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Some people carry a phone, keys and a wallet and call it a day. Others want a flashlight, a multi tool, a notebook, a charger, a water bottle and a snack within reach at all times. The Maxpedition Fatboy Versipack was made for the second group. It is a compact shoulder pack that looks small from the outside and opens up into a surprisingly organized interior.
Who makes it
Maxpedition was founded in 2003 in Los Angeles, California. The company says it took the design ideas behind military Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE) gear and adapted them for everyday life. Its bags and pouches became popular with people who want sturdy, well organized kit, from outdoor enthusiasts to emergency preparedness buyers.
Maxpedition later expanded with newer lines, but the Versipack family remains one of its best known designs, and the Fatboy is where that family began.
What it is
Maxpedition calls the Fatboy the first Versipack. It is a side pack worn on a single shoulder strap, with a waist strap that keeps it from swinging. The idea is a portable organizer: lots of dedicated pockets in a small footprint, so every item has a home.
Here are the key specs listed by the maker:
- Overall size: 14 x 6 x 14 inches, including the strap base
- Total volume: 7.4 liters
- Weight: 1.3 pounds
- Main compartment with front, rear and side mesh pockets inside
- Front closure flap with a 1 inch quick release buckle and a loop field for patches
- Two zippered front pockets plus slip pockets inside and out
- A zippered side pouch and a sheath pocket for a flashlight or tool
- A 2 x 1.5 x 5 inch phone pouch with a buckle closure and pen loop on the strap base
- Three loops of Pouch Attachment Ladder System (PALS) webbing for adding other Maxpedition pouches
- Paracord cinch storm collar to help keep contents out of the weather
- Concealed zippered rear compartment
- Shoulder strap of 2 inch webbing, adjustable from 33 to 48 inches, with a quick release buckle and nonslip pad
Why it is cool
The Fatboy feels like a tool box you can wear. Instead of dropping everything into one big pocket, you can give your flashlight its own sleeve, your pen its own loop and your phone its own pouch right on the strap. That pouch is a smart touch, since it keeps your phone at chest height where you can reach it without swinging the bag around.
The storm collar is another thoughtful detail. Cinch it closed and the top of the main compartment is better protected from rain and dust. Add the PALS webbing and you can expand the bag with extra pouches when a trip calls for more.
It also has a strong, utilitarian look. The heavy webbing, buckles and patch panel give it a rugged character that suits outdoor trips, travel days and city carry alike.
How to use it
Start by deciding what you reach for most. Put those items in the phone pouch and the front pockets, and save the main compartment for bigger things like a small water bottle, a jacket layer or a book. Use the side sheath for a flashlight or multi tool so it is always in the same place.
Adjust the shoulder strap so the pack sits snugly against your back or side, then clip the waist strap for activities like hiking or cycling. Once you have the strap set, the Fatboy can swing around to the front when you need something and slide back again when you are moving.
Care
Empty the pack from time to time and shake out dust and grit. Spot clean the fabric with a soft brush, mild soap and cool water, then let it air dry away from direct heat. Check the buckles and zippers after rough trips, and brush dirt out of the zipper teeth so they keep running smoothly.
Who it is for
The Fatboy Versipack is for people who like to carry a well stocked kit without hauling a full backpack. It suits travelers, hikers, photographers with small gear and anyone who enjoys an organized everyday carry. If you prefer a minimal setup, a slimmer sling may be enough, but if your pockets are always overflowing, this is a classic answer.
Fatboy Versipack at Maxpedition
Maxpedition Fatboy Versipack
Maxpedition Fatboy Versipack in Green
Looking at other ways to carry? Check out the KAVU Rope Bag, the Chrome Kadet sling, the Tom Bihn Synapse 25 and our list of everyday carry essentials. For more, visit our everyday carry hub.
