RECOIL OFFGRID Gear Vanquest IBEX Review: The Ultimate Gear Hauling Solution
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Vanquest is a small U.S. based company that specializes in making top quality soft goods including backpacks, slings bags, and organization pouches. Beyond having a passion for excellent craftsmanship, each piece of gear Vanquest designs has a goal of providing solutions for common gear hauling problems. The IBEX series is a perfect example of the Vanquest ethos.
The IBEX series is available in a 26 and 35-liter options – as I was using this for my Get Home Bag I opted for the 26-liter option to avoid over packing. At first glance the IBEX looks similar to many hiking style packs with its tall narrow design, waist belt, and numerous external gear mounting options. This design style is ideal for safely managing a heavier pack as the weight is better distributed and the hip belt allows the weight of the pack to be taken off your shoulders and moved to stronger muscles groups in your hips and legs. The shift in weight off your shoulders improves balance, reduces fatigue, and decreases the likelihood of muscle strain injuries. Like high quality hiking packs, the IBEX has excellent padding on the straps and a stiff but breathable back for structure and comfort.
Above: The high quality YKK zippers combined with Spartan Loops makes opening and closing the pack a breeze.
What makes the Vanquest IBEX unique is that it successfully blends the comfort and safety of a well-designed hiking pack with the toughness and organizational benefits often found in tactical style packs. Unlike traditional hiking packs which employ a thin lightweight nylon, the IBEX is primarily built with ultra durable Cordura nylon that is both wear and tear resistant. The external Molle Panels are made from Hypalon which is resistant to the elements, continuous UV rays, and chemicals. Vanquest uses high quality YKK zippers paired with Spartan zipper pulls that make rapidly opening or closing the pack easy in high stress situations.
Above: The side pockets of the IBEX feature bright ripstop nylon interior and a loop panel for adding accessories.
In addition to the Molle panels that pouches or gear can be lashed to, the exterior offers two pockets on either side that can house quick access items and even expand to fit larger items. The pockets contain hook and loop panels where optional accessory pouches can be added. The top of the pack offers one large pocket that also can provide access to the main compartment without having to unzipper the whole pack. The exterior also offers a number of attachment points that can be used to lash on items like trekking poles and hatchets.
Above: The interior offers a generous back pocket that also has loop /molle webbing for adding pouches and organizers.
The main compartment offers one opaque zipper compartment and a pocket a zipper providing secondary access to the top exterior pocket. There is a back pocket that can easily fit a laptop or water bladder, and molle/hook and loop attachment points for additional organization pouches.
Under heavy load the IBEX-26 is one of the most comfortable packs I have carried both in urban and wilderness scenarios. The design works exactly as it should, distributing weight to the hips and legs, significantly reducing muscle strain and fatigue during all day carry.
Above: The thick waist straps offer support and provide attachment points for quick access gear.
The IBEX materials held up well to the elements. While not entirely waterproof, while trekking during light rain and short periods of moderate rain the water resistant Cordura did a good job of my interior items safe and dry.
The organizational features of the IBEX are excellent. The built-in pockets provide plenty of room to organize your essential items that remain in the pack no matter how you are using it, while the ability to attach pouches via hook and loop or Molle webbing allow for quick and easy roll changes based on your activities. Having the ability to know where items are for ease of access is far better when compared to cavernous main compartment typically found in a hiking style bag.
Above: The back padding of the IBEX offers comfort and breathability under heavy loads.
While the IBEX is packed with the features that you normally find in a tactical style bag its design gives it a low-profile appearance, so it easily blends in with any other hiking style pack in the wilderness or the day packs found in urban areas.
When carrying lighter loads or trying to maintain a low profile the hip belt can be stowed or removed all together.
The Vanquest team truly brought the best of two worlds together when designing the IBEX Series. By combining the low-profile nature and load bearing prowess of a hiking pack with the durability and organizational features of a tactical pack, Vanquest has created one of the most versatile packs I have used.
Above: One of the many optional accessories offered by Vanquest that can attach to the loop panels.
Compromises are surprisingly few in the IBEX series. If you are used to a traditional hiking style pack, the only notable drawbacks are the lack of external water bottle pockets and the increased base weight of the pack. Those used to carrying tactical style packs may have to adjust to the difference in weight distribution and accessing gear may not be ask quick without the addition of a few add on organizers. While Vanquest’s IBEX packs are not the most budget friendly option – the innovation, build quality, and versatility are definitely worth the asking price.
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