About a year ago I was looking for a messenger type bag to carry my laptop and work materials with me when my backpack wouldn’t blend into the situation. I went to my favorite shopping venue Amazon and began my search. I wasn’t looking to lay out a lot of cash as I wasn’t sure how much use it would actually see, I stumbled upon the Blackhawk Courier bag at a price around $79.00 as I recall. The only drawback was that it was in coyote brown. Now I’ve got nothing against the color but it doesn’t exactly blend here in New Jersey. So I put it on my shopping list as a maybe and kept looking. After a couple weeks, my need abated and I moved onto something else.

About a month later I was cleaning out my Amazon shopping list when I came upon the bag on my list and saw that the price had dropped to $21.99. Well for that price I could live with coyote brown and ordered two.

I gave one to my boss Joe LaSorsa of LaSorsa and Associates and put the other to work. The bag itself is made of Cordura (exactly which type I’m not sure) it’s well made and fairly low profile with the exception of the company name “BLACKHAWK “ being embroidered across the front. Specs from the company site are as follows:

Features:

  • Side-release buckles and hook & loop closure options
  • Zipper pocket on lid for additional storage
  • Two-way pass-through zipper for quick access to main compartment
  • Spacious main compartment with S.T.R.I.K.E.® webbing and loop panel for attaching pouches and accessories
  • Key clip and multiple small pockets for miscellaneous items
  • Laptop compartment with loop material for attaching hookback holsters and accessories
  • Two external stretch pockets for water bottles or other items
  • Padded shoulder strap and carry handle

I find that this bag works well for me and my needs. The outside zip pocket on the flap is good for storing things I want to access without opening the bag or digging around. A pad, pen, tube of Tylenol, hand sanitizers, etc… there’s another small admin pocket on the interior of the bag that works well for pens, wallet, passport, etc… the main compartment is spacious and can hold books, padfolios, tablets, and any other gear. The molle strips on the inside I use for holding miscellaneous items and tools. The rear pocket can hold a laptop or tablet or can hold Velcro backed pockets and holsters. I like the pass-through zipper that allows me to access the main compartment without having to take it off my shoulder or undo the buckles. The top flap closes and is secured with buckles and Velcro. My bag came with two Velcro patches that can be used to cover the Velcro closures and eliminates the ripping sound. The shoulder strap has a tacky material on it which keeps it from slipping off your shoulder, definitely a plus in my opinion and experience. There are also mesh pockets on each end to hold a water bottle. I don’t spend much time in an office setting so the color and slightly tactical looks are not much of an issue, especially at the price I was able to get the bag for. They currently are available in black, grey, and coyote on Amazon and other Blackhawk distribution sites.

Author  – Art Dorst is the owner of A. Dorst Consulting & Training Services and is a Senior Consultant for LaSorsa & Associates.  He served in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserves and eventually retired as an NCO from The Army National Guard.  He is also a retired municipal Police Officer, a Certified EMT, NRA Instructor, and is currently a security provider/trainer.