REVIEW: Maxpedition Versipack "Thermite"

Handbag is for ladies. As a sophisticated man who wants to have his things with him, you need a different solution. We recommend the Versipack "Thermite" from Maxpedition. It is designed as a thigh bag and can be worn on both the right and left sides. It securely holds in place with the removable fixation strap. Without the strap (even though the straps may twist a bit), it can also be used as a shoulder bag. The Maxpedition Versipack "Thermite" weighs about 420g.

It consists of the following compartments:

- Main compartment with integrated flat pocket for notes, cards, IDs, closed with drawstring, fully closed with buckle.

- Attached compartment for PDA, GPS, or other small items, closed with a zipper.

- Another flat compartment on top, for IDs, cards, notepad, memory cards, closed by the lid of the main compartment.

- Two attached pockets for mobile phone, also perfect for pistol magazines, closed with adjustable velcro straps.

- Also a flat compartment in the back wall, closed by a coarse zipper.

As you can see, the bag has many "flat" pockets. These are really only suitable for small items, IDs, or notepads. I effectively use only the main compartment, the attached PDA pocket, and the two side "magazine pockets."

The Versipack seems to be designed to transport a canteen and two pistol magazines on the thigh, which it does extremely well. I usually have a flashlight, GPS, and phone in the small pockets and a canteen in the main compartment. Also, the adjustability of the attached side pockets, through velcro - even inside - makes it easy to adjust the length of the velcro strap if you need to accommodate an M9 magazine instead of the phone. Access to the main compartment is gained by opening the lid, which is closed with a buckle. Underneath is a drawstring that neatly closes the canteen pocket.

The zippers are YKK in light and heavy versions. The hip belt is made of 50mm webbing and is too long even for tall people, so it usually needs to be sewn off. In general, it can be adjusted in length by two belt adjusters.

The fixation on the thigh is done via a webbing strap closed with a buckle and containing an elastic band, so the bag sits comfortably on the thigh, doesn't slip, and hardly restricts movement. This strap can also be detached via a velcro strap, allowing the "Thermite" to be used as a shoulder bag.

All seams, even though they are single stitched, are sturdy and durable, even after two years of continuous use, no seam has come undone. The outer material is robust nylon, comparable to 500D Cordura.

On the webbing of the buckle for the main compartment, there is also a D-ring attached, allowing for easy handling even with gloves when tightening the strap, and if desired, you can also attach something here.

CONCLUSION: We have regularly used the Thermite on hiking trips, at the construction site, and on bike/quad tours. The ability to quickly access the water bottle and GPS is really great, and it doesn't interfere with a backpack you may be wearing. As a photographer, I especially appreciate the ability to have 2 pistol magazines and the water bottle with me, as well as a holster that I attach to the hip belt, so I only need to grab it next to my camera equipment and be ready for team use. There are also some replicas of the bag from Be-X, MFH, MIL-Tech, Blackhawk, and Eagle Industries available on the market, which may have different details, such as no fixed hip belt, designed purely for attachment to a belt.

The "Maxpedition Versipack Thermite, khaki, 2.4 liters, 0401" is available for around 70 euros.

Special thanks to Barthel for this review.