Introduction

For 2020 Tasmanian Tiger introduced several new packs with a special IRR treatment. One of them is the Tasmanian Tiger Modular SW Pack 25 IRR and the guys at TT were kind enough to provide me with one for a review.

Not only the IRR treatment is of interest. These packs also come in a new colour called stone-grey olive. This is actually the closest you get to the original Ranger Green (which was developed for US Forces based in Germany decades ago).

In any case, I am happy to give you my insights on this pack. By now I had the chance to use it for several weeks and am quite happy with it. So let’s jump right into the overview and the specs, before looking at the pack in detail.

Tasmanian Tiger Modular 25

Overview

The Modular 25 is a full clamshell design backpack based on the Modular 30. Several features have been added to provide better use in LE undercover situations or everyday civilian use: An additional access zipper on the backside and an internal velcro based divider enhance the options of use.

The materials used are IRR treated and the overall appearance of the pack avoids giveaways like MOLLE or Velcro. However, a signal panel is hidden in the pack and easily attached to the pack. The zippers can be locked and the wings of the waist belt are detachable.

Specs

• H x W x D: 56 x 28 x 18 cm
• Weight: 1,70 kg
• Volume: 25l
• Materials: 700den Cordura (IRR), YKK, WooJin hardware

Tasmanian Tiger Modular SW Pack 25 IRR

Top lid compartment

The Tasmanian Tiger Modular 25 features a similar top lid as his bigger brother the Modular 30. Two D-Rings in the upper corners for attaching lanyards and gear. A mesh slip pocket and a small pocket with a velcro flap.

Top lid compartment

Additionally you will find a loop velcro area below the just mentioned organisation pockets. This is quite useful since you can further expand your organizational needs with a variety of inserts, be it magazine holders or similar accessories.

Other differences: There is no shock cord on the outside because of the slick design. Also the zippers of the top lid compartment cannot be locked in comparison to the others.

Side pockets

On each side you will find large slip pockets for flat items. I say flat items, because even though they are wide enough to hold bottles etc. they are not expandable. As a result the volume of a bottle gets either pushed into the main compartment and you lose volume there, or you have a full main compartment and lose volume in the side pocket.

Side pockets of the TT Modular 25

Looking at the design features they are not meant to carry bottles anyway. I say this for two reasons. The opening is not elastic or adjustable and the inside features a loop velcro panel to hold velcro inserts.

Side pocket with added velcro insert

As a result this is more like an open quick access compartment for magazine, flashlights, israeli bandages and the like.

A bellow pocket feature could improve the design of the pocket, using the same IRR materials and therefore not compromising the intent. Other than that it is also worth mentioning that the side pockets feature drain openings.

Main compartment

The main compartment has several new features than the one of the Modular 30 and 45+. Like the other two models it is lined with Velcro to offer a variety of different setups. But one thing at a time.

The inside of the front flap features another zippered mesh compartment. The bottom of the flap is not completely lined with loop velcro, but with two 5cm/2inch wide panels. Enough to adjust velcro based accessories.

Backside of the frontal flap

On the inside left and right of the main compartment you will find laser cut velcro featuring MOLLE channels. Two on each side with a seam in the middle, so you have 2×7 rows with two channels in total.

laser cut MOLLE velcro on the sides

The inner backside of the main compartment features a velcro closed compartment for the framesheet. On it more laser cut velcro with MOLLE features. 4 Channels with 6 rows on top, then a seam to secure the velcro and another 7 rows to the bottom.

lined backside of the main compartment

But now the really big differences. Other than the Modular 30 and 45+ the Tasmanian Tiger Modular 25 is not only accessible to the front in a full clamshell manner, but also to the back. Running all along the backside is a strong, lockable zipper. The glides have been equipped with long paracord lanyards, fitted with shrinking tube. This enables the user to quickly slide the pack to one side of the shoulder, and open the pack to gain quick access to gear inside.

Backside access to the main compartment

Which brings us to the next feature – the internal divider and CCW option.

Internal divider parts

A two piece internal divider can be fitted into the main compartment using velcro. It can be safely secured on all four sides (left/right/top/bottom) and used to divide the inside of the pack, creating a smaller compartment to the back. Said compartment can either be used as an oversized laptop sleeve or simply a better organization, but mainly it is designed to house a concealed weapon and enable quick access to it from the back.

The main compartmen with the divider attached

Divider used to create an additional section in the main compartment

If you prefer to have access also from the top, you can leave the smaller piece of the divider out, and the top open. As a result you will also have access to the newly created back compartment, from the top, when opening the main flap.

closer look at the attachment points

The divider is padded and features more velcro areas for attaching velcro based inserts. To give you a better idea, I have taken a picture with an insert holster fitted to the compartment, carrying my Glock 19 (needless to say, this picture was taken on my property, adhering to local laws).

Pack configured for CCW

Backside completely openend with velcro inserts

Additional or hidden features

There are several features worth mentioning on this pack. Besides the standard routing openings for hydration or cables on the top and the feature to lock most of the zippers, you will also find other details.

One for example is the bright high visibility signal flap, that is attached to the pack in a secret compartment on the bottom. This can be easily attached to a velcro element at the front and fitted with identification patches. A feature which is targeted at Law Enforcement and Military personnel in case they are undercover and quickly need to change their visibility.

secret compartment for signal flap at the bottom

Signal flap attached

Just like the Modular 30 and 45+, will also find two Hypalon flaps on one side of the pack. One flap on top, the other at the bottom. These allow you to lace a short shock cord with a cord lock through them, to be able to carry additional items.

hypalon flap and hydration port

Another feature is zippered compartment to the front, which you already know from the Modular 30 and 45.

small front pocket

Load distribution system

The load distribution system works the same way as the one of the Modular 30. You have a contoured frame sheet in the main compartment in the dedicated compartment. On the outside you will find generous mesh padding. On the sides smaller woven mesh (green colour), which is softer and placed on the shoulder plates and sides, and on the inside a wider woven mesh for more ventilation along your spine.

Backside of the pack

The hip or waist belt wings are removable and feature a zippered pocket on each side. They have the same mesh as on the backside and plenty of webbing to adjust to all kinds of body sizes. The waist belt is equipped with a sturdy WJ buckle and the webbing can be tied down with elastic bands.

Zippered pockets on the waist belt wings

The shoulder straps are directly attached to the backpack – so there is a difference to the bigger Modular 30 and 45+. The padding is very decent and the straps themselves are contoured to guarantee a better fit.

You will find the obligatory D-rings to route cables, or hydration tubes and the necessary straps to adjust the pack to your size. Needless to say a sternum strap comes with the pack.

Sternum strap

As with most packs you also have a quick release feature. Both shoulder straps feature buckles on the bottom, which are wrapped in elastic webbing to protect and silence them.

„silenced“ quick release buckles

Manufacture

Talking about the level of quality with Tasmanian Tiger gear is always easy. In over ten years of using their products, I never ever had a single quality issue. As with previous items (and you can check the reviews) this pack is neatly manufactured. All the seams are nice and tight, straight, feature a close stitching as well as reinforced areas, where needed.

tight and clean look

The Cordura has a special IR coating in this case. All the zippers are by YKK and can be locked if necessary. The plastic hardware is by WooJin.

Cordura Brand materials

In Use

The Modular 25 is perfect, when it comes to everyday use size. 25l Volume is enough to carry necessary items and still have enough room in case you need it. The overall design and slick surface without MOLLE or velcro give the pack a low profile look. Only the stone grey olive colour indicates somewhat of an Mil background, but for that issue you will find other colour options (without the IRR treatment however).

The TT Modular 25 in use

I cannot say much about the CCW aspect of this pack, since I am not allowed to carry a weapon on my person. What I can tell you however, is that the backside access is very easy to handle because of the zipper placement and the large pulls on the zipper glides. In fact I catch myself more and more at opening the pack this way on the go, when I need quick access.

Another thing worth noting, which is an ongoing issue with Tasmanian Tiger packs this size. Even though the shoulder straps are long enough for me, they might cause trouble for people taller than 1,80m/5’11’’ or with larger torsos. There is plenty of webbing to enlarge the length of the straps, but the contoured and padded elements are of no use then.

A little detail worth mentioning. By now I am so used to having two grab handles at the top because of my Modular 30. The Modular 25 however has only one. It is understandable, they left it out, because the space is taken over by the backside access zipper. I do miss that second grab handle nevertheless, since it is very useful to open the clamshell pack.

on the go

Conclusion

Coming to an end it is time to sum up my observations and experience with the Tasmanian Tiger Modular 25.

In my opinion it is a most welcomed addition to the “Modular” line up of packs, next to the size 30 and 45+. The overall slick and inconspicuous design make it an excellent pack for blending into the urban everyday life. This effect would be even better without the military stone grey colour which is a dead give away, when it comes to packs.

Concept and design is good as always, as is the level of manufacture. It wouldn’t be me if there were not 1-2 minor things that I am complaining about: in this case it is the shoulder straps, which might give issues to taller and bigger users, and the side pockets, which lose their capacity when the pack is fully packed.

Other than that I can only recommend the Modular 25 to everyone looking for a pack in this range of volume. Especially users in the law enforcement and military community will appreciate the modularity of the pack and the design features for CCW carry.

With that being said I want to thank you for reading and also thank Tasmanian Tiger for making this review possible.

Take care!