In today’s article, Richard Johnson reviews the Tasmanian Tiger TAC Modular Pack 25. Designed for low-profile use, the backpack has a surprising number of tactical features in what might pass as a camping or hiking pack. But, how does it perform? That’s what the author sets out to discover. The TAC Modular SW Pack 25 was provided for testing by the manufacturer.
A tactical backpack can be an important part of your gear — be it job-related or something you use in your private life. However, many people want or need gear that doesn’t look tactical. Maybe you’re working undercover or just prefer to blend in when on vacation. Regardless of the reason, you don’t want to be noticed because your backpack is covered in PALS webbing.
For just such a need, Tasmanian Tiger developed the TAC Modular SW Pack 25. The slightly unwieldy name belies the potential usefulness of the bag. Designed specifically for “undercover deployments” and civilian use, the logo-less backpack is covert while still offering a great deal of functionality.
TT TAC Modular SW Pack 25
For a backpack that hides its nature, it is packed with a lot of features. First off, Tasmanian Tiger uses high quality materials in the backpack’s construction. The bag is predominately made of 700D Cordura — a relatively thick and durable yarn woven into a fabric that is an excellent balance of weight to strength and abrasion resistance.
The hardware is also of quality construction. Zippers are sourced from YKK, probably the best-known zipper manufacturer in the world. Also, Tasmanian Tiger uses Woojin Plastic hardware for the buckles and other hard bits. While some folks prefer ITW buckles and clips, I’ve had good service out of the packs using Woojin parts. The Woojin buckles on this pack performed well in my testing.
The main compartment holds about 25 liters of gear. I found it was plenty of space for my daily needs. The main compartment completely unzips to allow you full access to the compartment. Bulky items can be rolled or folded to store here. Also in the main compartment are MOLLE webbing and hook-and-loop strips for customization.
I think the main compartment design lends itself well to a SWAT team medic operating in a plainclothes capacity. You can organize all of your medical gear in pouches that attach to the interior of the bag. Should you ever need them, you can quickly open the main compartment so that all contents were readily available as you provide medical care. I think it’s a great system.
There is a lid compartment that offers an ample amount of storage for things you might need to access frequently. It is perfect for keeping items like pens, notepads, a spare tactical flashlight and batteries all easily reachable. There are a pair of organization pouches in this section, plus it even has a strip of hook-and-loop in case you want to add your own pouch(es) for further gear management. The compartment is sized to hold a folded windshirt or lightweight jacket should the weather turn cold or wet.
A compartment accessible from the rear is designed as a multi-purpose section that can be used for a hydration bladder. However, the compartment has ample hook-and-loop and laser-cut PALS webbing for MOLLE gear. It fully unzips, which makes configuration easy.
The shoulder straps have an impressive amount of padding designed to improve the comfort of a heavy pack carried many miles. Likewise, the back of the pack uses ample padding. Down the center of the back is a recessed channel that keeps the weight of your gear off of your spine. The channel allows for airflow to the back which further improves comfort.
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The hip belt has two zippered compartments, one on each side of your body. These are a good size for storing an energy bar, analgesic and other items you want to keep handy. Additionally, the bag has a short pocket on each side of the backpack for more storage. Each is large enough for you to tuck a water bottle or multiple pistol magazines into it.
Low-Profile Deployment
A lot of equipment in the shooting industry is marketed as tactical. Gear that has the appearance of being military-oriented seemingly can sell better than plain gear of a higher quality. So, many companies try to add as much MOLLE-compatible PALS webbing on the outside of a pack to enhance that tactical look.
While I don’t have a military background, I am a former cop. I’ve done dangerous things and put a lot of nasty people into prison. Having one of those people showing up looking for pay back is a reality I’ve dealt with before. As such, I have a deep appreciation for blending in. I don’t like to stand out, and I definitely don’t want to tote a bag that screams tactical.
That’s one of the reasons why I liked the Tasmanian Tiger Modular SW Pack 25 when I first saw it. It seemed to have plenty of storage space, a solid support system and high-quality materials. Yet, it did not look tactical. You can simply blend into the environment.
There is a special feature built into the Tasmanian Tiger backpack that I think is a great addition. A covert flap is integrated into the bottom of the pack. The flap is a bright orange fabric that helps make you much more visible. For hiking along a road, this flap is an easy way to increase your visibility to passing motorists. The orange flag can also be used to increase visibility if you are stranded and may need to catch the attention of search teams.
At the top of the orange signal fabric are several strips of hook-and-loop material. I envision that a tactical team or surveillance team could pre-attach a “POLICE” patch to this section. Should the team have to take enforcement action, the flap could quickly be deployed so that other responding officers would easily recognize team members.
Who — or What — Is Tasmanian Tiger?
Tasmanian Tiger is a brand dedicated to producing high-end tactical gear and backpacks for military, law enforcement and outdoor enthusiasts worldwide.
The company’s name, derived from the elusive Tasmanian Tiger, symbolizes adaptability, strength, and relentless commitment — traits that Tasmanian Tiger instills in all of its gear. The result is a wide range of purpose-driven packs and accessories that fulfill both tactical and EDC needs.
Field Use
As I stated before, I’m not an infantryman. Humping 70+ pounds across all terrains is not my gig. However, hauling gear to the shooting range, stuff for an overnight trip and camping gear down a trail definitely are part of my needs. It’s from this perspective that I evaluated the TT TAC Modular SW Pack 25.
First, I found the overall construction was excellent. As mentioned, the primary fabric used is 700D Cordura. Throughout my time with the backpack, it held up with very little wear anywhere on the bag. Thrown in and out of the back of my truck, bumping up against trees and walls and other incidental contact did not abrade the surface of the bag.
Likewise, the stitching was extremely good. I ran mostly medium loads in the bag, but even very heavy loads were carried without any issues. Examining the stitching after wear showed no signs of damage or stress that would indicate premature failure. Having a bag bust apart in the middle of a hike is not my idea of a fun time. Zippers also worked as expected throughout my time with the backpack.
Another aspect of this backpack that stood out to me was how comfortable it was to carry. From heavy loads to light ones, the padded straps and waist belt worked to evenly distribute the weight. As a guy with a lower back injury from his prior employment, spreading the weight out is particularly important to me. All of the straps had ample adjustment ranges allowing me to shift how the pack was worn.
The padding worked extremely well to cushion any bouncing when walking. Likewise, the center channel in the padded back did allow for cooling air to move along my spine.
For daily carry and overnight stays, I found the interior was large enough for my needs. Additionally, the interior pouches and hook-and-loop fabric made organization simple.
Final Thoughts
One word that kept popping into my head throughout my use and testing of this backpack was “quality.” All marketing talk aside, this pack felt rugged and seemed to handle everything I asked of it.
The TAC Modular SW Pack 25 was my first Tasmanian Tiger product. I liked the look of it, but wasn’t sure at how it would perform. As it turns out, I was impressed. Based on my testing, I recommend the backpack if you have a need it will fit.
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