We get a lot of enquiries of people wanting products test that seem too good to be true. While I do understand that you don’t want to spend all of your hard earned money on gear and toys, sometimes it just doesn’t make sense to cheap out.
Today, we took the plunge and got the cheapest “tactical” backpack we could find on Amazon. In this case we picked up a Sharkmouth Large Assault (42L) Tactical backpack, which was listed for $29.99 on sale from $39.99 Canadian, our American friends can pick it up for less (usually sells for $25). In terms of price, this is very cheap compared to some of the name brand equivalent backpacks which hover around $100 or more.
This one got our attention because the price was low and it has a large capacity with 42 litres of space. Most bags with this kind of room are advertised as 3 day survival or assault backpacks so space wise it seems nice. We were able to load ours with enough gear that I could actually see someone using it for 3 days out in the bush and it working quite well. There are multiple compartments including the hydration-system storage. There is also a neat open-air middle “shove-it” pouch that can store bulkier items that you want to just toss in. The Molle webbing throughout is a nice touch as you can always attach additional pouches or gear with easy.
In terms of build quality it actually seems well done. The stitching is on point and does not reflect what you would think a $30 backpack would have. They advertise it as double-stitched 900D*600D Cordura construction, which does appear accurate with the feel of the material. There are cords on the zippers which again goes against the whole idea that this is a $30 backpack as you usually see those on more expensive packs. The buckles feel tough and secure with a nice click, they are the same as the more expensive pack but I’ve seen way worse. The should straps and the back area of the backpack are mess padded which makes it more comfortable and allows for ventilation.
Overall, this backpack is impressive for the money. It’s a bag that offers a lot of room, great features, and all for a low price. I don’t have concerns over the longevity of it from the build quality but we are going to do an update later on once we torture test it. If you are looking for a bag to use as a range bag, survival backpack, trekking or hiking, this is a solid choice for the money!
Score: 9/10
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Smooth