By IPC

Last year, Voodoo Tactical made noteworthy changes to their Mini Tobago Backpack.  The changes include a different color style, new color patterns, and a new MOLLE platform. Overall, the new look is a definite improvement while keeping a high level of functionality. 

I have been using the Voodoo Tactical Mini Tobago Backpack almost exclusively for travel and hiking for almost a year now. I have tested it under numerous different scenarios, temperatures, and conditions. It has made two busy trips through Europe and I have taken it on several different hikes, rucks, and drives. It has bounced around the back of the truck and been thrown around campsites. While I have not taken a knife and hammer to the bag to test its durability, I have certainly not taken it easy on the bag. 

First, I have to say that I am a big fan of the redesign. Voodoo added another small zipper pouch to the outside of the bag, swapped out the classic MOLLE for laser cut style MOLLE, and changed up the color scheme. So far, the extra small pouch has been nice to store things like maps, small food bars, or cash while I am rucking or traveling. The new MOLLE works just as well as the old style, but it gives the Mini Tobago a cleaner look.

The updated color scheme is a major improvement as far as cosmetics. Instead of the entire bag being a solid color, Voodoo now offers the Mini Tobago in several different two-tone color styles. The primary colors are limited to black and gray, but there are numerous secondary colors including blue, gray, pink, red, purple, and tiffany blue. The secondary colors are strategically placed over the bag. While at SHOT Show 2018, Voodoo also had demoed Mini Tobago bags with various camouflage patterns. The new color schemes and the new MOLLE have given the Mini Tobago a sharper, less in-your-face look. Voodoo Tactical has also made the same changes to their soft rifle cases, soft pistol cases, and their line of range bags.

The Mini Tobago held up well through some rough testing. After a Voodoo Tactical representative at SHOT 2018 challenged me to test the Mini Tobago, I promptly took it home, filled it with some rocks and hunks of wood and proceeded to throw and drag the bag around. The bag ended up pretty dirty, but none of the stitching pulled out. I cleaned the bag up a bit and I have used it throughout the year since. The only stitching that has started to pull out is one line on the arm strap holding a D loop. (I have a tendency to hook my fingers in them and pull as I walk.) My bag has traveled extensively and it works very well as carry-on luggage, it can fit under the seat or overhead.

The bag is very comfortable and has plenty of padding. The zippers for the main compartment go all the way down to the bottom of the bag, allowing you to completely open the bag and making it easy to pack and unpack. This feature also makes it well suited to be used as a medical/trauma bag. It does not have dividers, but packed well the items in the bag do not move much. The smaller pockets on the sides and front of the bag vary in size, and are easy to reach. The larger pockets at the bottom and front have MOLLE, allowing you to attach more pouches. It has a small chest buckle to connect the shoulder straps, but it does not have a waist strap and buckle, so I would not recommend it for long term hiking and camping. However, the Mini Tobago is perfect for day trips and weekend camp outs.

Overall, I have been favorably impressed with the redesigned Mini Tobago from Voodoo Tactical. It has held up well and the numerous compartments make it a very versatile bag that can be used for a number of different purposes. I will definitely continue to use this bag for long into the future.