Internal Compartments

Flap map pocket - Inside the flap is a full-sized 14" x 11" map pocket with clear marine-grade vinyl. The zipper entrance is on the side.

Main Compartment- The main compartment of the DMB measures approximately 15" x 12" x 5", seam to seam. The inside front and sides are lined completely with loop velcro for attaching and organizing velcro-compatible accessories. It's also a convenient location to store the front flap velcro cover.

Map pocket inside flap

Internal compartment

Velcro lined main compartment

Velcro cover stored inside

Laptop compartment - The main compartment has a padded laptop compartment against the back panel. It should fit most 15" screen laptops, and is contoured so it'll accommodate the thickness of the laptop. It's lined with black velcro-compatible material, so if you choose to put velcro accessories in the laptop compartment, you can do so.

Front Organizer 'Drawbridge' pockets - There are two 7.5" wide x 9.5" tall x 2.5" deep organizer pockets on the front of the bag, under the main flap. They're called 'drawbridge' pockets as they open up like the drawbridge across a castle moat. 550 paracord with a cord lock is used to adjust how much the pocket opens. The zippers open completely across the top and down the sides so that the pocket panel can lay flat. The 550 cord is routed through loops and channels on the pocket flap, and loops on the main body. The channel on the flap is reinforced with HDPE which adds stiffness across the top of the flap, so it doesn't fold in half when open. That's a nice detail touch.

Both pockets have a large rear slot pocket against the bag body, and two expandable magazine pouches with elastic retention. These will hold two M4 mags or one AK mag each. They'll also hold flash-bangs, notebooks or anything else that will fit. I like these pockets a lot. The elastic can be used to hold flash lights, chemlights etc,

The left pocket flap interior is set up as an admin pouch, and has one large slot pocket. Two smaller slot pockets are sewn to it, with large elastic loops on the outside and two small elastic loops inside. I think that this pocket layout is one of the most practical I've seen in a bag.

The right pocket flap has a loop velcro field for velcro-compatible accessories. There's also a keychain lanyard D-ring on a length of webbing sewn above the main slot pocket on the body. It's also possible to mount a full sized handgun in this pocket.

Hidden pocket - The DMB also has a hidden/secret pocket for holding documents or other items that the owner doesn't want readily discovered. The location of the hidden pocket is only disclosed to those purchasing the bag, so I won't disclose it here either. The pocket entrance is well concealed and is unlikely to be found. Depending on the items hidden inside, and the tenacity of the person performing the search, it's still possible to feel the items and try to discover how they're contained, so be aware of that.

General Impression and Notes - As a designer, it's sometimes difficult to remain unbiased when evaluating someone else's designs. I designed the EMDOM TNT Bag for a similar role to that the ITS Discreet Messenger Bag, and decided against a messenger bag design because of the flap. I felt that the flap limits speed of access to the bag, and wanted to enable each compartment to be accessed without having to unbuckle a flap, lift it out of the way (and keep it out of the way) while items were retrieved or inserted. Another reason was that a messenger bag flap doesn't 'seal in' the contents as well as a zipper, as there's always going to be a potential opening at both ends at the top. Knowing this, however, the user can pack accordingly, and ensure that small, loose items are stowed in the zippered pockets.

However, I do realize that not everyone has the same taste in style, and that some prefer the look of the messenger bag style. Having the flap also conceals whatever pocket layout is underneath, and offers a measure of security for the covered pockets at the expense of some convenience of access. Depending on the situation however, that might not be an issue. Also, the messenger bag style is very common as most laptop cases are similarly styled, so it blends in discreetly in all public venues. So, I thought about what I'd do if I adapted the TNT bag to a messenger bag style, and I came to conclusion that it would have many of the same features as the DMB.

The DMB is very well made - quality of the stitching and workmanship is excellent. Something with this level of detail and features is defintely not cheap to produce in limited quantities; something I can attest to with my struggles to get the EMDOM TNT bag made under a target price point. My main use of the DMB was as my EDC bag (I normally use my TNT bag or Arc'Teryx Blade 21 pack), in which I carry my basic work stuff (breakfast, a canned drink or bottle, planner, documents, etc), along with some 'emergency' items like flashlights, tools etc. I ride a motorcycle to work about half the time, so I need to be a little more equipped than when driving a car. It's also one of the reasons a waist belt is important to me, as it prevents the bag from swinging around to the front. It's essential for me to keep the bag stable and planted on my back. Easy access to the contents is also a key factor for me, as taking a bag on and off while wearing a bulky armoured motorcycle jacket isn't desirable, especially when I'm carrying my helmet in one hand. I found myself using the exterior flap pockets my most of my frequently needed items (keys, badge, phone, sunglasses), as I didn't have to unbuckle and lift up the flap to access them. The larger of the two flap pockets was also big enough to carry quite a bit in addition to the main bag compartment and I had to stop myself from being lazy and overloading it.

Being a fabric bag, the DMB can hold quite a lot of stuff as you can 'stuff it out' until it bulges out. On cold mornings, I wear my Arc'teryx Atom LT jacket under my motorcycle jacket, but it gets warmer in the afternoons and I usually stow it inside my bag. There was more than enough room to stuff it in there; even the bulkier Atom AF on occasion.

I did question ITS about having the pistol compartment against the body, as I found rear-located pistol compartments more difficult to access when wearing the bag as the weight of the bag presses against the body. Not impossible; just a bit more difficult. ITS replied that if the user didn't want to mount a pistol in that compartment, the velcro-lined front drawbridge pocket can carry a handgun which can be accessed by positioning the zippers so that one opens to the front. That way, the handgun can be accessed without lifting up the flap. A small frame weapon would be able to fit in there horizontally. The one thing I'd caution about doing that is to ensure that the drawbridge 550 cord is routed or tucked in so as not to snag or interfere with the draw of the gun.

The size and interrnal layout of the two drawbridge pockets are probably the most practical I've come across on this type of bag. The two elasticized magazine pockets are a great size for a variety of items (wish I'd have put them in the TNT bag front pockets). The admin layout in the left pocket is also very practical, with its small slot pockets and elastic loops. I didn't use the velcro field in the right-side pocket, as the sewn-in layout accommodated all that I carried. The drawbridge pockets are deeper than they look, and like the main bag, can be stuffed out with a ton of items. While I wouldn't recommend it, It's entirely possible to load the DMB up so it looks like you've got a duffle bag under your arm rather than a messenger bag. But, it's nice to know that you can do it if you need to.

The one small thing I'd like to see on the DMB is to somehow make the main shoulder strap ambidextrous for right or left shoulder carry, so that the emergency release buckle can always be positioned at the front, and some sort of pull tab be incorporated into the triglide so it's easier to adjust the length of the strap when the bag is being worn. This desire comes only from my use with it on the motorcycle. As I mentioned before, I wear a bulky motorcycle jacket that has armour in the shoulders, back, elbows etc. I have to lengthen the strap to don the bag, then shorten it so that the bag rides up on my back vs. hanging down at my side.

I found the ITS Tactical Discreet Messenger Bag a very well made and thought out tactically oriented messenger-style bag. I'm certain that its practical features will be appreciated by those who are looking for a bag like this. When partially loaded, it retains its slim profile for every day use, but still retains the ability to swell when needed. It doesn't hurt that it's a great-looking piece of nylon. For the story of how the ITS Discreet Messenger Bag was conceived, visit this page at ITS.