Great hip bag for stealth EDC carry - the Amphipod Micropack

[LowWorm]

This is a leetle review that I hope will save someone out there the time and money searching for the exact thing.

Overview
For a while now I've been looking for a little hip bag that will carry the bare minimum of EDC items for when I'm out and about w/no bag and in pants w/few or no pockets. I didn't want a fanny pack (too bulky) and I didn't want something tactical that would make me look like I was about to be deployed to Iraq (though there's nothing wrong with that). I wanted a pack that would clip to my pant waist (no need for a belt) AND have a slim footprint, so it wasn't too obvious I was packing extra stuff around. Was surfing high and low for such an item when I stumbled upon the Amphipod Micropack Land Sport (http://www.amphipod.com/080/080.html) at REI.

Description
The Amphipod Micropack series comes in various capacities and colors. The one I chose, the Land Sport, is the smallest of the line at 3" W x 5"L. The Micropacks are made from water-resistant neoprene, making them fairly flexible in regard to how much you can put in them. The big selling point for me, though, was the attachment mechanism. The Amphipod Micropacks have a metal clip embedded in a flap at the top of the pack. You flip the flap down to secure the pack to your waistband. The Micropacks are designed for runners w/little pocket space and can be found at a lot of stores that cater to runners. HOWEVER, even if you just sit on your butt all day long, these little packs still come in terrible handy. ;D

The Land Sport model is designed to ride inside your pants, with just the clip flap showing on the outside. To access your EDC items, you pull the velcro-tab up and back toward you. There's an additional strip of velcro at the top of the inside of the pack to secure your items. I'd say the clip and flap are around 97% secure overall...you just need to make sure the clip is really clamped on your pants to begin with.

What I REALLY Think
For what I want it for, the Land Sport is almost perfect. It rides almost inconspicously at my waist and I can carry 4 of my common EDC items flat (see pics) in it comfortably with no excess bulging. There are some other Micropack models (one w/no velcro and one that is waterproof) that might work better for you if you have more extensive EDC needs. I kind of wish there was a way to compartmentalize the pack area, which is just a single pocket, and it would be nice if the inside were lined with a bright color for visibility, but even without these features the Micropack line looks really good for those stealthier EDC moments.

I put on my tightest pants in the picture below, and my Land Sport is holding my TNC Key-Lux AAA, a Booger, a Fisher Pen, and an Atwood whistle, all of which are hardly noticeable beyond a small bulge. Not bad!

[M.TEX]

Ummm that was a great find.

I'll stop buy at REI maybe next week and check it closer.

Thanks for your review.

[LowWorm]

M.Tex, you might want to check out the product locator on the Amphipod site before heading to your local REI:

http://www.amphipod.com/locator_a/locator.html

I thought it was weird, but there are two REIs near me, but only one of them carried the Amphipods.

[pipedreams]

I like it!

todd

[M.TEX]

Thanks LowWorm

They are not too far from where I live and I was going to stop buy

just to see if I could spot some other anusual gear...But thanks for the heads up ! :highfive:

[Fiddleback]

I like it. I use an old mp3 player case much the same way. This one has a much nicer closure and attachment system. Sweet.

[webley445]

Great work on the review!!

[iNDiGLo]

:D Thanks for doing the research and finding this product. OMG i've been looking for something like this for a long time. Had no idea something like this even existed. O0

[Lunal_Tic]

I kind of wish there was a way to compartmentalize the pack area, which is just a single pocket

Couldn't you have a shoe repair place stitch a couple of lines through it or is there a hard plastic part that gets in the way? I've had a couple of neoprene cases modded this way.

-LT

[BIG-TARGET]

Didn't see at the Marlton REI. ??? Better go double check?? :-\

[LowWorm]

Couldn't you have a shoe repair place stitch a couple of lines through it or is there a hard plastic part that gets in the way? I've had a couple of neoprene cases modded this way.

-LT


That's a great idea...I know a few people who sew, I'm thinking that might just be the fix...thanks LT!

Big-Target: check out the product locator on the Amphipod site first - http://www.amphipod.com/locator_a/locator.html - and then give those stores a call to verify product...some don't carry all the amphipod products.

[Lunal_Tic]

Let us know how it goes.

-LT

[BIG-TARGET]

That's a great idea...I know a few people who sew, I'm thinking that might just be the fix...thanks LT!

Big-Target:* check out the product locator on the Amphipod site first -* http://www.amphipod.com/locator_a/locator.html - and then give those stores a call to verify product...some don't carry all the amphipod products.



Thank you!! Found a possible, at EMS in Marlton
EMS (Carries Xinglet Pocket Only)
The Promenade at Sagemore
500 Route 73 South
Marlton, NJ
856-810-7907

[Bullwhip]

LowWorm,

That is great! I'm going to check them out this weekend. Thanks for the great find and review!

[BIG-TARGET]

BAD NEWS!!! I went to REI, LL Bean, and EMS(in Marlton) for this fella. NO JOY!!!! :( >:(

But all three places look like they have secondary options. 8)

[Sharpdogs]

Very cool. I have been looking for something to carry my blood testing equipmentment. This may be the thing. The case that came with my current meter is a piece of junk.

[LowWorm]

Okay, an update! Per my wishing that there was a way to compartmentalize the Land Sport, LT suggested sewing sections into the neoprene. Genius! So I did divide, into three slots. I found that while doing this made the contents easier to organize and access, it also made the pack bulge a little more - not much, but there are distinct shapes visible in the pack now where none were visible before.

I also removed the inner velcro strip because I decided that quicker, quieter access to the contents was more important than that extra layer of security.

So far I'm happy with both mods, and feel like the Land Sport works great as an extra pocket for when I need the space. The only drawback is sometimes I don't even feel it on my hip, making me feel around frantically for it out of fear I've dropped it somewhere. I've discovered that the clip really needs to be on a flat portion of your waistband to work best. If it clips over a belt loop or elasticized bit of band, it seems to shift a bit more, probably due to the uneven surface.

I picked up a Micropack Satellite, too, which I'll try to review too sometime here.

[Lunal_Tic]

Thanks for the update. Glad it worked out. I've used divided inserts too but in this case they'd also likely lead to increased bulk.

A lot more work but would cut down on the bulging would be to set 5mm cord strips in the case then sew through them. They would act like little spacers or walls for each compartment.

-LT

[eighty]

thanks for an awesome post LowWorm.
Is it possible to sit down with one of these without taking it out?
Thanks.

[LowWorm]

Eighty, I can't speak for everyone, but I sit w/mine on all the time and hardly notice it there. I sometimes put it more toward my backside, other times wear it on my hip...either way, I find it very comfy to wear. Hope that helps.

[eighty]

Awesome thanks!


I just went from my "all-weather-pants" (jeans) to a set of BDU shorts, and my edc migrated from the jean's coin pocket into one of the shorts' pockets. The problem is my light and multitool suddenly gained weight - they flop around in one of the pockets and I definitely feel them. I figure with one of these micropacks I'll be able to put my edc back near my hip and not feel it any more.

Thanks again O0

[Wicked]

Real nice find but usual not sold in Germany >:(

Wicked

[Solstice]

BAD NEWS!!! I went to REI, LL Bean, and EMS(in Marlton) for this fella. NO JOY!!!! :( >:(

But all three places look like they have secondary options. 8)


BiG-TARGET, as you too are clearly a South Jersey resident, you might notice that the locator lists Haddonfield Running Company as a carrier of this line of products. I am a co-op member of the Marlton REI, so its a little dissapointing they don't have it, but being that I live about 5 blocks from Kings Highway and the Haddonfield store, I'll go over there and check it out. I'll let you know either way.

Looks like a pretty neet product. I'm always on the look-out for the most "geek-free" way of carrying various EDC gadgets inconspicuously, and this might work out.

[Sharpdogs]

I ordered the ballistic trail pouch fromt he manufacturer. Arrived in about 3 days. Very happy with the quality. I use it to carry my blood testing equipment. It is more discrete than other pouches that I have used plus I am able to hold more than just my blood testing equipment in it.

[L Bow]

I bought one of these for my wife about a year ago, to wear when she runs. I wonder if she'll miss it. ;D

[M.TEX]

Ohhh well I have been looking at REI , EMS and some other places here but no lucky so far...

The REI toldme if I want one they can order for me....Duhhh I vcan do it myself on the Internet.

Ooooh well........

M.TEX

[L Bow]

Runners use them, check out running stores.

[Mer]

Just ordered one of these from REI:

http://www.rei.com/product/47882000.htm

Should be here this week some time.

[Gadget Guy]

Thanks for posting the link Mer! That looks like an item that I have been looking for...

GG

[Deaths Head]

I have started jogging a lot, and I need something like that. Thanks for the information! :highfive:

[ScarabDrowner]

has anyone gotten the Micropack Explorer? I'm looking to see if anyone could post a review of this larger version, including an opinion on how obvious it is when worn, like the pic in this review.

[BIG-TARGET]

BiG-TARGET, as you too are clearly a South Jersey resident, you might notice that the locator lists Haddonfield Running Company as a carrier of this line of products. I am a co-op member of the Marlton REI, so its a little dissapointing they don't have it, but being that I live about 5 blocks from Kings Highway and the Haddonfield store, I'll go over there and check it out. I'll let you know either way.

Looks like a pretty neet product. I'm always on the look-out for the most "geek-free" way of carrying various EDC gadgets inconspicuously, and this might work out.


Haddonfirld running comany???? I beeter look into this!! :-X

[boomstick]

:bump:

I'm thinking of getting the waterproof one of these as a beach/dive wallet for when we next go away.
For my beach EDC I'm planning on taking my fisher space pen, swiss tech ultitikey, Top Popper with photon attached, c/card, cash and room card key. Would this be big enough?

[LowWorm]

Way big enough, boomstick. They're roomier than they look, and those are fairly small footprint items.

[boomstick]

Thanks LoWo, just need to find someone that ships to the UK now.... :brickwall:

[coloradogps]

You can order online from www.rei.com and have it shipped to your local REI and save on shipping charges.

;)

[boomstick]

You can order online from www.rei.com and have it shipped to your local REI and save on shipping charges.

;)


I should re-phrase my last post to read

just need to find someone that ships to the UK now and has the one I want in stock.

;)

[LowWorm]

Boomstick, PM me...I can probably track down the one you want and get it shipped to you...