The backpack is comfortable and has ample strap adjustment for heavy coats and big frames.
A Wall Street broker has an attaché, tech folks carry a laptop bag, everyone in the airport has a bag of some type and us waterfowl hunters have our blind bag. I hunted one day with a friend that forgot his gun. Afterward, we developed what we called the early morning trilogy of hunting: gun, waders, and blind bag. It is something we cannot do without and it carries the essentials for a good day in the marsh, field or blind.
I am no different than the next hunter in that I always look for something to make my hunt better. My old blind bag was wearing out and I was glad when I got my hands on the new Old School Camo Blind Bag offered by Lifetime Decoys.
- This blind bag can be carried like a backpack or a traditional over the shoulder bag.
- Water-resistant design
- Floating blind bag
- Infinitely adjustable dividers allow the user to customize their bag.
- Hard marsh bottom
- Dimensions: 18W x 9D x 10H
- 17 compartments
- 2 adjustable padded straps
The bag comes with straps and interior dividers.
From my perspective, there is more to the bag then listed above, so let me break it down. First impressions mean a lot. I will start by saying there is a ton of space, hidden pockets, and zipped compartments all over. I counted six internal zippers and six external water resistant zippers. The bag has a water-resistant bottom and is sturdy enough to stand up without collapsing under its own weight. It will float too. I love the large handle at the top capable of sliding in a gloved hand with little effort. The outer cover opens with two front quick release buckles in front. Two more buckles are available to provide extra security on both sides. Under the outer cover, the bag interior opens with a large ¾” zipper. Under the top cover, is a full-length zippered pocket for sliding in a small thermos, maybe a pair of gloves or even a bottle of water? Getting almost 18” of space in the slide pocket also gives you the opportunity to put items you want quick access to without opening the bag.
The handle has a heavy-duty rubber grip cover.
The inner cover is added security and durability.
You can store and quickly access items without opening the cover.
Side pockets with water-resistant zippers are on both sides and have interior zippered pockets for securing loose items and security clips. Again quick access to anything. Once the cover opens, a large water-resistant zippered pouch is accessible in front with two more large pouches on the exterior front of the bag. In total, four large packets are available to store items outside the interior of the bag, a large water-resistant zipper across the back of the bag, and a mesh zippered pouch under the top cover gives an incredible amount of storage space without even accessing the interior of the bag.
Both side pockets have a clip to secure items like keys and a zippered pocket.
Having a water resistant pocket this large on the back side is just good design.
The idea that this bag carries in two configurations: as a backpack or shoulder bag is cool. By the time you get a bag of decoys over one shoulder and your shotgun over the other, having the option of putting the bag on your backside is a real creative ergonomic idea. I have to add that you can still shoot with the back on so standing in flooded timber or in a place where you cannot drop your bag, the backpack gives you the flexibility to shoot. The shoulder strap construction is durable with steel clips locking to ensure the bag straps stay in place and pads to protect your shoulders.
The shoulder strap is expandable or you can use both straps for a larger strap opening.
There are nine “D” rings located on the bag for clipping things like decoy carabineers, lanyards, or even a way to secure the bag from falling off a boat or out of a truck. The rings also secure the shoulder straps. Each zipper includes a rubber covered pull.
The “D” rings are powder-coated steel.
All the zippers work easily and those on the outside are water-resistant with extended rubber pulls.
The interior of the bag is really your own creation. Four dividers provide a way to separate your items in just about any arrangement. Each divider has Velcro to adhere to multiple locations within the bag. I really like the depth of the bag and as you can see, I can store two boxes of shells, calls, sunglasses, gloves, binoculars, a headlamp, and even my coffee thermos. The underside of the outer cover has a mesh compartment for goodies like snacks and small items you want to know are there with a quick glance.
You configure the interior and benefit from items being in a stable environment.
Packed full and still room in the outside pockets.
One thing the Lifetime Old School Camo bag does not have are shell holders. I can tell you and most will have experienced that shells left in those holders corrode. There are plenty of pouches to stuff extra shells and with all the room inside keeping an open box of shells is not a problem.
Overall, the waterproof Cordura material, water-resistant zippers, ample pockets and pouches, the shoulder straps and backpack straps make this one heck of a shell-plus-bag for any waterfowl hunter. I have used other bags and I can see this new innovative design as something that will catch the eye of all my hunting friends.
For more information visit Lifetime Decoys! website.