Building a Go-Bag – Bag Selection

Building a Go-Bag – Bag Selection - Vanquest Gear Bags and Packs
Counterclockwise from top: IBEX-20, FATPack 5X8 (Gen-2), FTIM-SLIM, FATPack 4X6 (Gen-2), FTIM-HUSKY

As I have stated in previous articles, building a go-bag can quickly become an overwhelming (and expensive) project. That is why I am convinced that the first step should always be to define the goals of your go-bag.

Once you have decided on the goals of your go-bag (see my go-bag goals), selecting the type of bag and packs you will use becomes much easier. For me, a low profile backpack makes the most sense. My backpack will be filled with individual packs that contain gear that I have categorized into various categories: Tools, Food/Water, Medical, and Personal Care. Clothing and Shelter are two categories that I will also address, but these items will be packed a little differently.

The bag and packs that you select are the foundation of your go-bag.

The bag and packs that you select are the foundation of your go-bag. So be sure to choose durable gear that you can trust. I have selected the Vanquest IBEX-20 Backpack as my main bag, as well as several smaller packs, also from Vanquest. Each of these bags and packs are designed to maximize organization and customization options. They all feature quality construction that you can count on to last, as well as protect the gear that they hold.

Future articles will give you a look at how I am using these bags and packs. Stay tuned for more…

*At the time of this article, the Vanquest IBEX-20 Backpack has been discontinued. But don’t fear… Vanquest offers many other great backpacks! If you had your heart set on the IBEX-20, I would recommend that you check out the IBEX-26.

Be sure to check back often for our go-bag updates: Building a Go-Bag

Vanquest IBEX-20 Backpack:

  • Total Pack Capacity: 20 Liters
  • Net Weight: 2.70 pound | 1225 gram
  • Interior Main Compartment Size: 19.5″ (H) x 11″ Top / 8 Bottom (W) x 4.5″ Top / 6 Bottom (D)
  • Exterior Main Compartment Size: 20″ (H) x 11.5″ Top / 8.5 Bottom (W) x 5″ Top / 7 Bottom (D)
  • Interior Top Zipper Pocket Size: 7″ (H) x 10″ (W)
  • Exterior Top Zipper Pocket Size: 9.5″ (H) x 10″ (W)
  • Side Storage / Hydration Pocket Size: 18 (H) x 5 Top / 7 Bottom (W)
  • Padded main compartment with 4 loop-side panels for custom attachment & ladder webbing
  • Three grab handles (backside top and sides)
  • Four compression straps with side release buckles
  • Padded shoulder straps with load lifters & sternum strap w/ integrated whistle
  • Removable & height-adjustable waist belt with 2 wide Double-Lock buckle by Duraflex
  • Two adjustable shock cord retention areas on front
  • Flag/morale loop patch holder on front
  • Two 34 oz. / 1-Liter hydration compartments (left & right compartments) with retention loop
  • Main compartment fits 100 oz. / 3-Liter or larger hydration bladder with retention loop
  • MOLLE/PALS webbing on sides for accessory attachment
  • Materials:
    • 1,000-D Mil-grade Cordura fabric with water-repellent Teflon fabric protector by DuPont
    • Genuine MADE-IN-USA MultiCam & MultiCam-Black Cordura by Crye Precision
    • High-visibility, lightweight & moisture resistant 210-D Ripstop nylon interior.
    • Durable RC-Class YKK lockable zippers, reversed for protection.
    • MOLLE / PALS compatible attachment system with high tensile strength nylon webbing.
    • Mil-grade ITW and UTX-Duraflex hardware made from high tensile strength Acetal polymer.
    • Main zipper loop (Zipline Orbit) made by ITW-Nexus
    • Circular zipper loops made of paracord.
    • High tensile strength nylon webbings and binding tapes
    • Finished with high tensile strength bonded nylon thread
  • More Info: Vanquest Gear

Vanquest FATPack 5X8 (Gen-2) – First Aid Trauma Pack:

  • NEW: Lightweight MOLLE-Air modular attachment structure with loop surface
  • NEW: Three internal elastic webbing bands with two slots for cylindrical items (ex. EpiPen, tube)
  • NEW: Two external elastic slots for holding tourniquet or shears (per side)
  • NEW: Formed grab handle for fast opening with removable red ‘medical’ indicator
  • NEW: Bottom pull tabs for easier closure
  • Size: 8″ (H) x 5.5″ (W) x 3″ (D)
  • Weight: 5.4 ounces
  • Four internal high-vis ripstop storage pockets
  • User-configurable storage ladder with shock cord retention
  • 2” (H) x 3” (W) ID/Blood type loop patch panel on front
  • MOLLE/PALS webbing on rear for modular attachment
  • Compatible with MOLLE Sticks & MOHL-Air adapter for loop panel attachment
  • Includes 2 one-wrap hook & loop anchors for gear retention
  • Materials:
    • 1,000-D Cordura® fabric with water-repellent DuPont® Teflon® fabric protector
    • Hi-visibility, lightweight & moisture resistant 210-D Ripstop nylon interior
    • Durable & abrasion resistant RC-Class YKK® #8 zippers, reversed for protection
    • Circular user-friendly paracord zipper loops
    • High tensile strength nylon webbing and binding tapes
    • Finished with high tensile strength bonded nylon thread
  • More Info: Vanquest Gear

Vanquest FTIM-SLIM: Fast-Totally-Integrated Maximizer:

  • Net Weight: 5.0 oz | 141.7 gram
  • Size: 7” (H) x 6” (W) x 2.5” (D)
  • One external and two internal storage pockets with 22 elastic webbing slots
  • Staggered and off-set stitching on elastic webbing reduces unusable space
  • Grab handle eases hand carry and removing from pockets
  • Internal 3.5” keychain fob and 1” paracord attachment loop
  • 2” (H) x 4” (W) ID/Morale patch loop panel on front
  • MOLLE/PALS webbing on rear for modular attachment
  • Compatible with MOLLE Sticks and MOHL Adapter Panel for loop panel attachment
  • Materials:
    • 1,000-D Military grade Cordura® fabric with water-repellent Teflon® fabric protector by DuPont®
    • Subdued Hi-visibility, lightweight & moisture resistant 210-D Ripstop nylon interior.
    • Durable & abrasion resistant RC-Class YKK® #8 zippers, reversed for protection.
    • User-friendly circular zipper loops made from Gladding’s 550 lb. tensile strength paracord (MADE-IN-USA)
    • High tensile strength nylon webbings and binding tapes
    • Finished with high tensile strength bonded nylon thread
  • More Info: Vanquest Gear

Vanquest FATPack 4X6 (Gen-2) – First Aid Trauma Pack:

  • NEW: Three internal elastic webbing bands with two slots for cylindrical items (ex. Epipen, tube)
  • NEW: Two external elastic slots for attaching tourniquet or shears (per side)
  • NEW: Formed grab handle for fast opening with removable red ‘medical’ indicator
  • NEW: Bottom pull tabs for easier closure
  • Size: 6″ (H) x 4.5″ (W) x 3″ (D)
  • Weight: 4.2 ounces
  • Four internal high-vis ripstop storage pockets
  • User-configurable storage ladder with shock cord retention.
  • 2” (H) x 3” (W) ID/Blood type loop patch panel on front.
  • MOLLE/PALS webbing on rear for modular attachment.
  • Compatible with MOLLE Sticks & MOHL-Air adapter for loop panel attachment.
  • Includes 2 one-wrap hook & loop anchors for gear retention.
  • Materials:
    • 1,000-D Cordura® fabric with water-repellent DuPont® Teflon® fabric protector.
    • Hi-visibility, lightweight & moisture resistant 210-D Ripstop nylon interior.
    • Durable & abrasion resistant RC-Class YKK® #8 zippers, reversed for protection.
    • Circular user-friendly paracord zipper loops.
    • High tensile strength nylon webbings and binding tapes.
    • Finished with high tensile strength bonded nylon thread.
  • More Info: Vanquest Gear

Vanquest FTIM-HUSKY: Fast-Totally-Integrated Maximizer:

  • Net Weight: 5.0 oz | 141.7 gram
  • Size: 8.5” (H) x 6.5” (W) x 2.5” (D)
  • One external and two internal storage pockets with 22 elastic webbing slots
  • Staggered and off-set stitching on elastic webbing reduces unusable space
  • Grab handle eases hand carry and removing from pockets
  • Internal 3.5” keychain fob and 1” paracord attachment loop
  • 2” (H) x 4” (W) ID/Morale patch loop panel on front
  • MOLLE/PALS webbing on rear for modular attachment
  • Compatible with MOLLE Sticks and MOHL Adapter Panel for loop panel attachment
  • Materials:
    • 1,000-D Military grade Cordura® fabric with water-repellent Teflon® fabric protector by DuPont®
    • Subdued Hi-visibility, lightweight & moisture resistant 210-D Ripstop nylon interior.
    • Durable & abrasion resistant RC-Class YKK® #8 zippers, reversed for protection.
    • User-friendly circular zipper loops made from Gladding’s 550 lb. tensile strength paracord (MADE-IN-USA)
    • High tensile strength nylon webbings and binding tapes
    • Finished with high tensile strength bonded nylon thread
  • More Info: Vanquest Gear