Here is my review about the Hazard 4 Tonto, the concealed carry mini messenger bag. I was looking for a smaller edc bad as my Maxpedition Mongo, so I ordered the Tonto. My first impression is very good, the look & feel ist not as good as the maxpedition one, but still very good. The price is 83,25€ and I think it is fair.After unpacking I was wondering that the Tonto has many more features as mentioned on the website. Let’s start with an overview:

Overview

On the flap is a big loop panel for patches (12,5 x 7,5cm). The bag can be closed with a 50mm, lockable, buckle. On the top is a zipper pocket with an internal loop field for the holster or other inserts and a sleeve pocket (18,5 x 15cm), closed with hook and loop. Inside the flap is another sleeve pocket (18 x 23cm).

If you throw the flap behind the bag you can use a MOLLE loop area with 4 rows and 4 channels for additional pouches that are protected/covered if the flap is closed. The second line is double layered with a 50mm band, similar to the maxpedition solution to add pouches with bigger closure than malice clips or so. But Hazard 4 made a mistake, the bar tacked seam is sewn through the back material. So you can’t use bigger things than malice clips. On the side MOLLE field they don’t make this mistake….

On the right side is a second MOLLE area for additional pouches. 3 rows, 2 channels. Between the first and second row is a sleeve pocket (7,5 x 11,5cm).

On the left is a 2-way zipper pocket (8 x 17cm) with an internal sleeve pocket. Ideal for sunglasses cases, cans, GPS, PMR.

Another sleeve pocket is on the back (17 x 21cm). To fix the bag on a belt you can use the belt-loop on the back. If you wear it with the flap behind the bag, on the inner side of the flap is another belt-loop.

The shoulder strap can be maximized to 132cm length and can be fixed on 2 d-rings on the flap or on the main body. A bit short for people over 1,90m height. The padding is comfortable. On the top of the flap is a comfortable grab handle.

The main compartment is fully padded and has to loop lines in the back for holsters etc, two sleeve pockets left and right and a padded divider that is fixed on the frontside.

Between the main compartment and the loop area is an organizer that can be fold out. On the back are different pockets for pens, knifes, lights, tools, cameras, books etc and on the front is a clear map case (18x18cm).

My setup for geocaching

The main reason to buy the Tonto was to use it for urban geocaching tours. For this is my Mongo to big. The tonto has the optimal size. You can take all the stuff you need. Papers, maps, Pen, tool, GPS, PMR, water, small first aid kit, wallet etc. I use an Apple iPod Touch for paperless caching, so I’ve added a Clip-On PDA Phone Holster on the shoulder strap. On the MOLLE area I’ve added a surgical glove pouch, a strobe pouch and another PDA Holster for my blackberry.

Have a look:

If you have some ideas for a better setup / combination leave a comment.

Wearing pics

Summary

The Hazard 4 Tonto is a great bag. Bigger than expected but small enough for my needs. The quality ist not as good as maxpeditions one, but very good. The pouch allocation is very smart and useful. Things that are needed very fast can be stored in the upper flap pouch, more stuff on the MOLLE area and the other things in the main compartment. If you need permanent access to the MOLLE area you can fix the flap behind the pouch. Great idea!

The thing with bar tacked MOLLE loops on the 50mm band….nothing is perfect.

One thing I miss….a slot for a pen on the outside for fast access while geocaching…