Blue Force Gear D.A.P. Pack
I recently heard that Blue Force Gear was coming out with a new line of gear. The new line was called D.A.P. (Denied Area Pattern) www.dappack.com. The first item to be released was the DAP Pack along with accessories for the DAP Pack.
A couple weeks ago I received a D.A.P. Pack (small) along with several inserts, also known as DAPPERs. The Dappers are modular set of pouches, loops, and other accessories that are Velcro backed and can mount directly to the inside of the D.A.P. Pack or the Extension Wing. List of Dappers that I received:
-Extension Wing
-Small Loops
-Medium Loops
-Large Loops
-10 Speed Triple M4 Mag Pouch
-10 Speed Triple Pistol Mag Pouch
The DAP Pack (small) is designed as a 1 day pack. I’ve been using a 3 day pack “Assault Packs” for my daily needs for several years. Often times I find that a 3 day pack is too large, cumbersome, and bulky for most of my day to day needs and a smaller and thinner pack would be much more useful. There are still times where I have a need / use for a 3 day assault pack, but for a majority of time, smaller is better.
Here is a short list of day to day stuff I use a 3 day pack for and find the 3 day pack to be too large / thick / cumbersome for many of these tasks:
-Carrying work gear to and from work
-Using a pack as a gym bag
-At business / trade expo’s where I’ll be picking up catalogs, etc
-Walking around at an amusement park / fair / etc. with my wife (use it to carry water, jackets, wallets / checkbooks, and whatever else we might need)
-Carry on luggage when traveling
-Carrying gear / personal items at work
I’ve been using the D.A.P. Pack for the last couple weeks to carry gear and personal items to and from work and for other tasks at work. I have found that the size of the D.A.P. to be perfect for may day to day needs.
The pack has a discreet, low profile, non-military appearance. The entire main compartment (both sides) is lined with Velcro and accepts any of the Dapper accessories or any other accessory that is has a Velcro backing. I found that the main compartment was large enough to carry my day to day items. The main compartment is slimmer than the average 3 day assault pack’s main compartment, the slimmer main compartment makes the D.A.P. feel much lower profile. Enough room for what I needed without excess bulk.
The smaller secondary compartment has an organizer sewn into the panel closest to the main compartment to hold pens, pocket knives, ID cards, or other similar sized items. The smaller secondary compartment is large enough to carry a rain jacket or windbreaker.
On the outside of the pack just above the external secondary compartment is a 4” x 6” Velcro panel. The secondary compartment has a 1” x 2” loop system that goes from the top of the compartment to the bottom of the compartment, and can be used for attaching things to the pack. There is also a bungee x-harness that can be used for attaching things to the pack or the bungee x-harness can be used to cinch down the pack.
The shoulder straps are 2” wide non-padded shoulder straps and have the same 1” x 2” loop system on the outside of the strap that is on the outside of the secondary compartment. The 1” x 2” loop system on the outside of the shoulder strap can be used for attaching items to or routing items through the loop system. The underside of the shoulder straps are lined with the same mesh material that is used on the inside of the SOC-C padded belt system. I found the shoulder straps to be low profile and comfortable and think they would ride better on body armor than wider padded versions.
The back of the pack is lined with the same mesh material and has an opening at the top. I couldn’t figure out what the opening is for, but I‘m sure it serves some useful purpose. The area between the mesh and the main compartment and is well padded.
OK, so I’ve listed the features of the D.A.P. and my thoughts on why a smaller pack suits my needs better than the standard 3 day assault pack (for day to day use). Here are my thoughts as to what separates the D.A.P. small from other packs I have used.
With most of the 3 day assault pack designs currently on the market (Eagle A-III, R.A.I.D, Kifaru, etc) if you want attach extra gear or pouches the pack this is done by attaching the pouches to the PALS webbing on the outside of the pack. This adds to the bulk and makes the pack even more cumbersome.
The D.A.P is set up so that the pouches, loops, etc. are attached to the inside of the pack. With use of the Dappers you can easily configure and minimize how much space this eats up inside the pack.
The D.A.P. lends it’s self to being used on a SWAT mission or surveillance much better than a 3 day assault pack due to the D.A.P.’s lower profile and more discreet appearance.
I can use a black D.A.P. pack to carry extra gear on a SWAT call out and it looks like a piece of SWAT gear (it would be a great pack for a medical officer, gas guy, breacher, etc….the slim profile makes movement much easier in confined areas). A couple days later I can use the same pack when I go to a water park with the family and no one thinks it’s a piece of military or police gear. And the following week I can use the same pack while working a plain clothes assignment - throw it on the back seat with a football and it looks like my kid’s backpack. It’s one of those pieces of gear that lends it’s self extremely well to wide variety of environments.
After using the D.A.P. pack for two weeks, I’m extremely impressed with it and will continue to use it daily. I’m extremely impressed with the size, features, and versatility of this pack.
Things I would like to see. I’ve always been a big fan of internal frame sheets for assault packs. I would also like to see a small misc. pouch that could store a cell phone toward to top of the pack. Nothing worse than throwing a cell phone in a pack and then not being able to locate the phone when it’s ringing. Single and double cell 10 Speed mag pouches (both pistol and M4) could add options when configuring the inside of the pack to maximize space. Hope the guys at Blue Force Gear are reading this.
Both sides of the pack:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...DPP_0014-1.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...DPP_0015-1.jpg
Elastic covered opening for hydration / communication routing (3 of them at the top of the pack positioned at 11, 12, and 1 o’clock):
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...DPP_0016-1.jpg
Opened main compartment. Both sides of the main compartment are covered in Velcro:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...DPP_0019-1.jpg
Extra pocket behind the Velcro in the main compartment. Looks large enough to fit a small lap top, you could also fit a notebook or other similar sized items in this pocket:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...DPP_0018-1.jpg
Inside of the secondary compartment:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...DPP_0017-1.jpg
The extension wing opened. The extension wing maximizes space and ability to mount several different pouches.
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...r/DPP_0022.jpg
The extension wing closed. The 10 speed mag pouches are still under the extension wing:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...r/DPP_0021.jpg
For size comparison. Bravo Company 16” Mid-Length on top of the D.A.P. pack:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...DPP_0007-2.jpg
needs molle / alice clips
Great looking pack with some neat internal features.
I am looking for a similar sized pack which I can attach to the rear panel of my plate carrier's molle webbing. It would only to be used for light loads such as a ranger roll. I hope to avoid the use of additional shoulder straps and or belt. All I can find are medic sized pouches or pouches about 10"X6".
