Helikon-Tex Bail Out Bag aka BOB Backpack, Low-Profile, Car Seat Attachable, Urban Line

I really wanted to like this product. Unfortunately, as a bag/backpack it just does not work for me. The pros: very well made, great design, versatile, and organized.Cons: too rigid, not enough space in top pocket, wasted real estate on the panel, and for was not a comfortable fit for me (a hefty guy). This is definitely more of an organizing panel that transforms into a bag; rather than a bag that opens up to become a panel. When opened up, either on the back seat of a car or a tree branch, gear will be easily accessed. Again, I really wanted to like this product but it was not the right fit for me.

This backpack is loaded with features. If you're interested...watch some You-Tube videos on it. There are simply too many features to list. I got the shadow grey/black. It's far less conspicuous than the same pack in any military type color option. In the color scheme I chose, it looks like any other book or laptop bag. Though it is of excellent quality, its outward appearance is not attention grabbing. The most recognizable part of this pack, is the removable mag shingle. I keep mine rolled up & tucked away inside the pack. I have just enough to crap that I carry to work, that this my new go to edc pack. I have added a mini "get home" kit and an IFAK. Loaded up & ready to head out for the day...there's still plenty of space inside. I can even fit a few smaller items from the grocery store(I commute by motorcycle). I am a larger than average man, and this pack rides beautifully on my back. My average loadout weighs roughly 10-12 lbs. I have overstuffed up to 30ish pounds, & walked around my neighborhood. Wow! It still rode pretty comfy. At about $145 usd, this a fantastic bang for buck backpack.

I wanted to wait until I had used this pack more before writing a review. After a couple of trips and camping out for a few days I have a pretty good feel for what I like and don't like about this bag.I'll start with what I like which is the majority of the feature the bag has. The ability to open it up entirely is a nice addition. I never had to unzip it fully to reach something in the bag because not only does the bag organize well but it stays rigid. It allows for easy access to all of the pockets inside. I have another Helikon Tex pouch inside attached onto the MOLLE that is used as a trauma kit. Even after being thrown around dozens of times nothing has moved inside or came off the MOLLE. Moving to the outside of the main bag the additional bag that can carry firearms, magazines, or just about anything else is alright. The clips that hold it onto the main bag are sturdy but the extra length of strap is a bit tricky to tuck away. I know that this additional bag can be worn like a satchel so I won't dock it for that. I just wish there was a better way to secure the excess straps.My main and only real complaint about the bag are the two outside pockets on either side of the bag. I noticed with either of my water bottles, a knock off Hydro Flask and a basic Nalgene, the pockets didn't hold them well. They began to slip out pretty easily and with little force. I would prefer that the lip of the pocket was higher up making the top of the pocket with the elastic piece sit on the shoulder of the bottle. Or if the elastic piece could be cinched down with a stopper.Even with my exterior pocket complaint the bag is extremely solid. The organization inside the bag gives you plenty of options and the addition satchel like bag is handy as well.

I have just one word for this pack; "PERFECT". It is just the right size for 72 hours and depending on what you pack could take you further. I will be using it as a 72 hour pack as well as a light weight camping / backpacking bag. Thank you for making a great product.

I do like this bag but the only issue I had was it was uncomfortable for me at the shoulder strap. It caused discomfort at my shoulder around the collar bone. Otherwise a very nice bag as it does have a few useful features.

Perfect bag. Durable, well designed, functionally solid! There is alot that can be said about this bag and I dont know where I would stop. If you want a modular, accessible, and a bag that will probably take or adapt yo whatrver you will throw at it... here it is!

Great bag for light trips to the mountain. Works for what I need it for. My only complaint is that on the third morning I spent in the bush one of the G Hooks for the magazine pouch broke. Not a big deal, you can get replacement G Hooks very cheap. I paired this with a Maxpedition velcro holster insert for my HK VP9, worked very well.

Hands down the best of the best bug out/rapid deployment bag on the market.

I didn't buy this as a bug/bail out bag, but as a bag to take in the car on longer trips when I'm expecting to be driving for quite a few hours. The pros definitely outweigh the cons.The PROS:It's perfect for my purposes. I get all the gear in it that I want on a car trip: hot flask, cold water bottle, small brew kit, 1st aid, snacks, hat, gloves, overnight wash kit, etc. It's handy that it's designed to hang from the neck rest and opens out to provide quick access to the things I might need en-route or when I take a break. It's solidly built and the whole thing opens up and can convert into an extended seat pad (almost a chair) which is a superb piece of design.The four mesh pockets are excellent and the plentiful molle webbing provides lots of flexibility. I attach a couple of pouches for pens, notebook, Kindle and so on, and another for a camera and binoculars, and there's still room for more.The BUGS: (These are very minor but they added up sufficiently for me to remove one star)The removable pouch is ok but has been designed more for the US market where 'bail out bags' tend to mean gun and ammo carry. There are three pouches for ammo magazines, and on the opposite side a pouch that velcro will stick to inside. This is primarily designed to hold the Helikon-Tex gun holster I think. Here in the UK though, these are less useful aspects of the design. I find the pouches with shot cords of limited use and not particularly easy to move things in and out of. When on the bag, these pouches are open to the air, so not suited to things you don't want to get wet or nicked.The removable pouch is also designed for use as a satchel/shoulder bag, so it has to extra long straps that have to be rolled and clipped together when attached to the bag. The small velcro tabs for this are awful...I had to replace them with some velcro cable tidy straps that work far better. There are several of these tabs and I'll probably swap them all out at some point. I might even cut the longer straps as I can't imagine using the removable pouch as a shoulder bag.While the bag is robust, it does feel heavier than I expected - it comes in at a little over 3lbs (almost 1.4Kg) on my luggage scales. For a 25 litre pack that's a lot, but ok for just carrying it to and from the car...I much prefer ultralight packs for hiking and wild camping.Overall then it's got lots going for it in terms of form and function, but maybe more suited in some respects to the US and the gun-owning places. It's price including delivery was a little over £120 which compares favourably to many 'tactical' packs. I think this will be something of a 'marmite' item: you'll either like it or loath it! I tend to like it.

Item is reasonably well constructed as expected from Helikon, with good quality zipper. The smaller "ManBag" is velcro lined with three stanag magazine size pockets on the back. The main pack opens out to facilitate it's use as a organizer for the back of a car seat with three quick release straps to secure it in place. There is a pocket on the outside sides, four inside mesh pockets at the bottom and three Molle tapes that run the length of the inside above them with a firth large flat pocket at the top, which also provides access to the lineing through a zip in its bottom. There are further two flat pockets on the outside back of the flap and one more flat mesh inside on the top flap.

I write articles on "Bugging in and Bugging out. This is a first class product, opens fully so very easy access of all items. Its come in very useful lately. Now my girlfriend wants one!

This bag is great as a rush bag ,I used it for security purposes ,it is a very handy bag for quick armed response .The bag can be used to strap onto to seat in front of you for quick easy access to first aid kit ,secondary weapon and ammo access,if working in a team it is also quick access for your squad for same purposes.all in all this is a great quick access tactical bag for rapid response

Simply superb