Direct Action Dragon Egg Mk2 Backpack

Direct Action produces a wide range of equipment and apparel that’s aimed at providing a complete ‘system’ for the armed forces. This means that their products must satisfy the military standards, resulting in great quality gear being available to us civilians.

All the info
The 25 litre Direct Action Dragon Egg Mk2 Backpack on test is made of very durable and water-resistant 500D Cordura material, and it incorporates quality YKK zips and Duraflex buckles.
The padded hydration bladder compartment has a small loop at the top, secured with a plastic buckle, to suspend the bladder and stop it from slumping to the bottom of the pack. This also makes an ideal space to carry targets and keep them flat.
The main compartment is large and accessible via a double zip with extended pulls. There is also a large elasticated pocket on the back and a smaller mesh pocket with a zip located on the inside of the front flap. Another loop at the top, like the one in the hydration bladder compartment, means you can hang the bladder in this compartment instead if you wish. The open design allows you to stow all of your gear with plenty of room for larger items.
The dedicated eyewear pocket on the front of the pack has a soft lining to protect lenses and a single zip closure. Lower down there is a particularly large admin compartment, which is really well equipped. There are two large, bellowed pockets, one with a flap closure and one closed with an elasticated cord. Both are secured with Velcro and are ideal for an iPhone. They sit on the front of an open pocket and behind that there is a mesh pocket with a zip, plus three pen slots. Further back there is an open pocket that’s ideal for documents and a small carabiner-style clip to secure a keyring. There is also a mesh pocket with a zip on the inside of the front flap.

What else?
On either side of the pack, there are partially elasticated pockets that are ideal for carrying water bottles. These are quickly and easily accessed. On the front, there is a laser-cut MOLLE/PALS compatible attachment system, and there is some daisy-chain webbing up either side. The chunky carry handle up top is made up of two, 2.5m lengths of paracord. This is attached to the bag via two plastic D-rings and there are a further two D-rings that can be used to attach other items. 
The shoulder straps and the back of the pack are well padded and shaped for a comfortable carry, with a chest strap and removable hip belt to keep the bag in place. Compression straps on the sides of the pack help keep the contents secure. A further pair, on the underside, allow you to attach a shooting mat or additional clothing.

Conclusion
Overall, this high-quality bag is a great choice for holding everything you need safely and securely. Reasonably priced and available in a range of colours, it is well worth investing in.