Reviews

These bags are pretty pricey and promise a lot. The various configurations available seem to offer a lot of flexibility, and to some extent they do. I purchased hoping to use for a business-acceptable e-kit kind of application: cell phone, blackberry, multitool, flashlight, ipod, pry bar, maybe a small first aid kit and various small items. Didn't want to look like the guy on their web site gallery, who has that survivalist look. Doesn't go over well with the VPs at my company. I purchased this item that comes with the Utility and Instrument modules (aka bags to the rest of us), and also bought the Business module direct from Civilian Lab. Pros: Black color is decent looking for office use (though there are a couple of bright orange pieces that are annoying and spoil the otherwise subdued look for business use). Bags have a variety of loops, straps, attachment methods available. Nice selection of compartments, strong velcro Easy access, double zippers Good padding for size Business module will fit a blackberry and other phone side by side on outside, for quick access (good if you have a personal and business phone, or palm or whatever) Cons: Very expensive! Bright pieces on black models (as above) None of the bags have enough depth to fit a wallet or a decent mini-first aid pouch, at least not if you also have any tools or whatever on them. Would have preferred if at least some of them (eg business module) would expand more. Zipped up they're thin - which is good, but limits what you can use them for. Straps have no padding at all and lots of dangling ends One of the straps and all the modules have annoying rubber logo patches and silver snaps that detract from any discreet business use If you buy a module separately, you don't get any strap As far as I can tell, the only one of the modules you can get separately is the Business Module, despite what their web site implies The bags do not come with any instructions. Some of the configurations are obvious, but not all of them. For the price, you'd think they'd take the time to explain how they set up for each configuration, and provide suggestions for all the other straps and attachment methods they provide. Flexibility is nice, but a little help wouldn't hurt. The web site says all models can be configured in 6 ways, one of which is as a belt pack. In fact, not all the bags have the belt loops. The utility module is the best - it has both a fixed loop and one that can be opened with a snap, for easy on/off. The instrument module has a fixed loop only - so you need to take off your belt to put on or remove this one (annoying since it's intended for a camera). The business module has no belt loop at all, so that configuration is not available unless you rig it up with some of the straps in some awkward way. Seems contrary to business use - I don't want to walk around the office with this thing strapped across my chest. All in all, I'm probably going to return these. They're good, but for the price, they should be just about perfect, and they're not. I also think it would be great if there were a way to easily (and neatly) attach two modules to each other, side by side, for a configuration that carries a lot without looking like you're a Mexican bandito from a John Houston film. At $25/bag with strap, the Business and Utility modules might be worthwhile, but they cost quite a bit more. The instrument module offers much less and should cost much less - you could get a lowepro bag that offers as much or more for much less. I didn't try the boarding module but it looks kind of pointless - there are hundreds of other similar options out there. It's basically a wallet with loops. Also - their customer support is slow at best. I sent a few emails and left a voice mail. After several days, I got a response to only one. They didn't send an order acknowledgment or notice of shipping until I contacted them. (this was for an order direct from them - not the one from Amazon) Bottom line: Close, but no cigar

Reviews

Although the product is definitely well-made out of fine leather, the Amazon ad failed to give any sort of dimensions other than the wallet itself and, upon receiving it, I found it was like trying to wear something tailor-made for a much smaller (average) man. So, if you ARE a Big Man, even if that "bigness" is actual shoulder, chest, and arm muscle (greater than the average man), this will probably NOT fit you either. If you DO order it and it does NOT fit, simply call BeltOutlet's very friendly Customer Service number (which is, unfortunately, NOT a Toll-Free number) and explain such and they WILL let you send it back for a refund. Just DO NOT poke any extra holes in the anchoring strap for the opposite shoulder, as they frown on giving refunds under such circumstances (which is quite understandable). If, however, you are NOT a Big Man and this item fits, then you will no doubt LOVE it! I know I'm sickened because I could NOT keep and wear it due to my "bigness", because it was REALLY nice leather. Ah, well....