By Charlie Benton
I don’t know how many years in prison you get for choke-slamming another grown man in an airport, but thanks to the bumbling, first-time-through-TSA asshat in front of me, I was about to find out. The 4,673 travelers in line behind me and I waited for what seemed like 30 minutes as this guy repeatedly unzipped, rotated, groped, flipped, rummaged, and re-zipped his large, unwieldy duffle bag. In the process, he dumped beef jerky, a left shoe, trail mix, two romance novels, and the title to his boat on the ground while trying to comply with the agent’s request to remove his electronics and place them in a separate bin.
Efficiency is important in nearly all aspects of life, but especially when traveling—a lesson Mr. Asshat would do well to learn. Choose a bag with the capacity to carry your necessities, but that’s also intuitively set up for both storage and access. Beyond that, develop a bag-specific system whereby items are stored in the same place each time, and items most frequently used receive priority placement.
A few months ago, I found myself looking for a new carry-on travel pack that could also double as a safari truck bag. I wanted something lightweight and comfortable for the plane ride that could safely carry my laptop and digital camera with enough room leftover for books, snacks, and other gear, but that still allowed quick access to my computer and camera. Once in camp, I planned on swapping out my laptop, books, and paperwork for extra ammo, backup ear pro, and an IFAK. The bag’s durability mattered, as I’d be dragging it through the bush.
Eberlestock SwiTchblade Features
After researching options, I ordered Eberlestock’s Switchblade pack. When empty, the bag weighs just over 3.5 pounds, with a volume of 1,785 cubic inches. They incorporated padding into the underside of the straps, the back surface of the pack, and the top carry handle for comfort. The exterior is constructed of rip-stop nylon. Open the main compartment, and you’ll find a double divider with slots for a laptop and an iPad, as well as space for documents. The outside of the divider is outfitted with velcro and MOLLE, providing options for personalized organization. A large pocket is positioned on the front, accessible via a vertical zipper.
Both sides of the pack also have full-length zippered pockets. There are draw-string cup-holder pockets on the outside bottom corners of the pack and a zippered pocket on the very top with several dividers and small compartments. My only suggestion for improvement is to add a zippered stash pocket to the interior of the topmost compartment, for a place to separate and secure smaller items like keys, cash, and SD cards.
For the times you aren’t in an airport, the Switchblade is equipped with a covert CCW pocket that rests immediately against the small of your back. The CCW pocket has magnetic closures on both sides of the pack, allowing access by both right- and left-handed shooters. Two magazine pouches are located in the top-most zippered pocket. Additionally, the laptop slot is also capable of storing an SBR.
I’ve travelled stateside and internationally several times with this pack and remain thoroughly impressed. Here’s my standard airport-friendly configuration:
In the Weeds
Top-Most Zippered Compartment
- Wet wipes
- Keys
- Receipts
- Gum
- Extra SD cards
Main Compartment
- Laptop in laptop slot
- Gun, suppressor, and hunting permit/legal paperwork in plastic sleeve in document slot
- Spiral notebook with pen, books, digital camera in main section of main compartment
Large Front Pocket
- Backup battery pack
- Phone, laptop, camera chargers contained in my own small, zippered pouch
Full-Length Side Pockets
- I reserve these for random extra items not part of my standard kit
Side Cup Holder
- Bottled water
It’s almost more room than I need, but it’s so lightweight, intelligently laid out, and sports such a low-profile design that it doesn’t look or feel like too much bag. With everything in its right place, quickly finding what you need is easy, even in the TSA line. I hope Mr. Asshat reads this review, heeds my advice, and buys himself a Switchblade pack—I don’t want to go back to prison.
Cost: $229
Pros: Extremely well-thought-out with room and a specific place for everything; easy access; comfortable to carry; durable construction.
Cons: Wish there was a zippered stash pocket in the top-most compartment to further secure smaller items.
