When Triple Aught Design released the original version of its Parallax messenger bag, it generated a lot of positive buzz with one notable exception. At nearly 25L, for most people, it was just too damn big. TAD’s very loyal base wanted something more compact for everyday carry and they responded with the release earlier this year of the Parallax Messenger Bag 15L.
Triple Aught Design Parallax Messenger Bag 15L
The Parallax 15L measures 18” W X 12” H X 5” D with 950 cubic inches or 15.57 Liters of volume. It has features Dimension Polyant’s VX material throughout the entire bag. VX-21 ripstop for the shell, more durable VX-42 for the bottom and VX-03 for the inner liner. We’ve discussed the pros and cons of the VX material at length in other bag reviews. If I had to sum it up, the pros are that it’s highly water-resistant, tear resistant, repels dust and pet hair and it features a very unique modern look. It’s also relatively light weight, which is why the Parallax 15L weighs a mere 29 ounces (1.81 lbs) empty.
The cons are it’s a bit more noisy than other fabrics when handled and it’s not as abrasion resistant as Cordura, which is why DP has developed heavier denier face fabric versions of VX such as the VX-42 (420 denier) used in the Parallax and X50 (500 denier), which has been used by TAD for some of their foundry projects.
EXTERIOR
The front flap of the Parallax is secured by two magnetic Fidlock buckles. I give TAD credit for not going cheap and forcing customers to mod the bag like Arc’teryx did with their Courier 15. The Fidlocks are awesome. They self align and click into place without much effort while being secure while engaged since they have to be slid to one side to open. It sounds complicated, but believe me, you won’t miss plastic Duraflex hardware after experiencing Fidlocks.
The Fidlock buckles used on the Parallax 15L
The front flap is high adjustable and compressible because both the buckle ends and the dual bottom straps can be lengthened as the bag expands. The dual webbing straps have enough length so they can be used to secure a jacket or extra layer if needed. I used web dominators to clean up the dangling straps when not in use.
As you can see, the padded bottom panel on the Parallax also folds so if you’re carrying a smaller load-out, the bag stays compact. A sneaky feature by TAD and proof of how much thought they put into their designs.
The top carry handle is comfortable to hold and yet stays out of the way when not in use. TAD added a Hypalon panel underneath it, recognizing that part of the bag would be a high wear area.
The front panel features a slot pocket protected by YKK Aquaguard zippers. The left vertical zipper accesses the full volume which extends nearly the full length of the pack. I use this pocket to store my Angel Armor Ballistic Panel. but it’s gusseted with its own volume so it could be used also for hats, gloves, etc.
The right side vertical zipper accesses a small drop pocket that I use for my train pass. TAD includes a D-ring on both sides and I use the one on the right to tether my pass via a leash strap so it doesn’t get lost.
There’s also a zipper on the bottom of the front panel that accesses a pocket located behind the horizontal slot pocket that I use to store my Magpul Daka pouch. The Daka is perfect since it can store cables, dongles, and other small items but yet its low profile.
INTERIOR
The main compartment of the Triple Aught Design Parallax 15L Messenger includes even more organization options. There are two built-in water bottle pockets and a zippered admin area. There are also top and bottom Hypalon Helix mount points that can be used attach TAD’s accessory panels. In the photo below, I’m using their medium-sized Control Panel Type-M to provide a couple extra zipper pockets. It’s an awesome addition to the bag and highly recommended to any Parallax owner when they come back in stock.
You can also mount either their Control Panel (CP) 1 or 2 horizontally. TAD sent me the CP2, which features loop material on one side, to try the setup for concealed carry.
To be honest, I wasn’t that happy with it in that role. As you can see from the photo above, even a relatively lightweight compact handgun like the M&P Shield, caused the loop material to pull away from the frame sheet behind it making the entire setup a bit “floppy”. The CP2 also doesn’t line up 100% with the mounting points on the Parallax. It’s something TAD says they plan to rectify in a future version, but for now, it introduces a bit of play even if both the top and bottom of the panel is clipped in.
The net result is not something you want when drawing out of a pack. My normal carry gun is a Walther PPQ Navy, which is about the size of a Glock 19 and its even heavier than the Shield. So this doesn’t work for me. I still think the CP2 makes for an excellent accessory for EDC items when mounted vertically. Something we’ll detail in a separate review. Bottom line – if you have a CCL, I’d recommend finding another way to leverage the Helix to attach a carry system.
FIT AND CARRY
The shoulder strap is beefy and the padding inspires confidence when loading up the Parallax 15L. I’m not a big fan of attaching pouches to a messenger strap, but TAD does include integrated webbing loops for that purpose if that’s your thing.
The buckle for the stabilizer strap can be switched for either left or right-handed carry. On the original Parallax, it had a hidden pocket where the strap could be stowed when not in use. TAD has eliminated it in the new bag to simplify the design and I was sad to see it go. You can remove the stabilizer when not in use but I’ll probably end up losing it at some point. I almost always do.
Dual quick release buckles allow for adjustment on the fly. This is something I appreciated when I wanted to change my mode of carry.
The Parallax carries very well. The strap is comfortable and I was able to adjust it so the pad is high enough to cushion the weight on my shoulder.
The smaller size is much more manageable. During my daily commute, carrying huge bags on the train is problematic at best. The Parallax 15, while still not a small messenger, strikes the right balance between capacity and ease of use.
The strap can be adjusted with enough length for shoulder carry also.
WRAP
Before I finish this review, I should probably address the elephant in the room. As you may know, I recently did a review on the Arc’teryx Courier 15, which in the EDC Community, is the bag the Triple Aught Design Parallax 15L will most often be compared to. So which do I prefer? The question is like being asked which of my children I like the most. Both are great bags in their own right and I love them equally for different reasons.
TAD Parallax 15L (top) and Arc’teryx Courier 15 (bottom)
The Parallax 15L is definitely the better load hauler. It also blows the Arc’teryx bag away when it comes to organization. The Courier 15 is a looker with an elegantly simple design and the DongJin 630d HT Plain Weave Nylon instantly became one of my favorite pack materials after I experienced it with the Courier. And since the Courier 15 was built around weapons carry, it is the better option for CCW. If I had to choose one for EDC, I’d definitely opt for the Parallax. If I could get away with carrying a laptop and/or tablet and not much else, or if I didn’t like lots of built-in organization, and/or needed to carry concealed, then I’d go with the Courier 15.
To sum up the Parallax 15L…
Pros:
- Lots of built-in organization
- Perfect size for everyday carry
- Highly water-resistant with VX Sail Cloth outer shell and YKK shielded zippers
- Interior organization can be customized using Helix attachment points
- Highly adjustable and compressible for various size loads
- Fidlocks are included in the cost
- Impressive build quality with reinforced stitching in all the high stress areas
- Very comfortable to carry
- Can be carried as a shoulder bag
Cons:
- Cost
- Currently out of stock and accessories are hard to come by
- Some feel that the VX material is too noisy
- Not ideal for CCW
- Hidden pocket for the stabilizer strap has been eliminated in the 15L version
The Triple Aught Design Parallax Messenger Bag 15L retails for $315. It is available for purchase on TAD’s website.
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