I am happy to start the new year with another contribution of my dear friend Alzwolf. He took the time to write about Tasmanian Tiger’s Tac Case, a case that I have been using as well for quite some time, when I need a bigger bag. We joined forces again and without further ado, I can present your the following review. If you want to read about the smaller version, the TT Tac Case S, follow this link.

Introduction

Tactical messenger bags are quite unique as they aren’t as big as the conventional bag or tactical backpack. These bags aren’t bulky and  carried only on one shoulder. If you’re a fan of these type of messenger bags and need help identifying which bag is the best to use for you, then follow this review.

A good messenger bag makes getting around town easy, but choosing the right one is hard. Key aspects were rigorously compared, such as

• how well each model keeps my everyday items organized,
• relative comfort when walking and cycling,
• and how they stand up to the daily hustle.

By now I already had different models and brands and returned to the TT Tac Case of Tasmanian Tiger in the end. This functional bag combines tactical and civilian characteristics and the experience of an established company to make it a pleasant companion. I use the bag on the way to the office, while cycling and on public transport.

The TT Tac Case

Overview

The Tac Case  is a large messenger bag with 15l of volume. It has a main compartment with a padded laptop/netbook sleeve and a laser cut velcro panel on the inside to attach the included document sleeve or optional MOLLE pouches. It features two zippers compartments to the front and back, as well as an additional pouch to the front with several admin features.

Other features include a carrying handle, a small pouch on the side for gps, phones, small cases; a hypalon padded pad for the shoulder strap and a webbing loop on the back to mount the bag on the dragging handles of your luggage, if necessary. Manufacture is top notch, as expected from Tasmanian Tiger.

Specs

•       LxHxW: 43 cm x 29cm x 16cm
•       Material: 700den Cordura, YKK zipper, WooJin buckles
•       Weight: 1,25 kg
•       Volume: 15 L

Main Compartment

The main compartment ist covered by a large flap, which is closed by two buckles plus dedicated velcro closures underneath.

The Tac Case in black and blue

To the front the main compartment features a laser cut hook velcro panel. Six channels offering three rows of MOLLE, give you plenty of options to mount either velcro based pouches or those using MOLLE for attachment.

The velcro panel on the inside with the laser cut MOLLE

With the bag comes a document sleeve/pouch, which has velcro on the back and which is mounted on the inside of the main compartment. With this nice feature I have a need for dedicated document storage. At the same time the front of this sleeve offers basic organisational pockets: a zippered pocket, four pen slots and an additional slot plus a transparent ID panel.

The document sleeve that comes with the TT Tac Case

The padded sleeve in the main compartment fits laptops up to 15.4“. If I add another two magazines and a narrow folder in the document sleeve, I still have enough place for a drinking bottle and snack tin. There is also plenty of room for a basic EDC and a Camera pouch.

The main compartment with plenty of room for your EDC

Front Compartment

The front compartment has three rows of webbing attached to its front, with five channels. Mounting a pouch here would not make much sense, since it would hinder the top lid from closing. For quick access I have attached three chemlights and the Leatherman Raptor here.

The front pouch underneath the main flap

The opened front compartment. Also notice the zippered compartment behind it!

The compartment opens up two thirds and gives access to several organisational options: On the left you will find a pocket with a velcro flap and above it two slots which give you just enough space to put some business cards or similar sized items in it.

slit pockets

Pocket with velcro flap

In the middle you will find elastic webbing forming loops. A bigger one for multi-tools or flashlights, and three smaller ones for pens, chemlights and the like. Next to it is another pocket with a velcro flap. This one is slightly larger than the other and offers enough place for a gps, a phone or an ebook.

elastic loops in the middle

bigger velcro pouch to the right

Behind the loops and the pocket are two bigger slots which offer enough room for A6 sized notebooks and other slim items. Above the top slot you will also find a key hook.

Other pouches and pockets

As already mentioned in the overview section, the Tac Case has two zippered pockets. Both are full length and can be found on the back and front. While they are not long enough to fit A4 sized documents, smaller items find plenty of space and the pocket on the back features velcro strips to fit in optional velcro accessoires.

Zippered pocket to the back

Another pouch can be found on the side. This can be closed/opened with a velcro flap and offers enough room for a case of your sunglasses, gps or small medic kit. If you carry the Tac Case on your right hand side, this pocket will ride to the front and give you quick access to whatever you are carrying inside.

Side pocket

Other features

The flap, which is covering the main compartment, features two channels of laser cut MOLLE on its front. Four slits per channel give you two workable MOLLE points, which you can either use for pouches  or chemlights.

On the back you will also find one big strap, forming a large loop. This is a most welcome feature if you are traveling with a trolley and want to put the Tac Case on top of it. With this loop you can fix the bag on the carrying handle of your luggage. This is a feature only found on recent models. There are also older versions without this feature.

Old and new version with the travel loop

The bag also comes with a carrying handle, which is padded and tightly sewn on. The shoulder strap is mounted via two massive WooJin buckles. The shoulder pad is padded and comes with a rubberized hypalon area which prevents the pad (and with it your bag) to move around your shoulders. Everything will stay on its place.

The massive buckles of the shoulder strap

Hypalon pad

The pad itself has a cut out in the middle, so if you adjust the shoulder strap in length and the glide buckle comes in your way, you can put it in between. It is also easily detachable by velcro closures, so there is no unnecessary fumbling involved.

The shoulder pad from the top with the mentioned cut

Final consideration

In my active time as a bicycle courier, I had a personal messenger bag tailored to my needs. That was good.

Today’s emerging courier bags and in addition those of the tactical field are in my opinion, a hype nobody needs. In recent years I have had different tactical messenger bags in different sizes. And yet I returned to Tasmanian Tiger. It may be tactically cool to have such a bag, but you have to ask yourself the question again and again, what do I need the bags for.

For my trips to the service, library and court, this bag is perfect for my needs. Also as a simple EDC bag for the urban area. I’m totally satisfied with the TT Tac Case for my needs and uses.

With that being said, many thanks to Tasmanian Tiger for the support and thank you for reading!

Take care!