This is a review of the Hazard 4 Evac Watson bag. First of all, why did I get it? My go-to bags for EDC are the Hazard 4 Tonto (very minimal) and the Maxpedition Malaga (which I use to carry additional daily supplies.) The Tonto works well in most cases. However, there are times when I need to carry a few extra things. The little extras tend to be a little bulky and this is where the Malaga falls a little short. For my EDC, beyond the minimal set, the bag needs to have 5" inches in depth. The dimensions for the Malaga are suitable, except for the depth, which is only 4". [edit 2014/12/02] I had to learn how to pack in order to maximize the utility of the bag. First off, the administration pouch is (well) lacking. There aren't a lot of pockets for little items. So, things tend to move around. Solved that issue by getting a Spec Ops Pack Rat drop-in pouch. It is a little snug, but it solves the admin problem nicely. The added benefit is that can be moved from one bag to another very easily. If you use the pouch-in-a-bag method or packing, it may be beneficial to pack vertically instead of horizontally. It makes it easier to access items on the go. More importantly, it may be possible to put more stuff in the main compartment. Finally, the "iPad" pocket is bigger than you might think. I was about to order another bag in order to carry my MacBook Pro 13" Retina. On a lark, I tried to fit it into the "iPad" pouch. Fit like a glove. The best way to slide it in is from the side. The zippers will then slide easily and only need a little tug on the outer corner. This bag works great for my current work environment. [edit 2014/02/02] The Watson is a little taller (15 vs 13"), a little narrower (8.5 vs 9"), and a little deeper (5 vs 4") with respect to the Malaga. This gives the Watson approximately 169.5 more cubic inch capacity than the Malaga. Not a lot of difference, but my kit fits very comfortably in the Watson without bulging, like the Malaga. In some respects, the Watson can be viewed as a slighter larger version of the Malaga, which is what I wanted. However, it is better, because: a) it can easily carry an iPad in the enclosed back pouch when the bag is full; b) the "compression" strap on the back serves both to keep the iPad pouch from opening fully, and hold a thin jacket without getting in the way (unlike the Malaga); and the two side pouches can hold a 32 oz water bottle, extra kit, or even a Bullworker Steel very comfortably. [end edit] Everything that was pressed into the Malaga fits comfortably into the Watson. It is exactly what I wanted - a slightly bigger (in terms of volume) bag with respect to the Malaga, without carrying a really big bag. If your kit contains narrow or long items, you might be better off with a Malaga. For my kit, The Watson is nearly perfect. Why nearly? Well, there is a slight downside to the Watson. The administration pouch is less than ideal. The pen pockets are short - too short to fully hold a normal size pen. The other pockets are too small to e really useful. It would have been better if the administration pouch was similar to the one on the Tonto. In my case, it is a small gripe. If you really need a good administration pouch, you may be a little disappointed. I still like carrying the Tonto. It is a low profile bag that adequately meets my minimal needs, particularly when just running around town or half day outings. I will use the Watson for all day outings. The bag is comfortable to carry and easily holds my 20 oz. Thermos in the side pouch. (It would hold a 32 oz bottle if my kit didn't press against the walls. A 32 oz. bottle will press into the main compartment a little.) [edit 2014/02/02] Regarding appearance, I must admit that this bag looks better in person (at least in black) than it does on the company's website. It was purchased for its functionality, but it is nice that the side pouches don't seem to bulge out as much as the pictures seem to suggest. [end edit] Would I recommend this bag? Yes, without reservation. Is it well constructed? It appears to be. Does it meet my needs? Absolutely, but YMMV.
