract did an excellent job of keeping a low-profile exterior like that of other civilian messenger bags, while still providing immediate access to a stored off-body firearm inside the EDC pocket if needed. The various pockets and storage compartments allowed easy access to any contents, including the pistol and magazine holsters, while the YKK zippers helped to ensure no moisture saturation was experienced as moisture rolled off the polyester fabrics. However, one exclusion to this was the left side 10” exterior accessory pocket, which could only hold small water bottles (approx.10fl oz) or the standard soda can. It would not fit taller cans of energy drinks, soda bottles or even a collapsible umbrella due to the pocket’s curvature at the top which diminished the volume of storage. It would be recommended to Viktos to make this pocket an open-top style and/or large enough to fit the standard 1L Nalgene bottle. The main fold-over flap did a good job to protect the interior pouches and contents, although there was no separate internal securing flap to keep the laptop itself safely secured (something Viktos may want to note for improvement). One definite point of improvement for Viktos would be changing the magnetic QD release buckles for the front flap to larger magnetic snap buttons placed under the flap to give a clean appearance. It was difficult at times to align the buckle ends up to secure together in the early morning darkness. If placed closer to the corners of the fold-over flap, rather than their current location inward, those magnetic snap buttons would naturally fall into place or be easier to secure.
- Weight – Average (3/5): Weighing in at 3.14 pounds (empty) the Counteract owed a good portion of its overall weight to the polyester rip-stop fabric of its exterior and the padding of the interior. While slightly heavier than other nylon-only messenger bags, this CCW messenger bag added to the functionality of the overall bag to keep its contents safe and dry while maintaining that low-visibility profile. In comparison, market alternatives such as the Dead Letter Sling Bag (3.36 pounds) from Vertx, the Parallax Messenger Bag (1.81 pounds) from Triple Aught Design, the Huron Rifle Bag – Short Barrel (1.85 pounds) from TYR Tactical, or the Gofer 15 Messenger Bag (3.15 pounds) From Vanquest Gear all illustrate that amid the market of alternatives the Counteract is appropriately sized for its weight in design and materials.
Overall Rating – Good (21/25)
Product Link: https://www.viktos.com/collections/bags/products/counteract-ccw-messenger
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.
The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the author. The views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of the administrative staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site.