Review: Grab-it-Pack (™!)
A while back, Chris and I stole got the bright idea to mod us up some Nerf Mavericks. Turns out people like that kind of thing, and our geeky arts and crafts made their way 'round the tubes in no time. And while we were content to simply fashion a hasty holster solution that would only last a night, others found a better way in the form of the Grab-it-Pack.
The fine folks over at Grab-it-Pack HQ were nice enough to send us one of their uber-pockets and being that I'm the Weekly Geeker most likely to dress like a character from Final Fantasy it was decided I should take it for a spin.
Now let's get one thing straight. I don't do outside. As a matter of fact, I'm allergic to outside and have to layer myself in all manner of haz-mat gear before I can even touch the door to my apartment. So while the Grab-it-Pack might be intended for use while hiking, or fishing, or hunting hobos or whatever it is people do outside, I sure as shit wasn't going to be using it the way it was intended.
As such, I reasoned that the only way I could approximate the strenuous conditions under which the Grab-it-Pack is expected to perform would be to put it through the most pocket-intensive moments of my normal life. Those being a night on the town and a day at a con.
When I go out for a night of shenanigans there are a number of items that I have to have with me to ensure a smooth evening. My phone, my wallet, a small sketchbook, a pencil, a pen, keys, and depending on the event of the evening, my digital camera. Most guys aren't carrying a sketchbook and pencil with them when they're out on the town, but having one on hand has saved me from terminal boredom on the few occasions I've been stuck somewhere that ended up being less than fun -- and it's a great place to jot down numbers.
The Grab-it-Pack fit all of it, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little surprised. My phone fits perfectly in the smaller flip-top pocket and was much easier to get my hands on compared to digging in a bottomless cargo-pocket full of other random detritus. The sketchbook, digital camera, keys, and wallet all slipped right into the larger pocket without any issue, and the zippered pocket was practically made for my pencil and pen.
The only issue I had was in later getting things out of the larger pocket without having to re-arrange everything inside it, though admittedly I had stuffed it fairly full. In addition, the Grab-it-Pack comes with an adjustable leg strap to keep your stuff nice and snug as opposed to rattling around, which may have added to the difficulty a bit. In the choice between having my things stay put and a minor annoyance I'm going with the former 10 times out of 10.
The Grab-it-Pack was a total success for a night out at the club. Thanks to my aforementioned fashion choices it fit perfectly with my outfit and I was even complimented on it several times throughout the evening. Be warned, this isn't going to look smooth if you're the type to wear popped collars and jeans on an evening out, but if that's what you're garb of choice you aren't looking particularly suave anyway, so the Grab-it-Pack is a step in the right direction.
Unfortunately, when we received the Grab-it-Pack there weren't any local cons going on. But as luck would have it the Northwest Folklife Festival was happening and I had a few friends that wanted to check it out.
Now, I find folk music just about as interesting as repeatedly running my knuckles over a cheese-grater; so bringing my iPod was a must. The sketchbook and pencil came along as well, as they're normally in my con pack as cons are a great source of inspiration, and again, the sketchbook is a handy place to jot down notes. My wallet, keys, phone, and camera all came along as well, but were joined this time by their friend the DS.
It was a fair amount of stuff to be lugging around and the Grab-it-Pack couldn't quite fit everything, but tossing my keys and wallet in my back pocket left more than enough room for everything else. And because everything was relatively the same size, grabbing things out of the larger pocket was a cinch.
The only thing I didn't bring with me that I'd normally bring to a con was my laptop, but I think it goes without saying that a laptop isn't going to fit in the Grab-it-pack. However if I'm bringing a laptop (and presumably a bag in which to store said laptop) to a con, why wouldn't I just toss everything else in there and be done with it? Simple, ease of use. My DS, camera, and sketchbook are going to see more use than my laptop throughout the day at a con. Having everything organized and within reach is eminently preferable to it being on my back in a scramble.
After two days of solid use -- and a few random outings in which I need to carry a few things but not a bag's worth -- the Grab-it-Pack had faired pretty well. Frequently opening and closing the main pocket caused the velcro fastening to come loose a bit, but that was the only noticeable wear on the pack after being put through its paces. I could definitely see this being useful while camping or hiking, and if you're bold enough it makes a great alternative to the now omnipresent man-bag if you're leaving your laptop at home for the day.
