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View Full Version : field hockey bag - a discreet bag review



Urban Tactical Gear
18 July 2009, 14:53
A few months back, this bag made it's debut on m4c (http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=29605&page=1). It is produced by a company called Voodoo, and to my knowledge it is in no relation to voodoo tactical. The bag is available through Mantis Hockey (http://www.mantishockey.com/xcart/home.php?cat=251).

The idea of discreet carry is a popular one across the varying boards. I was impressed by the amount of gear that the OP was able to stuff into his bag. I went one step farther and tried to see if i could make this bag work as a GHB (get home bag). It works, but it's heavy as hell.

So without further a due here it is. The Voodoo "Escape" Field Hockey turned tactical GHB bag

The Voodoo Escape Field Hockey bag has Different Pockets. Two large, one medium and four small. It has padded shoulder straps and a webbing waist strap for stability.
The bag is being pictured fully loaded (which i will get to in a moment)
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/arolfsen/reviews/voodoo%20bag/DSCF0011.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/arolfsen/reviews/voodoo%20bag/DSCF0012.jpg

The Top Pouch is big enough to fit my entire Katadyn Hiker Pro Water Microfilter (http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/Katadyn-Hiker-Pro-Water-Microfilter/EXT0046M.html)
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/arolfsen/reviews/voodoo%20bag/DSCF0013.jpg

It has one "winged" pouch of each side. i don't currently have them occupied, but they are large enough for a small mess kit, or first aid kit
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/arolfsen/reviews/voodoo%20bag/DSCF0017.jpg

Under the top flap there is a large central pouch. I used this pouch (all listed below) tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad and change of clothes
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/arolfsen/reviews/voodoo%20bag/DSCF0016.jpg

below that pouch is a medium sized pouch. I have my chest rig and first line stored there.
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/arolfsen/reviews/voodoo%20bag/DSCF0019.jpg

The rear pouch is where the money is. The rear most pouch, which is on the side that the straps are on, holds my pimped out 16" ak w/collapsed magpul MOE stock with inches to spare
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/arolfsen/reviews/voodoo%20bag/DSCF0015.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/arolfsen/reviews/voodoo%20bag/DSCF0020.jpg
Pictured above is:
Pimped out ak (see below)
My Marmot Trestle Trails sleeping bag (http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/Marmot-Trestles-Trails-Sleeping-Bag-Synthetic/MAR1154M.html)
Big Agnes Air Core sleeping pad (http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/Big-Agnes-Air-Core-Sleeping-Pad-Mummy/BAG0012M.html)
tarptent contrail shelter (http://www.tarptent.com/contrail.html)
OSOE Micro Ak chest rig (http://www.tacticalresponsegear.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=3728)
First line belt (includes ats warbelt, emdom dump pouch, emdom 6o4 pistol pouch, osoe rally man mag pouch, and safariland 6004 holster)
water filter (listed above)
and a change of clothes.

There is plenty more room in the main pouch where i keep my shelter and what not, and i have no doubt i could throw in some mres. There is no hydration pouch, but hell, after all it is a field hockey bag and not a tacticool accessory.

I have no idea how long this bag will last being thrown in the truck fully loaded, dragged through fields, or used outside it's main purpose (field hockey) but for $35 i could pass up on it.

oh, almost forgot the ak:
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/arolfsen/reviews/voodoo%20bag/DSCF0022.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/arolfsen/reviews/voodoo%20bag/DSCF0025.jpg

Stickman
18 July 2009, 14:56
Has a very European trekking look to it, and it appears to be a good concealment method.

DogRanger
18 July 2009, 14:57
Good review thanks. I always thought a guitar case would be a good way to go.

alt154shiver
18 July 2009, 17:29
I tend to eye instrument cases with the same suspicion that I view fanny packs.

They're either a guy with a guitar, or a guy with a gun (the outlying crack heads who just carry around guitar cases being the exception).

Same with the fanny pack, they're either "that guy with the fanny pack" or packing heat that wont fit under the t-shirt (if present).

I do like the Field Hockey bag though. Good idea.

Stickman
22 July 2009, 09:58
I tend to eye instrument cases with the same suspicion that I view fanny packs.


Agreed, but you and I are going to spy a long gun no matter what. Most sheeple are not wired like us, and choose to believe whatever they are shown.

Liljake82
6 August 2009, 09:56
Thats the problem I have with those CCW vests. Also I don't see a field hocky bag being a valued target for thieves as a guitar bag.

uspopo
7 August 2009, 15:14
Very good review and I've been meaning to pick up a guitar case for discreet carry but am sold on one of these bags instead! Order placed...

Max Kelly
24 August 2009, 17:43
I use guitar bags, Soft"gig" bags are very discrete. I have one in a Tie-Dy pattern that no one would ever guess holds an AR-15 and mags. They have backpack style straps and a side handle. Most have a side pouch that holds 4 to 6 mags with no problem. The only down side is some times I get asked to play. Also AK pistol will fit in a violin case.

Charlie-2-6
3 September 2009, 07:44
Hey LSHD, great review. I see that you took the "blend among the sheeple" even a step further than I did. I went for the brown colored hockey bag (yup, I'm the OP on M4C, aswell as on LF).
Anyway, here's an update on my bag after a few months of "hard use" - LOL - hauling my stuff from the house to the car, car to the range & vice versa.
It's starting to show that this not a topend product made by one of the better US based tactical gear outfitters:
the little cinchcord in the topstorage pocket came loose - that was easily remedied by adding a few gromets to the liner & putting in a new shockcord
stitching between the zipper & the bag is starting to tear loose in the lower pocket - so I'll have to take it to some local stitchshop to have it fixed.
But, I'm still pleased with it.
Although I personally would not use it as a "get home" bag as I'm sure that it'll fail in the worst possible moment. But that's just my 2 eurocents.