Direct Action Dust Tactical Backpack 20 Liter Capacity

I was looking for a new pack for work. I tried and returned two others that didn't work for me. I decided to give this on a chance. The organizing pockets are great. The side pockets easily accept my 34oz water bottle. It is a little smaller than my old pack but I wanted to scale down a bit. It looks good. It seems to be sturdy and well made. And it's water resistant. I should have gotten this one first. Worth the money.

Okay, so I purposefully waited a while before reviewing. I got this bag in June, 2015, and I was thoroughly impressed when I received it. I am a backpack guy, however, and I didn't want to praise the quality before I tested it. By the way, I do not work for any company associated with the brands which I review here, and I did not receive anything from them other than what I paid for. Here we go! The pack was shipped quickly, elegantly, and came with a canvas shopping-type bag with the company's logo on the side. It is the little things, folks. The canvas bag is slim and has two lengths of handles for shoulder carry or briefcase-style carrying. One thing about those canvas sacks - they are never masculine or stylish, no matter where you get them... unless you get it from Direct Action. Enough about the shopping bag. The first thing people notice about the pack is the paracord handle on top, and people do notice it. The handle is solid, extremely comfortable even with a full bag, and with a purposeful break in a melted seam, it will provide you with two cords totaling 5m. There are attachment points on either side of the handle. Under the handle, there is a flap for your hydration tubing. This pack will actually accommodate two bladders. There is a dedicated bladder pocket right behind the back padding, accessible by opening the velcro on the top and dropping the bladder down into the bag. I keep a three liter bag in that pouch for when I need to fill it up, but this pack can hold water bottles so well that I rarely use the bladder. Another bladder could theoretically be held in the padded laptop pocket which has fastener for the bladder if you choose to use it. The next thing people notice is the laser cut MOLLE on three sides of the pack. This is heavy duty, light, and low profile. I don't have attachments on the pack now, but I put them on when I got it and they fit swimmingly. Very stable. The pack is not waterproof, but I have never had any issues with water getting into the pack while wearing it, and I have been in some serious downpours with this backpack. If you set it on the ground, the drainage grommet will allow water in through the bottom. You could fit a #2 pencil through the grommet, so it isn't too big. The side pockets are very low profile and useful until you unzip one side of the pocket. Then your pocket is quite large, capable of fitting nearly any water bottle or adult beverage in a can/bottle. You'd think unzipping and expanding would make it flimsy, but the fabric is sturdy and the whole pocket it supported by an adjustable strap. While we are on the straps, the ancillary support/closing straps on the bag are well placed, quality built, and able to be rolled up into a velcro closure to minimize sound/snagging. When the bag is less than full or empty, cinch down the sides and the bag is very stable. The zippers are quiet, and the rope by which to grab the zippers are covered in heat shrink plastic. There is no jingling or worry of these breaking on my pack. I am impressed with this detail. The main straps are very comfortable and sewn incredibly well, but also lightweight. The curve of the strap gives me confidence even when I sling one over the shoulder and go. There are ample connection options on the straps and the chest strap is comfortable, but subdued so you don't even notice the strap if you choose to not fasten it. The size of the pockets is perfect for EDC. I have been very comfortable for a couple days with it. If you plan to stay out for much longer, you may need a bigger bag, but you didn't buy this bag for that anyways. The larger pocket will hold two six-packs of bottles on top of each other and a 15" Macbook Pro, to give an idea of the volume. The main compartment zips open about halfway down and is not clamshell, which I prefer. On a larger bag, I like the clamshell, but this size is perfect for half-zip and allows the bag to sit upright even when it is empty and open. The main pocket has a top-entry, zippered, mesh compartment on the front. This is useful, but out of the way. I keep a pair of gloves and miscellaneous small tools in it. One note: to get the 15" Macbook Pro out of the pocket, you have to fold back the top part of the pack, including the handle. This is not difficult and actually acts to better secure the device. The next smaller pocket is an organizer's dream. It is a clamshell pocket, giving easy access to all of the features. Three pen holders of various widths will fit chapstick or lighters. There are two stacked elastic bands next to that. I use them to securely hold both a knife and a flashlight. Another pocket on this row holds a wallet or multi-tool. It is a fold-over velcro closure so it keeps the contents out of sight and this makes the pocket somewhat expandable. Two flat pockets behind these are about six and seven inches deep (estimated, I don't have a ruler handy). Keep flat things in them if you want to use the velcro closures, but if you don't care about that, throw some food or books in them. It's your bag. Below all of these pockets is a velcro-closure mesh pocket that goes to the bottom of the pocket. I keep earbuds and an iPod in it, but it can hold more than that. The most unique pocket is on the other side (fold-down section) of the clamshell. It is clear plastic and would be great for easy map reference or identifying information. It is accessed from he bottom-up zipper. I keep a fun painting in it with laminated maps behind, just in case... Onto my favorite part of the pack... The outermost "small" pocket, right behind the webbing, is actually why I bought the Dust. It fits PERFECTLY a Bose Color Soundlink speaker, which I keep charged and in the pack at all times. When I am biking, hiking, walking around downtown, I am always playing tunes from my pack. My Dust really brings the party. I have to wrap the speaker in a handkerchief or shirt because it moves so much air that the webbing will occasionally rattle, but filling it up a bit removes the sound. This is such a great pairing that I had to mention it. Go ahead and buy this backpack for short-term trips and EDC. It is the best in it's class. My plan is to save up for a larger bag from Direct Action to replace my older 3 day bags. This is my first product from the company, I have no doubt that I will be just as happy with their other packs. Direct Action does things right. Good luck! Edit, 13 October 2016: Still loving this bag. It is showing no wear. I spent a lot of time outside in the rain during Hurricane Matthew, speaker and all. I just covered the bag with a universal waterproof pack cover which I keep in the bladder compartment at all times.

I'll start off this review by saying that I am a gear hoarder. I have around 10 different backpacks that I use for different activities. A buddy of mine had this pack on a hiking trip and after checking it out I wanted one. This is the highest quality pack I have ever used. The zippers easily open and close and the design is very well thought out. Often I get frustrated trying to open and close the zippers while getting out gear. These are very smooth and easy to operate even if wearing gloves. My previous pack was a 5.11, and I like the layout of this pack much more. Very easy to get things in and out of, and the abundance of pockets make it easy to keep your gear in certain spots. This is a smarter backpack and you can tell the company put a great deal of thought into the design. I love the pockets on the side for water bottles that can collapse down when not needed. Most important is the feel of the pack. It is very comfortable and the vent system keep your back cooler while wearing A quick note on the Company - Direct Action -- Upon opening the package it becomes very clear that this company cares about service and quality. Your merchandise arrives on-time, in excellent condition, and with a note from the company. I mentioned to my wife how much I wanted the Dragon Egg pack. She wanted to surprise me and accidentally ordered the DUST. I contacted the company to exchange and they have been easy to work with and very professional. I chose the Direct Action - Dragon Egg over the Dust because it is a little larger. I like a pack that I can keep my EDC gear in and have some extra room to stow some larger items. I would recommend the DUST if you want a pack to keep your EDC gear in and want a compact fast pack. To sum it up...Direct Action makes great packs. Whether you choose the Dust or the Dragon Egg you can't go wrong.

I first received the Dragon Egg. Stitching holding the Zipper in was poorly done and came apart immediately. Skeptical, I wanted a smaller pack and ordered the Dust. Let me say, I examined it closely and besides it being made in Viet Nam, not America it is a good pack. I kept it. I really like the style of the molle as it provides strength to the pack and works well. The other great point is the bottle holders on both sides, flat unless used, you can expand them for larger bottles, they are fantastic. I like the organization, Four Stars because I am not a fan of the plastic zippered pouch on the inside of the front flap.....and...because it is not made in America. If you can work around those two dislikes, the pack performs very well while on day hikes. Unless I tied some thing on the bottom of the pack and attached more bags I will keep the waist strap at the bottom of the pack, however, most manufacturers don't include one on small packs. To sum up, if you want a smaller daypack that attracts compliments from other hikers get it.

This backpack is definitely worth the money. I buy a good bit of gear and have been on expeditions and hikes, aswell as military experience. Its smaller of a bag but that should be known if you pay attention to the size listed in liters. I keep this bag hanging on the back of my psssenger seat in my car. I use it as a range bag for ammo and optics when im shooting or zeroing optics but also as a utility bag in my vehical in general. The molle is solid and holds my leatherman, tac light and knife with room to spare on front and full space of molle on the sides. This is not an extended trip bag. But for what its for, maybe a day trip or as a utility or tatical bag, its the best quality bag i have. I was skeptical about the price. But its very well made. Iv already put some stress on it in the seem areas and even in the parachute cord hanging loop. It has held out amazingly. Zippers and straps are sturdy. It is also water resistant. I have tested this. Water beaded up and ran right off without staining or absortion. Water RESISTANT is confirmed. I love this little bag. The quality is worth the price. I will be buying the dragon egg and ghost and hope for the same performance. Definitely recommend this bag for a day bag or utility/range bag.

In the market for a small EDC pack. I have been looking at the DA Dust Tactical as well as the Dragon Egg. Up front, I had meant to put this model on my wish list and purchase the Dragon Egg but mistakenly ended up purchasing both. The Dragon Egg hasn't arrived but the Dust Tactical arrived quickly. I am impressed; first thought it would be too small but it's actually proven to be just right. I keep a water bottle or large coffee cup in the outside pockets, rain jacket, IPAD pro, a few magazines, pens, pencils, flashlight, and small first aid kit. I'm 6'2" and according to my wife, the pack fits me nicely. I've had a few that she thinks were too small and looked more like a kid's pack on my back. I like the 550 cord wrapped handle, the organization pocket holds everything I need perfectly. The pack seems well made, the material is probably water resistant, zippers are rugged, and the laptop sleeve works for my ipad pro. The shoulder straps are not that well padded and there is no shoulder strap adjustment on top of the strap, only at the bottom where it attaches to the bottom of the pack. I've seen a few packs this size with an attached rain cover that is stored in a pocket on the bottom of the bag. That would be a nice addition to this pack. Convinced I'm keeping it and already plan to return the Dragon Egg.

This tactical backpack feels extremely reliable, and I appreciate its smaller size. It's the perfect range bag, allowing me to fit everything I need for a full day at the range. The design is both practical and durable, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a compact and sturdy backpack. I'm very satisfied with this purchase and would definitely buy it again.

It's a small day pack. Easily holds laptops or tablets and keeps it separate from your sweat shirt or whatever else you're carrying without having to dig in and out. Very front side zipper works great for quickies and the admin pouch makes sure you're not hoarding 15 fire starters. Inside pockets do not feel cheap and they work well. Pen pouches are big enough for tactical pens, pen lights, and sharpies. Meaning, you have more then enough room in them for anything else. Rest of the pockets pretty much are what you think. They fit what they are made for and do so well. The handle is all paracord and feels great. Overall this is a great little pack. It's small so it's going to leave out a lot of stuff other packs have but it gives you what you need and does it well. Plus with the added laser cut you can expand to carry more stuff you don't need... Good pack, I will be buying from them again soon. 2 weeks shipping to California. Also comes with a added bag for your dearest babe.

Perfect size for every day

Bought the backpack for daily use. Mainly as a laptop bag, but also for day trips with the family. I just love this backpack. It has some minor disadvantages: front pocket only has a zipper on one side which is unhandy if I have the backpack next to me on the passengers seat in my car. I miss a top pocket for sunglasses. The waist belt could have been smaller for me (l'm a 1.77m guy). The shoulder straps sometimes loosen too much. Inner see-through pocket can only be opened when you open the whole pocket first. Zipper is on the bottom. The suggested function of using it as a map pocket makes no sense ( too small, the see-through plastics protects your map from the rain but because you have to fully open the pocket everything else will get wet). In the main pocket I miss attachment points in the inside, eg a D-ring or velcro. I would love to attach a smaller pouch on the inside without sliding directly to the bottom. Also because if i put my 15" laptop in the back, leave the rest of the main pocket almost empty and use the admin pouch for my remaining office stuff, the bag tends to get out of shape. I got the black version and the fabric is slightly fading. Not the deep dark black look it had when it arrived. If you attached an additional pouch to the molle on the back, the backpack sticks out. And obviously a tactical bag is heavier than a regular laptop backpack. BUT, with all that being said, this is the best backpack I ever had. I used it now for several months. Quality is great. Looks and feels it can handle a beating. The pack is not waterproof, but I never had problems in the rain. I just love the side pockets every day. I can stuff anything in it and it will hold. From an umbrella, to a 1,5 liter PET waterbottle, to a smaller item like my glasses case, to 2 small waterbottles or cans per side. Only for the side pockets I would buy the bag again. The carrying systems works. Never thought that so called combat breathing system would work, but even during a jungle hike in a tropical region my back stayed relatively dry. The back has enough attachment points on the outside to add stuff (pouches, jacket, etc). I got some S-binders and bendable, coated wire to attach things. Carry handle feels thick and is a nice feature. Admin pouch works fine for me. Size of the bag is good for my needs. It's like a regular non-tactical (school/ work) backpack. Bag was shipped from Poland which worked out fine for me. I'm living in Western Europe and getting a USA bag seems a bit overpriced with the current Euro-USD exchange rate and shipping costs.

Excellent quality daysack great design and functionality. Just the right size what I needed.

I was looking for a backpack suitable for serving as a get home bag that would live in my car until I needed it. I shopped around, looked at dozens of military/tactical packs and then I came across Direct Action. They may be a little on the expensive side, but the build quality and attention to detail on this pack is flawless. Absolutely no faults with it whatsoever. The thing I like most about the dust is that it is a tactical bag, but the laser cut molle is a lot more low profile and makes the bag look tidy, almost plain in design but incase a situation arose where I would need to "get home" I would not be as easily distinguished as a pepper. The pack is a little smaller than I expected, but I did manage to get everything I wanted in the bag and there's room for a bit more incase I revise my get home gear. Delivery wasn't bad, it came from mainland Europe(Germany or Belgium) and took a total of 6 days to arrive, still a day earlier than expected! I don't feel like I can say much more about this pack, or any of the Direct Action line other than if you don't mind paying a little extra for a quality, sturdy and perfect pack then I recommend it to you. EDIT: I've had this pack for a few months now, I've carried it as part of my edc, climbed a mountain and went numerous long hill walks with it and I can honestly say this is the most comfortable pack I have ever used. It is such a great pack and I urge people to buy this.

Perfekter Rucksack. Bin super zufrieden.