For the trip out to SHOT Show I opted for the grown up approach of actually checking a bag. I try to skate by with just a carry-on. It’s the minimalist in me, or just my overwhelming disdain for having to wait for checked luggage.

Either way, I packed a bag, but not just any bag. I rolled out with one of 5.11’s SOMS 3.0 126L giant roller duffel smuggle-a-small-child into SHOT Show bags. This is just the second time I’ve used it after having gotten it from 5.11 for a hunting trip…and I love this thing. 5-Stars, highly recommend.

Of course, it naturally got me thinking about what other bags might be making their debut at SHOT. With a torrent of press releases in my inbox it wasn’t hard to make a quick list. This being SHOT Show and all, it goes without saying that these companies are not remotely near each other on the show floor, so I managed to get in a quick 30,000 steps while hitting all three major sections of the overall floor plan.

So, without further ado…

5.11

Yeah, I kinda had to start with the people that helped get me – or I should say my clothes – here. New at SHOT is a three bag Range Ready Bag Collection which expands on their partnership with Sig Sauer.

Full disclosure, when I reached out to 5.11 to see if they had anything new planned they sent one of the bags from the collection. The Range Ready Backpack retails for $175 and is designed for hauling guns, ammo and gear to the range. In my case, it’s hauling an iPad, power banks, charging cords, a full body Nikon and two lenses, and more.

It has a main compartment designed with a divider that you can swing up into position creating two internal compartments. Think guns and boxes of ammo in the lower section and eyes, ears, shot timers and such in the top. As a SHOT Show bag it definitely works, but it’s heavy. This is either due to the weight of the crap I am carrying around, or the fact that I have become a lightweight. Humor me and say it’s too much gear.

I will absolutely be using this for trips to the range when I get home. As for the other two bags, they are the Range Ready Trainer Bag ($150) and the Range Ready Pro ($110). Think large competition range bag when you see the Trainer. It’s got room to spare and comes with removable dividers and an internal quick access elastic mag and accessory panel.

The Pro is the compact bag of the three but it’s not a small, small bag. It features a full clamshell front zippered pocket, main compartment, removable dividers, MOLLE panels, and a top grab handle and padded shoulder strap, natch.

If the Backpack is any indication, the bags are really well built. Oh, and they’re branded with the Sig Sauer logo. Fanboys rejoice!

Mission First Tactical

The new ACHRO Storage Case is a small do-all kind of bag that measures 9.5"x4.5"x4" and retails for $29.99. Use it for range tools, a shaving kit, ammo (500 rounds of 9mm), cord management, or whatever you can dream up.

It’s made from 1000D Nylon Kodra Carbonate materials with a YKK AquaGuard zipper. It may no stop traffic with its subdued design but it will deliver the mail when it comes to its utilitarian application. One of these might find its way into that huge 5.11 travel bag of mine.

ALPS Outdoors

ALPS came out with their new Refuge Duffels. There are three models – 40L, 75L and 110L - and two color options, Olive or Tan. The duffles are made from a PVC material that makes them water resistant, though not waterproof. They feature removable shoulder straps, heavy-duty zippers, and grab handles.

These spacious bags have a huge main compartment and oversized end pockets for storing boots and other gear separate from the rest of whatever you plan on lugging around.

Eberlestock

I’m pretty sure most people know that Eberlestock makes pretty nice bags. And, yes, that’s an understatement. But since I’m not among the cool kids who owns any of their gear, I had to rely on Tanner from Eberlestock to walk me through their two newest bags, both of which will be available his Fall.

The Overwatch Sniper Pack (below left) is exactly as the name implies. Designed for weapons carry, the Overwatch has a patent-pending scabbard design for secure storage of your firearm in a muzzle up position. It has a overall capacity of 2,610 cubic inches and weight in at 6 lbs. 4 oz.

The Recce Ruck, like the Overwatch, is made for the military customer. It weighs 3 lbs. 5 oz. and has a total capacity of 4,825 cubic inches. The pack features a roll-top and front zipper opening to the main compartment which has a partitioning divider. It also has a sleep system zipper opening, is coms capable with an antenna zipper and MOLLE inside for radio pouches. It includes the top lid and exterior pouches for quick access.

Both will be available in Military Green, Dry Earth and Camo. While the MSRP has yet to be finalized, Tanner was enthusiastically encouraging me to get the Recce Ruck for recreational rucking. I hate Tanner.

Mountainsmith

A lot of people are familiar with the Mountainsmith brand in the hiking and camping market. This year at SHOT they are showcasing their EVO Series which includes many of their most popular products in colorways and patterns for the hunting and shooting market.

Their MOD Hauler EVO is (seen here in Multicam nut also available in Black Multicam) will have a retail price of $149.95. That includes 3 color-coded organizing cubes, each 26L in capacity. Overall the unit will have a 76L capacity. They described it to me as a bag to haul your gear from the garage to the car. All I heard was a bag to haul your gear to the range. This could be a very popular item with shooters.

Included in the EVO Series are Mountainsmith’s Coolers. These aren’t super insulated keeps-ice-from-melting coolers. These are more like insulated lunchboxes, with capacities measured in units of, well, beer. The Cooler Cube holds 24 cans or 12 bottles. The Sixer holds 12 cans or 6 bottles. And The Takeout holds six bottles, or use it as a “robust lunch box.”

These range in price from $64.95 to $36.95 depending on size and color. And as for colorways, they are available in Multicam, Blaze Orange, Light Sand, Frost Blue, Cedar Green and Lichen Green. If it were me, I’d go with the Blaze Orange option for easy visibility, plus it looked great.

Nite Ize

Nite Ize has some great items for those looking to go from water-resistant to waterproof. Their Run Off series features their patented TRU Zip zipper design. What’s that you ask? TRU Zip is “the first-ever sliding, dustproof and waterproof (rated IP67), airtight, leakproof, toothless, silent, self-healing complete zipper assembly on the market,” according to their website. And it’s pretty cool.

While Nite Ize has several products featuring TRU Zip, there are many more from brands that have partnered with Nite Ize to utilize their zipper tech, such as Sitka, Simms, Camelback and more.

Nite Ize’s two newest products in the Run Off series are a 3L Waist Pack and a 12L Backpack. The Waist Pack is submersible, and floatable and holds, protects, and provides easy, touchscreen-friendly access to your phone and gear on the water. The Backpack is much the same but only larger with adjustable shoulder straps.

Because they are IP67 rated these will protect your gear even when submerged in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. Nite Ize has a phone case, wallet, travel pouch, packing cube and more in the Run Off series. If rain is the bane of your gear’s existence, then Nite Ize has just what you need.

First Tactical

The Crosshatch Sling Pack is a 19L cross body pack. It’s not new this year, or last year, or any year after 2014 or 2015. So, why is it included on this list? Because I prefer a crossbody pack and I need to get a new one for the next time I have a trade show to attend.

I grilled Andrew Bean in the First Tactical booth, rapid firing questions at him that probably left him with SHOT Show PTSD. But he handled my frenzy like a champ, and ran through the specs like a boss.

The pack is set up for left or right cross-body carrying. It’s constructed with 1000D tough nylon with repositionable compression straps, and – I love this part – hook/look interior organization. I threw my iPad in it and had room to spare. Based on the 9” L x 17.5” W x 6” D main compartment dimensions, it should accommodate a 13” MacBook as well.

It has 4 external pockets and 3 internal, 10mm close cell foam, YKK zippers and Duraflex hardware. It retails for $99 and comes in four colorways: Black, OD Green, Coyote and Wolf Grey.

The entire back of the main compartment is a hook/loop organization platform, so adding cable management bags and the like should be a breeze. Even more so considering First Tactical offers an assortment of pouches to choose from.

The website says, “this will quickly become your favorite sling pack.” Sounds like truth in advertising to me. Oh, and one more thing…when you swing the bag to the front of the body your can ergonomically access the CCW pocket position.

I’d probably just keep business cards and snack – lots of snacks – in that pocket during a trade show.

– Paul Erhardt, Managing Editor, the Outdoor Wire Digital Network