Vertx is known for providing covert equipment and clothing to entities that need to protect others and protect themselves under the radar. By providing bags, belts, and clothing that conceals firearms, knives, and other equipment, they really changed the game on plain clothes carrying.
The next step within Vertx has been the release of their Women’s line. A line meant specifically for women that won’t hinder the job but instead help their mission. This line is built to provide attractive clothing and bags that will still conceal mission-essential tools just as a man would, such as a ballistic plate, knife, or firearm.
“For too long women have had to accept stylish everyday clothing that lacks functional duty and carry wear features. Now women have a choice! Our Women’s Lifestyle Collection was inspired by you to be innovative, versatile, modern and stylish so when you work hard, you can feel and look good doing it.” -Vertx
The bag that has taken center stage within this lineup? The Vertx Women’s Kesher Pack. A bag that looks feminine and classy yet conceals a ballistic panel, your firearm, a laptop, and other everyday things that you may need. The cool thing though that sets this bag apart from others and even others in the Vertx line? It closes with either a magnetic clasp or a zipper and has 3 different “stuff settings” as I like to call them. The user can literally stuff whatever they need inside this bag without breaking the zippers.
Main Features of the Kesher Pack
Magnetic Clip Closures and Zippered Closures
Probably the most exciting part of this bag is its versatility. When filling the main pouch there are zippers on the top. Sometimes, as we all know, we can overfill backpacks. With the option of the clip closures instead of zipping the overfilled bag closed, we can simply push the main flap over and click the closure into the magnetic housing. With that, there are 2 magnetic housings so if the bag is lightly filled the user can clip the magnet into the bottom housing. If it is overfull the user can clip the magnet on the top housing. This allows you to overfill your bag and not worry if you can secure the contents or not.
If you don’t want to use the magnetic closures, the zippers on the main panel are designed as more of an ascending pocket instead of a flat pocket. This gives the user even more room.
Also, at the very top, there is a leather panel. This panel does not have zippers but does connect to the Cordura flap. This panel is great for a single item that just needs to stay put, such as a hat, rolled-up woobie, or an airplane pillow.
Strap Versatility
The shoulder straps on the Kesher pack are connected to the bottom of the pack by almost a D-ring-like connection with one connection at the top of the pack. This enables the user to change from a 2-arm configuration to a single sling configuration.
Pockets with Hook and Loop
There are three compartments on this bag and a back panel: the main compartment, a middle zippered compartment, and a smaller zippered compartment on the bottom front of the pack. The main compartment has a laptop pocket and can fit a Weapon System up to 5” L x 11” H (an MK-18 can fit). Next, there is a middle roomy pocket, and then the smaller bottom pocket that includes a mesh pocket and 2 pen sleeves.
Both the main and middle compartments have hook and loop which enables the user to attach a holster to the inside of the bag for ease of access. Vertx offers multiple options for attachment such as Tactigami which wraps around your holster (or the gun itself) and the magazines to connect to the bag. They also now offer overflow mesh pouches that offer a hook backing, which can be connected straight to the inside of the bag.
Back Panel/Luggage Passthrough
The back panel is virtually unnoticeable. It looks like a comfortable backpack panel because well, it is. It is made with 3D molded foam that includes comfort and airflow, no sweaty back.
The large thing to know about this back panel though is that it is a zippered compartment just like most of Vertx’s packs. It can fit a ballistic panel or a hook-and-loop compatible pistol. The rapid access tab on the back panel allows the user to use the luggage passthrough section of the bag to grab as a shield and rip open the back panel for quick acquisition of a firearm. Or you know, a laptop?
Specs
- Price: $318.99
- Colors: It’s Black, Grizzly Shade
- Dimensions: 15”L x 12.5”W x 6” D
- Weight: 16 liters
Construction
- Bonded nylon thread throughout with critical seams and attachment points bar-tacked for extra durability.
- VELCRO Brand loop for top-of-the-line retention of Tactigami and other hook and loop-compatible accessories (accessories sold separately).
- YKK self-repairing nylon coil zippers throughout.
- Quiet positive-grip zipper pull tabs.
- 3-D molded foam back panel and laptop insert.
- Abrasion-resistant mesh used on internal pocket.
- Rapid magnetic clip closures on front flaps.
Weapon Systems
- Weapon System up to 5” L x 11” H
The Review
Since receiving this bag about a year ago I have used it both daily for going to work and for airport trips.
Pros
I chose to use it for daily work trips due to it not looking “tactical”. I worked in a department where we supported plain clothes protection and bringing this bag to work every day allowed me to still look feminine and not look like I was carrying a firearm.
During airport trips it allowed me to stuff everything I could it in it that didn’t fit in my suitcase due to the zipper being designed to zip up and not flat. If I still can’t fit everything in I can just secure the panel over it. It also allowed me to throw my laptop in there with ease due to the laptop panel. At the airport I often wear a hat but like to take it off, the top panel of the backpack allows me to just clip it in quickly when not wearing it but not crush it. If I have a pillow? That fits in that top panel as well. Those magnetic housings that I use to clip into each time are attached VERY WELL to the pack so I never feel like they are going to rip off. The housing is both magnetic and reinforced at the top. So if the magnet fails, it still stays clipped.
Note: When going through the airport if airport security needs to look into this pack just ensure they know how to unclip it: pull down and then out. If they continuously pull out instead of down to remove it from the clip the housing could rip off. So just stay there and walk them through it.
I have mainly used it as a double-strap bag and not slung it. The light color interior has really helped me in finding my cords and such so that is a huge plus that often gets overlooked.
Cons
When used as a 2-strap backpack, the straps could use a little more comfort. They are strong and not one string has torn since owning it. However, on really long airport trips I do feel a bit of discomfort on the shoulders when I packed it full.
The luggage passthrough, while it is made to be able to use the pack as a shield (ballistic panel) or access the firearm inside, still needs to be versatile in actually using it as a luggage pack. The passthrough is a horizontal passthrough so there is no vertical passthrough that can go over a suitcase handle without having to turn the bag on its side. If a small vertical passthrough was added this bag could be a lot more versatile and even get the weight off of your shoulders if there isn’t equipment in it at the moment.
