Hey guys, we're finally ready to unveil our latest bag that we have been working all out on. We are calling it the Koala, and it definately lives up to our Modular and Multifunctional theme that we strive for in our gear. The pics I will post are of my pre-production prototype, which is about 99% finished. We don't have a release date yet, but it will be in the very near future. You guys probably know the drill by now, but there is pricing to be done, the web page and shopping cart have to be constructed, and the sewers getting dialed in for production of another new product.
I want to talk about the development history of the Koala. The idea or concept for the Koala, actually came from our message board member Evanhill. He envisioned a pouch carried on the chest that you could easily and quickly access a handgun from. He sent Patrick a pouch he had sewn up that he was using, so we could take a look at it, and decide if it was something we wanted to pursue. We thought the concept definately had merit, so we started working on the first prototype for testing. It wasn't long into the development stage that we realized this bag could have multiple uses. After many prototypes, and getting all the bugs ironed out, we finally had our Koala!
The name came from the Koala of course, whose young live in a pouch on the mother for the first 6 months. It is where they remain safe, secure, and hidden. Our Koala bag is kinda like that, where your handgun is kept safe, secure, and hidden. Not only that, but it is instantly accessable. Obviously, there is a bit of word play here: the furry little Koala can suddenly reveal fangs!
OK, now let's get on to the Koala features. It is based off the G2 Malice Claymore, with a handgun compartment in the rear, and the needed tab loops and such for multiple carry options. It initially was designed as a chest pouch with an X-Harness, but we quickly realized that it could be used in other carry modes quite effectively. We built it so all the hardware is removable, so there is no unnecessary hardware in the different carry modes. Here is a list of the carry options for the Koala:
-Chest carry with an X-Harness and belly strap.
-Shoulder carry with a shoulder sling or contoured shoulder strap.
-Backpack with shoulder straps and waist strap with a dual adjust buckle.
-Lumbar pack with new Omni/Lumbar waistbelt
-Chest carry with a backpack using our new Lift-Kit
-Malice clipped onto a pack
-Malice clipped onto armor or a plate carrier
As you can see from the list above, there will be many accessory options for the Koala. We are still working on what kits to offer, but every item will be available separately, even the bag itself.
I would like to talk about the features of the Koala, and how it functions. As you will see in the pics, the handgun compartment is in the rear, and has a full wrap zip opening. You DO NOT have to use the zipper pulls to open the compartment. It is designed to rip open with one pull on the rip-tab at the top corner. There are 4 zipper sliders, and they must be lined up with these rip-tabs at the top corners, 2 at each rip-tab. When you yank on this tab, one zipper slider goes down to the bottom of the pouch, and the other one runs across the top of the pouch, where it is stopped by the other 2 sliders, allowing instand access to the handgun. These sliders keep the pouch from opening all the way, no matter how much weight is in the Koala. So, it is one hand ripping open the pouch, and the other accessing the handgun in almost one motion. I don't believe there are any other bags out there where you can
access your handgun as quickly as you can with the Koala. We will have velcro holsters and mag carriers available for use in the fully velcro backed handgun compartment. If you're using the bag in the EDC mode, and can't or don't have a need for a handgun, this compartment will fit a 10" netbook no problem.
The main compartment is identical to the G2 Malice Claymore, except the pocket placements are reversed. Some other additions would be a zippered pocket on the outside front of the bag, removable compression straps, and a supplied Chamber Pocket.
We have developed some very useful accessories for the Koala. First is a new Omni/Lumbar waistbelt that Malice clips onto the back of the Koala. This is just like an Omni belt, but with a built in lumbar pad. The Delta straps on the waistbelt will come with split bar tension lock buckles to attach to the tab loops on the side of the bag.
Next, is our Lift-Kit, which is used when wearing the Koala with the X-Harness as a chest pouch, along with a pack. You attach the Lift-Kit straps to the lifter straps on your pack, and then click the other ends into the Koala. All you have to do then, is to pull up on the Lift-Kit straps, and all the Koala weight is taken off your chest and shoulders, and transferred to the pack stays. Basically, this allows the weight of the Koala to be carried on the hips along with the pack. You got to try it to believe it!
The last one (for now), is our new Lock n Load #11 pocket designed for exterior use. In testing, we found that the L&L #5 worked perfect on the front of the Koala. We then dedided to make a new version in 1000d Cordura so that all the color choices would be available, such as ACU and Multicam. We wanted to keep the price and weight down, so it is unlined, with all the seams taped. We also added webbing channels that allow you to run the Koala's compression straps through, with the buckles on the webbing. These channels allow the buckles to be more accessable when unclicked. The webbing channels were also designed to be able to work with the Tailgunner and Scout compression straps. The #11 will make a great pocket for the front of these packs also.
Finally, I want to talk about the uses of the Koala, which are almost endless. We believe the Koala will meet the needs for a broad spectrum of end users. For backpackers and hunters, the Koala when worn as a chest pouch along with a backpack, will allow easy access to all the items you need on the trail, without having to stop and get into your pack. It also gives you instant access to a handgun when confronted by critters with four legs or two. Also, with your handgun concealed, you will not alarm any folks you might run into on the trail. After dropping your pack, the Koala will work great for day hikes away from camp.
As mentioned above, the Koala will work well for day hikes, using the X-Harness for chest carry, the shoulder straps for backpack carry, or the Omni/Lumbar waistbelt for lumbar carry.
Fishermen, especially in Alaska, will like the Koala. Used as a chest pouch, you can work out of it for your fishing, and at the same time have a large caliber handgun instantly available for bears.
The Koala will make a great EDC bag for the guys not needing a larger bag to carry all their gear. When carried on the shoulder, you would not believe how fast you can access your handgun. Like I previously stated, if you don't carry a handgun, the rear compartment works great for a netbook. Also, we have included a slot pocket in the rear for airline tickets, passports, and such, for instant accessability and security.
For the Military/LEO guys, the Koala can be used in many ways, such as a Go Bag, or mounted on a plate carrier. You can run 4 mag pouches across the front PALS of the Koala.
I could keep going on about all the uses for the Koala, but let's get on to the photos. I will be putting up the photos over several posts. These first pics will show the bag itself.
Front of the bag.
Rear of the bag. There will be 5 rows of PALS.
Top of bag showing rip-tabs and carry handle.
Rear top showing sliders lined up with rip-tabs.
Close up of sliders and rip-tabs.
More pics coming.
Mel
New Koala!!!
Re: New Koala!!!
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