Review: Tasmanian Tiger – TT Modular Combat Pack 24 SL

Introduction

Tasmanian Tiger has released another combat pack in the 20-25L range this year – the TT Modular Combat Pack 24 SL. The pack has several new design features that make it worth a look.

Thanks to the guys at Tasmanian Tiger, I had the chance to take a closer look at the pack and give you some more insight. So let’s start with the obligatory overview and specs before going into more detail.

Overview

The TT Modular Combat Pack 24 SL is a small combat pack with a volume of 24l. It is a full clamshell design with 3 external front pockets that offer multiple ways of management/organization options. The Y2 carrying system is adjustable in both height and length, giving the user a wide range of adjustment options.

Specs

HxWxD: 54 x 29 x 18 cm
Weight: 1,7 kg
Materials: 500den and 700den Cordura
Volume: 24L (main compartment 19L, upper front pocket 2L middle front pocket 1L, lower front pocket 2l)

Build up of the TT Modular Combat Pack 24 SL

The TT Modular Combat Pack 24 SL is a full clamshell design. On the inside of the 19L main compartment, the pack has a laser-cut MOLLE area with Velcro loops on the back. It consists of two 10cm/4″ wide Velcro strips, each with two channels of MOLLE. Both have a total of 9 rows of MOLLE. This gives you plenty of room to add Velcro or MOLLE based accessories. A large Velcro flap closes a pocket for the frame sheet.

There is a standard Velcro flap and a cord loop for attaching a water bladder. An opening on the top of the pack allows you to route your hydration tube or cables. To the left and right of the main compartment are two small mesh pockets with an elastic opening. These are ideal for small items such as buffs, hats, and the like. A zippered front pocket provides space for flat items such as notebooks, papers, etc.

The front of the TT Modular Combat Pack 24 SL has three external zippered pockets. The top and bottom pockets hold 2L and the center pocket holds 1L. On the outside they all have small daisy chain style webbing straps to provide additional attachment options. They also have laser cut MOLLE: 4 channels of 3 rows each. The top pocket also has a Velcro area for attaching unit patches, name tags and other types of patches.

A look inside the top pocket reveals a dedicated admin area. At the front is a zippered mesh pocket. On the back, there is a small mesh slip pocket and another slip pocket with a Velcro pocket for smaller items attached to it. The top pocket also has two D-rings in the top corners. This is basically the standard admin pocket you find on most TT backpacks.

The middle pocket has three horizontal daisy chain webbing straps. Since the TT Modular Combat Pack 24 SL comes with some shock cord and cord locks, the user can combine the cord with the daisy chain to hold items like first aid supplies or other gear.

The bottom pocket also has daisy chain webbing, but it is placed vertically, for a total of four. There are also two 4cm Velcro loops for attaching accessories. On the front, there is a zippered pocket with clear comb fabric. The pocket should be large enough to hold 3 magazines. There is one long shock cord in the scope of delivery, so you can attach it to the front of the pocket for mounting jackets and the like.

All the pockets and the main compartment have sturdy two-way YKK zippers. The outer left and right sides of the pack also feature laser-cut MOLLE. Two channels with a total of 11 rows with a break in between (6 rows on the top, 5 on the bottom). There is also a Hypalon flap with two holes on the bottom to attach shock cord. These are used to hold ice axes, poles or the like.

A nice detail are the compression straps. Two on each side, with the buckles on the back – which is unusual, but the reason for it is surprising. In the front there are webbing loops to the left and right of the main zipper. Using special WJ carabiners, the user can decide how to attach the compression straps – over or behind the zipper, leaving several options.

Y2 Carrying System

The Y2 Carrying System is a new addition to Tasmanian Tiger backpacks and combines the height adjustment of a large volume pack with a small assault pack. With a Velcro system you can easily decide how high you want to carry the pack. It is similar to a yoke system. The length of the shoulder straps can be adjusted by loosening the glide buckles and adjusting the webbing. The straps are attached to the Y structure of the height adjustment and slide smoothly when adjusted.

Otherwise, the carrying system is of typical Tasmanian Tiger quality. The back is nicely padded with mesh material, with a ventilation channel in the middle. It is curved to fit the user’s back and also has a waist belt with two padded hip fins. These two also have the familiar zippered compartments.

The shoulder strap also has a sternum strap and D-rings. The TT Modular Combat Pack 24 SL can be taken off quickly as the shoulder straps also have buckles for quick release of the pack. These are hidden under elastic webbing to prevent any unwanted noise.

Level of Manufacture

Long time users of Tasmanian Tiger are well aware of the high quality construction of the backpacks. The use of high quality materials such as original Cordura, YKK zippers, WJ buckles, etc. really makes for a great pack.

Tasmanian_Tiger_TT_Modular_Combat_Pack_24SL — Level of manufacture

The company is known for its quality control and I have had no negative experiences with any of the packs and gear I have used so far. The seams are clean and there are no loose threads. Once you get your hands on one of their products, you know what you have.

The TT Modular Combat Pack 24 SL in use

The backpack has two main aspects that make it extremely practical to use. For one, the Tasmanian Tiger Y2 system is something you don’t see too often on packs of this size. It gives a lot of flexibility to adjust the pack to the user’s height or size, so it can be worn over bulky body armor without the shoulder straps being too short.

On the other hand, a very small detail settles the years-long debate over the placement of the compression strap buckles on clamshell designs. As already mentioned, they can be placed wherever the user prefers – above or behind the main zipper. As a result, you can choose whether the compression straps are placed in a way that prevents the clamshell design from opening completely, or if the pack can be opened completely while still keeping items securely attached to the sides.

In everyday use, the pack is extremely comfortable to carry, as it can be fully adjusted to the user. It lives up to its name because it is very modular and therefore very flexible when it comes to different uses.

It is a suitable EDC bag, medical bag, assault pack – just as you want it. The size is ideal as a daypack, with 24L evenly distributed throughout the design. Especially when combined with the TT Organizer Panel, the pack is as versatile as it gets.

Conclusion

You might think that Tasmanian Tiger would run out of ideas at some point, but the TT Modular Combat Pack 24 SL is an excellent example of how the company’s designers are still full of surprises.

The pack really manages to be an all-rounder, an option for anyone looking for an EDC pack, an assault pack, a day pack or even a medical pack (depending on your use).

The Y2 carrying system solves a long standing complaint of mine, that smaller packs tend to have shoulder straps that are too short for people over 5’8″. With the right adjustment, the pack can now be worn over body armor.

In this sense, the pack is truly a modular combat pack and worth checking out.

With that said, I would like to thank Tasmanian Tiger for giving me the opportunity to take a closer look at the pack!

Thank you for reading!

Take care!