Feast your eyes on this…
Blue Force Gear has released a limited quantity of these Woodland Camo Tracer Packs and they are available to order right now. If you know anything about these limited releases from Blue Force Gear, you know they tend to go quickly.
Before I dive into this review of the Blue Force Gear Tracer Pack, I should give some context for my time with Blue Force Gear Dap Packs. I have been using their packs going all the way back before 2012 in their original line of Dapper compatible packs. I still have and use a Micro Dap Pack and Skye Dap Pack.
In the intervening years, Blue Force Gear discontinued their packs with the larger models being the first to go. They continued making their hook backed pouches in the Dapper line until the recent reintroduction of the Dap pack line to include the redesigned Jedburgh and finally, a new large Dap Pack, the all new Tracer.
The full panel loading Tracer Pack was designed to be an EDC/Travel/Office pack with a heavy dose of tactical stirred into the mix. The exterior appearance is fairly “low profile” though it does have a loop field and MOLLE compatible panel.
The straps are straight and thin but well padded. The rear of the pack is stiffened with a thin HDPE frame sheet so the pack holds its shape under a load and items don’t dig into your back.
It weighs in at 2.5 pounds and has 36 liters of capacity. That capacity is spread over the large main compartment with laptop sleeve, a front admin pouch, and a top stash pouch.
The Tracer Pack also feature distinctive and easy to grasp rubber zipper pulls. A very comfortable and grippy grab handle that is textured rubber over webbing so it is bull strong and two tweave water bottle pockets.
The interior back of the main compartment is completely lined for use with Dappers. The interior front of the main compartment is mostly lined as is the back of the front admin pouch.
The Tracer Pack has been serving as my travel and EDC pack for almost 3 months now. That includes 2 full cross-country trips via air. It still looks mostly new which is not a surprise given how BFG builds these packs. The quality is excellent with great materials and attention to detail.
There is a lot to like in this pack. I especially like BFG’s use of tweave material. The water bottle pockets are excellent. They are deep and tightly retain bottles up to 32 ounce Nalgene diameter. They thoughtfully tapered the opening so it is lower on one side which makes bottles easy to retrieve. BFG also backed the upper stash pocket with tweave which allows it to stretch a bit when stuffing with oversized items.
I also like the use of BFG’s MOLLEminus to reduce the visual signature of the MOLLE field on the front of the pack. Most people wouldn’t know that they were looking at which helps the pack blend in a bit.
The fact that this is a panel loader makes great sense. It gives the user the ability to fully line the main compartment with Dapper pouches and then lay the bag fully open to access each pouch. I tend to like packs without a ton of built in organization so Dap Packs suit me. I can add the organization features that I want, where I want them.
Perhaps the best thing about this pack is the Dap Pack concept itself. If you like a big, wide open bucket of a backpack, you can do that. If you are more of an everything in its place kind of guy, you can do that. The organization features are completely flexible. I should also note that the admin pocket is a perfect fit for BFG’s really excellent Admin Dapper of which I have several because they always seem to find a place in my hook and loop style backpacks.
I don’t normally rave about grab handles but I will in this case. The Tracer Pack’s grab handle is a thick rubber coated webbing with large bumps for texture. It is comfortable to carry even when the back is heavy. It doesn’t roll in your hand like tubular webbing or cut into your hand like flat webbing.
This pack has a very good laptop sleeve. It is easy to access and well stiffened which is nice because my laptop is often the heaviest thing in the bag and the stiffened back panel helps support that load.
There are a few things I wish were different. The shoulder straps are straight and simple which is not a bad thing in and of itself. They are padded enough to comfortable but they are mounted very close together. it would be nice if they were spaced apart just a bit more. As they are now, they can ride up onto the start of the wearer’s neck and they feel shorter than they actually are.
Additionally, I recommend end users remove the little metal BFG logo plaque on the shoulder strap. When you don a pack, you often slide your hands down the shoulder strap as your pull it on your shoulders. That metal plaque has diced up my hand a couple of times. It is easily removed and I only put it back on for pictures.
The Tracer Pack leverages Blue Force Gear’s already well proven and flexible Dapper system so it is extremely functional right our of the gate. The shoulder straps could be spaced just a bit further apart but the build quality is typical Blue Force Gear which is to say that it is great. The materials used for the pack are smart, unique, and functional. I also happen think it is probably the best looking Dap Pack yet.
If you have been awaiting the return of the larger Dap Packs, wait no longer.
You don’t have to wait until Black Friday to start saving at Blue Force Gear. Use code GREY2018 to save 25% through Wednesday, 11/21. This would be a great time to pick up a new Tracer Pack or get a deal on a Vickers Sling!
Blue Force Gear has previewed the latest DAP Pack, the Tracer, at various trade shows and now it is available to purchase. This pack is aimed squarely at the EDC market with the features, functions, and military grade durability for which the Dapper compatible DAP packs are known.
The latest in the DAP Pack line – the Tracer™ Pack is a full featured, Dapper™ compatible EDC (Every Day Carry) pack that is perfectly suited in the car, at the office, in class, or in the back of an MRAP. The Tracer Pack allows you to carry all your essentials with the pack as it is or enhanced with the modular Dapper pouch system.
Starting with the outside – the Tracer is slightly bigger than the Jedburgh™ pack. Keeping with the Jedburgh styling – a fully MOLLE compatible panel is on the main front pocket, but unlike traditional MOLLE – the MOLLEminus panel looks like a style element typical in modern packs but can be quickly used for additional MOLLE pouches or a Trauma Kit NOW!™ The inside of the pocket is loop lined and can be used with DAP Loops or other smaller Dappers.
On either side of the main pocket are two water bottle pockets constructed of Tweave – a durable 4-way stretch fabric used on our PLATEminus™ armor carriers or more commonly seen in football jerseys for its lightweight strength.
Towards the top is a zippered pocket for quick access items – perfect for going through security lines at the airport! This area of the bag usually has less stress or impact from the contents of the pack.
The main compartment features an integral padded laptop sleeve on the back capable of holding most 15” or smaller laptops. The laptop sleeve, the sides, and the front flap are all loop lined to mount various Dappers that are available for purchase separately. This allows you to add pouches and other Dappers to keep your gear organized securly and can be quickly removed or swapped with other Dappers.
The bottom of the pack features a double layer of ULTRAcomp® – a high-performance laminate that provides superior wear and water resistance over other materials – the same battle-proven material used on armor carriers, magazine pouches, and gear pouches worn by the nation’s finest warriors.
As with all Blue Force Gear products, the Tracer Pack is made in the USA with excellence and carries a limited lifetime warranty.
***Tracer Pack for sale only. Additional items not included***
Blue Force Gear will release a new pack in their DAP line up called the Tracer. You can help decide which colors will be offered (and receive a 10% off coupon) by voting in their survey: Tracer Color Survey
The Tracer was built based on feedback from the currently available Jedburgh Pack. It is larger than the Jedburgh with more internal volume. You can see a short video preview below.
