Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1150145
The most recent trend you see in tactical gear is "LOW PROFILE EVERYTHING". Some designs are smart, some are just senseless. But you can clearly see that MOLLE-everything or Velcro-everything times are gone. In 2018 the Arc'teryx LEAF Courier 15 messenger bag was announced. Looks pretty much as every modern bike messenger bag in the market, but this particular one was built to meet requirement of military and law enforcement personnel working in urban environment. Actually, you can stash the SMG or SBR inside and no one will ever notice it. Plain simple, functional, aesthetic. The true Deadbird DNA. It's perfect bag for grey man. It looks like every other messenger bag on the street be it business one, bike messenger, just another guy on the street. Smooth black, without logos or eye-catching features. It can be "every brand bag". No Velcro loop for cool guy patches with Molon Labe and 2A slogans. No MOLLE, no "tactical" anything. That was idea behind the Courier 15, make it part of the crowd in the street. Mix it with proper attire and the chances that someone will ID you as a guy with concealed ghetto blaster are close to none. This is bag for discreet work of operators who need a long gun in modern city environment, but hey, even "an average guy" can you use it as a mobile office to carry his laptop and things. Solid black sateen main fabric is Dong Jin 630D HT Plain Weave Nylon with additional DWR coating for waterproofing. Courier 15 is like Ford T and it comes in any color but black. Arc'teryx is not planning to release other color variant. DESIGN The main compartment of Arc'teryx LEAF Courier 15 has trapezoid shape widening from bottom to the. In the bottom it is around 35 cm (13.8") wide and in top edge it is around 45 cm (17.8") wide. Depth is approx. 12 cm (4.75"). Main compartment is accessible with two-way zipper in the top edge. Zipper has large polymer pulls for easier use in gloves. Additional protection against rain, snow or mud is provided by huge trapezoid flap fastened with two polymer buckles by ITW Nexus in the corners. Each buckle is adjustable with webbing strap. The edge of the flap is stiffened and laminated for more resistance against the elements. All the seams are taped. On the outside of main compartment there is flat front pocket with quick access waterproof zipper designed to carry small and flat items such as mobile phones, keys (there is keyring inside). It has around 28 cm wide entry and notepad-sized items should fit it perfectly. Let's get back to the main compartment. After opening, first thing you are going to see is the wide, padded, removable sleeve used to organize the entry. Main purpose of the sleeve is to secure the firearm inside and remove the potential printing. Together with side-entry vertical zippers concealed in the EQUIPMENT