When you load up your gear for a trip to the range, you have lots of options. You can toss everything in a brown paper grocery sack, stow your stuff in the backpack you take to work every day, or pick up a bag at a big box store that will get the job done. All three will get your gear to and from the range in various states of organization and repair. Then again, should you want something that’s painstakingly conceived, purpose-built, and amazingly well executed to be the ideal tool for the job, there’s the Vertx B Range Bag.
Vertx says their medium-sized B Range Bag was “made in collaboration with professional firearms instructors.” I don’t know who they talked to, but the company got a lot of good advice. The bag’s extremely well designed and shows a level of quality construction you simply don’t see in competing gear. The best adjective to describe the quality of construction here: over-built.
The main compartment features a Velcro-lined compartment large enough for two full-sized duty pistols. If you want to keep them from clanking into each other, you can easily add a Velcro-backed soft holster (Vertx has their own line of “Tactigami” gear), but other similar products will work, too).
There’s plenty of room in the top compartment for your eyes, ears, and other gear.
Down below is a cleverly designed slide-out ammo caddy. It separates to give you a lightweight mesh tray that’s perfect for holding the brass or shells you’ve picked up while letting dirt and other schmutz fall through before you stow it back in the bag for the trip home.
There are two smaller zippered compartments on each end for gear like ear plugs, choke tubes, a multi-tool…whatever. Vertx has also added a slim pocket on top of the main compartment flap to stow your keys (with a hook to secure them) for quick access without having to dig down into the bag itself to find them.
An added feature of the B Range Bag, as well as Vertx’s larger A Range Bag — click here for Nick’s review of that one — is a six-compartment ammo caddy. Oh, and there’s also an integrated steel cable that’s perfect for thwarting smash-and-grab thieves or ensuring your stuff doesn’t walk away from the range if left unattended.
I could go on about the bag’s features, but Vertx has produced this video which accomplishes the same thing much more efficiently.
Ultimately though, this a range bag, though likely the best one of its size on the market. You’ll probably hand it down to your grandchildren. The only downside is that all the thought, design work, and top-notch construction that goes into the B Range Bag comes at a price. The MSRP is $159 with the bag widely available for $149. Is it worth it? We report, you decide.
Specifications: Vertx B Range Bag
Construction: Cordura nylon, YKK zippers, steel security cable, Velcro where needed
Size: 10″ H x 13″ W x 8″ D
Capacity: 15 liters
Weight: 3 lbs, 13.2 oz.
Color: Black or Smoke Grey
MSRP: $159 ($149 street)
Ratings (out of five stars):
Design: * * * * *
It’s hard to think of a design feature this bag doesn’t have…or could have done better. If it’s smaller than you need, that’s why Vertx makes the larger A Range Bag. Both are thoughtfully conceived and surprisingly well executed.
Build Quality: * * * * *
You simply won’t find a better-built bag. Everything from the materials to the workmanship is absolutely first rate.
Value: * * *
As the first commenter to hit the enter button will no doubt point out, you can buy three or four range bags at Wally World for what the B Range Bag will run you. Then again, none of them will be in the same league with this one in terms of design or construction.
Overall: * * * *
One star off for that price tag, but this is the best-made bag on the market, hands down. Vertx has thought of everything here. If you need a range bag and this one’s in your price range, don’t bother looking any further.