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Thread: Bag of Evil and contents

  1. #1
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    Bag of Evil and contents

    Like many reading this I am a bag junkie and my quest for the perfect BOE (Bag of Evil), the MCS name for our EDC bags, has over the years seen several bags from backpacks to messenger bags. Several years ago I gave up using a backpack for EDC for three reasons. One was that I seldom used both straps as intended and instead just tossed it over my shoulder using only one. Two, I like to be able to work out of my EDC bag like a big pocket since it is full of stuff that I use all the time, and backpacks did not lend themselves well to that. The last thing was that most of the time my BOE goes from the house to car and back again, and backpacks just don’t work well for front seat bags.

    After relegating the use of backpacks to times when I would be on foot for long periods of time, I began my quest for the perfect messenger bag / soft sided brief case. During this time I used awesome bags from several of the top tactical nylon manufacturers. These bags were all bomb proof and well thought out. The two major problems I found was that they were either too blocky and or too big. They also screamed tactical.

    In early 2007, I saw a post on a forum for an inexpensive copy of the bag Jack Bauer carried on the series 24. It looked interesting so I ordered three of them since they were only about $25 each. The easiest place to find them seems to be on amazon.com. Upon receiving them, I used one and gave one to both my wife and oldest daughter.

    I had been using my bag for a while when my Mom was involved in a serious motorcycle accident. For better than a week I lived out of my Jack Bauer. Several times I have posted about my disdain for BOBs (Bug out Bags) that are full of break in case of emergency stuff instead of the BOE/EDC bag that you live and work out of everyday. Part of the BOE concept is making sure you have enough room in the bag to add mission essential gear in addition to things you pick up along the way. My new bag and BOE concept worked well for me allowing me to have all my normal stuff (clothes, foodstuffs, and my laptop and cables).

    Later in the year my lust for new nylon continued and I went through a few more bags. Eventually I gave my original bag to my Dad. Then one day I noticed exactly how well my daughter’s bag had held up as it began it’s second school year carrying a very heavy load of books. The weight of the books along with and care of the bag on the part of my daughter left the bag no worse for wear. My wife had used hers infrequently and usually as a weekend getaway bag since it easily swallowed everything she would need. That was it. I had to have another. At the same time I looked at my website and saw an article I had written on what I carried in the BOE and decided it should be updated to reflect changes. To kill two birds with one stone, I decided to do a review on the Jack Bauer Bag by Rothco and an update on my EDC and some reasons behind it.

    Before getting into the bag I will first talk about my first line gear (gear carried on the person). Most of the time this includes-

    Glock 23 w/ spare mag
    Surefire L2
    Spyderco Military / Al Mar Payara (one or the other as a primary defensive folder)
    Al Mar SERE 2000 / Strider Suspect SMF (one or the other as a utility folder)
    Emerson Combat Karambit (worn reverse grip, reaction side)
    Leatherman Squire S2 (my favorite multi-tool that I use for everything)
    Titanium Zippo with butane insert
    Foster Coin Sap

    OK, now we can get back to the bag. My current bag was purchased from Galaxy Army Navy for approximately $27 shipped, which is about 75% cheaper than any other bags that have served as BOEs.







    The bag is made of heavy canvas and has a two-inch wide non- detachable shoulder strap that offers lots of room for adjustment. The hardware through out the bag has a handsome antique brass finish. The pockets / compartments of the bag are as follows-

    One large compartment with a small wallet type pouch that features the only zipper on the bag. This small pouch is the perfect size for my Spec Ops, the Wallet.

    Two side pockets that have the ability to be snapped closed.

    Two large front pockets bringing the total to six pockets overall.

    The large flap easily covers even an overstuffed bag and secures with two pieces of Velcro.
    Now for the contents-



    Even though I carry this bag most of the time, there are occasions such as when on a day trip etc that I would rather carry my Eagle AIII. To facilitate easy transition and quality of carry I like to subload the contents of my BOE into the following.

    Most often used items

    Camelbak water bottle
    1030 Pelican case containing Oakley sunglasses, lens cloth and repair kit
    1020 Pelican case containing digital camera
    Baby wipes / Hand sanitizer

    Trauma Kit

    CAT tourniquet
    Quick Clot
    Asherman Chest Seal
    Large roll of Kerlix gauze
    3-inch elastic bandage

    Boo Boo Kit

    Fabric band aides
    Burn Gel
    Tagaderm
    Steri Strips
    Triple antibiotic ointment
    Medical tape
    Dermabond
    New Skin

    EIK (Emergency Intervention Kit)

    Rubber gloves
    Mechanix work gloves
    Becker Tac Tool wrapped with 32 feet of parachute cord
    Hand towel
    Krill lamp
    Boker Subcom rescue tool

    Possibles Bag

    Large OD bandana
    Surefire Backup
    Cylume light sticks
    Laser pointer
    Dental floss
    Safety pins
    Zip ties
    (4) spare 123a batteries
    Kershaw knife bit kit
    Ibuprofen
    Tums
    Artificial tears
    Ti-spork
    Mini Bic lighter
    Lighter magnifier
    Parachute cord fast rope
    Suunto wrist compass

    When the bag is packed, a folded Shemagh is folded and placed in the bottom of the bag and the contents are loaded on top. This is done so that heavy things inside are not damaged if dropped and doesn’t make sounds thus drawing attention.

    The bag is comfortable when worn over one side or suicide strap style. I added a padded shoulder strap I had laying around because it was handy, however even a fairly heavy load is easy to bear without it thanks to a wide shoulder strap. As with whatever bag I am using I have a glow ring attached to the bag so that it easy to locate in low light conditions.





    Except for some of the most obvious things the contents of the bag have evolved over about the past five years. Many things made their way in by being needed a few times. When that happens it makes sense to add it in.

    Don't confuse the BOE concept with the BOB. The BOE contains things you know you will need with space to add things along the line. These days I do a large amount of traveling and the back sits next to my bed with a Glow Ring attached allowing me to get out of the room fast in an emergency. You work and live out of your BOE, it is not something that is sealed with "Break In Case of Emergency" across it. The only way to know your gear is to work with it.

    I am currently working with a very well known tactical nylon manufacturer to design my official BOE which will be a tad bigger than this with some added features including a lap top sleeve. Stay tuned- George

  2. #2
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    You hit on an excellent point: The evolution of a kit.

    These things change over time, and it's good to see that you've been able to adjust the bag and its contents to your personal uses.

    Awesome writeup, bro.

  3. #3
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    Good writeup, Mercop.

    One of the things that I have found especially useful in y'all's (Mercop's and Landlord's) writeups is the discussion of the evolution of the bag ... the "why" in addition to the "what."

  4. #4
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    Good to see you on here Mercop. Ya know, there is this really good photographer in York that could shoot the photos for you.
    Great post. You're still gonna have to fight me for the Bauer bag.
    http://www.pho-tac.com/
    Capturing the Essence of Tactical Reality

  5. #5
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    Heard about him and that the best place for him is behind the camera. See ya at the range later.- George

  6. #6
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    Thanks for writing this up. Not only do you explain the maturation of your system over time and use but also justify what is in the bag. Great teaching post.

  7. #7
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    Nice write-up. I got the same bag in '06 because I didn't want to lug my gargantuan laptop backpack across campus for only one or two classes or when I just needed to carry a clipboard, pens and range releases. Right now it's packing the digital camera, Surefire, and all my house hunting documents. Honestly, it has been the most versatile bag I ever bought.

    I may need to get another for this BOE idea.
    Last edited by cougar_guy04; 05-15-09 at 20:55.

  8. #8
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    I have been using the huge Battlelab Messenger Bag for about six weeks. Today I received a new bag from SoTech for T&E and have it loaded up. I have changed some things around a bit and will discuss it in the review of the new bag.- George

  9. #9
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    I have several "Go" bags from Maxpedition that I use for various things and several more from Countycomm. The Countycomm stuff is a real bargain and if you haven't found their site yet you should take a look.

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