Review: Tasmanian Tiger – Assault Pack 12

Pine Survey contributor Lazarskyy is taking a closer look at the Tasmanian Tiger Assault Pack 12. As always it is with great pleasure that I can present you an article from her.

INTRO

If you ever wondered why Tasmanian Tiger is called that way – here is the explanation. Well, it’s simple: it all comes down to the Australian thylacine that is believed to be extinct since the year 1930. The company itself, identifies their products with the Tasmanian Tiger’s attributes and I guess they’re right. The products always impressed me with their reliability, trim, versatility and design top-notch work!

Now, when Pine Survey sent me the TT Assault Pack 12 with an annotation that it’s real Lego, I thought he was joking. Well, as you may guess he told the truth. Tasmanian Tiger’s divine creators, how did you come up with it? A 12L daypack that can be combined with various TT plate carriers and chest rigs or anything else that works with MOLLE system.

I’m inviting you now to the longest SPECS part you’ve ever experienced.

SPECS & THE SET

Detachable, padded back carrying system
Detachable side compression straps with lockable buckle
Laser-cut MOLLE system
Made of 700den Cordura
Slot for one ballistic plate on the inside
Hydration system compatible
Removable front flap for helmet slot
Weight complete: 1,05kg
Weight as a plate carrier backpack: 600g
Weight as plate carrier back: 720g
Compatible with TT plate carriers and chest rigs (but technically also with everything that has MOLLE)
Laser-cut MOLLE system
Colors: black, olive, khaki, coyote-brown colored

The scope of delivery of the TT Assault Pack 12

MATERIAL USED FOR THE TT ASSAULT PACK 12

Tasmanian tiger decided to use the 700den CORDURA® as main material. It’s a nice balance between the 1000den and 500den materials. The underside of the fabric is PVC coated and the top is covered with a Teflon coating, giving the material more waterproofness. So the reason of using this kind of material here is pretty clear – it’s a strong, durable material that just works great in this type of product.

THE OUTSIDE OF THE TT ASSAULT PACK 12

The outside of the TT Assault Pack 12 is kept pretty basic. We’ve got a quick access, medium-sized pocket for small items, laser-cut MOLLE on the front and sides of the pack, loops to attach shock cord that is included in the set OR you can use them to install the front flap for an helmet. The front of the helmet extension has been diversified with more laser-cut MOLLE and a small pocket closed with the zipper. Here you can also find loops to use the shock cord again.

Furthermore, the front flap is connected with the backpack by detachable, side compression straps with a lockable buckle. Place for patches? Check!

CARRYING SYSTEM

Carrying system, ahhh… the sweet TT carrying system. Consists of a padded back section with enough space in between for optimal air flow and ergonomically shaped shoulder straps with a sternum strap. This time the manufacturer decided to make the system a modular one, which basically means you can fully detach the back pads and shoulder straps. The reason for this is the multitasking function of this small buddy. There are three ways of using it:

Use the backpack as the back part of your PC – leave the pads, change the shoulder straps for epaulets with which you can attach the backpack to the PC. The Slot for ballistic plate is on the inside.
Use the backpack mounted to MOLLE covered spaces as extra storage – take off the back pads and the shoulder straps. With the help of Hypalon straps you can easily attach it wherever you need.

3. Use as small, daypack – I hope, I don’t have to tell you how to do it.

A sturdy handle was attached to the top next to the hole for the hydration tube, the pack is also closed from above (top loader) by a YKK zipper.

INSIDE

The inside of the backpack consist of two main compartments. The rear section – a place, where you can attach your hydration pack to an dedicated strap; or slip in the ballistic plate as your back protection (you can also use both at the same time, so you don’t have to resign from drinking at the expense of protection). The other section is a free space for anything you need to carry around with you. No dividers, pockets and other space takers.

Main compartment of the TT Assault Pack 12

BUT if you need some variety the small hook and loop patch may come in handy for you. Tasmanian Tiger has a variety of organizers to attach in their lineup, for example the Mesh Pouch Set VL, Modular Lens Bags, Collectors, Panels in different configurations or you can make use of the Mesh Pocket Set.And that’s it, simple as that.

The TT Assault Pack in use

Starting at the very beginning, the first issue I was facing was the lack of some instruction that would tell how to assemble the backpack, how can I use it, what part is responsible for what etc. The number of all the additives is impressing and some of you might not be able to figure out the destiny of them. Now it’s been a while since the backpack came out, and thanks to all the social media we have you can find, for example on YouTube, about assembling it.

Most of the time I had the opportunity to wear the TT Assault Pack 12 as a basic, everyday backpack (because sadly I don’t walk around in my PC all the time, but maybe you do and it’s totally cool). Of course wearing it equals great comfort. Thanks to the fact, that the padding on the back can be detached or moved you can adjust the carrying system to your back, so it’ll be even more comfortable.

I was a bit worried about all the detachable parts, because you know – the more you change it, the more it gets used and holds on together worse. Well, not with this backpack. The high quality of the materials used plays a big role here. I didn’t notice any material to stretch, wear off or rip.

The 700den CORDURA® material is waterproof and does not bleach out that easily from hard weather and using conditions. Of course, I’m using this TT Assault Pack 12 for around half a year by now and I expect some parts to die eventually in the future, but they die really, really slowly. Also it’s good to know that if you will lose something, or want to upgrade the backpack – on the TT website you can find lots of additional equipment and adapters.

The capacity of 12 liters, may not be very impressing but it holds all the necessary things for one day excursions and if you upgrade it deliberately with all the modular pouches or organizers it will totally be enough. The other benefit of the small capacity and use of the organizers is that the things won’t “fly” around on the inside – no lost flashlights, lighters or phones. A small, satisfying feature that gives us a neat look is a pocket located at the bottom of the backpack where you can hide the shock cord lock. Details! It’s the small things that give us joy.

The TT Assault Pack 12 in combination with real steel

Wearing the pack together with a SAPI ballistic plate level IV was very comfortable. The plate doesn’t move much, fits in easily and does not hurt the back. Now I don’t own any of the TT Plate Carriers and I suppose they play better with them, but I have used my Red River one and also the Husar Noble gen. II PC.

The TT Assault Pack 12 with a SAPI Level IV

I did some research and found people complaining about the helmet extension. Basically people say that some Kevlar helmets may not fit in it – like the German standard helmet standard is too big. I don’t own one so I can’t check it, but keep in mind that there are such rumors.

Let’s talk about the price. Well, we have to understand that this isn’t one of the cheapest backpacks. The basic one costs around €159.90, the IRR friendly version €194,90. But by choosing Tasmanian Tiger products, you’ll have a guarantee of some amazing quality gear. Also the modularity and different features add up to the price as this is no simple pack.

I am of the opinion that it is better to pay more for some things and be sure you can rely on it – like this TT Assault 12 backpack. Of course I’m conscious that there are usually also good cheap replacements – but this time I couldn’t find anything worth the attention.

SUMMARY

I was craving to use the pack together with the TT Modular Pack 45 Plus as multi-day mission combo. Saw that solution somewhere on the web and it looked pretty promising to me. Sadly, I don’t have the TT Modular Pack 45 Plus or any other, bigger backpack with MOLLE on the front panel to install it. Put together – the TT Assault Pack 12 looks like a bigger pocket on it and becomes a reliable set.

I’m actually sitting in front of the backpack, staring at it and I’m really proud of you, dear readers that you’ve made it to the end!

Remember it’s the small things that count and this little buddy is definitely a partner to count on. Its solutions are definitely worth to try out, also it’s pretty affordable if you want to have one multipurpose piece of gear.

With that being said, many thanks to Tasmanian Tiger for making this review possible! Thank you for reading!

Take Care!

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