In the first installment of our Vertx EDC Gamut Review, we covered some basic features. In Part 2, we discussed the pack’s organization. Vertx finally was able to stock its new “Tactigami” Velcro One-Wrap accessories so now we’ll show how they can be added to the pack to equip it for concealed carry.
Each of the Tactigami pieces come in flat packaging with no instructions on how to piece it together. I didn’t find it particularly intuitive and I never would have assembled the MPH (Multi-Purpose Holster) correctly without watching the YouTube video that Vertx produced with Matt Jacques from Victory First.
I used similar videos to assemble two MAK (Mags and Kit) Standard wraps and a MAK Full.
By design, most concealed carry packs have a designated pocket where you can mount a holster. Vertx took a different approach by adding loop material to different areas of the bag’s interior giving the wearer lots of different mounting options.
For instance, most of the main compartment is lined with loop. If deep concealment isn’t a concern, then the top panel above the laptop sleeve can be an accessible place to mount a pistol and an extra magazine. Here I’m using the MPH Full with my Springfield XD45 Compact.
Vertx MPH and MAK Standard Tactigami
The XD45 is a Compact Service Pistol that holds up to 13+1 rounds of hard-hitting .45 ACP. At 29 ounces empty, it’s not the lightest of handguns and you’ll notice in the picture above that the gun is trying to pull away from the panel when mounted vertically. That made me a little nervous that it might come loose if the bag was jostled around so I used the hydration loop and a strip of two-sided Velcro to rig a retention strap.
That did the trick, but I’ll admit that the XD45 Compact wouldn’t be my first choice for bag carry. I used it for this review because it’s the only full-sized pistol I own. Vertx makes an MPH Sub for smaller pistols and I’ll probably get one for my M&P Shield, which is my regular carry gun.
For deeper carry, that would avoid revealing the firearm if the main compartment were opened, I’d go with either the panel at the bottom of the bag…
Or inside the laptop sleeve…
None of these locations would afford quick access to the firearm. For that, there is a larger full-length compartment behind the back panel of the pack.
The MAK wraps work equally well with magazines…
…as they do with other small items such as handheld tactical flashlights like this Surefire.
All of the wraps have a little nub that provides some friction to hold the gear in place. In the case of the MPH, the nub rests against the ejection port.
The one advantage of mounting the MPH and MAK’s in the backpanel is that Vertx includes a large zipper pull designed to help the wearer get into the compartment quicker.
This video by SwatDawg demonstrates how quickly the bag can be pulled around to the front of the body to gain access to the firearm. He did a slight modification to help with releasing the shoulder strap, but you get the idea.
I should point out that the Gamut can be paired with any Velcro backed holster and mag holder combination. I love that the Tactigami wraps can be adapted to fit any firearm and magazine combination. With that said, I did find the MPH to be a bit problematic with my Springfield. Depending on how tight I wrapped the pistol, some of the XD’s rough protruding bits (like the mag and slide release) would get caught on the MPH’s edges, which didn’t make for the smoothest draw or re-holstering. It was a fine line between wrapping it too loose where the gun would slip out if turned a certain way and too tight to the point that it was difficult to free it from the holster. Depending on the firearm, your mileage may vary. Certainly not a show stopper… more of an annoyance. And it only happened with the MPH. The MAK’s were great.
I’d be curious to try the MPH Sub with a slicker gun like the Shield. Most pistols built for concealed carry released in the last few years have softer edges to avoid issues like what I encountered with the XD.
WRAP-UP
If you’ve read all three parts of this review, you now understand the breath of the Gamut’s versatility. The designers set out to build the ultimate EDC bag and I have to say there is very little that I would change. It’s a high quality, low profile pack that’s comfortable to wear and has excellent organization. We’ll see how it holds up over the long-term, but right now it’s one of my favorites.
The Vertx EDC Gamut is available here and retails for $199.95.
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