Camelbak Dispatch First Thoughts

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So the other day I received my new Camelbak Dispatch pack and I thought I would post my first impressions of it as I continue my quest for a ideal EDC bag to carry.

I have been on this quest for a while as I know many of us have and it is not for lack of trying that it continues,it seems almost impossible to find any bag that I can live with to carry my Work and non-work stuff as they crossover a lot and every bag so far comes up short somewhere for me after a short time.

I had to decide this time between a Synapse 25 and the Camelbak.
I have a Synapse 19 and have really liked it but it is too small for me and on me so the 25 seems like a natural step up but I also like the idea of a dedicated computer compartment and it has to easily carry my 17″ Macbook too.

So the Camelbak it would be.

I already have and love the Rush 24 but I need the Macbook space like I said and I also need a bag that does not look tactical for work otherwise I am keeping the Rush 24 and still plan to use it a lot when not working and/or carrying the big MB.

I also have a Vertx Gamut which seemed ideal when shopping before but in use is just too cramped and hard to pack for me,somehow though a bigger bag on the outside this bag is cramped on the inside and I can’t really even conceive exactly why?
It does carry the 17″ MB easily though and also has some unique features but otherwise I just find it too small for me overall.

So evidently they make the Camelbak 2 ways,the Urban Assault and the Dispatch which is specially fitted for CCW users and I think they are identical aside from the specialized CCW features too?
The dispatch is much more plain looking and has very little to suggest outwardly that it is made for CCW which is a huge plus for me. The typical Camelbak Flaming Skull logo is even missing from the front happily though there is a small one on the back panel facing your back that is not too obvious unless you look for it.
I got the Dispatch and my first impressions are nothing but great!

The bag does come with a small Hydration bag with hose and mouth peice that is made to go into a side pocket and there are 2 side pockets and they are insulated! They are big enough to easily swallow the standard measue 32 oz. Nalgene bottle or any water bottle I have ever seen which is a great feature.

There are holes for the hose to exit the pockets on each side.

The materials and workmanship are just right. The stitching and zippers are straight and easily pulled and there is a decent amount of organization although compared to the Rush 24 it is a little limited that way.

The suspension seems really well thought out too and this is another area with the Rush series that people seem to either Love or Hate. The Dispatch has shoulder straps that self-adjust on D rings so they don’t crowd and cramp your shoulders but I have not had to carry it this way yet and will wait to comment on the effectiveness until I do.

The best feature though is the overall layout and design of the bag. The Dispatch and the Gamut are about the same size sitting next to each other but I can easily load twice as much gear into the Dispatch and have lots of space leftover? Further the Camelbak is designed so that the side pockets can push both into the main compartment or to the outside depending on how the bag is loaded. There always seems to be room for these pockets and the contents while still leaving plenty of room inside too.

The Gamut pockets are at the same time big yet cramped? When they are loaded there is not enough room for water bottles on them at all and they can not be accessed easily of there is water on them either?
Just strange design!
Likewise the inside is both huge and cramped at the same time.

The computer pocket is both big enough and well padded and stops before the bags bottom to protect the machine should the bag be dropped on the bottom.
The main compartment is huge really and has a fleece pocket up high and a stretchy pocket on the back wall. I can easily get an Eagle Creel Folder in there with 4 or 5 shirts in it along with a small pocket for underwear and my toilet kit too.

The Admin. pocket is also huge and fairly well laid out and is so tall that I can get crazy long pockets or gear in it too. I think I like the Rush Admin spot better but only by a very small margin too.

Anyway the Dispatch has 3 different spots for CCW storage in the bag.
1-there is a double zipped hidden pocket in the “Tramp Stamp” area(not judging!) which is pure genius and my Beretta M9 goes right in there and zips in and this is not a small gun.
2-There is a single zipped pocket lined with Velcro on one side in the rear of the outermost pocket under a Beaver Tail that is Velcro and strapped closed if needed.
3- There is a Molle like strap high inside the main compartment where any holster that can be belt carried can attach as though it were on your brlt but just inside the bag.

Even without CCW carrying these pockets and fittings are very handy for other uses and overall they help define this bag as maybe the ideal option where CCW is concerned while looking non-tactical at the same time.

So far this bag seems ideal for me and I have an upcoming trip where I will need to Drive to a job and Fly back where the Dispatch will get a real workout but I already think it is a great match for me.
I got the Gamut for a previous trip like this and it was a disaster in packing as I had to empty the bag for the TSA and then could actually not repack it quickly while standing there holding up other passengers?Not something I want to repeat!

I will try to get some better pics up too but they are all over the Web if you are interested and pics of the Urban Assault are even more plentiful and the general design and size is very similar.

I hope this can give a decent idea about this bag and it is one I would urge you to consider if needing an EDC bag like this.

Also I was ready to pull the trigger on the SERT bag from the Forum Store for about 1/2 the price but it was out of stock when I had to choose something,naturally it is back in stock now,go figure!

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