Vertx A-Range Bag: First look

Vertx is no stranger to us here at Hurricane Media or at The Arms Guide. We have been fortunate enough over the last year to be able to perform extended test and evaluation cycles on more than a dozen different products the company produces. We have tested several of their back packs, sling bags, shirts and even several styles of their tactical pants, all of it has proven to be able to take a beating and perform. So naturally when the time came for me to spend my hard-earned dollars and upgrade my range bag Vertx was one of the first companies I looked into. Previously our writer Graham Baates did a great video and review on the Vertx B-Range Bag and I was impressed so when I found out that Vertx made a slightly larger version called the “A-Range Bag” the decision was easy.

Details and Highlights

• Manufactured by Vertx
• Dimensions: 12″ High , 19″ Wide, 10″ Deep
• Available in two colors: Black and Gray
• Features two removable semi rigid compartments in the bottom half
• Comes with six magazine pouch
• Lots of compartments
• Ends have two rubber coated cable loops to ease in lifting when full
• $219.99 MSRP

You will notice I listed the price last in the specifications section, sticker shock will keep many people away from this bag and that is unfortunate. If you look around or qualify for discount sales websites for certain professionals like Military, Law Enforcement or First Responders, you can find this bag at a substantially cheaper price point. I have noticed with Vertx that their gear is a little more expensive but as I was told long ago “Buy Once….Cry Once” and the few pieces of Vertx gear I own I have really put through the ringer and its holding up fine, even with airline baggage handlers and TSA Agents trying their best.

The Bag 

Lets get into the bag’s details and why we feel it will work for so many user groups. As you can tell from the dimensions listed above, this bag is large, but not to the point of being obnoxiously large. There are a few major points with this bag that makes it different from the range bags it is replacing. The A-Range Bag is largely made of Codura brand fabric and features what is now seems to be an industry standard hook and loop outer panels. These sections can of course be used to stick patches on so that you can fly your flag, or make a humorous statement. Overall if you just use this bag in a discreet manner, everyone will think it’s just another duffel bag with a very well padded sling.

The main compartment of the bag is large, so large in fact that in the above picture I have put the following list of items in and still have plenty of room for more gear. It’s easy to just pack everything in the cavernous area. In addition to the large single compartment there are two smaller flat pockets on the inside of the compartment, they would be the perfect place to store things like your range access card or small ballistic cards or weapons manuals or small note pads.

• MagLula AK47 Loader
• MagLula AR-15 Loader
• MagLula Universal Pistol Loader
• Browning Electric Ear Protection
• Oakley Shooting Glasses
• Mechanix Wear Gloves
• Vertx Six Magazine Pouch with Browning Hi Power Magazines
• Multitasker Tools Twist Tool

The Bottom Compartment 

This bag features a second level of storage that is only accessible from the outside of the bag. This makes it impossible to have items from through to the bottom recesses of the bag, we have all been there when the tool or part we are looking for finds its way to the very bottom corner of a bag. The lower section of the A-Range bag is easily accessible when the side of the bag is unzipped, the cover is designed to fall completely flat and can be used as a cleaning mat. The inside flap is covered with a soft coating that will prevent scratching your weapon. Once the side is open the user has access to a pair of removable drawers that are perfect for storage of ammunition or whatever you may need for your range session.

The removable compartments also have another ability, and that is to help with the collection of spent casings. The compartments have removable liners that feature mesh bottoms and a draw string top. Simple load the bag up with spent brass and give it a few shakes to remove the debris and then re-insert the now secure pouch into the rectangular liner. I was pleasantly surprised at how roomy the compartments were. In the above picture you can see twenty boxes of fifty .22LR rounds in the left compartment and two hundred twenty rounds of 5.45x39mm in the right compartment. There is one final feature of this lower section of the bag, and that is two additional storage pouches. These pouches are small but are the width of the two removable compartments, which is a nice feature. I ultimately chose these two pouches as the final resting spots for both of my Multitasker brand weapons tools.

Overall the Vertx A-Range Bag is large, and well suited for a shooter who doesn’t mind paying a little extra and wants a quality bag. The features that Vertx packs into this range bag are consistent with every other Vertx product I have reviewed, great build quality combined with above average features in very subtle and non attention grabbing pattern. The way the company blends this all together makes their gear perfect for the discreet professional who wants to quietly slip through the crowds and do what they have to do, with little if any attention in this case it’s go to the range.

We look forward to taking the Vertx A Range Bag out and seeing what other shooters think of it, Ive made it a point to play show and tell with any piece of gear or firearm I am evaluating to anyone who wants to see it when I am at the range. I find that many people are interested in good gear but sometimes afraid of wasting money on a product that doesn’t deliver on the hype. We don’t feel that will be the case with this bag, but as soon as my recovery from hand surgery is given the green light, I will be back out on the range shooting and practicing. Thanks for taking the time out of your day to check out the Vertx A Range Bag, drop us a line in the comments section and tell us what you think of this or any other Vertx product we have spotlighted.