It’s funny how I start thinking differently when selecting which pack I will take on vacation. Especially if it involves airline travel. What will I actually carry as part of my EDC on this trip? Will a tactical pack draw more attention when passing through security checkpoints? Will the bag be too large to take on an airplane? Is it a bag that I can comfortably wear for hours if we go to an amusement park? Is it small enough to carry on rides? Will I be carrying items for other members of my family? Will it hold a decently sized water bottle that I can re-fill to avoid paying for bottled water? You get the idea.
For this last trip to Florida to visit family, I carried the Vertx EDC Ready pack.
The Vertx EDC Ready Pack
The EDC Ready Pack is part of Vertx’s second generation bag line that was released during Shot Show 2015. We did a “First Look” on it this past October; comparing it to the larger EDC Gamut. I’ve traveled before with the Gamut but I generally like to carry a smaller bag when I fly and the EDC Ready Pack at 19″ x 11″ x 8.5″ fit perfectly under the seat in front of me without extending out into the row. Which is key during a holiday when flights are packed and overhead bins fill up in a hurry.
Unlike the Gamut, the Ready Pack’s outer pockets will fit a Nalgene sized 32-ounce bottle. I filled it up once I made it through security.
The same pocket on the other size synched down nicely to secure the hard case for my sunglasses.
I almost always carry at least a “boo boo kit” with me and I used the lower panel pocket to hold a tear away Mystery Ranch Spadelock pouch with some first aid supplies.
At 25 Liters, I found the inside of the pack to be large enough to carry my iPad and a light EDC loadout while still having room for a rain shell and a few small gifts I got for Christmas that I didn’t want to carry back in my suitcase. A red Matroskya Pouch from Alpha One Niner held my headphones and other items I wanted quick access to on the plane.
The back panel and straps are very similar to the Gamut and that’s a good thing. This pack checks all the right boxes. The beefy yoke harness is almost overkill for a pack this size but I’m not complaining. The generously padded back panel and removable frame sheet adds comfort and rigidity for heavier loads. Overall, the Ready Pack is one of the most comfortable bags I carry.
And it’s just long enough at 19″ to fit my 6’4″ frame.
SUMMARY
Pros
Great Ergos
External water bottle pockets
EDC friendly
Low profile/Non-tactical appearance
CCW capable
Cons
Limited colors/options
Expensive accessories
The Vertx EDC Ready Pack is one of the best mid-sized EDC packs available today. It’s CCW capable (something we didn’t cover in this review but touched upon in the “First Look”) and yet non-tactical in appearance and completely urban friendly. It’s a more compact option for those who thought the Gamut was too large for EDC but still carries well even for larger people like myself. Plenty of organization with options to add more. Overall, just a terrific pack and one I recommend without reservation.
The Vertx EDC Ready Pack retails for $149.95 and is available direct from Vertx and other retailers in Black and Smoke Grey.
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